Kari O’Rourke Named CEO of Brightline

Brightline Co-Founder Naomi Allen appointed Executive Chair of the Board

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brightline, the leading pediatric mental health solution supporting kids, teens, and their parents, today announced that Kari O’Rourke has been named chief executive officer (CEO), effective Dec. 2, 2025. Current Brightline CEO and Co-founder Naomi Allen will become executive chair of the board of directors.

O’Rourke, a certified nurse practitioner and growth-focused healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience, will drive Brightline’s expansion of its hybrid model, offering both virtual and in-person care to kids, teens, and their families. Brightline recently launched its first clinics in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, New York.

“Kari has a remarkable track record of building and scaling high-impact healthcare companies that deliver better outcomes and experiences, while increasing access to high-quality care,” said Allen. “I am confident she will successfully lead Brightline to help us reach even more families, increase access, and enhance pediatric and youth mental health.”

In her new role, Allen will remain active day-to-day and will continue to support Brightline’s long-term vision, including strategic partnerships, to further the company’s commitment to accessible, affordable, and flexible mental health care for kids and families.

O’Rourke currently serves as the president of Imagine Pediatrics. Prior to this role, she was chief operating officer for Cortica and Landmark Health, and also held leadership roles at CVS Health.

“Naomi and the team at Brightline have set a new standard of care for how family and children’s mental healthcare is delivered, both virtually and in-person,” said incoming Brightline CEO Kari O’Rourke. “My vision is to expand Brightline’s reach by scaling our clinical model and operations, ensuring we can impact even more families looking for high-quality, evidence-based mental health care.”

The leadership transition comes at a time of remarkable growth for Brightline. The company recently announced a strategic alliance with Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare provider and private employer. In California, Brightline’s industry-first partnership with the Department of Health Care Services and CalHOPE, BrightLife Kids, has reached more than 250,000 kids.

Billy Deitch, Brightline investor and partner at Oak HC/FT, said, “Well-executed leadership transitions where a founder moves to executive chair of the board have the potential to strengthen a company, positioning it to grow faster while staying true to the founding vision. Naomi has created a truly remarkable business, and Kari has the demonstrated ability to execute, build systems, and deliver impact. We’re excited and confident about the future of Brightline under this incredible leadership team.”

About Brightline 


Brightline is a therapy and psychiatry practice that delivers pediatric, teen, and parental mental health care to families and kids up to age 18. Brightline's in-person and virtual outpatient services include diagnostic evaluation, therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and psychological testing to assess autism, learning differences, executive functioning, school readiness, and giftedness. Brightline also offers focused programs for anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and disruptive behaviors. Founded in 2019, Brightline is nationally recognized for its innovation and clinical excellence in delivering care to children and families. Brightline is headquartered in San Mateo and backed by leading investors such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Northwell Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Google Ventures, KKR, and Oak HC/FT. For more information, visit brightline.com.