Rich Bowlen, completed his degree in sociology and psychology at the University of Muskingum in 1991. Following his education, he began his career as a licensed social worker working as a frontline caseworker for Franklin County Children Services. In 1997, he began serving as Lay Guardian ad Litem with the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office in Columbus, OH representing the best interest of children in abuse, neglect, and dependency cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. He then accepted a role with Fairfield County Job and Family Services as Director of Operations to spearhead the organization’s accreditation, strategic planning, levy campaign, and restructuring process.  Throughout his career, he has served on the State Behavioral Health Leadership Group and as Co-Chair for the Protect Ohio IV-E Waiver Committee. 

He joined Cordata Healthcare Innovations as a Senior Vice President in 2021 and leads their Child and Family Services practice to bring meaningful collaboration to public and private partnerships. Today, he continues his direct service to vulnerable children and families as Vice Chairman for the Fairfield Metropolitan Housing Authority Board and as Board Vice President for the Harcum House Child Advocacy Center in Lancaster Ohio.