Josh Gran of Giant Steps (est. 2023), spent the last decade as a leader in the growth of People USA (formerly People Inc.), an innovative, peer-led mental health / behavioral health nonprofit org. & service provider in NY.

In his role as Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Josh significantly grew People USA's annual revenue, and the company’s recognition / impact across the nation. Because of his successes, Josh also got to work with clients across the United States, helping them to also innovate and grow their organizations, or improve their broader systems of care.

Josh has created, sustained, and replicated unique models & approaches that significantly reduce preventable hospital utilization, reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement, and reduce overall healthcare costs – producing $ millions in annual healthcare savings / substantial % reductions in total system costs – while also setting new industry standards for quality care / customer service, health outcomes, and improved quality of life.

Josh’s professional highlights include:

• Grew People USA’s annual operating revenue by over 1,025% in under 10 years.

• Achieved an 80+% success rate in winning grants (national industry average: 10-30%).

• Part of the core team that designed, developed, and opened the Dutchess County Stabilization Center – the Northeast’s first Crisis Stabilization Center (CSC) & the first peer-led in the world – in Poughkeepsie, NY.

• Working with the CEO, helped healthcare providers and government agencies across the United States and Europe to develop and open 15+ peer-run crisis respites / short-term crisis residences.

• Created and implemented the Transitional Care Wellness Team model - an innovative hybrid of transitional care mgmt. and whole health / wellness coaching.

• Developed the Forensic Mobile Crisis & Response Team – New York’s first Mobile Team with a criminal justice focus & the first peer-led in the United States in Westchester County, NY.

• Increased People USA’s supportive housing / affordable housing units by over 251%, including a 96 unit ESSHI development project (in development).

• Developed and refined People USA’s new and existing intellectual property (IP) – e.g. curricula, program design, evaluation tools, and trainings – making replication of unique models & approaches across the world easier, and increasing management consulting sales.

• Multiple states (in addition to NY) have modeled regulations, guidelines, licensure, and billing rates – including new Medicaid programs – on Josh’s work.

• Created all People USA corporate copy.

• Working with the CEO, elevated People USA from a grassroots peer advocacy & support organization to become one of the most recognized and respected mental health / behavioral health service providers & thought leaders in the United States.