Catalight’s President and CEO, Susan Armiger, has been awarded a Silver Stevie Award for Innovative Woman of the Year in Healthcare. The accolade was presented during a gala held in New York City on November 11, 2025, recognizing her exceptional contributions to enhancing access and quality in behavioral healthcare, particularly for individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Under Armiger’s leadership, Catalight has become a significant player in the U.S. behavioral health landscape. The organization has implemented a value-based care model in partnership with one of California’s largest health insurers, which has now entered its eighth year. This initiative has led to tangible improvements in care delivery, with 93% of families receiving access to care within ten days, a stark contrast to the national average wait times that can extend from several months to a year.
Addressing the Growing Need for Timely Care
The rising diagnosis rates of autism spectrum disorder, which have increased nearly sixfold since 2000, have intensified the demand for accessible healthcare services. Currently, 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism, while 1 in 6 are identified with developmental disabilities. These figures highlight the urgency for timely assessments and interventions that can significantly impact children’s development and family wellbeing.
“Access to timely, personalized care can change the trajectory of a child’s life,” Armiger stated. She emphasized that the recognition from the Stevie Awards reflects the team’s commitment to reimagining healthcare by breaking down barriers and ensuring that every individual and family can achieve their unique wellness goals.
In the past year, Catalight has achieved remarkable results, including a customer satisfaction score of 4.34 out of 5 across more than 24,000 families. The organization has also successfully reduced care costs by 30% while expanding both access and innovative care solutions.
Innovative Approaches to Behavioral Health
The Stevie judging committee commended Armiger for her vision to democratize care. Her efforts include promoting flexible, caregiver-led approaches and investing in education and research to bolster outcomes in behavioral health. Under her guidance, Catalight has rolled out the Catalight Classroom, offering a continuing education curriculum to professionals globally, and launched the “What’s Up With Catalight!” podcast, which aims to foster discussions on standards of care and overall wellbeing.
“Congratulations on achieving transformative impact in behavioral health through innovative, measurable solutions,” noted a member of the Stevie judging committee. “Susan Armiger’s leadership at Catalight dramatically reduced wait times, improved satisfaction, lowered costs, and expanded caregiver-mediated care at scale, surpassing national benchmarks.”
The 2025 Stevie Awards for Women in Business received over 1,500 nominations from organizations and individuals across 48 countries, underscoring the global recognition of outstanding women leaders. Armiger’s achievements at Catalight not only highlight her individual success but also reflect the organization’s mission to create a more equitable world for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Catalight, through its affiliate partners, Easterseals Hawaii and Easterseals Northern California, continues to support thousands of individuals and families on their care journeys. As one of the largest behavioral health networks in the U.S., Catalight connects over 16,000 practitioners with approximately 24,000 patients and families annually, driving forward a new era of healthcare accessibility and innovation.