Growth is not just a goal — it’s a journey. Here we grow.
As a healthcare CEO in Roanoke, Virginia, Celia McCauley-Wittl has spent more than 14 years building Roanoke Resource into a holistic clinic serving individuals across the region. Through community-based mental health services, primary care, psychiatry, ketamine therapy, and TMS treatment, Celia leads with authenticity, resilience, and a deep commitment to reducing suffering in her community.
Her journey reflects what we see in many Virginia CEOs — growth-minded leaders who never stop learning, evolving, and building impact.
Celia, thank you for taking the time to tell us about you and your company. What do you do, who do you serve, and what makes your business unique?
Roanoke Resource is a healthcare clinic nestled in the heart of downtown Roanoke. We provide primary care, psychiatry, ketamine, TMS, skill building and PSR. In our non-traditional programs we serve adults living with chronic serious mental illness with the goals of aiding them to stay out of the hospital, jail or homeless shelter. In our traditional services, we serve the lifespan.
What makes my business unique is the people; we have created a safe environment for staff to be their authentic selves which has trickle-down effects allow our patrons to get the best service possible. The wide breadth of services also makes this a unique clinic. We are truly holistic attending to the body, mind, and spirit.
What inspired you to become a CEO or start your business? Was there a defining moment or motivation behind your journey?
As a young person, I always dreamt of owning my own practice, I just didn’t know what that looked like. My mom worked in community mental health and I always loved watching her work with her “peeps.” She was so tender and caring. She loved what she did and it showed.
I had the opportunity to work at her same company while trying to get in to college. I quickly learned I had a knack for admin and finding issues. I rose quickly through the ranks at this company.
After finishing my nursing degree, I realized this company was not where I was meant to be so I left and went to the ER. Essentially the same population (mental health and substance use) but with strokes and heart attacks to boot. After some time working in the ER, I realized that I worried about my people after they left. Did they get their meds, change their bandages. I never knew unless they came back to the ER.
I missed community work and really didn’t like being in a box all day. So, I reached out to a friend, told her my plan, and said if she was interested meet me at my house that Sunday. Sure enough, 9 a.m. on the dot, she was there, notebook in hand. That started this 14 year journey of Roanoke Resource.
What’s been your biggest challenge as a CEO, and how did you overcome it?
There have been so many challenges over the last decade, but I would say staffing has always been the Achilles heel for me. The non-traditional services are difficulty and staff come and go from those services. And as times have changed, the desire to work in community mental health has declined as well. People would rather jobs in offices or from home.
I continue to pivot, think outside the box, and try new solutions for the staffing issue. I haven’t overcome it. I think this is part of the bane of being a CEO, having to constantly work on this piece.
What’s one accomplishment you’re especially proud of in your business journey?
Reducing the darkness in the community. For our patrons, they can come and be themselves, be supported, and feel seen. For staff, they can show up as their authentic selves, which allows for positive vibes to flow through from top to bottom and back up.
As a new business, we were in the green the very first year and have been ever since.
How has being a member of Virginia CEOs (VACEOs) impacted your leadership or business?
Being a part of VACEO’s has been so impactful for many reasons. One, reducing the feeling of loneliness. Having my crew and the entire VACEO family there to support me has changed that feeling. I know now that if I need something, someone is only a text, email away. And my specific roundtable has been so amazing. Especially during hard times for me, they showed up and showered me with support/love.
I have also gotten the opportunity to learn about business strategies and tactics. I didn’t attend business school, so I’ve learned about things as I needed to along the way. Having so many good resources at a finger’s tip has been amazing. I learn every meeting, retreat, luncheon. I love it.
How do you stay sharp as a leader?
I stay sharp by mentoring and being mentored. In terms of the clinical side, I have to stay abreast of current topics and strategies so that I can help others realize their potentials. Additionally, having a sounding board of my own has been priceless.
Obviously, I wax and wane depending on the current life flow, but I try to focus on sleep and novelty. Sleep helps you clear the ‘junk’ from the day from your brain. Sleep allows your body to do important work. I attribute my of my success and being able to overcome stressors to sleep. Novelty keeps the brain happy and gives those little dopamine hits the keep you spry. It’s so easy to get into a rut of every day life/work, so having those little (or big) moments of novelty really helps.
What’s something about your company culture that you’re proud of?
Our authenticity. Everyone is encouraged to be their truest self. We have a strong LGBTQ+ community and I hear from them that this is first time they don’t have to “mask” at work. Love that. Also, we are silly, goofy, funny, weird. We have inside jokes and dark humor. You need those to survive working in community mental health. We also have each other’s back. If something happens, we all show. Now that, is something.
How do you define success — for yourself and your business?
Myself: very simple really, success for me is enjoying what I do every day and making people’s lives better in the process.
Business: from a monetary stand point, standing in the green. We’ve done that every year, so keeping that tradition. But from a community stand point, leaving our community a little better each day.
What’s your favorite thing about doing business in Virginia (or Roanoke specifically)?
Good cost of living/business to income. Beautiful area to work in. Safe, protected from natural disasters. My people are here: family, friends, the best colleges in the world.
What’s next for you and your company?
So many exciting plans: our ketamine clinic is taking off. Additionally, we have just started TMS services. This is such an amazing non-medication-based treatment to help folks with depression, anxiety, or OCD.
I have a heart project I am working on with Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) to create a new take on dementia care. I am calling it ‘Mind Garden.’
Fun fact: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have a plant older than my marriage (16 years).
A Community Where Leaders Grow
Celia’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and continuous growth — qualities shared by leaders across Virginia CEOs.
At the top, leadership can feel isolating. But it doesn’t have to be. Through confidential peer groups, roundtables, retreats, and meaningful connections, Virginia CEOs provides a place where leaders can grow together.
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