Pastoral Institute Executive Director & CEO Tom Waynick to Retire
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023
The Pastoral Institute is announcing the retirement of Executive Director/CEO, CH (COL) Thomas Waynick after eight years of visionary and successful leadership October 31, 2023. Rev. Waynick's departure as CEO leaves behind a remarkable legacy of compassion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the field of counseling and pastoral care.
The Pastoral Institute has been serving the Columbus community and beyond for nearly 50 years. Our story began in 1974 with four men who sought to nurture healthy relationships among working families in our region. Our founders envisioned a place where people could strengthen their mental, emotional, and spiritual roots in order to grow and thrive. We strive to be a safe place to tell your story.
Waynick’s tenure at the Pastoral Institute followed a 35-year career as a Chaplain in the United States Army. He was chosen for advanced civilian schooling which culminated in him becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Upon Waynick’s return from combat operations in Iraq, the Chief of Chaplains appointed him as the Director of the Fort Benning Family Life Training Center where he supervised the education of over 50 marriage and family clinicians. He later served in Washington, D.C. in a command tasked with making Army Family policies. After serving as the Pentagon Chaplain, he returned to Fort Benning for his final assignment. Following his retirement, he assumed the responsibility of leading the Pastoral Institute.
Under Tom’s steady hand the Pastoral Institute transformed its culture to meet the needs of our ever changing and diverse community. His unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the organization has been instrumental in embracing a strategic vision dedicated to changing lives, fostering resilience and healing, and bringing hope to our clients. With Waynick’s solid leadership, the Pastoral Institute navigated the crying need for delivering counseling services to our community and its frontline workers and caregivers during the pandemic. He has gracefully led a team of therapists and staff through the changing landscape and challenges of access to mental health services including reduced reimbursements from insurance companies and workforce shortages.
Commenting on his retirement, Rev. Waynick expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as CEO of the Pastoral Institute. "It has been an honor and a privilege to lead such amazing, passionate, and dedicated caregivers in bringing healing, growth, and wholeness to this community. I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved in these challenging times and have full confidence in the PI's continued mission under the capable leadership of my successor."
Upon stepping down from the role of CEO, Waynick will remain on staff as one of the Pastoral Institute’s Marriage and Family therapists.
After a search of both internal and external candidates, the Executive Board of Directors has selected Laura Cardin as Waynick’s successor.
Cardin will step into the role of Executive Director/CEO on September 1, 2023. Laura has served at the Pastoral Institute for seven years. Her first four years were as the Development Director. Her most recent role as the Director of Operations encompassed the management of facilities, the oversight of day-to-day operations, and implementing of the strategic direction of the Pastoral Institute.
Laura has an impressive 21 years of experience working with non-profits. She has served with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Columbus State University, and the Columbus Regional Health Foundation (now the Piedmont Columbus Regional Health Foundation) in program management and fundraising prior to joining the Pastoral Institute.
The Pastoral Institute’s Board Chair, Bill Turner III stated, “On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors of the Pastoral Institute, I want to thank Tom Waynick for his tireless work and steady hand in guiding this organization for the last eight years. Tom has directed the PI through some of its most challenging times and has managed the difficulties with grace and determination. We are forever grateful for his leadership, and I'm happy for him that he has reached this milestone in his life. We are excited about the future of the Pastoral Institute and look forward to serving our community for many years.”
