Uinta Academy is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director, Daryn Reiner. After a 12.5-year tenure, Russ Pryor, the outgoing Executive Director, leaves a legacy of excellence at Uinta Academy and will be missed. Daryn Reiner is a seasoned and passionate professional who plans to further enhance the exceptional services offered to Uinta’s students and families. With an extensive background in mental health and a deep-seated passion for supporting individuals through their struggles, Daryn brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the position.

Born and raised partly overseas, primarily in Southeast Asia, Daryn gained a broad understanding of diverse cultures and the importance of compassion. She has exemplified resilience and determination throughout her life journey, including training a young racehorse into a prize-winning hunter/jumper and serving as a nuclear engineer in the Navy for six years. Responding to the devastating tsunami in 2005, Daryn had an epiphany that set her on the path of mental health work as she witnessed the unwavering spirit of life amidst unimaginable hardships. Inspired by the resilience of those encountered, especially the children, Daryn found her calling to make a difference in the lives of young individuals facing emotional challenges. Following her humanitarian work in Zimbabwe, Daryn pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology at Seattle University, where she helped establish and manage a therapeutic day school for students with various behavioral challenges. Later, during her graduate studies, Daryn delved deeper into the mental health field, focusing on counseling psychology. 

She has since spent years in residential and wilderness settings as a mentor, residential staff, and program executive leader, fostering positive change in the lives of pre-teens, adolescents, and young adults. Serving as an educational consultant for eight years, Daryn continued to contribute significantly to the field, guiding families and young individuals toward appropriate and transformative interventions. Her past eight years were spent in a leadership position as a director of admissions. Throughout her career, Daryn has had several powerful experiences with Uinta Academy, witnessing the unparalleled commitment and passion of the staff and therapists. When the opportunity arose to take the reins at Uinta, it felt like a natural alignment of her experiences and fervor for this critical work.

“I love all the funny and heartfelt little moments of being integrated into the daily life with your children; the pride in a child’s eyes when the students compliment the dinner they made or the budding sense of command presence when they are giving direction and guidance to the assistant chef,” says Executive Director Daryn Reiner. “My heart lifts watching the staff sitting in a hard moment with a crying student, not trying to ‘fix it,’ but rather letting that child know that they are not alone and helping them grow through these moments.”

As Daryn takes the reins at Uinta Academy, her priority remains to ensure every student’s health and well-being. Understanding the immense trust parents and families place in the program when seeking residential treatment for their children, Daryn is committed to building upon the trust established at Uinta. Drawing from her firsthand experience as a mother of two, one with special needs, Daryn empathizes deeply with parents of high-needs children. She recognizes the importance of collaboration between referral partners, parents, families, and the treatment center to create healthy and happy futures and relationships for the students in their care. 

Uinta Academy is excited about the future under Daryn’s leadership and is confident that she will continue to be a beacon of hope and transformation for young individuals seeking to overcome challenges and embrace their true potential.  

About Uinta Academy

Uinta Academy is a residential treatment center serving youth-assigned females at birth, ages 12-20, who struggle with attachment issues, mood disorders, maintaining interpersonal relationships, and/or healing after trauma. Uinta’s equine-assisted psychotherapy, trauma-informed therapy, research-based therapeutic milieu, and accredited academic program promote long-lasting change.

A safe place for emotional growth.