Honoring a Member of the Original Expert Witness Group
John Steinfirst
John F. Steinfirst, 85, died September 24, 2025, at his home in San Francisco, California. He celebrated his 85th birthday just weeks earlier with family and friends. Throughout his life, John was known for his warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, youth, and families served by behavioral health and social service systems.
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, John earned a B.A. from Duke University, a Master of Social Work from New York University, and a master’s degree in business from Columbia University. He devoted his career to strengthening programs and organizations serving vulnerable populations. Most notably, he served for two decades as Chief Executive Officer of Fred Finch Youth & Family Services in Oakland, guiding the organization’s growth into a nationally respected provider of behavioral health and child welfare services.
Following his tenure at Fred Finch, John continued to contribute to the field as a nonprofit leader, advisor, and expert witness. He brought thoughtful analysis, integrity, and deep experience to his work, helping courts, organizations, and professionals better understand the standards of care required to protect and support vulnerable youth.
We remember and honor John for his mentorship, his generosity of spirit, and his lifelong commitment to improving systems of care for children and families. His influence continues through the many professionals he guided and the organizations he helped shape.
John Steinfirst
John F. Steinfirst, 85, died September 24, 2025, at his home in San Francisco, California. He celebrated his 85th birthday just weeks earlier with family and friends. Throughout his life, John was known for his warmth, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children, youth, and families served by behavioral health and social service systems.
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, John earned a B.A. from Duke University, a Master of Social Work from New York University, and a master’s degree in business from Columbia University. He devoted his career to strengthening programs and organizations serving vulnerable populations. Most notably, he served for two decades as Chief Executive Officer of Fred Finch Youth & Family Services in Oakland, guiding the organization’s growth into a nationally respected provider of behavioral health and child welfare services.
Following his tenure at Fred Finch, John continued to contribute to the field as a nonprofit leader, advisor, and expert witness. He brought thoughtful analysis, integrity, and deep experience to his work, helping courts, organizations, and professionals better understand the standards of care required to protect and support vulnerable youth.
We remember and honor John for his mentorship, his generosity of spirit, and his lifelong commitment to improving systems of care for children and families. His influence continues through the many professionals he guided and the organizations he helped shape.