Vince’s story is as remarkable as the mission he champions. Born in a shelter and beginning life in foster care, he carries a personal understanding of the struggles many at the Dream Center face daily. His lived experience has given him an empathy that goes far beyond professional training. It fuels a conviction that hope, healing, and restoration are always possible.

Over the last 25 years, Vince has established himself as a trusted leader in nonprofit, faith, and philanthropic circles. His career has spanned complex areas of homelessness, addiction recovery, human trafficking response, mental health advocacy, and large-scale fundraising. As part of The Salvation Army’s statewide expansion plan, he helped lead The Salvation Army’s statewide expansion, doubling shelter capacity from 9,000 to 18,000 beds while providing project management across 60 sites across the three divisions in California. During Vince’s tenure, the Southern California Division created more than 1,200 new shelter beds, and he helped rewrite the Master Plan for the Bell Shelter, transforming it into a trauma-informed recovery campus—one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

Beyond housing, Vince helped build the In-N-Out Burger Slave 2 Nothing Foundation from the ground up. Recruited by the company president, he directed over $10 million in grant funding to addiction recovery and anti-trafficking organizations. His leadership extended into personal site visits, board roles with survivor-led initiatives, and partnerships with law enforcement to train officers in trafficking awareness and compassionate response.

Mental health has also been a consistent thread throughout his work. Vince has led suicide prevention programs for schools, integrated trauma-informed care into shelters, and trained staff and officers statewide in crisis de-escalation and recovery support. His own childhood, marked by trauma and loss, gives him unique insight into the emotional needs of those navigating crisis.

As a fundraiser and strategist, Vince has raised millions to fuel life-changing programs. From securing capital grants to producing high-profile donor events, he has been a bridge between philanthropy and frontline impact. At In-N-Out, he even helped launch a national awareness campaign that placed hotline numbers for addiction and trafficking support on every burger bag and delivery truck—a creative way to connect urgent resources with millions of people.

Now at the Dream Center, Vince approaches leadership not as replacing the past but strengthening its foundation for the future. His focus is on alignment—staff, volunteers, and partners moving together in shared mission. He is equally committed to equipping the next generation of leaders, ensuring that those who come after him will be ready to carry the Dream Center’s work into new seasons. Rooted in faith, sharpened by personal trials, and tested in leadership across the nation, Dr. Vince Beresford sees his role as stewarding a movement. His vision is simple yet profound: expand the reach of the Dream Center without ever losing its heart.