Deb Aldridge, a seasoned healthcare professional with over 28 years of experience, specializes in Practice Transformation, Clinical Informatics, and Quality Improvement. Currently serving as Chief Networking Officer at Alera Health, she leads a multidisciplinary team in identifying improvement opportunities across healthcare settings and driving meaningful improvement. Deb’s role involves mentoring staff and providing direct practice coaching to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Her extensive expertise stems from previous work at Community Care of North Carolina and the Beacon Community Program nationally, where she spearheaded cross-functional quality improvement projects and implemented cutting-edge health IT solutions. Throughout her career, Deb has demonstrated a commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and collaboration. Her leadership and expertise make her a trusted resource in the field, driving transformative change and optimizing patient care outcomes through the integration of technology and process improvement initiatives.

Terry Blackwell is a seasoned leader with operational expertise in managing budgets, program requirements, risk mitigation, funding, and people. Terry brings more than three decades of diverse leadership experience serving the needs of people with disabilities. A recognized thought leader among his peers, Terry is a regular presenter at the national level for Applied Behavior Analysis International.

Notably, Terry helped lead the development of the country’s only I/DD- and autism-focused ACO. During the establishment of this entity, he worked with NCQA to impact national policy to accommodate the special needs of the I/DD and ASD (Autistic Spectrum) populations.

Previously, Terry was the Chief Executive Officer for Chimes International, a large multi-service nonprofit operating in the mid-Atlantic and in partnership with Chimes Israel in Tel Aviv. He worked closely with the board of directors of the parent company and the six affiliate companies in developing a coherent voice and outward-facing presence to external stakeholders. Terry also created new and exciting program ventures within the company, consistent with the evidence-based best practices in the fields of integrated supported work I/DD, autism, and behavioral health.

Terry was also the Chief Operating Officer for Services for the Underserved (SUS), a nonprofit organization that provides services to people with autism, intellectual disabilities, behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse issues as well as veterans’ services in a variety of coordinated and integrated care models. In this role, Terry provided operational leadership and oversight for this 187-million-dollar social services agency with 2,000 employees. He also co-created and co-chaired a 2.8-billion-dollar membership group of I/DD provider organizations oriented to aligning best practices in the field for managed care impact in Pennsylvania.

Before SUS, Terry was the Vice President of Operations for Fedcap, Inc., a 75-year-old NYC-based nonprofit serving over 1,000 clients with special needs throughout the New York metropolitan area, where he identified and developed associated license and programs for persons who have lifetime disabilities that may qualify for supports through federal and state initiatives.

Terry also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Developmental Delay Rehabilitation Services, Inc., where he provided direction and oversight for fiscal, programmatic, and development function of a New York State Education Department and New York State Department of Health approved home and community-based early intervention and early childhood program. The program was referenced by key national autism experts as a “best practices publicly funded services for autism” program in the Northeast.

In addition to earning his Master of Science degree in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania, including attendance at the Wharton School, Terry is a Licensed School Principal, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and Certified Addictions Specialist. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Saint Peter’s University.

Josh Burke serves as the Director of Emergency Services at Northeast Kingdom Human Services (NKHS), where he leads a comprehensive continuum of crisis programs, including Mobile Crisis, Vermont’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Center, and The Front Porch mental health urgent care and stabilization program. Drawing on more than 15 years of behavioral health experience, Josh has developed a reputation for advancing innovative, community-based crisis responses that reduce reliance on emergency departments.

His approach integrates clinical expertise, data-driven program development, and collaborative partnerships with law enforcement, hospitals, and state agencies. Josh also maintains a private practice as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and is committed to building sustainable, evidence-based crisis services that strengthen both individuals and communities.

James Button serves as President & CEO of Citizen Advocates, St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, Harison Place and the Fieldstone Foundation. A mission-driven leader, James has guided Citizen Advocates through a period of strategic growth marked by thoughtful affiliations, service expansion, and innovation across behavioral health, addiction recovery and Intellectual/Developmental Disability services.

Appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to the Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council and previously by Governor Andrew Cuomo to the New York State Rural Health Council, James has helped shape statewide policy to improve access and equity for New Yorkers in need of care.

Under his leadership, Citizen Advocates has advanced next-generation models of integrated care—such as behavioral health campuses that bring multiple disciplines together under one roof, and Harison Place, an innovative supportive housing community designed to promote stability, independence and recovery.

Recognized as a gifted public speaker and storyteller, James is known for communicating complex ideas in a way that inspires action and unity. He holds master’s degrees in Education and Clinical Social Work from the State University of New York and a Healthcare Administrator’s Certificate from the University of Vermont.

He lives in upstate New York with his wife Camelia, their sons Ben and Jake, and their German shepherd, Paris.

Karen Carloni is the Director of Boundless Advantage, the strategic resources division of “Boundless Strategic Resources, Inc”. Boundless Advantage focuses on the development of strategic partnerships. Her role is to develop culturally successful, smooth integrations.  Karen’s former roles include CEO of Southern Maryland Community Network, COO of Cornerstone Montgomery and VP of Market Intelligence at Open Minds. She has also served in clinical and social services roles during her career. At Boundless Advantage she combines her over 30 years of diverse experience in health and human services with a strong focus on developing sustainable organizations. 

Ronald J. Colavito is an accomplished executive leader with over 20 years of experience in operational leadership, financial management, and strategic business development. Currently serving as President and CEO of the Access: Network, which includes Access: Supports for Living Inc.; The Guidance Center of Westchester, Inc.; New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc.; and Meaningful NY Initiatives for People with Disabilities, Inc., he oversees corporate operations with an annual budget exceeding $160 million and a workforce of more than 2,200. Collectively, the organizations deliver innovative behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, housing, employment, and children and families services to over 20,000 adults and children across New York’s Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.

Under his leadership, Ron has driven significant growth, more than doubling organizational budgets since 2010 through strategic business development. He excels in implementing data-driven decision-making, fostering partnerships, and successfully integrating financial and operational systems to enhance efficiency and scalability.

Ron holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Quinnipiac University, a BS in Accounting from SUNY Geneseo, and completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at Harvard Business School. His extensive board involvement includes current roles with Coordinated Behavioral Health Services IPA, NYIN, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation, InUnity Alliance, New York Disability Advocates, CareDesign NY, Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Hudson Valley Service Providers, as well as the Hudson Valley Care Coalition, designated as the lead Social Care Network for the Hudson Valley region through the New York State 1115 Waiver.

Stacey Coleman, MPH, serves as the Director of Quality Management for Coastal Family Health Center (CFHC), where she leads organizational efforts to embed a sustainable culture of safety, quality, and accountability across a seven-county service area. With more than 13 years of progressive leadership experience, she has designed, implemented, and managed comprehensive Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs that support high-reliability care and regulatory excellence.

Ms. Coleman provides strategic oversight of HRSA-mandated quality and value-based care programs, as well as health information technology training and optimization. Her work has ensured continued compliance with NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home standards, Joint Commission Accreditation for Ambulatory and Behavioral Health Services, and HRSA Quality Improvement and Assurance requirements. Under her leadership, all CFHC standalone clinics achieved initial Level 3 NCQA PCMH recognition and have successfully maintained recognition through the transformation annual reporting model.

A recognized leader in the health center quality community, Ms. Coleman has participated in multiple national learning collaboratives and currently serves on the NACHC QA/QI Advisory Board and the NACHC NextGen Steering Committee. She is an active member of the Community Health Center Association of Mississippi and co-chairs the HRSA Uniform Data System Training and Technical Assistance (UTC) Steering Committee.

Ms. Coleman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. She resides in Gulfport, Mississippi, with her daughter, and has been a classically trained pianist for over 30 years.

C.J. Davis is a recognized leader in building strategic affiliations to expand access to behavioral health services and strengthen community impact. As CEO of Brightli, Inc., the parent company of Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, and other affiliates, he oversees a growing network of organizations employing more than 5,000 people across over 200 locations in five states. Over the past decade, C.J. has led or been instrumental in more than 10 major mergers and affiliations, helping create one of the nation’s largest nonprofit behavioral health systems. His approach centers on aligning missions, cultures, and visions to create partnerships that enhance service delivery, extend the reach of critical programs, advance the science of practice, and meet the diverse needs of local communities.

Since the formation of Brightli in early 2022, born from the groundbreaking partnership between Burrell and Preferred Family Healthcare, C.J. has accelerated the pace of affiliation activity, always with the goal of building a stronger, more unified system of care. Under his leadership, Brightli organizations now generate nearly $600 million in annual revenues, with each merger and affiliation reinforcing a shared commitment to accessible, high-quality behavioral health care. With more than 30 years of experience as both an executive leader and clinical psychologist, C.J. has led efforts to expand services across the full continuum of care, from outpatient therapy to inpatient treatment, primary care integration, and community-based programming. His executive leadership journey has spanned Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, always with a focus on growing missions through collaboration and innovation.

Through every affiliation and partnership, C.J. Davis remains committed to one unifying vision: building stronger systems to create healthier communities.

Dr. Michael Dennis received his PhD in Psychology from Northwestern University under a NIH fellowship to train more methodologists in how to implement and improve the quality of community-based behavioral health research. His dissertation was on implementing randomized field experiments in criminal and civil justice research to improve their impact on practice. He currently serves as Director of the Lighthouse Institute (LI), a division of Chestnut Health Systems conducting community-based research, program evaluation, and training on evidence-based practices. LI currently has offices in Bloomington-Normal and Chicago, Illinois and Eugene, Oregon; offsite staff in over two dozen states; over 110 LI staff operating four major centers related to training on assessment, evidence-based treatment, family coaching, program evaluation; and a Native-led national Native Center of Excellence. LI works with community-based agencies in all 50 of the United States, four U.S. territories, and over four dozen tribal serving agencies, as well as all Canadian provinces and over a dozen other countries. Part of LI’s community focus includes the use of service cascades, simplified time series, and economic analysis from the agency and funder perspectives to aid in program planning and management. In addition to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve, LI is working to become a home for supporting the career development and work of researchers with personal lived experience in addiction, recovery, and the legal system.  

As a senior research scientist, Dr. Dennis is currently the Principal Investigator (PI) of the Smartphone Addiction Recovery Coach for Young Adults (SARC-YA) experiment (DA011323) and a Multiple PI (with Dr. Christine Grella) of Improving Retention across the OUD Service Cascade upon Reentry from Jail using Recovery Management Checkups (UG1DA050065). The latter is part of NIDA’s HEAL Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) cooperative. He also serves as the Co-Investigator on Dr. Dennis Watson’s Recovery Management Checkups for Primary Care (RMCPC) experiment (R01AA024440); Dr. Chris Grella’s Recovery Initiation and Management after Overdose (RIMO) Experiment (R33DA045774); and Dr. Kate Elkington’s Original and Scaling up eConnect in Juvenile Probation Settings, a hybrid implementation effectiveness trial of a digital suicide risk/behavior identification and linkage-to-treatment system (MH113599, MH130845).  

In the past, he has been the Coordinating Center PI on the Juvenile Justice Translational Research for Adolescents in the Legal System (JJ-TRIALS; U01DA036221) cooperative agreement and the Cannabis Youth Treatment experiment, as well as Dr. Chris Scott’s Recovery Management Checkups for Woman Offenders Experiment (5R01DA21174). JJ-TRIALS is one of the largest and most recent studies of transitional research with adolescents and included national surveys of juvenile justice community supervision to examine their behavioral health services related to suicide, mental health, substance use, and HIV risk reduction. The study also included a multisite experiment to examine LI’s ability to improve the behavioral health service cascades from the justice system to behavioral health (e.g., screening, identification, need, referral, treatment initiation, engagement, and continuing care). HEAL supplements were also used to conduct surveys of a census of the state prison systems and county jails hardest hit by the opioid epidemic. The Cannabis Youth Treatment (CYT) experiment was one of the first to evaluate five manualized approaches compared on a large sample of youth and families studied (600), with high rates of participation, treatment fidelity, follow-up, publication, and impact in terms of citations and replication. To date, the Dennis et al. (2004) CYT main findings have been cited over 1,000 times. Dr. Dennis has also participated in the conduct of a half dozen other treatment experiments, development of research-based treatment guidelines, and has chaired both major adolescent treatment associations (JMATE and SASATE). The significance of this work led to his receiving the Joint Meeting on Adolescent Treatment Effectiveness (JMATE) Research to Evidence-Based Practice award for bridging the gap between adolescent treatment research and practice.  

Dr. Dennis and his colleagues developed Recovery Management Checkups (RMC) and demonstrated efficacy in four clinical trials and a quasi-experiment to date. He received a MERIT award (R37DA011323) from NIDA after LI’s first clinical trial and the 2012 Dan Anderson Award for Addiction and Recovery Research for his 2012 paper reporting on the main findings from our second trial. He and his colleagues have also worked with economists to demonstrate that the cost of RMC and increased treatment is offset by reductions in expensive health care utilization (e.g., emergency department visits, hospital stays, psychiatric hospitalization, incarceration), and have replicated this work with the State of Illinois to use RMC to recruit over 1,000 additional clients into methadone treatment. As part of NIDA’s HEAL JCOIN cooperative, LI is currently conducting a fifth experiment with RMC for people with opioid use disorders (OUD) coming from Cook County Jail, a study that is expanding into five other county jails. He has worked with individuals with OUD since 1988 on medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) treatment initiation, retention, readmission, and recovery support and has experience working within the community, in a variety of MOUD and other types of treatment, as part of continuum of care studies, and as part of studying and managing long-term recovery over periods of 6 months to 19 years.  

To integrate measurement, clinical research, and practice, Dr. Dennis has also led the development of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs (GAIN) family of measures since 1993. As of June 30, 2023, the GAIN Coordinating Center (www.gaincc.org) has worked with over 21,154 staff from 5,602 agencies (in all 50 states in the U.S., all 10 provinces of Canada, and 14 other countries), teaching them how to utilize the GAIN measures to support clinical decision making related to diagnosis, treatment planning, placement, outcome monitoring, economic evaluation and program/policy planning. The GAIN has also been used in over 900 publications. This includes using formal measurement models to create shorter and more efficient versions of the GAIN to get much of the core information in less time. The significance of this work led to Dr. Dennis receiving the International Council on Alcoholism and Addiction (ICAA) lifetime achievement award for his work with the GAIN. He has been PI, Co-PI, or lead methodologist on a dozen clinical trials, chaired one of NIDA’s data safety monitoring boards, chaired NIAAA’s health services research review group, and served on multiple editorial boards.   

Jodie joined Mainstay as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2017. As CFO, Jodie is tasked with implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support Mainstay’s mission, operations (including facilities, fleet, and information technology), financial objectives, and strategic initiatives. In 2023, Jodie became the CEO of enTRUST Services LLC, a subsidiary of Mainstay that provides comprehensive financial services that enrich the lives of people with disabilities.

Jodie has more than 25 years of accounting experience, with 17 years in a leadership capacity with nonprofit human services organizations. Jodie is passionate about the work as the mom of a son with an intellectual disability. She is an advocate and strong supporter in the disability community.

Jodie received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in accounting and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Robert Morris University in Moon Township, PA.

Jessica Fenchel is the Executive Vice President and COO at Access Services, where she supports the delivery of diverse community-based programming for children, adults, and families in Eastern Pennsylvania.  Access Services is a nonprofit organization building community through the delivery of services in Behavioral Health, Children and Families Services, Intellectual Disability and Autism Programming, and Housing and Homeless Services. 

Jess has been key in the startup of innovative initiatives across multiple service spaces including crisis, forensics, schools, and homelessness.  Jess believes that help should be helpful and that the people we serve deserve our best.  She has led in partnership building to realize integration between behavioral health and physical health, driving solutions for vulnerable populations.  Jess’ work to develop new models of partnership between law enforcement and crisis systems has led to overall reductions in arrest for those experiencing mental health crisis. 

Jess received her undergraduate degree from Messiah University, her master’s degree from Lasalle University in Clinical Counseling Psychology, training in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Lasalle University, and a certificate from the Global Trauma Recovery Institute.  Jess is an avid sports fan, especially the Buffalo Bills, and loves being active outside with her husband, three kids, and dog.

Ravi Ganesan is the founder and CEO of Core Solutions, where he leads the revolution in behavioral health through artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. With over 25 years of dedication, Ravi has addressed the unique challenges of the health and human services industry by developing innovative EHR technology, significantly improving treatment outcomes. His deep expertise in healthcare and technology, combined with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, has established Core Solutions as a leading software provider nationwide.

Under his leadership, Core Solutions has pioneered AI-driven solutions for clinical documentation, treatment planning, and care delivery optimization in behavioral health settings. As CEO, Ravi has successfully established partnerships with large providers, government agencies, and leading management consulting firms to improve treatment for behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disability services.

Ravi is a recognized thought leader and frequent speaker on AI implementation, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation in healthcare. Ravi received his M.B.A. from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

David Guth is Centerstone’s Chief Executive Officer, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Guth has more than 40 years of health care leadership and has served as Centerstone’s Chief Executive Officer since 1991. Under his leadership, the organization has grown from $6M in revenues and 300 staff serving 2,000 individuals to revenues of $1.1 billion and over 10,000 staff serving more than 250,000 people each year.

Guth has served on the Board of Directors for many notable organizations, including Triad Learning, the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, and the Board of Visitors for the University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work. He is highly regarded in the industry and has received many recognitions, including the National Council Visionary Leadership award, Nashville Business Journal’s Health Care Power Leaders Award, and the Douglas Henry Award for Service to Children and Families at Risk from the University of Tennessee’s College of Social Work. Guth also works as an industry consultant, primarily in the area of affiliations, mergers, and acquisitions. The National Council for Behavioral Health published Guth’s book on mergers, “Strategic Unions: A Marriage Guide to Healthy Not-for-Profit Mergers.”

Guth graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and from the University of Tennessee with his master’s degree in social work administration and planning.

Cecilia Haag serves as Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer at Thompson Child & Family Focus, a multi-state nonprofit organization providing foster care, prevention, and behavioral health services to children and families. In this role, she leads organizational growth, innovation, and market expansion, with responsibility for launching new programs, entering new markets, and strengthening the systems that support sustainable scale.

Cecilia’s work is focused on building practical, high-quality service models that deliver strong outcomes for families while remaining operationally disciplined and financially sound. She partners closely with executive leadership, public agencies, and community stakeholders to translate policy priorities and funding opportunities into services that work on the ground. Her current areas of focus include prevention and family stabilization, workforce-centered growth strategies, and creating organizational infrastructure that allows programs to grow without sacrificing quality or accountability.

Sterling Haukom Anderson, LPC has worked in the mental health field for over 13 years and is currently the Director of Workforce Development at Thresholds. She has provided clinical and case management support to individuals living with severe mental illness and has developed and delivered trainings, eLearning, and consultations for both internal and external audiences on a range of topics. Sterling earned her Master’s in Counseling from DePaul University in 2012.    

Chloe Hurley, MPH is the Coordinator of Population Health at Endeavor Health Services in Buffalo, NY. She has worked within Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) and primary care practices for over 7 years. Chloe is a certified practice facilitator in the primary care setting and has designed, implemented, and evaluated whole person approaches to care. She currently supports the project management of a SAMHSA CCBHC Improvement and Advancement Grant as well as a Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Team in New York State. Chloe holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health policy and a micro-credential in health care operations from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Mark Ishaug has dedicated his career to advocating for the rights of stigmatized and vulnerable people. As the CEO of Thresholds, Mark has overseen expansive growth and a culture shift that embraces change, innovation, transparency, and, yes – love. Thresholds has been recognized for 12 consecutive years as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace and, for 9 years, as one of Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. In addition, Mark serves on the boards of Dominican University, the Civic Federation of Chicago, the Alphawood Foundation, and the Chicago Urban League, as well as on the Membership Committee of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Leadership Fellows Association Board of Leadership Greater Chicago. Before Thresholds, Mark worked as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS as CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Mark holds a master’s degree in political science from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame.

G. N. Janes has been the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Community Services since 2015 and is the CEO and is the founder of Ardent Services Group, a bespoke organization dedicated to empowering and elevating human service organizations through innovative support and strategic collaboration. Prior to his current posting, he held various positions as a Regional Operations Director, Compliance Officer, and Direct Support Professional. Starting at American University in Washington DC, G. N. earned his bachelor’s degree from Regent’s College while on active duty in the United States Navy, graduating cum laude from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California from the Farsi program.   

Since taking his position, G. N. has focused on technology, innovation, and employee outreach; expanding the Valley Community Services footprint by 120 percent, digitizing large swaths of the program and retaining over 90 percent of the agency’s front-line supervisors. He also serves on the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Global Council, the Government Relations Advisory Council, and Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism (PAR) Board of Directors where he is currently the Vice Chair.

In his spare time, G. N. enjoys the company of his two daughters: Sadie, an attorney in Aurora, Colorado and Mia, a senior at Ohio University.

Meagan Lanier serves as the Director of Corporate Compliance at Coastal Family Health Center, where she brings more than 13 years of dedicated service and institutional knowledge to the organization. She began her career at Coastal as a master’s-level social worker and has since advanced into leadership through a strong commitment to professional growth, regulatory excellence, and community-focused care.

While employed at Coastal Family Health Center, Meagan earned her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential and her Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification. Her clinical foundation provides a unique and practical perspective in her current role, allowing her to balance compliance requirements with patient-centered operations.

As Director of Corporate Compliance, Meagan oversees a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including grant writing, organizational risk management, and service as the HIPAA Privacy Officer. She also provides leadership and oversight for the contracts, medical records, social services, and credentialing departments, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and high-quality service delivery across the organization.

Meagan is known for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable processes that support both staff and organizational growth. Her work plays a critical role in maintaining compliance, securing funding, and advancing Coastal Family Health Center’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality care to the communities it serves.

Gilbert Lichstein is the Chief Operating Officer at the Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA), a behavioral-health focused independent practice association serving members through value-based agreements throughout the state of Illinois.  This organization has demonstrated success in generating pay for performance, quality, and shared savings results for the past 7 years, and Gilbert has played a key role in developing and maintain the clinical model, data systems, and agreements that help make the model a success.

Prior to his role at IHPA, Gilbert oversaw a range of residential and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment programs and is licensed as a Counselor in the state of Illinois.  Gilbert’s clinical interests include program implementation of evidence-based practices, and Gilbert is a MINT-trained Motivational Interviewing trainer.  Gilbert holds Master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Clinical Psychology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics. 

Gilbert is based in Chicago, and enjoys cycling and playing music in his spare time. 

Shannon Litton is the CEO of 3LS Professional Services, where she drives growth for change makers through exceptional, integrated solutions and experiences. A change maker herself, Shannon’s founded multiple companies in her 25-plus-year career, including the award-winning 5by5, a change agency, which has earned five spots on the Inc. 5000 list and Best Place to Work awards while helping more than 500 organizations amplify their impact.

A passionate advocate for employee ownership, Shannon serves as president of the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership, championing ESOP expansion across the state and country. Throughout her career, Shannon has paired purpose with performance to deliver sustainable, measurable, positive impact for organizations and the communities they serve.

Regina Marshall joined Advocates in 2015 with the goal of shaping policy and making systemic change in order to help Advocates provide the best possible services to the people it supports.

Regina brings to her position at Advocates a broad range of experience as a legal advocate and administrator at both the executive and operational levels of state government.  During her tenure at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, she oversaw disability agencies that include the Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Prior to joining Advocates, Regina served as Center Director of the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, which serves over 1,200 clients, where she was responsible for all clinical and administrative operations.  In 2020, Regina joined the board of trustees at Bethany Hill Place.

A resident of Framingham, Regina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African American studies from Simmons College and a law degree from Northeastern University. She is the proud mom of three — twin daughters and a son. In the rare free time she gets between working and parenting, Regina loves to cook and bake.

Carole Matyas is the Vice President Operations for Sunshine Health Plan. She oversees the SMI Specialty Plan in Florida and has responsibility for overall operation of the program. Carole is accountable to assure the development of a fully integrated medical/behavioral program that is centered in whole person attention and care. She assists with representing the company externally to assure our members, providers and stakeholders have the information and support they need.

Carole has more than 30 years of behavioral health-related experience, with 20 of those years of experience in health plan operations. She joined WellCare in 2011 as VP Behavioral Health Operations at WellCare Corporate office. Previously she worked for Magellan Health Services, first as a general manager for call center operations, and then as Chief of Clinic Operations, where she led practice management and operations of 23 mental health clinics and a psychiatric urgent care center in Arizona. Her additional experience includes serving as Vice President of Public Sector Operations for Schaller Anderson, a Medicaid managed care organization and helped to develop their integrated model; and as Vice President for Value Options, a managed behavioral health care company whose contracts included carve out managed care for state and government agencies, where Carole was executive lead on a large carve out program in Texas. Carole spent her early career as a licensed social worker providing direct clinical services in a group practice, community mental health and a residential treatment center.

Carole has been recognized by Mental Health America and NAMI Texas for her dedication to mental health advocacy. Carole earned both her undergraduate and Master of Social Work degrees from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Mindy Miller has been with Volunteers of America of Massachusetts (VOAMASS) since 2011. As COO, she uses her years of programmatic and operational leadership experience to oversee program planning, development, and implementation across multiple service areas, including residential treatment, outpatient behavioral health, veteran services, and re-entry. This includes the implementation and compliance for a diverse portfolio of state contracts and federal grants.

Prior to becoming COO, Miller served as Vice President of Integrated Services at VOAMASS, and was responsible for the integration of behavioral health services throughout the organization; configuring the agency’s electronic health record system; guiding VOAMASS as a trauma-informed care organization; and continued implementation of evidence-based practices.

Miller was honored in spring 2022 with a National Leadership Award from Volunteers of America. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado, a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from Roger Williams University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Mental Health Counseling from Bridgewater State University. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Licensed Substance Use Disorder Counselor (LADC1).

Craig Poe is the Chief Executive Officer of High Plains Mental Health Center, serving rural and frontier communities across Northwest Kansas. He leads a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic responsible for outpatient services, 24 hour mobile crisis response, and a Crisis Stabilization Unit, with a strong focus on access, workforce sustainability, and operational resilience in under resourced settings.

Since joining High Plains Mental Health Center in 2024, Craig has overseen significant system expansion, including launching one of the first Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation programs within a Community Mental Health Center nationally and advancing development of a regional Crisis Intervention Center to strengthen crisis response and reduce pressure on emergency rooms and law enforcement.

Craig brings extensive experience in rural behavioral health operations, workforce strategy, reimbursement challenges, and cross sector partnerships. Prior to his current role, he served as Chief Operating Officer at Pawnee Mental Health Services, overseeing operations across ten rural counties. His background also includes leadership roles in human resources, business management, and operations outside healthcare, giving him a practical, systems focused perspective on organizational leadership.

A sixth generation Kansan, Craig holds a master’s degree in management and leadership and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. His work is grounded in real world experience and a deep commitment to building sustainable behavioral health systems that meet rural communities where they are.

Norman Racine is an accomplished technology executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare, non-profit, telecommunications, manufacturing, and distribution industries. Most recently, he has served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Sycamores, where he oversees IT strategy, infrastructure evolution, security, and business process innovation in support of the organization’s mission.

In previous leadership roles, he has directed enterprise system modernization, strengthened cybersecurity and compliance in highly regulated environments, led cloud migrations, and managed large-scale IT operations with multimillion-dollar budgets and teams of over 100 professionals. His other work has included enterprise architecture design, acquisition integrations, and international technology initiatives across Europe, South America, and North America. With a focus on aligning technology to organizational goals, he has consistently delivered secure, scalable solutions that balance innovation with cost efficiency.

Don Reimer brings over 40 years of dedicated experience to the behavioral health care field in both the management and provision of clinical services across various levels of care. Don’s career has included several leadership roles, such as serving as director of a crisis stabilization unit at SalusCare in Florida and supervising multiple inpatient care units. He also directed crisis and recovery services at Charlotte Behavioral Health Care Services, overseeing the 24/7 units including inpatient psychiatric, detox, residential rehab, and a mobile crisis team.

Joe Robitaille is a leader in the non-profit sector with a distinguished career dedicated to improving the lives of children with developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs. As Senior Vice President of Children’s Services at Advocates, Joe oversees a diverse portfolio of programs and leads large, multidisciplinary teams, combining clinical expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with strategic leadership to drive organizational growth and service excellence.

Before joining Advocates, Joe directed a range of children’s programs focused on early intervention, home and center-based treatment, and specialized school services. He has a proven track record of managing complex budgets, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and aligning operational strategies with mission-driven goals. Joe holds a license in Applied Behavior Analysis, is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, and earned his MBA, equipping him with a unique blend of clinical and business acumen.

With years of experience guiding organizational performance and supporting workforce development, Joe brings practical insights into leadership practices that improve outcomes for both employees and the individuals they serve. Outside of work, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, running, and tackling home renovation projects.

Bree Rondina is a strategic and multifaceted leader with more than 25 years of executive experience spanning operations, human resources, marketing, customer service, and leadership development. She has a proven track record of leading high-growth organizations through transformation and scale, always with a focus on operational excellence and a strong, people-centered culture. At Elite DNA Behavioral Health, Bree’s expertise touches multiple areas of the organization, including Patient Success, New Patient Experience, Business Development, and Marketing. 

As Chief Performance Officer, Bree’s primary focus is optimizing the performance of Elite DNA by creating sustainable processes that enable growth while ensuring employees are empowered, valued, and recognized. She champions strategies that balance efficiency with meaningful engagement, leading high-functioning teams to deliver quality care and positive patient experiences. Her leadership approach combines disciplined execution with a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. 

Prior to joining Elite DNA, Bree spent over two decades in senior leadership roles across multiple industries, including serving as COO and CEO in the B2B marketing sector. She led cross-functional teams encompassing sales, marketing, human resources, client services, information technology, product development, and finance, consistently delivering measurable results while fostering cultures of collaboration, accountability, and growth. 

Bree is deeply committed to developing emerging leaders across the organization, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and perspective to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. She leads with passion, grace, and wisdom, ensuring the next generation of leaders can carry forward Elite DNA’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality behavioral health care to the communities it serves. 

Sheetal Sood is a visionary technology executive and the Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer for Cohen Veterans Network (CVN). With a distinguished career dedicated to the digital transformation of the healthcare industry, Sheetal oversees the strategic implementation and optimization of CVN’s entire enterprise architecture ranging from clinical information systems and advanced data analytics built on a secure platform.

A recognized expert in the fields of AI/ML, cybersecurity, and information governance, Sheetal bridges the gap between complex technical infrastructure and patient-centric care. Her leadership is defined by a unique ability to leverage emerging technologies to drive organizational efficiency and clinical excellence, marking her as a premier authority in digital health security and strategy.

Sheetal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and maintains an elite tier of professional certifications, including CISSP, CHC, and CIPP/US

Sandra Stein, M.D. has been the Chief Medical Director of Banner University Health Plans since December of 2020. Previously, she was the Medical Director of Care Integration of Banner Health Network from Oct. 2017 to Dec. 2020. From Oct. 2015-Sept. In 2017, Sandra served as the chief medical officer for Intermountain Centers in Arizona. From March- September 2015 Sandra served as the Behavioral Medical Director for the Arizona Comprehensive Medical Dental Program (CMDP)/State of Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS). From July 1997 to March 2015 Dr. Stein served as a Medical Director for the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona (CPSA), the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). Dr. Stein is a double board certified in general and child and adolescent psychiatry. Sandra Stein, M.D. graduated from Albany Medical College in Albany, NY in 1992 and did an internship, general psychiatry residency, and child psychiatry fellowship in 1997 at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Resourceful and strategic financial leader with a proven track record of driving organizational growth and efficiency across diverse industries, spanning from non-profit health services to construction management. Adept at navigating complex financial landscapes, implementing creative solutions, and fostering transparent, ethical relationships to achieve impactful results.

Elsa Warren is the Director of Communications at I Am Boundless, where she leads strategies that strengthen brand identity, engage employees, and drive referral growth. She brings a strong background in internal communications and recruitment marketing, with a particular focus on content strategy as a tool for organizational success. Elsa began her career as a marketing copywriter and earned her MBA in Marketing and Leadership & Organizational Behavior from Fisher College of Business in 2018. In her current role, she is passionate about creating clear, meaningful communications that advance the Boundless mission and connect with diverse audiences.

Brandie has over 21 years of experience serving individuals with Behavioral Health needs and Developmental Disabilities.  For the past 16 years, Brandie has worked at the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, a non-profit organization dedicated to education, recovery, treatment, and wellness of individuals affected by mental health and substance use disorders and developmental disabilities.  In her role as Deputy Executive Director, she brings subject-matter and operational knowledge of integrated care, data analytics, and behavioral health care to support the use of analytics to improve clinical performance, patient health, and organizational efficiencies.  In addition to day-to-day operations, Brandie oversees reporting and analytics to inform a data-drive quality improvement process.  Throughout her professional career, Brandie has fostered a deep passion for the opportunities created by advanced science and technology in the health and human services quality improvement space. She believes building and growing a high-quality workforce is the foundation for meeting our community’s needs. 

Liz Worth, LSCSW is the Deputy Director at Johnson County Mental Health Center.  The Mental Health Center is a Department of Johnson County (KS) Government and employs more than 500 staff who provide behavioral health services to nearly 17,000 residents annually. 

She holds a BS in Sociology from Baker University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of KS.  She is a clinically licensed Mental Health Professional and has worked in Community Mental Health in Kansas for 23 years. 

She is a passionate leader with a deep commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their well-being and lead fulfilling lives.  With her background in mental health treatment and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to promoting a whole health approach – addressing the interconnectedness of mental, physical, emotional and social health.  Drawing from wellness philosophies in both personal experience and professional expertise, she strives to inspire others to cultivate resilience, practice self-compassion and build strong support networks. 

As an advocate for accessible mental health resources, she has worked with diverse communities to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, while fostering environments that prioritize healing, growth and self – care.  Liz’s leadership style focuses on collaboration, creating spaces where others feel heard, valued and empowered to take proactive steps toward mental wellness. 

When not working, Liz enjoys reading, being outdoors, running and spending time with her husband and dog.

As the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest behavioral health organizations in the nation, Wayne Young is passionate about the planning and delivery of large-scale behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities services to a population who rely upon safety net systems of care. Wayne previously served as the chair of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Behavioral Health Advisory Council and currently services on Texas HHSC’s Joint Forensic Committee on Access and Forensic Services. He was recently appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas to the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health and also service as a board member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. Wayne was honored to have received the Charley H. Shannon Advocate for Justice Award from NAMI Texas in 2019 as well as to have been named to Modern Healthcare’s list of Top 25 Innovators in 2019 and again 2021.  In 2023, Wayne was recognized as one of Houston’s Most Admired CEO’s. While honored by individual recognitions, Wayne is most proud to have been a part of The Harris Center as it received the Excellence Award for Innovation from the National Council on Behavioral Health and was named as a Best Place to Work by The Houston Business Journal who also honored them with a Diversity in Business Award in 2023 and 2024. 

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority for Harris County, Texas.  

Amanda Zwirecki, MSEd is the Director of Evaluation at Endeavor Health Services, where she oversees Evaluation, Quality Improvement, and the Population Health Departments across all programming, including SAMHSA grant-funded initiatives. With more than 10 years of experience in behavioral health, training, and workforce development, Amanda is dedicated to strengthening service quality through data-informed decision-making, education, and continuous improvement. She works closely with clinical and non-clinical staff to translate learning into practice and improve systems of care, with a focus on enhancing client outcomes and overall community health. Amanda is a graduate of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Leadership Fellows program and an active member of the American Evaluation Association (AEA).