Executive Committee Members

Appointee NameAppointee PositionAffiliation/ Organization
David Albert, PhD (he/him/his)Director, Division of Mental HealthIllinois Department of Human Services
Donell Barnett, PhDDeputy Director, Clinical Operations,
Division of Mental Health
Illinois Department of Human Services
Lisa Betz, LCSW, LCPCDeputy Director, Child and Adolescent Services,
Division of Mental Health
Illinois Department of Human Services
Marcella BlandAdministrative Director of Neuroscience InstituteSIU School of Medicine
Stephen Brown, MSW, LCSWSenior Director, Social & Behavioral Health Transformation & AdvocacyUniversity of IL Hospital & Health Sciences
John Charles Director of Government & Public AffairsSouthern Illinois University System
Jennifer CreaseySenior Director of State RelationsUniversity of Illinois
Andrea DenoProgram Development Coordinator,
Program Services and Compliance Division
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Brock D. DunlapDeputy Director, Business Policy & Fiscal Operations,
Division of Mental Health
Illinois Department of Human Services
Shami GoyalChief Medical OfficerIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Amanda Lake, LMFT, CSAC, ICSSUD Senior Policy Advisor,
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Division
Illinois Department of Human Services
Nanette LarsonDeputy Director, Wellness & Recovery ServicesIllinois Department of Human Services
Jesse LavaSpecial Assistant to the DirectorIllinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Sonya Leathers, PhDProfessor, Jane Addams College of Social WorkUniversity of Illinois Chicago
Ashley LewisPolicy Research AssociateIllinois Board of Higher Education
Valerie LynchSenior Managing DirectorIllinois Board of Higher Education
Darius McKinneyDeputy Director, Bureau of Community Programs, Division of Mental HealthIllinois Department of Human Services
Catherine Melka-Kaffer, LCSWInitiative Coordinator, Jane Addams College of Social WorkUniversity of Illinois Chicago
Ginger OstroExecutive DirectorIllinois Board of Higher Education
Ryan Rollinson, LCSWChief of Staff, Division of Mental HealthDepartment of Human Services
Sarah (Trine) SnowDeputy Director, Division of Professional RegulationIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Melissa VanLearning Renewal FellowIllinois Board of Higher Education
Carrie Welter, LCSWProject Coordinator, Visiting Senior Research Specialist,
Jane Addams College of Social Work
University of Illinois Chicago
Lori WilliamsAssociate Provost, External RelationsSIU School of Medicine
Kari Wolf, MDChair and Associate Professor, Department of PsychiatrySIU School of Medicine