With over three decades of leadership experience in the behavioral health and healthcare sector, I have enjoyed transforming and improving Behavioral Health services and the lives of those receiving care. My journey began in the early 90s, answering crisis calls, and since then, I have accumulated a diverse range of healthcare and behavioral health experiences in both the private and public sectors.Other early experiences included managing an assessment center, a partial hospital program, and a private practice. In 1996, I played a pivotal role in establishing Georgia's first community-based crisis center, offering an effective range of alternatives to state psychiatric hospitalization. During a decade of tenure as Vice President at APS Healthcare, I oversaw a statewide Administrative Services Organization (ASO) quality improvement program, leveraging extensive provider profiling to enhance the quality of services. I also lead a statewide care coordination program targeting individuals with chronic health conditions, utilizing data analytics and predictive modeling for improved health outcomes.In 2009, I took on the role of Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services at Grady Health System, a prominent safety net hospital and Emory/Morehouse academic training site in Atlanta. My responsibilities encompassed overseeing hospital-based services, clinic-based services, field-based and integrated health services. I am most proud of hiring many peers and seeing their life-changing influence transform a “medical model” of treatment to one focused on social determinants of health and recovery in the lives of those served. During my tenure at Grady Health System, I received accolades for my contributions to the field, including features on PBS Healthy Minds, NPR, the Carter Center, participation in research publications, and involvement in a task force led by Bill and Melinda Gates addressing the HIV and opioid epidemic.Recognizing the significance of the national rollout of the 988-crisis line as a monumental investment in the field, I joined Behavioral Health Link (BHL) in 2021. Drawing on my work in crisis hub services since the late 90s, and jail and emergency room diversion initiatives over the last 10 years, I aim to further innovate and expand upon BHL's success in both technical and clinical realms. I remain dedicated to advancing Behavioral Health services and making a lasting impact so that all individuals experiencing a crisis have someone to call, someone to respond in the community, and a place to go to meet their needs.