Meet Our Team

The MD Exchange team is part of the Center for Applied Research Solutions (CARS) and works in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health to support prevention efforts across the state.

Our team

I am a strategist, connector, and advocate dedicated to improving systems that support children, youth, and families. Since 2010, I’ve led federal and state initiatives funded by agencies such as SAMHSA, OAH, TANF, CDC, and ACA, blending program management, evaluation, and community engagement to drive meaningful change. My work spans mental health, positive youth development, and injury prevention—always with a focus on centering lived experience and building stronger, more equitable support systems.

Currently, I lead initiatives at the National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC), where I develop resources, foster collaboration, and uplift best practices in children’s mental health. Whether launching the SOC Summit, curating a podcast series, or shaping strategic communications, I’m passionate about creating spaces for learning and action.

At my core, I believe in the power of connection—between systems, communities, and people. I thrive in spaces where complex challenges meet creative solutions, and where voices that have been historically excluded are heard and valued.

I hold a Master of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of South Florida. When I’m not working, I’m painting, on a nature trail with my dog, or diving into conversations about transforming systems for the better.

I am a program evaluator with over seven years of experience in children and adolescent behavioral health and workforce development. My professional experience includes leading the evaluation efforts of several local, statewide, and national behavioral health programs. My work includes program implementation, stakeholder engagement, data management and visualization, and qualitative and quantitative analysis. I am passionate about building capacity, advancing culturally responsive and trauma-informed care, and implementing best practices to promote health equity. I have spent most of my career evaluating Georgia’s behavioral health programs and translating findings into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences. I received my Bachelor of Arts in medicine, health and society from Vanderbilt University and my Master of Public Health with a concentration in health management and policy from Georgia State University.

With a heart for upstream solutions, I’ve been working at the intersection of behavioral health, education, and justice systems since 2013. Systems reform is my passion. I’ve seen firsthand the need to challenge and reimagine how we move toward transformation, liberation, healing, and opportunity.

I hold a Master’s in Public Administration from The Evergreen State College, a B.A. in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, and my Peer Counselor certification sits at the core of my work. I truly believe it’s not just our lived, but our living experience that shapes how we drive efforts forward.

I show up as my whole self, honoring both my personal and professional experience to support training and technical assistance across a wide range of prevention spaces, including birth equity, youth mental health, juvenile justice reform, healing-centered practices, and crisis response in schools.

I deeply believe in the power of community voice, cross-sector collaboration, and systems rooted in cultural and community wisdom that reflect the people they serve. My superpower is translating big-picture ideas into real, relationship-driven action, and keeping it real while doing it.

When I’m not in a Zoom square or on the road, you’ll find me out on the water with my paddleboard and my sons!

I’ve been fortunate to spend my career doing meaningful work in children’s mental health and juvenile justice, focusing on improving services for children, youth, and families. My commitment to quality child- and youth-serving services began as a graduate student intern when I helped design and implement the Texas Children’s Mental Health Plan, an initiative which brought 8 state agencies together to request and receive the first line-item funding for statewide community-based children’s mental health services.

Later, I worked for a state senator, gathering insights from constituents and town halls across the state to shape a report outlining official recommendations on juvenile delinquency. That experience led me to the state juvenile justice agency, where I promoted prevention programs, developed and implemented family engagement strategies, and championed youth and family voices.

Now at CARS, I’m thrilled to lead and support initiatives promoting evidence-based, high-quality behavioral health and prevention services while strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

When I’m not working, you’ll find me traveling, enjoying live music, watching sports (especially Texas softball and football!), or spending time with my husband and two daughters. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a PhD in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin.