Santé’s Leadership

Hope – Advocacy – Education – Integrity – Community – Safety

Staff

Michelle Grigsby-Hackett

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Grigsby-Hackett is a transformative leader and expert advocate in the behavioral health industry, driving impactful change for over 25 years.

As the first African American woman to serve as CEO of a major nonprofit behavioral health and crisis organization operating in Maryland and North Carolina, she has been a trailblazer in expanding access to care and strengthening community-based mental health systems—particularly for underserved populations.

A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), Michelle has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers to equitable and culturally responsive behavioral health services. She has championed programs that address disparities in care, ensuring that individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and crises receive the support they need.

Michelle’s expertise in executive coaching and nonprofit business development has empowered behavioral health organizations to scale their impact, secure sustainable funding, and implement evidence-based practices. She has worked alongside leadership teams to enhance operational efficiency and develop strategic solutions tailored to the complex needs of diverse communities.

A recognized speaker and thought leader, Michelle is a passionate advocate for minority leadership in behavioral health and a driving force behind policy and programmatic changes that prioritize mental wellness in underserved populations. She serves on the Mental Health Advisory Committee and has been appointed by Maryland’s Secretary of Behavioral Health to the state’s workgroup focused on increasing representation of minority professionals in the behavioral health field. Additionally, she is an active board member of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, where she helps shape statewide behavioral health initiatives. Michelle has delivered powerful talks on critical mental health topics at both national and international conferences, shaping conversations on access, equity, and advancements in behavioral health care.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She has built strong partnerships with international, federal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure behavioral health remains a public health priority—advocating for policies, funding, and innovations that create lasting impact for communities in need.

Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle is a devoted wife, mother of two, and proud dog mom. She cherishes time with her family—watching her daughter shine as a cheerleader, discussing baseball with her son, or cooking with her husband. Michelle is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, through which she extends her lifelong commitment to community service and social change.

Amir Malek

Chief Operations Officer

A senior leader with over thirty years of experience, Amir has overseen the financing and modernization of multiple organizations across the East Coast, including Wordsworth Academy in Philadelphia, The Foundation Schools in Prince George’s County, and Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn in Owing’s Mills.

Vernessa Scurry

Chief of Staff

Vernessa is a Healthcare Executive with over 18 years of experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s in Psychology and obtained her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University with honors.

Vernessa started as an Outreach Specialist, bridging the gap between symptomatic and vulnerable individuals and the mental health and housing services they needed to stabilize. Although she was on track to become a therapist, she stood out for her people skills and maturity and was soon offered a supervisor role, making her the youngest Supervisor in the company. After 13 years, she became the Executive Director of a Crisis facility, guiding the company to quadruple its facilities throughout the State of Maryland. She has served on multiple Boards and assisted with community initiatives and volunteering opportunities such as the Point in Time Homeless Count, Soup Kitchens, Shelters, and the Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation’s Thanksgiving Giveaway.

Sam Richberg

Chief of Programs

Sam Richberg holds a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling from Trinity University. Sam is a Licensed Certified Professional Counselor (LCPC). He began his career working as a clinician with individuals struggling with severe and persistent mental illness.

Melissa Quick

Chief of Compliance

Melissa received her Bachelor's Degree from Wingate University and her Master's degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Melissa continued her studies, receiving a doctorate in ministry.

She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, a Certified Clinical Supervisor, and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor. She has been in the field of substance abuse/mental health for over 25+ years. Melissa is also a professional trainer focusing on the neurobiology of addiction, the spiritual aspects of mental health and addiction, the chemistry of PTSD, and the legal and ethical considerations surrounding addiction and mental health. Melissa is currently the Director of Corporate Compliance at The Affiliated Santé Group. She has been in the field of compliance for ten years and has helped multiple companies obtain and maintain their Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation.

Efemwonyi “Frank” Jesuorobo

Medical Director

Frank specializes in family psychiatric mental health illness, with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He obtained his Master of Science from Walden University in 2016 and his Nurse Practitioner Diploma from Brandman University in 2020.

Allison Paladino

Director of Baltimore County Crisis Response System

Ms. Paladino holds a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Psychology from Salisbury State University.

Ms. Paladino is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C) and a Board-approved supervisor. In 2006 when Ms. Paladino became the Director, BCCRS was funded at 1.3 million dollars annually to provide Operations Center (OPS- Hotlines and Warmlines), Mobile Crisis Team (MCT), Intensive In-Home Intervention Team(IHIT), and Urgent Care Center (UCC) for the eastern part of Baltimore County. Under her direction, BCCRS has grown into a 4.5-million-dollar program extending services through all of Baltimore County and systematically increasing staffing and accessibility for these service components. As the Director of BCCRS, Ms. Paladino has exemplified expert coordination skills for the expansion of IHIT and UCC to Western Baltimore County. Ms. Paladino also was able to secure a sizable challenge grant from a local foundation to double mobile crisis services allowing BCCRS to offer all service components county-wide. Her ongoing partnership with Baltimore County Police Department also helped to implement a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) education program for Baltimore County Police Department members. Ms. Paladino has utilized her extensive knowledge of the behavioral health and crisis systems to further the capabilities of all program areas. Prior to becoming the Director, Ms. Paladino held several positions within the BCCRS, progressing from clinician to management positions. Ms. Paladino has held several positions with local behavioral health programs, including Harbel Prevention and Recover Alliance Inc. and Go-Getters.

Tina-Marie Brown

Director of Eastern Shore Crisis Response

Tina received her Bachelor's of Social Work from Salisbury University, her Master's of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and has her Trauma Certification from the Justice Resource Institute of Boston.

Tina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C). She is a certified trainer for the Criminal Justice Academy at WorWic Community College. Much of her career has been spent working with consumers who have experienced mental illness and consumers who have experienced multiple traumas. She is experienced in program & policy development, program evaluation and management, and attended the middle management academy. As a result of her strong leadership skills, she has created a successful intern program for ESCRS and provides supervision and mentoring to MSW field students. Tina is currently the chair of the mobile crisis sub-committee for the American Association of Suicidology, a national non-profit behavioral health advocacy organization. She has also had the honor of presenting on ESCRS programs at the National Council for Behavioral Health, American Association of Suicidology, Annual CIT conference, and Maryland Rural Health Association.

Stephanie Svec

Director of Behavioral Health

Stephanie has worked in behavioral health for over 25 years. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia (B.A) and George Washington University (M.A.).

Rebecca Peacock

Director of Mecklenburg County Crisis Response

Rebecca Peacock holds a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University in New York City and a bachelor's degree in social work from Western Michigan University. She has been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 2021

Rebecca has focused her career on crisis intervention, beginning as a mobile crisis clinician immediately after graduate school. Her experience spans the full crisis continuum, including mobile crisis, co-responder teams, hospital-based crisis work, and 988 call centers. She has served in both direct care and leadership roles, with a particular passion for suicide prevention and supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental health challenges.

Rebecca joined Sante in the summer of 2022 as a Community Policing Crisis Response Team (CPCRT) Clinician. She transitioned to Clinical Coordinator of the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) in 2023 and was appointed Director of Sante – Mecklenburg County Crisis Response Services in 2025.

Lynn Hawthorne

HR Director

Lynn Hawthorne is a seasoned human resources leader with a unique foundation in social work and a career spanning over 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Bowie State University, a Master of Science in Social Work from Howard University (MSW), and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland, University College (MHRM).

Lynn began her career as a licensed social worker, spending six years serving children and families in Washington, D.C.'s Child and Family Services Agency. There, she managed a demanding caseload of over 70 foster children from birth to age 17, advocating for their well-being and long-term stability. She later applied her expertise in hospital settings, supporting patients and families across several medical institutions in the D.C. area.

Transitioning into human resources, Lynn brought her people-centered perspective to roles in government contracting and later returned to Child and Family Services to support a mayoral initiative to expand the agency’s workforce. For the past 13 years, she has thrived in the nonprofit sector, where she discovered her passion for mission-driven work.

Certified in Diversity and Inclusion, mediation, and facilitation, Lynn is a subject matter expert in employee relations, training and development, and organizational design. Her background in both social work and HR enables her to build inclusive, high-performing teams and foster workplace cultures rooted in empathy, equity, and strategic growth.

Kyle Shuman

Regional Director of Crisis Services

Kyle Shuman is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Board Approved Supervisor. He holds two Master's Degrees, one in Secondary Education and one for Clinical Professional Counseling from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.

Kyle entered the field of clinical therapy in 2011, where he started his career path in forensic mental health at Jessup, Maryland, and over the last 15 years has focused his career on a number of inpatient and residential roles, in addition to being the Clinical Coordinator for Baltimore County Detention Center and the Assistant Clinical Director for Monte Nido & Affiliates. His experience spans the full crisis continuum, including mobile crisis, co-responder teams, and hospital-based crisis work at Sheppard Pratt Hospital. He has also served in outpatient roles working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and marriages, with a particular passion for supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental health challenges, as well as those who struggle with comorbid, substance abuse issues.

Kyle joined Sante in the spring of 2024 as a Maryland Crisis Clinician. He transitioned to Clinical Coordinator of the Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) during the summer of 2025 and was appointed Regional Director of Crisis Services.

Elizabeth Jones

Director of Advancement

Ms. Jones has been working with The Affiliated Santé Group for over 18 years. She has a wealth of behaviorial health administrative support experience including program design, project management, proposal development, and data and reporting. She has worked with database design and reporting since 1999.

She is currently the Director of Advancement for Santé and oversees development and data projects and daily advancement department activities. She is responsible for configuring, supporting, and training three separate data systems. She specializes particularly in crisis metrics and has participated in both local and State Crisis Metric workgroups and advisory sessions. Ms. Jones has a background in public health, particularly in the realms of development, data systems administration, and data analytics. She has had the pleasure of presenting on data best practices and strategies for crisis programs at CrisisCon, CIT International, American Association of Suicidology, and Open Minds Strategy and Innovation Institute.

Board Members

The following distinguished professionals serve on Santé’s board of directors:

Johnny Abedrabbo (Board Chair)

Mr. Abedrabbo is a management consultant and applied economist with over twenty-five years of experience in strategy development, financial analysis, risk modeling, and leading cross-functional teams to ensure success and achieve ROI goals.

Mr. Abedrabbo has conducted numerous investment and business case analyses for major clients across the US and the Middle East, including leading a risk-based investment-grade study for a billion-dollar bond issuance. Mr. Abedrabbo has a strong background in program development, quality assurance, and investment due diligence, with a track record of managing projects from initial conception, through development, to implementation, leading infrastructure economic analyses across technology, transportation, and resources sectors.

William Neugroschel (Board Vice Chair)

Robert Stauffer (Board Treasurer)

Noah Smock (Board Secretary)

Noah Smock’s career in social justice started in Baltimore in 2008. He currently has the honor of serving as Executive Director of the Baltimore Community ToolBank. The ToolBank enhances access to tools, equipment, and expertise for community organizations, amplifying their efforts to strengthen and celebrate diverse neighborhoods.

In addition to serving on the board of the Affiliated Sante Group, Smock currently serves on the board of directors for the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership, an organization focused on environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and community development and revitalization in a targeted zone in Southwest Baltimore City. Past board service includes as President of the Carroll-Camden Business Association, board chair of Black is the New Green, and treasurer of The 6th Branch.

Based on his work with the ToolBank, Smock has been honored with awards and recognition of his work in the community sector, including recognition as a Birdland Community Hero by the Baltimore Orioles (2019) and as a Homecoming Hero by Baltimore Homecoming (2022).

Smock earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. He is prouder to have been a transfer student from San Diego City College. He is an alum of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, a year of service that shaped his interest and experience working within community settings.

Michelle Grigsby-Hackett (Ex-Officio)

Michelle is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP) with over 22 years of experience in the behavioral health industry.

Michelle completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and her Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling from Argosy University. She has devoted her career to assisting adults, children, and families experiencing challenges with mental health, substance use, and behavioral health crises.

Michelle has served several roles during her 19 years with Affiliated Santé Group, including Director of Psychiatric Recovery Services, Outpatient Behavioral Health Director, and Vice President of Crisis Response Services. Michelle is dedicated to understanding the needs of our communities, as well as developing partnerships with state and community stakeholders to meet the growing needs of individuals living with behavioral health conditions, as well as those experiencing crises. In her role as Chief Executive Officer, Michelle is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization, as well as leading the operational responsibilities for Santé. As a service provider and organizational manager for five entities, Michelle's role is to effectively manage all service and business operations. Michelle is the first African American and woman to hold this role in the organization.

Patricia Manasevit

Ms. Manasevit earned her BA from Lehigh University and her JD cum laude from the Washington College of Law. She served as legal advisor to the Honorable Joel Gerber of the United States Tax Court and then joined the Office of Chief Counsel, IRS. There, she was the liaison between the Office of Chief Counsel and the Joint Committee of Taxation's Office of Senior Refund Counsel. She served on the Office of Chief Counsel's Joint National Diversity and Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee and received several technical expertise awards, three National Instructor Excellence awards, and Treasury's Leadership Legacy Honors. Currently, she serves on the Advisory Board of Natan International and the Sisterhood Board of Adas Israel.

Dr. Heather Lewis, M.D.

Heather Lewis, MD, MPH, MS or "Doc Heather" as she is fondly called in the community, grew up in the DMV metropolitan area, closest to the National Harbor. Starting her career as a lifetime learner, she has achieved four advanced degrees from Hampton University, Indiana University, Uniformed Services University, and her most celebrated, a Medical Doctorate from The Ohio State University.

It is an honor for her to be a U.S. Department of Navy Veteran because she not only served onboard ship during combat tours at sea but also wore the Marine Corps uniform as a Medical Officer caring for Sailors & Marines around the world. She joined the Affiliated Santé Group (ASG) Board after serving as a founding board member to My Sisters Keeper Success Institute, a STEM based career development nonprofit headquartered in Temecula, California.

She has a strong passion for the healthiness of the whole human being through a holistic approach as a primary care physician in her private medical concierge commonwealth business “Doc Heather Knows.”

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