NJAMHAA-2022 spring-conference-program book

Nicole Russo, BA Lead Care Manager Tri County Care Management Organization Nicole Russo, BA, majored in Sociology and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kutztown University. She has spent the past 20 years working with at-risk youth and families in New Jersey in many different capacities. These experiences have allowed Nicole the opportunity to work with diverse populations of youth and families who have experi- enced challenges, such as mental and behavioral health crises, substance abuse, legal issues, developmental disabilities, family conflicts, abuse and neglect, and homelessness. Nicole has experi- ence working with system partners such as child welfare services, educational systems and the justice system to advocate on behalf of the youth and families. Nicole has worked at Tri County Care Management Organization since March 2007. She has been promot- ing diversity, inclusion, and equity in the agency by partnering with her co-workers on the Race and Gender Equity (RGE) Council since 2016. Her most recent endeavor has been learning to co-facilitate the agency’s monthly RGE Caucuses. Cynthia Shaffer, MS, MBA, ACC Chief of Operations, Practice Group Chair, Healthcare Arudia Cynthia Shaffer, MS, MBA, is a highly dedicated, leadership-oriented profes- sional experienced in strategic manage- ment. With a 20-year career in health care and life sciences, Cynthia has a proven record of developing, directing, and inspiring highly effective teams, streamlining opera- tions, and managing large projects. She helps professionals define and achieve purpose in their lives through focused career develop- ment and stress management. She supports clients in developing and maintaining personal and professional growth; managing stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue; and leading more fulfilling lives. Cynthia has a Master of Science in Biotechnology and Master of Business Administration and is a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Certified Practitioner. She is a graduate of the Institute for Profes- sional Excellence in Coaching and an Associate Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation. She is qualified to administer the Actualized Leader Profile and Group Culture Profile assessments, as well as the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory. Meena Song, Esq. Director of Litigation Community Health Law Project Meena Song is the Director of Litigation at the Community Health Law Project (CHLP). She began serving as Managing Attorney of the CHLP Union and Hudson County offices in 2018 and was promoted to the position of Director of Litigation in 2021. Meena is a member of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Public Policy Committee, as well as The Arc’s Government Affairs Committee. She also takes part in the Housing and Urban Development Stakeholder meetings and is involved in statewide tenancy advocacy initiatives. Prior to joining CHLP, Meena practiced housing, consumer and family law at Northeast New Jersey Legal Services. She obtained her law degree fromWidener University School of Law and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. Debra L. Wentz, PhD President and Chief Executive Officer New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. Debra L. Wentz, PhD, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of NJAMHAA and Executive Director of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute. She holds nu- merous Board and committee positions and appointments on the state and national levels, including several at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma, which she chairs. Under Dr. Wentz’s leader- ship, NJAMHAA received the Advocacy Leadership Award for Organi- zational Excellence from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in June 2020. In 2021, she was honored by Family Connections with the Roger Mansel Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2019, she was recognized by ROI-NJ with a Champions of the C-Suite (CEOs of the Year) award and by NJBIZ with an ICON Honors award. Dr. Wentz earned a Doctoral degree from University of Paris, Paris, France; a second PhD and MA degree from the University of Connecticut; and an Executive MBA from the Alternative Careers Program of the Whar- ton Business School, University of Pennsylvania. She completed undergraduate work at Goucher College, Maryland. She is bilingual in French and English. MEET THE PRESENTERS 55