Our team is a connected and committed group of leaders who are better and stronger when we are united in our work of creating joy and healing generations. We share our best practices, pushing each other to be the best we can be.

Embark behavioral healthcare fav 1

Executive Directors

Dr. Meka Allen, LCSW

Position: Executive Director - Scottsdale

Dr. Allen has been honored to practice across the continuum of care from private practice to IOP and residential treatment. She has expertise in treating addiction, trauma, and mental health issues among adolescents, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC communities. She has researched veteran causes, adolescents, and overall destigmatizing mental health care among marginalized communities. She teaches at Arizona State University’s School of Social Work.

Dr. Meka Allen, LCSW

Executive Director - Scottsdale

Dr. Allen has been honored to practice across the continuum...

Carly Bachrach, MA, PPS

Position: Executive Director, Woodland Hills

Carly Bachrach began her career in the behavioral health field in 2010 as a residential counselor at a co-occurring treatment facility in Malibu, California. Quickly realizing her passion for helping others along their journey to recovery, Carly decided to pursue a master’s in psychology from Phillips Graduate University, where she became a school counselor, earning her Pupil Personnel Services and Child Welfare and Attendance credentials.
Over the course of her career, Carly has worked in various levels of care serving a wide variety of individuals. These experiences have ranged from serving at-risk youth as a school counselor in Los Angeles, to working as a Residential Manager at a program for individuals with intellectual and physical differences in Aurora, Colorado. Additionally, Carly has held the role of Director of Operations for dual diagnosis partial hospitalization and outpatient clinics in Los Angeles, as well as Program Director for residential facilities specializing in mental health.
Working from a collaborative and team perspective, Carly cultivates a compassionate and cohesive environment for the team, which in turn supports the highest possible level of personalized care for clients and their families. She finds joy in sharing her knowledge and expertise in the service of mental health and is thrilled to be dedicating herself now to tackling Embark Behavioral Health’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal, to take adolescent and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide from the all-time highs of today to all-time lows by 2028.

Carly Bachrach, MA, PPS

Executive Director, Woodland Hills

Carly Bachrach began her career in the behavioral health field...

Serenity Brendon, BA

Position: Teen Girls and Transition Home Executive Director

Serenity joined the team in 2021 as a Teen Girls Residential Manager. She has since been promoted to Executive Director of Teen Girls and Transition Homes. Serenity came to Calo with an extensive career in mental health with over 15 years of serving young adults and adolescents from across the spectrum, with a background and thorough training in trauma care. She is a licensed Interstate Foster Crisis Care Provider. Outside of caring for the kids at Calo, Serenity is a dedicated mother of 5 children, one of which is a foster child whose formal adoption became final this year. In her down time, she enjoys crafts, swimming, reading, and spending time with her three grandchildren.

Serenity Brendon, BA

Teen Girls and Transition Home Executive Director

Serenity joined the team in 2021 as a Teen Girls...

Jessica Breton, LMFT

Position: Executive Director

Jessica Breton is the Executive Director at the Optimum Performance Institute and has been with OPI since 2009, holding the positions of licensed therapist and Clinical Program Director.

Jessica’s background and expertise are well suited to serve the young adults at OPI. She holds a BA in psychology from University of California at Santa Barbara and has a Master’s degree from Phillips Graduate Institute in Marriage and Family Therapy.

She received Training in Mentalization-based Treatment Approach in Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder through UCLA Semel Institute. She also has training in Treating Multiple Severe Disorders with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy with Michael Hollander, Ph.D., from Harvard/McLean Hospital. Additionally, Jessica has participated in Social Skills and Violence Prevention Training from the California Family Counseling Center.

She has served as a Marriage and Family Therapist with the California Family Counseling Center, has worked in several Los Angeles Unified School District elementary, middle and High Schools and has maintained a small private practice.

Ms. Breton is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, as well as Evolving Women.

At her heart, She is a passionate clinician. Jessica strongly believes that the relationships we build with clients and staff members helps to create an environment conducive to growth, healing, and change.

When not at work, Jessica loves spending time with her husband and 2 small boys.

Jessica Breton, LMFT

Executive Director

Jessica Breton is the Executive Director at the Optimum Performance...

Karina Campbell, MSW, JD

Position: Executive Director - Cabin John

Karina Campbell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Ursinus College, a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor Degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Karina started her career assisting adjudicated adolescents in a residential setting. Throughout her career, Karina has gained a variety of work experience with adolescents and adults in not only the residential setting but in outpatient mental health, and non-profit organizations. She later attended law school seeking to help others with her understanding of mental health and the law. Prior to joining Embark Behavioral Health Karina worked in the court system working with families going through divorce and custody proceedings. Karina also worked in private practice providing treatment for anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and family discord. Karina is happiest when she spends time with family and friends because for her those connections are paramount.

Karina Campbell, MSW, JD

Executive Director - Cabin John

Karina Campbell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the...

David Chiarito, MS

Position: Executive Director - Flathead Valley

MS Experiential Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN BS Outdoor Recreation Leadership, Unity College, Unity, ME David has served in the Behavioral Health Care field for over 25 years. David began his career in wilderness therapy and has worked with hundreds of adolescents, young adults, and their families in a variety of contexts and programming environments. David has served in a variety of roles, including direct-care staff, case management, program design and development, outreach and admissions, and administration. David’s approach is very much boots on the ground as his passion is engaging with clients, families, and staff alike. David has been with Embark since the Spring of 2016. In his free time, David enjoys spending his time with his wife, and two boys and loves to participate in all of the outdoor activities that Montana has to offer.

David Chiarito, MS

Executive Director - Flathead Valley

As Executive Director at Embark at Flathead Valley, David Chiarito...

Helene Creasy, LCSW, MBA

Position: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MAIN LINE,POCONOS
Credentials: LCSW, MBA

Helene has extensive experience in the delivery, management, and administration of behavioral health services. Over the span of her 30-year career, she has developed programming in various adult and adolescent treatment settings including inpatient care, partial hospitalization, IOP and outpatient. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker herself, she is passionate about person-centered, quality treatment. Helene seeks to build genuine relationships with the individuals and families she serves. Her training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT and Multi-Systemic Family Therapy provides a clinical framework that is solution-focused. Prior to joining Embark, Helene operated a Private Practice, had been an adjunct faculty member at Alvernia University and currently serves on several community advisory boards.

Helene is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. She received her BSW from Bloomsburg University, MSW from Temple University and attained her MBA from the University of Scranton. Helene and her husband own and manage a local pizzeria. In her free time, Helene enjoys traveling, walking, hiking, spending time with family and loves to relax near the East Coast beaches.

Helene Creasy, LCSW, MBA

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MAIN LINE,POCONOS

Helene has extensive experience in the delivery, management, and administration...

Matthew Dale, MA (Master of Arts in Education)

Position: Executive Director - Main Line

Matthew is the Executive Director of Embark Behavioral Health in the Main Line located in Berwyn, PA. Matthew received his Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from the Pennsylvania State University and then went on to receive his Master’s degree in Education from La Salle University. Over the past 20+ years, Matthew has dedicated his life to Behavioral Health field, serving in multiple capacities as a Clinician and an Operational Director in both inpatient and outpatient levels of care.

Matthew is a patient focused leader that believes very strongly in a patient first centered approach. Over the course of his career, he has dedicated himself to improving system processes and access to treatment, to provide quality and accessible care to all populations in need. The development and implementation of Key Performance Indicators has helped him guide his teams to achieve positive clinical outcomes for their patients and families.

Matthew is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia Metro area and currently resides in Bucks County with his wife and two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys distance running and cycling and takes frequent trips to the Jersey Shore with his family.

Matthew Dale, MA (Master of Arts in Education)

Executive Director - Main Line

Matthew is the Executive Director of Embark Behavioral Health in...

Sharon Dietsche, LCSW-C, LISCW

Position: Executive Director - Rockville
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Sharon Dietsche, LISCW, LCSW-C joined Embark in 2021 as Executive Director of the Tysons Corner clinic.
Sharon has dedicated her 30-year career to creating healthier families and communities. Her endeavors started in the child welfare field in Orlando, Florida, as a foster care and adoptions counselor. After receiving her Masters, she began her clinical work at Edgewood Center for Children and Families in San Francisco where she led clinical treatment teams serving children and families with severe trauma histories. Then, as Director, Mental Health, she served as one of the creative forces in the development of Our Second Home, an early childhood family resource center south of the city.
From California, Sharon’s career brought her to the national capital area, where she joined the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in 2009 as a Senior Practice Associate. Her work focused on school social work, behavioral health, and child, adolescent, and family issues. Among other accomplishments, she led the development of the NASW standards for social work practice with clients with substance use disorders and the NASW policy statement on adolescent and young adult health.
Sharon then served as Director, Prevention & Early Intervention at the DC Department of Behavioral Health. There she oversaw early childhood, school-based mental health, and substance use prevention programs. She transitioned to her next position in 2020 as Director, Program Operations for the Center for Adoption Support and Education where she oversaw all direct services for the organization.
Sharon holds a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from the University of Central Florida and in 2020 earned certification in Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Northwestern University. Since 2004, she has served as a subject matter expert in the development of the professional social work licensing exams in California and with the Association of Social Work Boards.
Sharon and her husband Tom are parents to three children. Their youngest joined their family in 2018 through international adoption. They currently reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Sharon Dietsche, LCSW-C, LISCW

Executive Director - Rockville

Sharon Dietsche, LISCW, LCSW-C joined Embark in 2021 as Executive...

Nicole Fuglsang, MA, LPC, NCC

Position: CEO Calo Programs

Nicole is one of the founding members of Calo. She has worked for over 25 years with adolescents and their families as a youth leader, therapist, and Admissions Director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Denver Seminary. Her graduate focus was in child, adolescent, and family psychotherapy, and course work allowed her to complete all academic requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Nicole’s clinical experience includes work in community and crisis counseling centers, national youth service and ministry organizations, long-term residential treatment programs, and short-term behavioral health care facilities. In these environments, she has provided a broad range of mental health and general support services including individual, group, and family psychotherapy, clinical assessments, treatment planning, case management, and referral services. Her areas of clinical expertise include the facilitation of adolescent behavioral interventions, treatment of mood and motivational difficulties, eating disorder treatment and prevention, and family crisis management. Nicole is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. As a trained and experienced clinician, she provides a depth of expertise to families and referral sources. As one of original founders of Calo, she has been with the program since the beginning, serving in many capacities, including admission and business development. Currently, she serves as the program CEO. Nicole and her husband Matt, live in Osage Beach, Missouri with their three children, Jacob, Abigail and Madalyn.

Nicole Fuglsang, MA, LPC, NCC

CEO Calo Programs

Nicole is one of the founding members of Calo. She...

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Nikki Garza, LCSW

Nikki is the Executive Director of Fulshear Treatment to Transition, a transition program near Houston, Texas, for young adults. Nikki received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah; she then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Social Work from Brigham Young University. Throughout the past 12 years, Nikki’s professional responsibilities have included providing treatment for adults facing mental illness at the Utah State Hospital, running an intensive out-patient program at a drug and alcohol treatment center for adults, and supervising both clinicians and residential staff in several residential facilities. Since 2006, Nikki has served as the clinical director for a large residential treatment center for adolescent girls. Additionally she has maintained a private practice for many years.

Nikki is a gifted clinician who is passionate about helping others. She has received training in a variety of mental health techniques including Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), healing attachment, working with eating disorders, and family system approaches.

Nikki is best known for living a life of commitment and compassion. Her energy is contagious, and her enthusiasm has helped to motivate both the clients she serves and the staff she supervises. She is inspired by helping the clients she is working with achieve lasting change.

In her spare time, Nikki enjoys reading and riding her bike. She loves spending time with her family and vacationing anywhere there is a beach.

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Nikki Garza, LCSW

Nikki is the Executive Director of Fulshear Treatment to Transition,...

Dr. Jamie Goldstein, Psy.D

Position: Executive Director, Campbell

Dr. Jamie Goldstein is the Executive Director of the San Rafael and Walnut Creek outpatient clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. Over the past decade, Dr. Goldstein has supported adolescents and adults through their life experiences and self-explorations. Her work is rooted in the three pillars of connection, authenticity, and language. Time and time again, research shows that our relationships are the most powerful elements of our ability to thrive. Through encouraging authenticity and finding the language to express themselves, Dr. Goldstein helps grow individuals’ capacity for connection to those around them. Like many Californians, she loves spending time out in the sunshine and can be found exploring the natural beauty offered across the Bay Area.

Dr. Jamie Goldstein, Psy.D

Executive Director, Campbell

Dr. Jamie Goldstein is the Executive Director of the San...

heather hall at behavioral health outpatient center doorways phoenix

Heather Hall, BS

Position: Executive Director

Heather obtained a B.S. degree in both Accounting and in Marketing from Black Hills State University. She has years of professional leadership experience in a variety of private, public, governmental and non-profit industries. She loves helping companies develop, coordinate and expand operations while accomplishing organization-wide goals. Heather is married and has two sons and is very excited to be a part of the amazing team at Doorways.

heather hall at behavioral health outpatient center doorways phoenix

Heather Hall, BS

Executive Director

Heather obtained a B.S. degree in both Accounting and in...

Mackenzie Hall

Mackenzie Hall, BS

Position: Executive Director

MacKenzie is originally from St. George, UT where she first began her journey as a youth mentor at a program for teenage girls. She was there for several years and held multiple leadership positions while also learning how to facilitate lasting change in youth and their families. Mackenzie enjoys working with the whole family system and being able to witness the moments when the family shifts towards a life worth living. Prior to joining Lake House Academy, MacKenzie  worked with families at Chrysalils beginning in 2018 as the Program Director.

MacKenzie is eager to explore all that the NC Mountains has to offer and expand upon her love of hiking, kayaking, travel or simply reading a good book.

Mackenzie Hall

Mackenzie Hall, BS

Executive Director

MacKenzie is originally from St. George, UT where she first...

Michelle Hall, MS, Master of Science in Leadership

Position: Executive Director- Dragonfly

Michelle Hall is the Executive Director for Dragonfly Transitions, a program with three campuses for young adults in Southern Oregon. She brings over 25 years of leadership, operations, and customer service management experience to her role from a variety of organizations, including Apple, REI, and Target. She received her B.S. in Management from Bellevue University and her M.S. in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University as well as continuing education in hospitality, operations, and human resources. She brings her passion for growth and life-long learning to the Dragonfly team. Michelle loves working with the team, partners, families, and students to strategize ways to grow and improve the program and feels privileged to be a part of such a purpose-driven organization with Embark Behavioral Health. Leveraging her training in project management, customer service, and instructional design, she has a solid track record for creating developmental programs and strategies that help teams deliver their best work. As a parent to two young adults, she brings a personal connection to the work as well as her professional experience. An avid reader, runner, hiker, and traveler, you can find her exploring the outdoors when she is not working, spending quality time with her family, watching baseball (go Cubbies!), or reading a book.

Michelle Hall, MS, Master of Science in Leadership

Executive Director- Dragonfly

Michelle Hall is the Executive Director for Dragonfly Transitions, a...

Adam Hannigan

Position: Associate Executive Director - Chrysalis

Adam has been supporting adolescents and their families in residential settings for the past 20+ years. His experience ranges across the therapeutic landscape from wilderness programming, therapeutic boarding schools, and transitional living. After earning his degree and teaching credentials at the University of Iowa, Adam spent time traveling and working in the mountain west. He moved to Northwest Montana and currently lives with his family in Whitefish where they love to adventure through the mountains and rivers surrounding them. Adam believes deeply in how strong our community is and the empowerment that grows with positive relationships. This value aligns with the work he is able to do at Milestones Transitions through community involvement and partnerships that exist for students.

Adam Hannigan

Associate Executive Director - Chrysalis

Adam Hannigan is passionate about the healing Embark at Flathead...

Baaba Hawthorne, LMFT

Position: Executive Director - West LA

Baaba Hawthorne, M.A., LMFT is the Executive Director of our Embark Behavioral Health West LA Outpatient Clinic. She holds a BA in psychology with an emphasis in human sexuality from California State University, Northridge and earned her master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family therapy from Pepperdine University. She comes from a strong clinical background working with teens, adults and families specializing in addiction, trauma and multi-cultural counseling. In her recent years, Baaba has used her clinical background as a foundation for leadership. Previously inhabiting the roles of Clinical Director and Director of Outreach, Baaba has a passion for building programs and establishing partnerships within the Los Angeles community. Representation matters and Baaba is excited to bring the exceptional services of Embark Behavioral Health to the diverse community of Los Angeles. In her free time Baaba loves to travel internationally, learn about new cultures through food and music and enjoys spending the day at the beach with friends and family.

Baaba Hawthorne, LMFT

Executive Director - West LA

Baaba Hawthorne, M.A., LMFT is the Executive Director of our...

Corey Hickman, MS, Master of Science in Human Resources

Position: Executive Director - Chrysalis

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Corey earned his undergraduate degree in therapeutic recreation from Brigham Young University and is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. After several years of working as a recreation therapist and serving in leadership roles in residential treatment settings, Corey completed a master’s degree in human resources from Utah State University. His desire to study both recreation and organizational leadership came from a deep belief that, in order to help students achieve positive growth, the organizational culture must provide them with an enjoyable, healthy environment conducive to change. Early in 2015, Corey accepted the position of executive director at Chrysalis School in Eureka, Montana. True to his profession as a recreational therapist, Corey lives to recreate! Corey’s hobbies include distance running, golf, snowboarding and wakeboarding, and traveling to new places. He and his wife, Jessica, have four energetic young children, and they love living in an area that has so much in the way of outdoor recreation.

Corey Hickman, MS, Master of Science in Human Resources

Executive Director - Chrysalis

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Corey...

Jeffrey Holloway, MSW

Position: Executive Director - First Light

Jeff found his love for working with adolescents while tutoring underprivileged children as an undergraduate, and this experience influenced his decision to major in social work. Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of South Dakota, and then his Master’s in Social Work at the University of Iowa. For the next decade, Jeff specialized in working with issues related to childhood trauma in a variety of treatment settings, including residential treatment, in-home services, foster care, and outpatient therapy. In 2002, Jeff relocated with his family from Iowa to Georgia, where he worked in administrative roles at a therapeutic boarding school, a therapeutic wilderness program, and a boarding school specializing in learning disabilities. These experiences further honed his expertise in working with adolescents and with complex family systems. His desire to help families find the right treatment options for their children led him to educational and therapeutic consulting, where he helped to facilitate hundreds of therapeutic placements.

Jeffrey Holloway, MSW

Executive Director - First Light

Jeff found his love for working with adolescents while tutoring...

Dr. Myra Irani, PhD, MFT, MA

Position: Executive Director - Greenwood Village

Dr. Myra Irani has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Master’s in Marriage, and Family Therapy (MFT), and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. She loves working with people and is a collaborative thinker with over 15 years of healthcare and leadership experience. Dr. Irani is action-oriented and is invested in quality services and business development. A Colorado native, who spent much of her career in California, served as a clinician and senior leader in hospitals, residential, outpatient, community mental health, and nursing facilities. Dr. Irani completed an APA accredited residency at the University of Colorado Hospital, Anschutz where she worked in the school of medicine focusing on neuropsychology and integrative healthcare then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Gateways Hospital an inpatient psychiatric facility. Although much of her career has been clinically focused, she has also presented and published research at universities such as Columbia, Boston College, UCLA, University of Colorado at Boulder, and has taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver in the Graduate School of Psychology. When not focusing on her career, she spends much of her time with her family or outdoors with her paint horse named Chief, trailing the mountains. Myra Irani is determined to make a footprint on driving positive results and enlightenment in the behavioral health industry.

Dr. Myra Irani, PhD, MFT, MA

Executive Director - Greenwood Village

Dr. Myra Irani has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Master’s...

Chris Johstoneaux, LCSW

Position: Clinical Director

Chris has 22 years of experience working with adolescents in residential treatment, therapeutic and boarding school settings.

Having worked as a Therapist, Administrator and Program Staff, Chris specializes in building appropriate relationships with students and families and the clinical assessment and treatment of a wide variety of therapeutic challenges. Chris has consistently and successfully worked with students, parents and professionals to support families and change lives.

Chris earned his Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Utah, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker is several states.

When Chris is not working, he and his wife are busy with their five boys. He is an avid sports fan and is often found enjoying the outdoors and watching soccer.

Chris Johstoneaux, LCSW

Clinical Director

Chris has 22 years of experience working with adolescents in...

Daniel Kikkert

Position: Associate Executive Director - Deschutes Wilderness Therapy

As the Associate Executive Director at Deschutes Wilderness Therapy, Dan directly oversees the young adult and family services programs in addition to overall risk management, medical, and quality control systems.  He combines his experience in wilderness therapy with his knowledge in organizational psychology to help push DWT in its mission through quality systems, leadership development, and data-driven, human-centered decision-making. Dan has been working in wilderness therapy since 2012 in a variety of field, programming, and operations roles. He received his BS in Physics with a Minor in Mathematics from Penn State University and his MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Sacred Heart University.  Dan is a strong leader, dedicated to service in wilderness therapy for many years now. He volunteers as an AEE accreditation reviewer, traveling to programs around the country helping them to gain and maintain accreditation, serves as the chair of the OBH Best Practices Committee, and regularly presents at conferences to help push cutting-edge treatment throughout the industry.  Dan has a passion for discovering the unknown and spends his free time cycling, skiing, rafting, and fabricating in his metal shop.

Daniel Kikkert

Associate Executive Director - Deschutes Wilderness Therapy

As the Associate Executive Director at Deschutes Wilderness Therapy, Dan...

Amanda McNatt

Position: Executive Director - Sunrise

“For some students, there is a moment where the lightbulb goes off and they just start to get it. For others, it comes more gradual and you are able to look back and see where they have been and how far they have come. Whatever the case, the opportunity I get to see a young woman come into her own, to begin to heal, to begin to believe in herself, and to see the light return to her eyes, is what makes Sunrise so deeply special to me. It is worth the sacrifice and hard work that is put into every single student.”

Amanda graduated from Dixie State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. She became interested in the field of criminal justice after seeing the need for more rehabilitation within the criminal justice world feeling there was the most opportunity to serve adolescents. She started working at Sunrise while finishing up her degree and found just what she was looking for. Amanda left Sunrise and moved to Texas where she worked as a 911 dispatcher and enjoyed working with Police, Sheriff’s, Fire, and EMS departments. After returning to southern Utah, Amanda was happy to come back to Sunrise and continue her growth here. Born and raised in Southern Utah, Amanda left Utah shortly after graduating high school and lived in New Mexico, California, and Texas. The youngest of seven children and she is blessed to say that she has a great relationship with all of her siblings and in-laws. Amanda is happily married and has two you boys. Her greatest joy is spending quality time with her own little family, and all of her extended family. Amanda enjoys camping and being in the mountains, exploring cities, and having shopping and lunch dates with her mom.

“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living a heartbreaking, soul healing, amazing ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”  -L.R. Knost

Amanda McNatt

Executive Director - Sunrise

“For some students, there is a moment where the lightbulb...

Ryan Neal, Ed.D

Position: Teen Boys Executive Director

Dr. Ryan Neal is the Executive Director for Calo Teen Boys. He is a native of the lake and came to Calo after 25 years in public education with experiences in teaching, coaching, building administration, and district-level administration. He has also been an adjunct college professor since 2012. Ryan received his Bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University and his Masters, Specialist, and Doctorate degrees from William Woods University. He and his wife Michelle live in Camdenton Missouri and have three children, Winton, Aidan, and Aubrey. Ryan is excited to be at Calo where he can put his extensive experience with students and their families to work for, the purpose of healing.

Ryan Neal, Ed.D

Teen Boys Executive Director

Dr. Ryan Neal is the Executive Director for Calo Teen...

Richard Pope, LIMHP/EMDR Provider/MSW

Position: Preteens Executive Director

Richard joined the Calo team in October 2021. He has worked in residential settings for over 20 years beginning as an overnight staff and eventually moving into the Regional Director for the State of Nebraska. Richard has also worked for Juvenile Probation and Boys Town, helping to develop programming for youth and families, promoting trauma-informed care. Over the last 5 years, Richard has worked specifically with youth with trauma and trauma-related mental health disorders and strongly endorses a relational approach. He and his wife relocated to the Lake of the Ozarks to join the Calo team.

Richard Pope, LIMHP/EMDR Provider/MSW

Preteens Executive Director

Richard joined the Calo team in October 2021. He has...

Amir Rafiei

Position: Executive Director - Hobble Creek

Amir achieved his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Roseman School of Pharmacy. He became the director of Pharmacy at medical/surgical hospitals and psychiatric facilities. His passion is to see the bigger picture and solve problems. These skills led him to the administrative and operational aspects of caregiving. He has held positions as a Chief Executive Officer and had experience running and overseeing multiple operations within the behavioral health setting. Amir is currently the Executive Director at Embark at Hobble Creek. His strengths include a rigorous commitment to excellence, leading a culture of proactive change and improvement, and team building. Amir strives to have a positive impact on as many lives as possible.

Amir Rafiei

Executive Director - Hobble Creek

Amir achieved his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Roseman...

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Kaci Sapinski

Position: Executive Director - New Visions Wilderness

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Kaci worked in health care for 15 years in Emergency Medicine and Cardiology. As her two sons entered High School, she began looking for a deeper connection to the service industry. Honored to be part of the development of a new University of Wisconsin collaborative program, Kaci continued her education in Community Health and Wellness. With her extensive knowledge of the medical environment and passion for the outdoors, wilderness therapy became the perfect fit. Finding New Vision Wilderness has allowed her to bring her outdoor adventures to work right here in the north woods.

Kaci 1

Kaci Sapinski

Executive Director - New Visions Wilderness

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Kaci...

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Andrew Scott, MA, International Business

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to New Vision as the Program and Business Specialist. His background in both the outdoors and the business world make him a great fit for this position. Andrew received his BA in Marketing with a Certificate in International Business at The University of Milwaukee before working as a Direct Sales Manager for a large corporation. After that he earned his MA in International Business at The University of Warsaw while completing an internship for the U.S. State Department. Andrew has been exploring the wilderness for years through canoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking. He is currently a licensed charter captain and fishing guide and has a passion for teaching his skills.

AndrewScott 1

Andrew Scott, MA, International Business

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to New...

Jeana Thomsen, LCSW

Position: Executive Director - New Haven

Jeana’s career at New Haven began in 2006 when she joined the team as a therapist. She worked for the next seven years as both a therapist and clinical director. New Haven became Jeana’s second home and her love of the work with families grew each year.

After spending a few years operating an outpatient office and then working at New Haven’s parent company overseeing clinical quality and standards, Jeana returned to New Haven as the executive director in 2019.

The majority of Jeana’s career has been devoted to helping adolescent girls and their families heal from the pain of the past and work together to move confidently into the future. Jeana is passionate about ensuring that the families we work with get the best quality care in the world and that the healing changes they make are lifelong.

Jeana earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Utah State University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Brigham Young University. She has a wonderful husband and three darling and active children. She loves to cook new foods, especially appetizers and desserts, and thinks that most meals should consist only of these two “food groups.” Her ideal day would begin with a run and end either in the mountains or on the beach with her family.

Jeana Thomsen, LCSW

Executive Director - New Haven

Jeana’s career at New Haven began in 2006 when she...

Support Team

Dr. Christy Beaudin, LCSW, Dr.PH

Position: Vice President, Quality & Outcomes
Dr. Christy Beaudin, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a doctorate in philosophy in public health, is the Vice President of Quality and Outcomes. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Beaudin has demonstrated exceptional leadership in healthcare quality across diverse settings, including health plans, acute care hospitals, primary care clinics, and behavioral health care organizations. Using her expertise in quality and performance improvement, she’ll help Embark reach its strategic goals so it can fulfill its vision to become the most respected, recognized, and valuable family behavioral health company in the world. A key area she’ll assist with is identifying the structure and investments needed for high-quality care and sustainable client outcomes. As a certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ), Beaudin’s dedication to translational science is evident through her extensive leadership of and involvement in multiple industry publications, including over 90 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, case studies, and reports. Notably, she serves as an associate editor for the esteemed Journal for Healthcare Quality and has contributed to the development of the CPHQ study guide, “HQ Solutions: Resource for the Healthcare Quality Professional.”

Dr. Christy Beaudin, LCSW, Dr.PH

Vice President, Quality & Outcomes

Dr. Christy Beaudin, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with...

Jeremy Behling

Jeremy Behling

Position: Outpatient Group President

Jeremy Behling currently serves as the Group President for Outpatient Services for Embark Behavioral Health. He has more than 12 years of experience providing leadership and strategic support for multi-site healthcare organizations in public, private, and private equity-backed sectors. Prior to joining Embark, he served as the Chief Operating Officer for Next Level Urgent Care. Jeremy holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Alabama.

Jeremy Behling

Jeremy Behling

Outpatient Group President

Jeremy Behling currently serves as the Group President for Outpatient...

Brian Beutin

Position: Division CEO – Short Term Residential

Experienced Operations Executive and Master’s Level Clinician. Skilled in multiple aspects of Behavioral Health including turnaround, start-up and integration with medical care for acute, residential, outpatient and health plan. Successful healthcare services professional with local, regional and national experience overseeing behavioral health organizations.

Brian Beutin

Division CEO – Short Term Residential

Experienced Operations Executive and Master’s Level Clinician. Skilled in multiple...

Laurie Brown

Position: VP of Revenue Cycle Management

Laurie is a Revenue Cycle Management professional with over 25 years of combined operations management experience and has a heart for service. She joined Embark Behavioral Health in 2017. She brings a lengthy background in operational healthcare experience managing multi-site, and state, revenue cycle teams related to government, commercial insurance, and private pay. Laurie strives to excel in resolving challenges with innovative solutions, systems, and process improvements to increase efficiency and productivity. She has worked to build a cohesive Revenue Cycle Management team for Embark Behavioral Health while focusing on streamlined workflows between RCM and the operational programs of the company.

Throughout her career, Laurie has served on various groups and associations to improve billing procedures for Medicaid and Medicare programs. She has partnered with a variety of key stakeholders for commercial payors to improve claims processing, which drives timely reimbursement for services.

Outside of work, Laurie serves on the Board of Directors for a local preschool. She enjoys spending time with her family and loves doting over her grandchildren while rediscovering life through their eyes. She also loves exploring her home state of California, especially while spending time on the central California coastline with her husband.

Laurie Brown

VP of Revenue Cycle Management

Laurie is a Revenue Cycle Management professional with over 25...

Jamie Catlett

Position: Residential Group President

Jamie Catlett currently serves as the Group President for Residential programs at Embark. He has more than 15 years of experience helping companies establish and execute growth strategies across a number of industries. Prior to joining Embark in 2020, he served as the Vice President of Finance for Taylor Morrison and previous to that he was the CFO for FastMed Urgent Care. He has also held positions with Goldman Sachs, Water Street Healthcare Partners and PetSmart. Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Chicago.

Jamie Catlett

Residential Group President

Jamie Catlett currently serves as the Group President for Residential...

Perkin Chung

Position: Senior Vice President of Operations

Perkin Chung is a healthcare operations executive with experience in dental, kidney care, and mental health space. Perkin believes in creating an organizational culture that builds a sense of belonging and community in the workplace and finds fulfillment in working with youth and helping increase access to more preventative, integrated, and coordinated care. Perkin joined Embark as a Division CEO in early 2022. Personally, Perkin is based in Southern California and enjoys traveling and food adventures with his wife and six-year-old son.

Perkin Chung

Senior Vice President of Operations

Perkin Chung is a healthcare operations executive with experience in...

Megan Dean

Position: Director of Content Strategy, Brand, and Marketing

With more than 20 years of marketing, public relations, and strategic communications experience, Megan Dean is a seasoned marketing professional. Currently, she serves as director of content strategy, brand, and marketing at Embark Behavioral Health, with a focus on direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives and go-to-market launches for the company’s expansive growth. Megan’s experience building high-performing teams and functions from the ground up, and leading strategic initiatives and projects proves her keen understanding of the business environment and the importance of client satisfaction. Bringing creativity and leadership to every project, her number one priority is meeting business objectives and goals to deliver results. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications from the University of Phoenix. In 2017, she received her PRSA Reputation Management Certificate with a focus on CSR and executive communication. A techie at heart, she also holds an Associate of Applied Science in Internet Web Development and recently completed her Digital Marketing Certificate from Arizona State University.

Megan Dean

Director of Content Strategy, Brand, and Marketing

With more than 20 years of marketing, public relations, and...

Alec Dorman

Position: Vice President, Finance and Strategy

Alec Dorman currently serves as Vice President, Finance and Strategy. Alec joined Embark in April 2020 as the Chief of Staff, a position that he held for almost two years. Prior to Embark, Alec held various positions in the finance industry where he focused on partnering with companies to unlock their full potential. He holds an MBA from UCLA and a B.A. from Claremont McKenna College.

Alec Dorman

Vice President, Finance and Strategy

Alec Dorman currently serves as Vice President, Finance and Strategy....

Dr. Rob Gent, PhD, LPC

Position: Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Rob Gent, PhD, LPC is the Chief Clinical Officer and founding members of Embark Behavioral Health. Rob has led the Embark organization in clinical development and growth of numerous programs and is the lead developer of the proprietary CASA Developmental Framework which is pervasive throughout Embark’s programs. Through his dedication to the advancement of clinical development, practice, and research, he has become a nationally recognized expert in the field. His specialization in clinical development is enhanced by his therapeutic expertise and has yielded such accomplishments as the development of; The CASA Developmental Framework, Vive Family Intensive Program, Calo Preteens, Canine Attachment Therapy-Transferable Attachment Program, and other specialized programs. Rob’s dedication has led him to pursue of his Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on development and attachment. He remains passionate about neurological, psychological, and physiological development and continues to focus on the advancement of research and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Rob Gent, PhD, LPC

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Rob Gent, PhD, LPC is the Chief Clinical Officer...

Anne Hart

Position: Vice President, Talent Acquisition

Anne Hart is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Embark Behavioral Health. Anne joined Embark in August 2021 to build a talent acquisition team to support Embark’s growth. Anne has over 20 years of experience in Talent Management across multiple industries, including finance, education and IT Services. Anne has a B.A. from The University of Arizona.

Anne Hart

Vice President, Talent Acquisition

Anne Hart is the Vice President of Talent Acquisition at...

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Drew Hornbeck

Position: Division President - Outdoor Division

Drew Hornbeck, CEO/President/Co-founder of NVW was born and raised in Wisconsin. After graduating from the University of Minnesota, Drew launched a 20-year career in adventure and wilderness therapy. Drew has worked in a variety of academic and therapeutic settings across the U.S. In addition to overseeing all aspects of NVW, Drew currently serves as the Membership Committee Chair for the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBH), as well serves on the Oregon Outdoor Youth Program (OYP) Advisory Council. Drew has spoken at national conferences on topics ranging from wilderness risk management to mental health. Drew champions the strong culture at NVW, with a focus on empathy, leadership, and best in class services and practices. Drew is proud to collaborate with such an amazing team of professionals at NVW and considers it a privilege to serve children and families. When not at work, Drew enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters.

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Drew Hornbeck

Division President - Outdoor Division

Drew Hornbeck, CEO/President/Co-founder of NVW was born and raised in...

Abby Jones, LMFT

Position: Clinical Integrator and Director of Quality

Abby Jones is a licensed marriage and family therapist and board approved clinical supervisor in several states with Embark programs. Currently, she supports the Outpatient Division as the Clinical Integrator and Director of Quality. She previously worked in residential and outpatient programs across Embark Behavioral Health’s continuum of care as a clinician and program leader. Prior to Embark, she led a statewide crisis hotline for children and served youth and as an adolescent therapist for more than 10 years across school, community, private practice settings. For fun, she spends time outdoors with her family and dabbles in reading and writing for a PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy.

Abby Jones, LMFT

Clinical Integrator and Director of Quality

Abby Jones is a licensed marriage and family therapist and...

Michelle Kalz

Position: Senior Vice President of Growth

Michelle Kalz is the Senior Vice President of Growth for Embark Behavioral Health with more than 25 years of business development, marketing, admissions, and leadership experience. Prior to joining Embark, she served as Vice President of Business Development and Admissions at Rogers Behavioral Health, where she was responsible for building and developing high-performing outreach and admissions teams. Her personal mission is to lead others either by mentorship or connecting them to mental health care in order to help them achieve their goals. She has a Master of Health Administration from Webster University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications from Lindenwood University.

Michelle Kalz

Senior Vice President of Growth

Michelle Kalz is the Senior Vice President of Growth for...

Matthew Kane

Position: VP of Admissions

Matthew Kane is a Pennsylvania Native, who joined our team in November 2021 as the Director of Admissions bringing 11 years of experience working in the behavioral healthcare field. Matthew is currently acting as our Vice President of Admissions for our Short-Term division. Prior to finding a home in admissions, Matthew worked as a behavioral health associate, counselor, operations director, and business development representative. Admissions is where he realized he was able to apply all his trades to one role. Matthew is a driven professional whose focus is to ensure that individuals and their families have access to high-quality treatment. In his spare time, he loves to play softball and be anywhere outside with his loving Pitbull, Doncic.

Matthew Kane

VP of Admissions

Matthew Kane is a Pennsylvania Native, who joined our team...

Tiffany King

Position: VP of Virtual

Tiffany King is the VP of Embark’s Virtual Division and has been with Embark since 2020, holding positions within leadership, finance, and strategy. Tiffany has an undergraduate degree from UC San Diego and a Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University. She has spent much of her career prior to Embark Behavioral Health within the start-up world, including helping lead Twitter into a public company. She believes in the power of technology to connect people and to serve a greater purpose of accessibility and convenience for adolescents and young adults that need behavioral health services.

Tiffany oversees the Virtual Division which includes Individual and Family Counseling, Parent Coaching, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Care Coordination, and Psychiatry. She is a core value award recipient and member of the Senior Support Team. When offline, she enjoys spending time with her husband and trying to keep up with their two young boys.

Tiffany King

VP of Virtual

Tiffany King is the VP of Embark’s Virtual Division and...

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Landon Kirk

Position: Chief People Officer

Landon has devoted most of the past 20+ years serving children, teens, young adults, and their families. Landon began working in residential treatment in 2005. Unsatisfied by the lack of specialized treatment for adopted students, Landon began co-creating Calo in 2006. On January 1, 2007, Landon began full-time efforts to open Calo as the co-founder, Clinical Director, and Chief Operations Officer (COO). Over the years Landon has been part of the company growth including expansions of Calo Preteens, New Vision Wilderness, and Calo Young Adults. He has held positions of Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Calo Lake of the Ozarks. Currently, Landon is helping all Embark programs fulfill the company’s Core Purpose of Creating Joy and Healing Generations by serving as the Chief People Officer (CPO). This position allows Landon to focus his energy around the “people” side of the business such assisting program leaders and hiring managers to improve employee processes and systems such as hiring, promoting onboarding, engagement, culture, development, communication, training, and much more! Landon is originally from Jacksonville, Florida and enjoys many sports and outdoor recreation including football, tennis, basketball, golf, camping, hiking, working out, and fly-fishing. Top on his list of interests is spending time with his beautiful wife, Jill, and their three children (Tanner, Kambrie, and Bryelle). The Kirk’s reside in Gilbert, Arizona.

Landon Kirk chief people officer 1

Landon Kirk

Chief People Officer

Landon has devoted most of the past 20+ years serving...

Matt Martinez

Matt Martinez

Position: Director of IT and Growth Integration

Matt Martinez joined Embark Behavioral Health in July 2019 as Director of IT and Growth Integration responsible for IT vision, strategy, and driving technology used to enable the achievement of clinical, operational, and financial goals. Matt brings 20 years of professional experience in enterprise IT projects, operations, and technology oversite to Embark Behavioral Health. He is extremely passionate about using cutting-edge technology to enable the achievement of Embark’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal! Prior to joining Embark, he held Senior Management positions at Fortune 500 hospitality, tourism, and technology manufacturing companies, leading and navigating strategic technology evaluation and implementation with oversight of onshore and globally dispersed technology teams across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He has seen his experience using technology to serve hotel guests and airline passengers transition to a more meaningful calling to enable Embark’s front-line staff to serve customers, creating joy and impacting lives to heal generations. Matt holds an MBA from West Texas A&M and earned dual Bachelors (Bachelor of Accountancy and Management Information Systems) from New Mexico State University. Additionally, Matt holds a Project Management Institute certification and enjoys continuous learning. He loves Jesus and enjoys travel, outdoors, reading, cooking, and teaming up with his wife Monika to intentionally create moments and an environment for their two daughters Marysol and Marlene that result in enablement, empowerment, and a lifetime of lasting memories.

Matt Martinez

Matt Martinez

Director of IT and Growth Integration

Matt Martinez joined Embark Behavioral Health in July 2019 as...

Karen Mercer

Position: Human Resources Director

Karen Mercer joined Embark Behavioral Health in March 2023. She has 17 years of experience in healthcare and has extensive experience providing the leadership and guidance needed to drive the achievement of key human resources-related goals and objectives. She is passionate about building strong business relationships with strategic business partners and stakeholders, including employees, based on open lines of communication to identify potential risks to draw organizational alignment with human resources initiatives. Karen has a BA in Management from National American University.

Karen Mercer

Human Resources Director

Karen Mercer joined Embark Behavioral Health in March 2023. She...

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

Position: VP of Operations
Credentials: Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy. D. is a licensed psychotherapist and certified clinical trauma professional who specializes in the treatment of complex trauma. Her dedication to serving children, youth, and adults has spanned over 20-years with a focus on utilizing trauma-informed services to treat a continuum of trauma experiences, including domestic minor sex trafficking and community-based trauma. Dr. Myles is the Executive Director of JoyUs Beginnings Child & Family Wellness Center and The Urban Trauma Positive Impact Center, Inc., an exclusive trauma-informed treatment and advocacy center located in Atlanta, Georgia. Services include trauma informed therapies, trauma assessments, group treatments, gender specific social justice initiatives for girls of color and PeriCare a 2-Gen maternal fetal behavioral health treatment and advocacy initiative. Dr. Myles served as the first Clinical Director for youthSpark, Inc. and was to serve vulnerable youth who experienced exploitation, abuse, and other victimizations within the Fulton County Juvenile Court (FCJC), the largest juvenile court in the southeast region. Throughout her career, Dr. Myles has consulted with systems of care, such as East Cleveland’s MyCom, Inc. and Minnesota’s Robbinsdale Area Schools, to develop trauma-informed systems of care, policy, programming, and training on trauma and equity. In December 2018, Dr. Myles collaborated with Atlanta Public School Board Member Erika Mitchell – District 5 and co-authored the first Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) Protocol for schools in the state of Georgia and has trained hundreds of school social workers on this policy. In addition, she has trained over ten thousand individuals on the impact of trauma DMST which includes Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, corporations, law enforcement, mental health providers, educators, lawyers, governmental officials, community members, and youth.
Dr. Myles has accepted many leadership positions throughout her career. She is the current Advisory Board Chair for the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Mental Health Court – Journey Program, a member of the Georgia Statewide Multi-Disciplinary Team for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking, Board Chair for Breaking the Cycle, Inc (Philadelphia), and was the Vice Chair of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Taskforce Survivors Supported and Protected workgroup. Dr. Myles is a subject matter expert and provides expert testimony in legal cases involving child and adolescent trauma. She has presented at various conferences and has experience in vast settings such as clinical, juvenile justice, Department of Defense, and community-based settings.

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., LPC, CCTP, CPCS

VP of Operations

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy. D. is a licensed psychotherapist and...

Ryan Penhallegon

Position: Vice President, Human Resources

Ryan Penhallegon joined Embark Behavioral Health in 2014 after a successful 12 years in the employment industry. He is an experienced and valued leader as a Human Resources professional (SHRM-CP) and takes pride in leading the company in all aspects of Human Resources including but not limited to employee relations, payroll management, risk management, compliance, benefits, and worker’s compensation. At Embark, Ryan leads and mentors a national team of 23 HR professionals and growing! He graduated with a BA from Washington State University’s School of Hospitality Business Management. Ryan is the proud father of 4 wonderful children and the lucky spouse to an amazing, beautiful, and loving wife of 27 years. Ryan enthusiastically subscribes to weekend warrior-ism where you’ll find him mountain-biking on secluded trails of the Arizona backcountry, testing the limits of bike and self, sometimes resulting in up close and all-too-personal run-ins with desert cactus.

Ryan Penhallegon

Vice President, Human Resources

Ryan Penhallegon joined Embark Behavioral Health in 2014 after a...

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Dave Prior, LMFT

Position: Division President - Long Term Programs

Dave Prior’s experience in working with adolescents in treatment spans two decades. His strong clinical background and experience enable him to lead multiple programs with high clinical quality and integrity. Dave was the founder and Executive Director of our Sunrise program from 2006 – 2015.

As a seasoned mental health professional, Dave has gained a reputation for his expertise in clinical specialties that include family systems work and conflict resolution. Dave earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Utah State University, and a Bachelor’s of science degree in Family Sciences from Brigham Young University.

Dave loves his five kids and his lovely wife, and is actively involved with Casa Hogar Alegre, an orphanage InnerChange has embraced as part of the family. Dave speaks Spanish fluently and enjoys traveling to Latin American countries.

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Dave Prior, LMFT

Division President - Long Term Programs

Dave Prior’s experience in working with adolescents in treatment spans...

Brian Rogers

Position: Quality Director

Brian Rogers has been with Embark since July 2008. He spent his first five years within the organization working in residential treatment in roles from direct-care staff to program director, at our Calo location in Lake Ozark, MO. Towards the end of 2013, he moved into the role of Quality Director and has been in that role since. While in this role Brian has taken the opportunity to further his education receiving a Masters in Counseling in 2016 and has been able to use his education as a way to balance clinical and operational needs. Brian was a key driver in establishing system accreditation with The Joint Commission for the entire Embark organization in the summer of 2021 and continues to lead and direct all accreditation and licensing-related activities. Brian believes that an ethical approach based from core values is the key to establishing and maintaining a quality organization.

Brian Rogers

Quality Director

Brian Rogers has been with Embark since July 2008. He...

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Alex Stavros

Position: CEO

As the son of missionaries, Alex grew up in Peru working, playing and living alongside the troubled youth and desolate orphans of Lima’s slums. Alex’s childhood shaped his professional and personal aspirations. Prior to joining InnerChange Programs, Alex lived in California and was the Managing Partner of an investment fund, which he founded, focused on acquiring and leading mission-driven businesses. Prior to Lia Capital, Alex lived in Boston and was the Associate Director of Firm-Wide Operations – working directly for the President and COO – of Cambridge Associates, the world’s largest global investment advisory firm to not for profit organizations. Alex also has experience in public service having worked at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government agency that mobilizes private capital to help solve critical, global social and poverty challenges. And he worked on the Capitol Hill in Washington DC for a Minnesota Congressman. Alex has also earned a Certificate of Public Management from Stanford University. And, while at Stanford, was a Rising Fellow at the Hoover Institution, a world-renowned public policy think tank. Alex loves the ocean and is a certified open water diver. He has served as a Board Fellow at one of the most enchanting Aquariums in the world, California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium. Alex spends his free time reading up on foreign affairs and international politics. Alex graduated with Honors from American University with both an Economic Theory and International Relations degree and he earned an MBA from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Alex is on the Board of Peruvian Partners, a nonprofit established to connect North Americans in a real and significant way with Peruvian families that live in abject poverty. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is happily married to his wife, Maria-Paz, who has the most important job in the world, raising their two beautiful children.

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Alex Stavros

CEO

As the son of missionaries, Alex grew up in Peru...

Tyler Stoner

Position: Director of Strategy and Analytics

Tyler Stoner current serves as the Director of Strategy and Analytics at Embark Behavioral Health. In his role and since joining in December 2021, Tyler supports various growth initiatives for Embark. Previously, Tyler held various positions in the finance industry, primarily focusing on investment banking and valuation advisory. Tyler has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and received a degree in finance and economics from Michigan State University.

Tyler Stoner

Director of Strategy and Analytics

Tyler Stoner current serves as the Director of Strategy and...

Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT

Position: Divisions CEO
Credentials: LMFT

After assisting with the merger of Innerchange and Calo Programs throughout the last year, Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT, the former CEO of Innerchange with 25 years’ experience, will lead this esteemed team as the CEO of Potomac Programs. Dustin is based at Embark’s headquarters in Arizona.

Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT

Divisions CEO

After assisting with the merger of Innerchange and Calo Programs...

Brock Tracey

Position: Director of Finance Operations

Brock Tracey currently serves as the Director of Finance Operations at Embark Behavioral Health. In his role and since joining in June of 2020, Brock supports all residential programs with financial and operational analytics. Previously, Brock held various finance positions across multiple industries, focusing on M&A activity, operations, and FP&A. Brock received a degree in finance from the University of Iowa.

Brock Tracey

Director of Finance Operations

Brock Tracey currently serves as the Director of Finance Operations...

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Darren Wight

Position: CFO

Darren Wight has nearly 25 years of experience in multi-site healthcare services.  Most recently, Darren was the Chief Financial Officer for Cranial Technologies, the leading provider in the treatment of infant plagiocephaly (flat skull syndrome) through its cranial orthotic helmet and treatment plan at its various clinics.  While at Cranial Technologies, Darren assisted in its effort to rapidly expand its footprint by opening roughly one de novo clinic per month over a four-year period.  Prior to Cranial Technologies, Darren held the Chief Financial Officer position at American Vision Partners and Southwestern Eye Center (both eye care/ophthalmology providers) and at Simon Med Imaging. Darren received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and his MBA with an emphasis in Corporate Finance from the University of Southern California.

Darren-Wight-Headshot-

Darren Wight

CFO

Darren Wight has nearly 25 years of experience in multi-site...

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