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Adrienne O'Neil is a part-time Office Support Specialist at MHA and a full-time student at UW-Milwaukee pursuing a degree in Social Work. Adrienne has also worked as a child care provider for MHA's Strong Families Healthy Homes program.
Cara Hansen is the Information and Assistance Coordinator for Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA). She has been employed at MHA since 2001. In her current role, Cara provides information and referral to mental health and wellness resources and is responsible for the MHA website and resource directories. Prior to her current position, Cara served as the Community Outreach & Education Coordinator for MHA.
Karissa Vogel is the Lead Family Advocate for the Strong Families Healthy Homes program. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Criminology/Law Studies from Marquette University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from UW-Madison. Karissa has many years of experience working with children and families, as well as adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
As President/CEO, Kristina is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. Included in this responsibility is program development and administration, agency communication and marketing, advocacy, budget development and oversight, fund development and employee management. Previously, Kristina was the Director of Programs for MHA where she oversaw the Milwaukee-based programs. Kristina has worked in the mental health field for the past 10 years. She has experience working with inner city youth, families and those with mental illness, as well as developing and implementing curriculum and programs that fit the needs of these populations. Prior to MHA, Kristina served as a Grievance and Appeals Specialist for the State of Arizona. In that role, she advocated for the rights of consumers by educating clients and training providers. Kristina has also spent some time as a Youth Counselor and School Social Worker in both Milwaukee and the City of Phoenix.
Martina Gollin-Graves, MSW, APSW, is the Project and Outreach Manager at MHA. Martina manages all agency project objectives by planning and evaluating project activities; providing local and statewide mental health and suicide prevention presentations; and holding conferences and trainings for businesses, community organizations and schools. She assists in collaborative projects, and coordinates the Survivors Helping Survivors support groups. Martina previously worked with families in the Strong Families Healthy Homes program providing advocacy and education for parents and children with mental illness; crisis stabilization; and facilitation of psychoeducation groups.
Melanie Deavers graduated from the Strong Families Healthy Homes Program (SFHH) in August 2008. Only two months after completion, she was hired to work as a Peer Specialist in the SFHH program due to her overwhelming enthusiasm for the program. Melanie embraces the recovery and person-centered philosophy of the SFHH program. She completed the 70-hour training to become a Peer Specialist while she was still in the program. Melanie has now worked in the program for three years and demonstrates a passion for helping the families through the recovery process.
Mike has 5+ years as an Information and Assistance Specialist for MHA. Mike comes to this position with a diverse educational/employment background. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Study of Religion, with an emphases on African Religions and Christianity. He also is a certified Peer Support Specialist. Mike previously worked several years as a Mechanical Draftsman where he developed the skill to focus on detail while understanding the big picture.
Sara Felde is a Family Advocate for the Strong Families Healthy Homes program. As a Family Advocate, Sara supports parents with chronic mental illness and teaches skills that help them raise healthy children. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008 with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies, and received her Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in Mental Health from Washington University in St. Louis in 2010. Sara’s past experience includes working with individuals and families to promote healthy families, healthy relationships, and positive mental health. She is certified to teach several relationship education curricula, and is also licensed as an APSW in the State of Wisconsin.
Shannon Fenceroy is a Family Advocate with MHA's Strong Families Healthy Home program. She has been employed with MHA since August 2010. Shannon also interned as a Family Advocate during her graduate studies from June 2007 through May 2008. Shannon has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Master's of Science in Community Counseling, both from Mount Mary College. She has been working in the social services field for more than 5 years and has an extensive background in working with adolescents and families who suffer from a mental illness. Shannon's passion has and always will be serving individuals and families in her community.
Shel Gross has been Director of Public Policy for Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA) since 2000. Shel was Project Manager for Wisconsin’s Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant from 2006-2010 and also serves as Project Manager for a State Prevention/Early Intervention grant, which also focuses on youth suicide prevention. Shel chairs the Wisconsin Council on Mental Health and its Legislative and Policy Committee, and is on the steering committee for Wisconsin United for Mental Health, a statewide anti-stigma initiative. He is a past board member of the Wisconsin Prevention Network and co-chair of the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations. Shel holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the LaFollette Institute for Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has more than 35 years of experience in the mental health field. Prior to joining MHA he worked for ten years in the Wisconsin Medicaid program.
Anne Fojut- A student in the Master's of Community Counseling program at Mount Mary college
Angelica Kauffmann- A Bachelor's student of Psychology at Marquette University, graduating in May 2012
Natasha Stubbs- A Bachelor's student of Social Work at UW-Milwaukee
Molly Yocum- A Master's student of Social Work at UW-Milwaukee