Mental Health America Staff

David L. Shern, Ph.D., Interim President and CEO

David returns to Mental Health America in an interim role during the search for a new President/CEO. 

Dianne Felton, Senior Vice President of Operations

Dianne has more than 25 years of senior and executive administrative and management experience in the consulting arena for both public and private industries. Her expertise in strategic planning, finance, human capital, communications, and contracts management enables MHA to run a smooth, efficient business. Dianne is the primary point of contact for the 240 local MHA affiliates across the country and provides leadership for the field.

Julie Nicholson Burke, Vice President of Finance and Human Resources

Julie oversees the financial management and human resources functions of the organization, managing the annual audit and the budget process.  Julie has created curriculum regarding financial management and gives trainings on these subjects. She is also a resource for up-start non-profits and MHA affiliates on financial, human resources and board-related topics.

Mike Turner, Vice President of Development

Mike has been a nonprofit fundraiser since 1997.  Most recently, he worked as the Chief of Congressional Affairs at the Wounded Warrior Project in Washington, DC. Mike retired as a colonel from the United States Air Force in 1997 where he served for 24 years as a command fighter pilot and air rescue helicopter pilot.  He is a Desert Storm veteran.  Additionally, Mike was a national military commentator for CNN, NPR, and Newsweek.com in 2003-2004. 

Julio Abreu, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy

Julio works closely with the Senate, House of Representatives and the Administration on mental health policy issues. Aside from his extensive work and knowledge of the legislative process, he has experience working with several of our federal agencies including work on regulations, conferences and grant activities. Julio has sat on the Board of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and served as President of the Coalition for Health Funding and Co-Chair of the Mental Health Liaison Group. 

Patrick Hendry, Senior Director of Consumer Advocacy

Patrick has worked as a mental health advocate for the past eighteen years. His areas of expertise include organizational development, management and sustainability, self-directed care, recovery based trainings and peer run programs. In 1992 he founded the first peer-run organization in Florida to contract directly with the State for the provision of services and has, since that time, assisted with the development of numerous peer-run programs. He is a strong supporter of the inclusion of mental health consumers in all aspects of the mental health system.

Debbie Plotnick, Senior Director of State Policy

Debbie works with affiliates and state and local advocates on Medicaid, health reform, and state mental health programs and policies. She also coordinates the efforts of the Regional Policy Council, a ten person council of state affiliate policy leaders. Debbie also provides technical assistance to mental health advocates, participates in national mental health coalitions, and develops and disseminates policy information for affiliates, stakeholders, decision makers and the general public. She can also speak about community inclusion, evidence-based practices, and her own experiences with mental health challenges and as a family member. 

Steve Vetzner, Senior Director of Media Relations

Steve develops and implements media outreach strategies for the MHA's positions, programs and priorities. He prepares and distributes press releases, backgrounders, online press room content and editorials. Prior to joining MHA, he worked as a Congressional press secretary, directing all communications activities of the office and campaigns, serving as principal spokesperson, developing public affairs programs in support of legislative and policy initiatives and authoring speeches, op-eds, and talking points.

Joseph N. de Raismes III, JD, Pro Bono General Counsel

A former Board member who is nearly unrivaled in his dedication to the organization, Joseph  has been involved with mental health issues as a litigator for the ACLU and the state, as a mental health center board member for over 20 years, as a member of the Colorado Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council for 12 years (6 as Chair) as a founder and member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Mental Health Planning and Advisory Councils for 9 years (6 as Chair), and as a member of the MHA Policy Committee for the past 8 years.

Other Staff