DEIB Committee
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Belonging (DEIB) Committee is established to address the impact of systemic racism and other forms of discrimination and oppression on addiction treatment and recovery. The Committee includes individuals who have professional and/or lived experience in addiction treatment and recovery, as well as expertise in social justice advocacy and change. The Committee focuses on lack of diversity within the workforce and leadership, lack of equity in access to care for People of Color and individuals from other historically marginalized communities, and lack of inclusivity and cultural competency in patient care and workplace environments.
Committee Chair
Christina Simos
Executive Director, Friendly House
Simos is a leader, connector, change maker and a disruptor to the status quo. With degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication, she founded Students Against Discrimination at Arizona State University, pioneering impactful policies that still stand today. With over a decade of experience in addiction treatment, Simos is a dynamic leader and advocate for social justice who has held a variety of roles ranging from Human Resources to marketing and business development, admissions to upper-level management, and is now the Executive Director of the program she got sober at in 2005. She is on the Board of NAATP's National Board of Directors.
Staff Lead
Zina Rodriguez
Director of Membership, NAATP
Rodriguez brings over 25 years of combined experience in the private sector and in behavioral health care. Having previously served on the National Board of Directors at NAATP, Rodriguez is dedicated to fostering inviting, intentional, and inclusive spaces for individuals, championing advocacy and DEIB efforts. She is a global speaker on topics of cultural competency and diversity, equity, and inclusion in behavioral health care and is a Certified Diversity Executive.
Committee
Rev. Eyglo Bjarnadottir
Founder, Copenhagen Recovery Counseling
Rev. Bjarnadottir is a dedicated advocate for substance use disorder recovery. With over two decades of experience, she provides spiritual care and support for individuals seeking healing. Rev. Bjarnadottir is an ELCA ordained minister who spent 16 years on staff at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation before moving to Copenhagen, Denmark to found her own recovery support agency. The agency provides recovery support for Danes as well as international clients.
Dr. J. Gregory Hobelmann
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President, Ashley Addiction Treatment
Dr. Hobelmann leads with a focus on clinical excellence and operational efficiency. With a background in psychiatry and pain medicine, he oversees holistic care for substance use disorder and chronic pain. His dedication to improving addiction treatment is evident in his innovative approach. Dr. Hobelmann completed an anesthesiology residency and pain medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins in 2006 and has a Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is on the Executive Committee of NAATP's National Board of Directors.
Rick Hubbard
Executive Vice President, Constellation Behavioral Health
Hubbard brings over 20 years of expertise in addiction treatment and has experience in multiple aspects of treatment administration including admissions, utilization review, marketing, referent relations and business development. A trained intervention specialist with 14 years of sobriety, Hubbard's leadership empowers individuals and families to overcome addiction. He is on the Executive Committee of NAATP's National Board of Directors.
Dr. Danielle Jackman
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Aurora Mental Health Center
Dr. Jackman is a dedicated advocate for marginalized communities. Through research and consulting, she strives to create inclusive spaces and challenge systemic oppression. Dr. Jackman's vision promotes innovation and understanding in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Her work is founded on her vision of using diversity and inclusion as a platform to stretch creativity and innovation beyond current cultural boundaries and to move diversity, equity, and inclusion from moralistic obligations to pragmatic understanding and utility.
Joel Johnson
President & Chief Executive Officer, TASCJohnson is an advocate for individuals and communities that are dealing with trauma, substance use disorders, mental health challenges, family disconnection, and social, racial, and economic injustice. From the front lines of clinical care to nonprofit executive leadership, he has maintained a steady focus on ensuring health, dignity, and opportunity for all. Johnson leads TASC’s efforts to address the everyday realities and structural barriers that impede people’s opportunities to thrive.
Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH, CEDS
CEO of The Anchor Program and Co-Founder of Institute for Antiracism and Equity Consulting
Dr. Ross is an African American author, speaker, and expert on the treatment of eating disorders, trauma and addictions. Dr. Ross completed a fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is board-certified in Preventive Medicine and in Addiction Medicine. Dr. Ross is the CEO of The Anchor Program an online non-diet program for people with binge eating. She is a co-founder of the Institute for Antiracism and Equity (antiracismandequity.com) that consults and trains on diversity, equity and racism.
Andrew Williams
Director, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Williams drives cultural and behavioral change across the organization to increase diversity, advance equity and foster inclusion. With over 20 years in higher education leadership, Williams fosters awareness and allyship for underrepresented groups while championing DEI awareness. Andrew's strategic approach inspires organizational change and intercultural understanding. He is the inaugural Director of DEI at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
Advisory Council
Sarah Buino, LCSW, RDDP, CADC, CDWF, NMT
Founder, Head/Heart Therapy; Creator, Conversations with a Wounded Healer; and Co-Founder, The Sarahs
Buino stands out as a therapist, educator, and the visionary behind Head/Heart Therapy, Inc., and Head/Heart Business Therapy. Embracing personal growth, Buino shares her wisdom as an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Chicago. Her podcast, "Conversations With a Wounded Healer," delves into self-healing for care-givers, while co-leading "The Sarahs" with Sarah Suzuki, she pioneers workshops to promote inclusivity and combat systemic racism.
Dr. Carol Burrell-Jackson
Therapist, The Refuge, A Healing Place
Dr. Burrell-Jackson brings over 40 years of expertise in home-based family therapy, specializing in supporting juvenile delinquent youth and at-risk families. As a therapist at The Refuge, A Healing Place, Dr. Burrell-Jackson offers compassionate care while mentoring graduate and post-graduate mental health professionals. Her dedication to the field extends to training future therapists in developing competent and empathetic skills.
Dovie Coleman
Counselor, Cumberland Heights
Coleman is a compassionate advocate for vulnerable populations. Her innovative "Backpack Project" provides essential resources to children in crisis, earning national recognition for its impact on easing trauma. Colman's leadership in the Women of Color Caucus and her legislative advocacy highlight her dedication to empowering marginalized communities. Through her work, she continues to break down barriers to accessing vital support services and promoting social justice.
John Crepsac
Managing Director, JC Counseling and Consulting
Alex Denstman
Co-Chief Executive Officer and President, Ashley Addiction Treatment
Denstman's journey from patient to Joint CEO at Ashley Addiction Treatment underscores his deep commitment to recovery and quality care. With over 15 years of experience in various roles, including director of Alumni Services and Clinical Outreach, Denstman brings a unique perspective to his leadership role. His personal experiences inform his mission to create a supportive environment for patients and families on their recovery journey.
Manuel Garcia
Supervisor of Outpatient Programming, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Garcia is dedicated to expanding access to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery services. His advocacy for underrepresented populations underscores his mission to eliminate barriers to SUD treatment. Through his leadership and compassionate approach to clinical supervision, Garcia continues to drive positive change in addiction recovery organizations.
Beck Gee-Cohen
Director of LBGTQI+ Programming, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers
Beck is a master's level clinician with a passion for serving diverse communities. With over a decade of experience in mental health and substance use, Gee-Cohen specializes in supporting LGBTQI+ individuals, adolescents, and families. His commitment to education and advocacy is reflected in his training sessions on LGBTQI+ best practices and trauma-informed care.
Shari Hampton
Recovery Coach, and Anti-Racism Trainer, Shari Hampton Consulting, and Trusted Advisor, SHE RECOVERS Foundation
Hampton is dedicated to creating inclusive and equitable spaces within the recovery community. As a Trusted Advisor at SHE RECOVERS Foundation, Hampton brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her work. Through her nonprofit, Served Up Sober, she provides vital support to women of color in recovery, addressing intersecting issues of addiction, trauma, and systemic racism.
Vanina Hochman
Family Ambassador, Family First Adolescent Services
Hochman is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to providing culturally competent mental health care. With extensive experience in adolescent substance abuse treatment and program development, Hochman is committed to breaking down barriers to treatment access. Her advocacy for marginalized communities underscores her commitment to promoting equity and inclusivity in the treatment landscape.
Cecelia Jayme
Director of Clinical Services, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Jayme is a visionary leader with over 26 years of experience in addiction treatment. From her early days as an intern to her current role overseeing clinical programs, Jayme has been instrumental in advancing opportunities for addiction treatment. Her dedication to program development and innovation continues to shape the future of addiction treatment at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.
Ester Nicholson
Recovery Coach & Author, Soul Recovery and Trusted Advisor, SHE RECOVERS Foundation
Nicholson is a beacon of hope and healing for individuals on their recovery journey. As the founder of Soul Recovery, Nicholson's transformative program bridges spirituality with evidence-based recovery practices. Her advocacy for addiction recovery and mental health awareness has touched the lives of thousands, as she continues to empower individuals to find wholeness and purpose on their path to recovery.
Christian Sellu
Data Optimization Consultant, ERPHealth
Sellu is dedicated to addressing addiction issues through data-driven solutions. With a background in health systems management, Sellu leverages his expertise to advocate for personalized care and health equity. His commitment to value-based contracting and outcome-tracking reflects his mission to improve access to addiction treatment for all individuals.
Sarah Suzuki
Founder, Chicago Compass Counseling and Co-Founder, The Sarahs
Suzuki is a pioneering force in recovery and behavior change. Through her counseling practice, Suzuki champions identity-affirming change while confronting systemic racism. Her transformative initiatives aim to dismantle white supremacy and foster inclusive environments. Her commitment to systemic liberation and personal growth is evident in her advocacy work and community engagement efforts
Dr. Damir Utrzan
Chief Compliance and Strategic Development Officer, Horowitz HealthDr. Utrzan is a distinguished leader in addiction treatment and mental health services. With extensive experience in clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Utrzan ensures organizational compliance while driving long-term growth strategies. His expertise in managing provider-patient outcomes and implementing quality performance metrics reflects his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment.
