Managing Director of Initiatives
Addiction Policy Forum
Bethesda, Maryland
I am the Managing Director of Initiatives at Addiction Policy Forum (APF), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients and families affected by substance use disorder (SUD), ending the stigma around addiction, expanding prevention and early intervention, and increasing the uptake of evidence-based practices. Since joining APF in 2016, I have led and contributed to a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving responses to addiction and the availability of resources to support those impacted by this disease.
My professional background includes experience in stakeholder engagement, managing patient-led research, and working collaboratively with researchers and practitioners to bridge the gap between research and practice. I’ve developed and disseminated numerous products that translate complex scientific findings into actionable resources (e.g., policy briefs, research summaries, research reports, fact sheets, etc.) to better equip practitioners and policymakers.
At APF, I coordinate closely with clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to facilitate training, technical assistance, and bi-directional knowledge exchange. I am currently supporting, including project management, APF’s activities on several federal initiatives that focus on collaborating with community partners to study and disseminate evidence-based approaches and information to ensure quality care is provided to individuals with SUD in various settings.
As part of the Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network (JCOIN) Coordination and Translation Center, I manage stakeholder engagement through the Practitioner and Stakeholder Boards, comprised of over 80 national associations, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience, who provide rapid, real-time feedback to NIDA. I also support knowledge translation and dissemination efforts, including translating the latest JCOIN research, organizing and leading webinars, developing training and online course curriculums, and providing regular updates through various communications channels.
Additionally, I support APF’s role in the National Center for Health and Justice Integration for Suicide Prevention (NCHATS), a national NIMH-supported initiative designed to build information bridges between healthcare organizations and justice systems to identify individuals at risk for suicide and connect them to care. Through NCHATS, I facilitate opportunities for stakeholders to engage in collaborative problem-solving and capacity-building efforts to identify and advance shared values and goals of the center through the Consortium Partner board and Think Tanks.
Monday, October 6, 2025
7:30am - 8:45am EST