Hospitals
10 behavioral health program operations experts
These ten leaders have run behavioral health programs and operations in their own roles at treatment providers and behavioral health companies. A reader can learn from them how mental health and substance use treatment programs are organized and run from day to day.
Professionals to explore
01—10Cynthia Cole
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Operations · Rogers Behavioral Health
Former Senior Director of Operations (2023–2024) and Director Of Operations (2018–2024) at Rogers Behavioral Health, where the profile describes leading the Hinsdale PHP/IOP team treating OCD/anxiety, mood and substance use disorders. Senior Director of Operations at Ottavo Health since March 2026; the profile also lists Market Director (WI & IL) at Optum Behavioral Care (2024–2026).
Dana Thomson
LinkedInExperience: National Director of Operations · Wellpath
Former National Director of Operations at Wellpath (2022–2023), where the profile describes designing and implementing companywide policies and procedures for Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) in 6 centers across multiple states and obtaining the licensure each state required. Former Regional Director of Operations at CleanSlate Centers (2017–2022) and Section Chief at Wisconsin Department of Health Services (2009–2017).
Indi Zhao
LinkedInExperience: Director of Outpatient Services Clinical Operations & Care Delivery · Iron Bridge Recovery Center
Director of Outpatient Services Clinical Operations & Care Delivery at Iron Bridge Recovery Center since February 2026, where the profile describes directing outpatient program operations and implementation priorities across licensed therapists, associate therapists and CSAC-credentialed clinicians. The profile also lists Clinical Director Behavioral Health Operations at Revelations Behavioral Health (2025–2026).
Keisha Wynn
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Outpatient Operations - Corporate · American Addiction Centers
Senior Director of Outpatient Operations - Corporate at American Addiction Centers since April 2024. Former Regional Vice President of Operations (2021–2024) and Regional Director Of Operations (2018–2021) at BayMark Health Services, and Director of Quality Improvement and Accreditation at Alpharus Health (2016–2018). The profile describes providing operational support and streamlining operations.
Peggy Phelps
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Operations-California · GLOM Substance Abuse Program (SAP)
Vice President of Operations-California at GLOM Substance Abuse Program (SAP) since January 2025 and former Senior Director there (2022–2025). The profile describes leadership spanning crisis residential programs, adult residential facilities, social rehabilitation facilities and substance use disorder programs, with expertise in program start-up, licensing and accreditation. Former Program Director at GODS LOVE OUTREACH MINISTRIES (2019–2022).
Sandra Whitney
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · LifeStance Health
Director of Operations at LifeStance Health since April 2021; the profile summary describes a behavioral health operations leader. Former Executive Director at CHESAPEAKE TREATMENT CENTERS (2016–2021), Behavioral Health Care Coordinator at Magellan Health (2014–2016) and Clinical Care Manager at APS Healthcare, a subsidiary of Universal American (2012–2014).
Shyra Merila-Simmons
LinkedInExperience: Clinical Operations Officer · Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare
Former Clinical Operations Officer at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare (2019–2023) and former Clinical Director Outpatient Services there (2017–2019). Executive Director at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare since October 2024, a role the profile headline gives as Executive Director of the CMHP; the profile also lists Deputy Director (2023–2024) and Program Manager Child and Family Services (2016–2017) at the same organization.
Stacy Seitz, MBA, LCPC, CADC
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Clinical Services · Centerstone
Vice President of Clinical Services at Centerstone since August 2025. The profile says the role oversees the addiction treatment continuum at Centerstone of Illinois and describes guiding interdisciplinary teams on program improvement. Former Clinical Director (2021–2025), Assistant Director (2020–2021) and Clinical Manager (2019–2020) at Centerstone.
Stephanie Blick, MS
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations · East Coast Recovery Center
Director of Operations at East Coast Recovery Center since January 2026, a role the profile says includes administrative oversight of Wayfinder Behavioral Health following acquisition and building an integrated revenue intelligence system that unifies clinical utilization and payer structures. Former Director of Operations at Wayfinder Behavioral Health (2024–2026) and Chief of Staff at Right Turn (2023–2024).
Stephanie Fox, PhD, LMHC, SUDP, LCPC, RYT
LinkedInExperience: Chief of Specialty Programs · Sheppard Pratt
Former Chief of Specialty Programs at Sheppard Pratt (2023–2026), where the profile describes leading specialized residential, group home and outpatient programs and partnering with medical and executive leadership to define clinical strategy, launch new services, stabilize census and drive revenue growth. Chief Operating Officer at THIRA Health since April 2026.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's level to your question: program and site directors suit questions about daily clinical operations, while regional and national operations leaders suit questions about running many programs or states. Also consider the level of care the person ran, such as outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential or office-based addiction treatment.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you staff an outpatient or intensive outpatient program and keep clinician caseloads manageable?
- 02What does it take to license and accredit a new behavioral health program in a new state?
- 03How do you balance census, payer mix and clinical quality across several treatment programs?
Reaching behavioral health program operations experts
How can I contact one of these behavioral health program operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Rogers Behavioral Health, Wellpath and Iron Bridge Recovery Center, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach behavioral health program operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal