Schedule

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
NAMI-LINN COUNTY

Michelle Sutton is a dedicated and visionary leader in community advocacy and justice reform. With over 15 years of experience in human services, mental health, and policy engagement, Michelle brings a unique, community-first perspective rooted in compassion, resilience, and action. A two-time graduate of Mount Mercy University, she holds degrees in Sociology, Psychology, and a master’s in criminal justice. Her background blends academic knowledge with deep field experience, empowering her to lead innovative solutions in resource navigation, crisis intervention, and public education. Michelle’s career has been shaped by a passion for advocacy. From court liaison and family support specialist to statewide presenter and legislative advocate, she has worked across public, nonprofit, and criminal justice sectors. She continues to inspire meaningful change through every role she takes on—grounded in a belief that access to care should never be a privilege, but a right.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
NAMI IOWA

Ryan is the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Iowa. At NAMI Iowa, Ryan leads the state office, providing training and technical assistance, administering programs, systems and policy advocacy, and more. NAMI Iowa also convenes and makes connections, through an annual Fall Conference, a legislative Day on the Hill, and their signature event, the NAMIWalk, each September. Prior to joining NAMI Iowa, Ryan led a major capital campaign at Des Moines Playhouse, and as director of charitable giving at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. In his free time, he has also served on several nonprofit boards, and is currently a member of the Polk County Conservation Board.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
LINN COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS CENTER

Erin is the Executive Director of the Linn County Mental Health Access Center, which is a place that provides crisis care for people experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis that requires immediate attention.

SENIOR DIRECTOR
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
IOWA PCA

Abbey Ferenzi is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Iowa Primary Care Association, where she plays a central role in advancing Iowa’s behavioral health system transformation. With over 20 years of experience dedicated to behavioral health services, Abbey has been involved with programming across the spectrum including residential treatment for at-risk youth, juvenile detention facility social services, targeted case management, adult residential and habilitation services, permanent supportive housing initiatives, clinical assessments and compliance, outpatient psychiatry and therapy, community-based medication management, day habilitation, assertive community treatment and crisis response and interventions. Her work has consistently centered on meeting the complex needs of individuals and families through person-centered, community-based supports. Abbey is deeply committed to building better systems—those that are accessible, responsive and impactful. Her expertise spans program design and implementation, operational oversight, workforce development, clinical assessments, treatment planning, personnel leadership, policy development, and public engagement. She has served in numerous roles throughout her career that bring a grounded, hands-on understanding to strategic system-level work. Known for her passion and vision, Abbey continues to champion collaborative, innovative approaches that strengthen Iowa’s behavioral health infrastructure and improve lives statewide.

DIRECTOR OF OUTPATIENT SERVICES,
ABBE CENTER

Theresa has worked in the behavioral health field since 1992, 28 of those years at the Abbe Center for Community Mental Health.  Licensed as a Mental Health Counselor and certified as an Alcohol and Drug counselor, Theresa is passionate about meaningful access to services, especially for families with complex needs and limited resources.  Theresa has provided, implemented, and overseen many pilot projects and evidenced based practices designed to improve health outcomes for Eastern Iowans that need it the most.

SCHOOL BASED THERAPIST,
LMHC

Nikki is a graduate from Upper Iowa University.   As a licensed mental health counselor dedicated to serving children and families, Nikki has worked at Tanager in a variety of different roles.  Nikki is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy.   Nikki's commitment stems from personal experiences with those who have faced mental health challenges and the devastating impacts of suicide. This journey has shaped my understanding of the importance of fostering resilience and support within families. NikkiI believes that every child and family deserves the tools to thrive and overcome adversity. Together, we can create a community where mental health is prioritized and stigma is diminished.

BOARD MEMBER,
NAMI LINN COUNTY

NAMI Board member Steve was born and raised in Iowa, and earned an Associate’s degree from Kirkwood Community College. He has also taken courses at the University of Iowa.  He is employed as a NAMI Connections Support Group Model National Trainer, and travels extensively across the United States training prospective facilitators and modeling the NAMI mission. Steve is also a NAMI-Iowa Peer-to-Peer Director & Class Mentor. From 1998-2000 he was NAMI Linn County President, from 2001-2004 he was on the NAMI National Board of Directors, and from 2002-2005 he was Vice-President of NAMI Iowa.  He has also held numerous NAMI consumer-related offices over the years, including National Consumer Council Director and Vice-Chairperson of the National Consumer Council Executive Committee.  In addition to being a long-time NAMI Linn County Board Member, Steve also serves on the Iowa State PACT Advisory Council, the Mental Health Planning Council, the Dual Diagnosis Committee, and is a Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Board Member.  He is a well-known lecturer, educator, and mental health advocate.  He has participated in numerous speaking engagements at colleges and conferences across the country, and is often a featured source/spokesperson discussing mental health issues and NAMI’s mission in various newspaper articles and media presentations.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY MANAGER,
TREATMENT ADVOCACY CENTER

Experienced Serious Brain Disorders Advocate working to fix the broken treatment system locally, in Iowa and nationally. Effective speaker for advocacy. Retired early from a rewarding 34 year career in physical therapy and management, to have more time and energy to focus on improving the quality of treatment for 11.9 million people with serious brain disorders in our country.