Our Leadership

Board of Directors

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Angela Babaev

D.N.P., C.N.S., M.S.N.

Chair
Queens, NY

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Theresa Frangiosa

M.B.A.

Vice Chair
Royersford, PA

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Holly Krasa

M.Sc.

Treasurer
Washington, DC
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Chad Koyanagi

M.D.

Secretary
Honolulu, HI
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Patrick McElyea

J.D.

At-Large
Davenport, IA
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Anthony Brown

M.S.N., P.H.N., R.N.

Board Member
Anaheim, CA

Marina Dorotheo

Marina Dorotheo, M.S.​

M.Ed.

Board Member
Arlington, VA

Matcheri Keshavan

Matcheri Keshavan

M.D.

Board Member
Boston, MA
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Robert Laitman

M.D.

Board Member
Bedford, NY
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Tim Murphy

Ph.D.

Board Member
Pittsburgh, PA
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Mary Palafox

R.N.

Board Member
Orange County, CA

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Eric Smith

M.S.W.

Board Member
San Antonio, TX

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Kurt A. Talbot

M.B.A.

Board Member
Boerne, TX
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Donna Taylor

M.S.N., R.N., C.C.M.

Board Member
New York, NY

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Tanya Trevett

M.Ed.

Board Member
Boston, MA

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Joel White

B.S.

Board Member
McLean, VA
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Michael Wolfe

B.B.A.

Board Member
Doylestown, PA
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Mindy Greiling

M.Ed.

Board Member
Roseville, MN

Staff

Gordon Lavigne

M.Ed.

CEO
Alexandria, VA

Marissa Shepherd

Director of Operations
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Anne Pappas

Development Director

Arundati (Arun) Nagendra

Ph.D.

Director of Research and Scientific Affairs
Chicago, IL

Nicole Gillen

Director of Community Engagement
Reston, VA

Krissa Rouse

M.A., L.C.P.C.

Support & Resource Coordinator

Erica Tingler

Marketing and Communications Manager

Priya Chirayil

Research Assistant

Scientific Advisory Committee

The Scientific Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance and direction for S&PAA’s global programming on:

  • Research projects, specifically our research strategic plan development and execution.
  • Scientific education, specifically our education strategic plan development and execution.
  • Scientific communication, including contributing to the dissemination of scientific findings relevant to S&PAA’s mission and providing expertise on involvement in media or legal affairs.
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Holly Krasa

M.Sc.

CEO and Managing Director, Blue Persimmon Group

Committee Chair

Matcheri Keshavan

Matcheri Keshavan

M.D.

Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Head of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Committee Co-Chair

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Kristen R. Choi

Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, FAAN

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing University of California, Los Angeles

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Lynn DeLisi

M.D.

Attending Psychiatrist and Professor, Cambridge Health Alliance Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Editor-in-Chief, Psychiatry Research

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Chad Koyanagi

M.D.

Medical Director, Crisis Continuum and Medicaid Services Hawaii Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division

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Diane Gooding

Ph.D.

Full Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Medicine University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Phil Harvey

Ph.D.

Leonard M. Miller Professor of Psychiatry, Vice Chair for Research and Director of the Division of Psychology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Senior Health Research Scientist, Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center 

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Dolores Malaspina

M.D.

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Raquelle Mesholam-Gately

Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

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Jason Shafrin

Ph.D.

Senior Managing Director, Center for Healthcare Economics and Policy, FTI Consulting Adjunct Professor, Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California

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Michael Townsend

M.A., L.C.S.W.

Internship Coordinator, Gateway Counseling Center

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Peter Weiden

M.D.

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University

Peer Advisory Committee:

Peer Advisory Committee (PAC) Description Overview

S&PAA has a Peer Advisory Committee to support individuals with schizophrenia and is composed of people with direct lived experience, including those managing schizophrenia and their caregivers. This group provides invaluable insights into the challenges and needs faced by the community, ensuring that our programs, resources, and advocacy efforts are both relevant and effective. By integrating their lived experiences, the committee helps design better services, offer feedback on programs, and suggest innovative approaches that resonate with those they aim to support.

The committee also strengthens S&PAA’s mission by advocating for greater awareness and breaking down stigmas surrounding schizophrenia. Through active participation in program evaluation, strategic guidance, and resource development, they ensure the organization’s work is compassionate, inclusive, and impactful. Their contributions foster trust, promote community engagement, and help align services with real-world challenges, ensuring the organization remains a trusted leader in supporting individuals with schizophrenia and their families.

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Lisa Guardiola

M.H.P., R.S.S.

Illinois

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Amanda Kaye

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Zuharalove Namibia

South Carolina

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Rob Ramos

Texas

Freelance Artist

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Angela Smith

California

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Paulie VonEdWærd-Benjamin

Michigan

Holistic Healing

Family Advisory Committee

Family Advisory Committee (FAC) Overview

The Family Advisory Committee for S&PAA is composed of family members and caregivers of individuals living with schizophrenia and related serious mental illnesses. This committee plays a vital role in shaping our programs and services, offering perspectives grounded in their caregiving experiences. By voicing the needs, challenges, and advances experienced by families, the Family Advisory Committee aims to ensure that the organization’s initiatives remain relevant, practical, and deeply impactful. Their insight helps S&PAA prioritize family-focused resources, refine support group offerings, and tailor education programs to better equip caregivers.

The Family Advisory Committee also fosters a bridge between S&PAA and the broader caregiver community, building trust and encouraging greater participation in advocacy efforts. By engaging in program development and providing feedback on current strategies, the committee strengthens our ability to address systemic barriers and promote family resilience. Their contributions ensure that families feel seen, supported, and empowered in their caregiving roles, making them an essential part of S&PAA’s mission to improve the lives of those impacted by schizophrenia.

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Tracy Ganser

Minnesota

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Gus Granger

Texas

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Marjorie Greenberg

Virginia

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Matt Peterson

Minnesota

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Randy Rodriguez

Florida

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Ariel Snowden

Utah

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Karen Steingart

M.D., M.P.H.

Oregon

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Christen White

Arizona