MHALC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Immediate past President
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- 2nd Vice President
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- 1st Vice President
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Christin Peña is the Youth Self Advocacy Coordinator and YES Club Activities Coordinator. She has worked in many areas of the healthcare industry for more than 12 years.
She began her career with the Department of Aging, helping patients with their medical needs, from day-to-day care and wellbeing to doctor visits to administering medications. She was also responsible for managing their medical spending, including insurance claims, out-of-pocket costs and pharmaceuticals.
Most recently, she devoted her time to making residents of New Beginnings, a domestic violence/crisis center, feel safe and comfortable.
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator
- Youth Self - Advocacy Program Coordinator
Christina Peña-Whittington is the Youth Self-Advocacy Program Coordinator.
She has worked in many areas of the healthcare industry for more than 12 years. She began her career with the Department of Aging, helping patients with their medical needs, from day-to-day care and well-being to doctor visits to administering medications. Christina was also responsible for managing their medical spending, including insurance claims, out-of-pocket costs and pharmaceuticals. Previously, she devoted her time to making residents of New Beginnings, a domestic violence/crisis center, feel safe and comfortable.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Certified Health Education Specialist
Colleen is passionate about eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction as well as increasing help-seeking behaviors. She also has a passion for developing inclusive and culturally aware workplaces, programs and trainings.
Colleen became the Executive Director of Mental Health America of Licking County in October 2022. She manages the agency's strategic direction, day-to-day activities and resources while fulfilling its mission to promote and continually reinforce mental health and wellness through education, prevention and advocacy, and to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues in our community.
Prior to joining MHA, Colleen was a Program Manager at The Ohio State University's Center for Public Health Practice within the College of Public Health for six years providing Mental Health First Aid and other professional development trainings and programs in the community. Colleen was also a Health Education Specialist at a behavioral health non-profit in Cleveland before joining OSU. She provided prevention programming in problem gambling, suicide and substance use disorders in a variety of settings including schools, colleges/universities, juvenile and adult justice centers and other community settings.
Colleen is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is a nationally certified Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor. She has her bachelors of science in Journalism with a minor in Health Promotion from Bowling Green State University and Master of Public Health with a specialization in social and behavioral science from Kent State University. She is originally from the Akron area. Colleen and her husband and daughter live in Utica.
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Haley received her bachelor's degree in Organizational Communications with a minor in Psychology from Otterbein University in the spring of 2013. She has worked with children and teens from Central Ohio for the past ten years through Rec Commissions, the YMCA and local preschools. Haley absolutely loves working with the youth in our community and is able to follow this passion as YES Club's Director.
In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her son, her family, and friends. She also enjoys playing disc golf.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Parent Support Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Parent Support Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- YES Club Front Desk Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Development Manager
- Development Manager / Program Liaison
Rhea Pierron is the Development Manager/Program Liaison for Mental Health America of Licking County. She helps each program coordinator/manager with promotional and planning needs, identifies funding opportunities, assists with writing grants for the programs, and performs administrative tasks. She is a member of the Newark Kiwanis Club. Rhea earned a BSBA degree from The Ohio State University with a major in Human Resource Management. She has experience working in various recruiting, training, and HR generalist roles.
Rhea is married with two children, and her hobbies include traveling, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Shari Johnston is the GIP Program Manager for Mental Health America of Licking County. After a career in design and development, Shari completed a BA at The Ohio State University with a major in Art Therapy and Psychology, formalizing her experiences in the successful use of art as a naturally healing and empowering tool that is accessible to people of all ages and circumstance. Shari has volunteered in both Columbus and Licking County for over 30 years, working with children, youth, and adults, promoting artistic expression and personal wellness.
Growing up in a family greatly affected by mental illness, Shari is passionate about encouraging people in wellness and recovery, and she has a special affinity for adolescents. Shari works with middle school students in our GIP program. Shari also facilitates women's art classes at the Licking County Jail and is a member of the Licking County Arts.
Shari is married with two fabulous golden retriever rescues, and a great big family of adult kids and grandkids.