2024
A look back at the 46th Legislative Breakfast on Mental Health.
The morning, in pictures.
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Who took the podium.
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Adcock served 4 terms in the NC House before joining the state Senate in 2023 as the first nurse ever elected to that Chamber. She is known as a commonsense legislator who works effectively with members of both parties. Prior to serving in the NC General Assembly, Gale served on the Cary Town Council from 2007-2014, including 3 years as mayor pro tem.
Armstrong serves as Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Victor has previously served as Chief Diversity Officer with Recovery Innovations International, and Chief Health Equity Officer for North Carolina DHHS. Victor has also served as developmental Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, was Victor NC state government roles, his Prior to. Substance Abuse Services and Disabilities, Encased in Charlotte, Vice President of Behavioral Health with Atrium Health.
Batch has continuously served as an advocate for families and small businesses. She currently serves on the Commerce, Pensions, Retirement, Aging, Education Appropriations, Legislative Ethics, and Flood Resiliency committees. She has advocated for several common-sense reforms, including paid family leave, affordable childcare, and mental health access.
Burgin is the North Carolina State Senator representing District 12: Harnett, Johnston and Lee counties. Before joining the General Assembly in 2019, Senator Burgin served two terms as a Harnett County Commissioner with three years as Chairman. In his professional life, Senator Burgin is President / Owner of C&D Insurance and Insurance Network Group, Chairman of the Board of New Horizon Insurance Group and President of B.C. Property Inc. He is also a partner of John Hiester Automotive, which owns Chevrolet and Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealerships. He was born in Knoxville Tennessee, attended The University of Tennessee Knoxville and graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Kelly currently serves as the Director of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMHDDSUS), with responsibility and oversight of the public community-based mental health, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, substance use, and traumatic brain injury system in North Carolina.
Cunningham represents the 106th District in the North Carolina State House of Representatives. Before being elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in 2012, Carla was working as a Hospice Nurse and fulfilling her appointment to the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services. An active civic and community leader, she is a recognized national advocate for women and children, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse, and Healthcare.
Graven has a passion for advocating for inclusion and empowerment. As the Executive Director of the Arc of Wilson County, she is leading the charge to ensure a brighter future for individuals with IDD. When she’s not fighting for change, you can find her enjoying precious moments with her three incredible kids. Keri offers a unique perspective in her role as the Executive Director of the Arc of Wilson County, as she is both an advocate for individuals and a mother of an individual with special needs. Her lived experience as a mother of an individual with autism serves in helping her advocate and understand the system from the perspective of the parents of children with special healthcare needs
Kinsley serves as North Carolina’s Secretary of Health & Human Services, overseeing a department with over 18,000 staff and a $38 billion budget. With experience centered on health policy and operations, Kinsley worked on digital healthcare transformation, national education and labor policies, and served as COO and CFO of the U.S. Treasury.
Lambeth has served North Carolina citizens through membership on various State and community Boards. He is currently a member of three vital Boards: myFUTURENC; Affordable Care Act Study Committee; and, Mental Health Committee. Membership on past boards include: Child Fatality Task Force, Trellis, State Health Coordinating Council and the March of Dimes.
Lainer is a Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his undergraduate degrees and a master’s in social work from UNC Chapel Hill and a PhD in Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. At UNC, he is the Principal Investigator for Behavioral Health Springboard and the Director for Behavioral Health Services and Systems Research at the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services research. His research focuses on developing, evaluating, and scaling-up evidence-based prevention programs and policies in child welfare, behavioral health, and early childhood systems.
McCutcheon is a member of NAMI NW Piedmont. She graduated with a BA degree in Communication/ Public Relations from UNC Greensboro. Jesslyn works full time as a Corporate Buyer and actively advocates for mental health. Jesslyn was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder 24 years ago. Her ministry Fighting Goliath supports those and their families who live with mental illness. Jesslyn is a Certified National Helpline Specialist, a Peer-To-Peer Mentor, and actively speaks out for mental health through NAMI IOOV (In Our Own Voice) and NAMI FaithNet presentations. Jesslyn is a member of First Baptist Church King, sings on the praise team and is involved with the Stokes County Women’s Jail ministry.
Reeder is an emergency physician, educator, lifelong Republican, and conservative, running for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in Pitt County District 9. His dedication to serving and helping others has led him to bring his problem-solving abilities to support the citizens of Pitt County and North Carolina. Dr. Reeder earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University before moving to North Carolina in 1998. While working full time for East Carolina University and the Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Reeder obtained his master’s degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sasser is a Chairman of the Health Committee, as the only pharmacist in the 180 member legislature. He has worked to get Step Therapy and the Pharmacy Benefit Management bills passed. He graduated from Pharmacy School at UNC Chapel Hill in 1973 and has been a pharmacist for 45 years, owning independent pharmacies for the last 35 years.
Woodard is the North Carolina State Senator representing District 22: Durham County. Before joining the General Assembly in 2013, Senator Woodard served on the Durham City Council for seven years. Senator Woodard currently serves on the Health Care, Finance, Budget, Transportation, Agriculture & Environment, Rules, and Nominations committees.
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors.
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