Meet the Team

Board Members

  • Shacorye' Thomas, LCSW

    BOARD MEMBER

    Shacorye’ is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Grambling State University in 2014 and her Master of Social Work from Grambling State University in 2017. Shacorye’ has over 10 years of experience in the field of Social Work and mental health. Throughout her career, Shacorye has practiced in several settings and with various vulnerable populations such as children, teens, adults, elderly, families, veterans, and hospital, school, and inpatient settings. Shacorye' is passionate about servicing her community and surrounding areas with special attention to those in vulnerable communities and populations. Shacorye' is committed to providing adequate services to those who lack resources in their area to ensure equity and equality.

  • Mark Nease, M.S.

    BOARD MEMBER

    Mark Nease is an innovative and highly accomplished human resources leader known for delivering strategic HR solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness and support revenue growth. With strong leadership and team-building skills, he excels at fostering positive relationships across all levels of an organization. Mark brings a unique blend of urgency, purpose, and a sense of humor to his work, making him both effective and approachable. His areas of expertise include employee relations, compensation and benefits programs, total rewards, recruiting, employee development, training, risk management, administration, purchasing, union avoidance, and multi-state HR operations.

  • Rico Williams, B.S.

    BOARD MEMBER

    Rico Williams is a passionate tech entrepreneur and innovator with a strong foundation in computer science and a deep commitment to transforming mental healthcare. After earning his B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Oregon, he refined his technical expertise at Microsoft, where he contributed to high-impact projects in Windows Shared Controls and Settings using C++ and C#. Today, he serves as the founder and CEO of Ayuda Software, a pioneering company focused on democratizing data accessibility by leveraging sensitive and obscure data to power services that benefit the public. A key initiative under Ayuda, Sayin is at the forefront of revolutionizing mental health and substance abuse care, using advancements in application security, scalability, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to simplify the process of finding appropriate care. Rico’s work reflects the culmination of his technical knowledge, entrepreneurial drive, and lifelong dedication to improving mental health outcomes for individuals and underserved communities.

  • Kate Countryman, B.S.

    BOARD MEMBER

    Kate is a seasoned professional in strategic communications and media relations with over 15 years of experience in public affairs, media relations, and federal and state legislative communications. In March 2023, she launched her firm, SummitEdge Strategies Group, where she now works full-time helping organizations navigate complex messaging challenges, media engagement, and public positioning. Her firm reflects years of experience and a deep understanding of how to shape narratives that drive impact.

  • John Liebenau, M.S.

    BOARD MEMBER

    John Liebenau is a seasoned technology leader and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Sayin, where he drives innovation in software development and enterprise architecture. With extensive experience managing software development departments of over 100 professionals, he has overseen budgeting, hiring, and performance evaluations while delivering complex, multi-tier systems that automate and optimize mission-critical business processes. John's leadership has consistently led to increased efficiency and reduced operational costs. He has successfully built and scaled multiple development teams and played a pivotal role in developing architecture programs for major financial services companies, focusing on strategic planning, governance, and technology evolution. An expert in Java and .NET platforms, John excels in architecture, design, and implementation, and brings deep expertise in quality assurance, with a strong emphasis on automated testing and continuous delivery.

  • Christina Heliotis, LL.M.

    BOARD MEMBER

    Christina Heliotis is a digital economy attorney with extensive experience in digital health, data protection, cybersecurity, and data governance. She is an Associate at the global boutique law firm Macmillan Keck, where she supports emerging economies in developing legal and regulatory frameworks that enable the effective and responsible adoption of digital solutions to strengthen public health systems. Previously, she worked at the International Finance Corporation’s Data Privacy Office and the World Bank, advising on data protection, data stewardship and global digital transformation initiatives. She holds an LL.M. from Georgetown University, certifications from IAPP and One Trust, and is a Fellow of the Internet Law and Policy Foundry and former Senior Fellow at the Graduate Institute of Geneva. Christina brings an international perspective, technical expertise in technology and digital economy law, a background in international development, and a deep commitment to upholding mental health as a fundamental human right for all.

  • Brandon Lasker, B.B.A

    BOARD MEMBER

    Brandon Lasker, an Atlanta native, is a seasoned healthcare executive with over a decade of leadership in behavioral health. As Market CEO at Lakeview Health under Bradford Health Services, he oversaw five programs, driving quality care. He transformed multiple facilities from negative earnings to multi-million-dollar EBITDA per month operations, including Lakeview Health and Bradford at Warrior, where he earned the “Most Improved Facility” award. At Summit BHC, he led Cottonwood Tucson and Canyon Vista Recovery Center, securing the 2021 CEO of the Year award. His roles at Acadia Healthcare included CEO positions at Twelve Oaks Recovery Center and Life Healing Center, enhancing performance and client outcomes. With a BBA in Marketing from Kennesaw State University, Lasker was elected to Acadia’s Field Advisory Board in 2016. Active in the recovery community, he prioritizes personal development, health, fitness, and raising his three children.

  • Stephanie Dreux, B.A.

    BOARD MEMBER

    Stephanie Dreux is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in community activation, brand management, and strategic growth across diverse sectors. Currently serving as the Head of Community Activation at IDIA (The Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration), she spearheads marketing and community engagement initiatives to bridge the digital divide, foster partnerships with key community organizations and government agencies, and drive impactful event strategies. Prior to this, as Director of ASU ShapingEDU at Arizona State University, Stephanie cultivated a 4,000-member global community of practice, overseeing program management, community engagement, and marketing while securing sponsorships and producing large-scale events. With a rich background spanning intellectual property, brand licensing, and marketing, Stephanie has held significant roles such as Vice President of Brand Licensing at The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, where she developed IP monetization strategies and managed product lifecycles. Her career also includes creating new brands and managing licensing programs for Scott Brothers Global (of HGTV's Property Brothers fame), and serving as an Adjunct Instructor at The Art Institute, teaching various business and marketing subjects. Stephanie's broad expertise is further complemented by her work in entertainment merchandise, e-commerce, and live events, reflecting her versatile capabilities in driving organizational success and fostering community.