Kassandra Frederique is the Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit that works to end the war on drugs—which has disproportionately harmed Black, Latinx, Indigenous, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities—and build alternatives grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights. During her time at DPA, Frederique has built and led innovative campaigns around…
Daryl V. Atkinson is the Co-Director of Forward Justice, a law, policy and strategy center dedicated to advancing racial, social and economic justice in the US South. Prior to joining Forward Justice, Mr. Atkinson was the first Second Chance Fellow for U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). While at DOJ, Mr. Atkinson was an advisor to…
Andrea Grubb Barthwell, MD, FASAM is an internationally renowned physician that has been a pioneer in the field of addiction medicine within the American Addiction Society of Medicine (ASAM) and a contributor to the field of alcoholism and addiction treatment. She is a past president of ASAM, was awarded Fellow status, and is certified by…
As Legal Action Center Vice President of Policy Advocacy, Tracie spearheads major initiatives and fosters strategic partnerships that support LAC’s mission. From 2015-2017, Tracie served as the Assistant Secretary of Health for New York State, where she oversaw the state’s addiction, mental health and developmental disabilities agencies. Tracie has worked almost 30 years in the…
Dr. Hernández is originally from Puerto Rico, is bilingual and has worked for 33 years in the health and human service field developing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and linguistically intelligent youth and adult health prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support programs. He is a master trainer and facilitator and provides individualized technical assistance and support…
Benjamin Money joined DHHS in 2019 as the Deputy Secretary for Health Services. Money previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Community Health Center Association (NCCHCA) serving the 41 community health centers in the state. He led NCCHCA during a 10-year period of unprecedented growth in organizations, clinical sites and patients…
Lauren Kestner is the Harm Reduction Program Manager and Prevention Specialist at Center for Prevention Services located in Charlotte, NC. It is at this agency that she oversees the Queen City Needle Exchange Program, leads the Charlotte Regional Harm Reduction Coalition, and provides resiliency focused programs for youth. Originally from New Jersey, she received a…
Melea is the Partnership Engagement Manager with Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. Melea believes that all children deserve to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment free of abuse and neglect. She is a National Trainer in the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework and the trauma informed curriculum Connections Matter. She represents Prevent…
Project Director-NC Div. of MH/DD/SAS Martin has worked in the behavioral health field for over 30 years with an emphasis on addictive disorders. Initially in the US Air Force where he grew from providing counseling to those in need on various bases to managing addictions clinics, to being handpicked to join the Inspector General’s team…
Since 1999, Stephanie Almeida has devoted her adult life to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use. As a person affected by the war on drugs, Stephanie is a dedicated harm reductionist who meets people where they are at, regardless of their stage of readiness to change. She is credentialed as a NC Certified…