Lisa Lawson, MBA, LCSW, has joined NJAMHAA’s team as Associate Executive Director.
Lisa is a nationally recognized speaker, educator, and consultant in the integrated behavioral health field. She also serves as Executive Director of New Jersey Clinical Consulting and a recurring series leader for Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Project ECHO.
With a career focused on advancing health equity, Lisa brings a wealth of expertise in integrated healthcare practice, strategic management, and business administration. She previously co-chaired NJAMHAA’s Education Council and was President-Elect for the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, highlighting her commitment to enhancing healthcare practice through education, partnerships, and community engagement. She paneled and contributed original and peer publications to the National Council on Mental Wellbeing, Latin Action Network, Supportive Housing Authority, and research at Rutgers University. Lisa was awarded by the Clinton Global Initiative University in 2015 for an international service-learning initiative in Beijing, China, and recognized as NJAMHAA’s Mental Health Leader of the Year (2023), and Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Prevention Leader (2024).
NJAMHAA: What attracted you to the opportunity to join the NJAMHAA team?
Lisa Lawson: NJAMHAA sits at the intersection of policy, practice, and advocacy at a moment when New Jersey’s behavioral health system is undergoing meaningful transformation. As a member and community provider, I was drawn to the organization’s long-standing credibility, its trusted relationships with state leaders, and its unwavering focus on supporting provider agencies so they can deliver high-quality care. The opportunity to contribute to an organization that shapes policy while staying grounded in the realities of service delivery was especially compelling.
NJAMHAA: Briefly describe your responsibilities.
Lisa Lawson: As Associate Executive Director, I support the President and CEO, Debra L. Wentz, PhD, in advancing NJAMHAA’s strategic priorities, association operations, and member engagement. My role includes supporting advocacy and policy initiatives, strengthening connections with member agencies, contributing to program and practice group development, and helping ensure that NJAMHAA remains responsive to emerging system needs across mental health and substance use services.
NJAMHAA: What do you anticipate enjoying most about working here and what value do you expect to gain from your role?
Lisa Lawson: I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside member agencies and staff who are deeply committed to improving access, quality, and equity in behavioral health care. This role allows me to leverage my clinical, academic, and systems-level experience while continuing to learn from providers, policymakers, and advocates across the state. I anticipate gaining significant value in contributing to collective impact in a highly visible statewide organization.
NJAMHAA; What do you look forward to at NJAMHAA?
Lisa Lawson: I look forward to building strong relationships with NJAMHAA members, staff, and partners, and supporting the organization’s continued leadership in shaping policy and practice in New Jersey. I am especially excited about helping elevate member voices, supporting thoughtful advocacy, and contributing to initiatives that strengthen the behavioral health workforce and service system for the long term.
Lawson to Present at the Spring Conference on April 14
On the first day of NJAMHAA's Spring Conference, Evolving Behavioral Health: Advancing Together for 75 Years, Lisa will present a workshop, Strengthening Revenue and Sustainability for Integrated Health Providers.
Click here for all program details and to register to attend.
