Office number: 609-838-5488

Executive Leadership

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Debra L. Wentz, PhD

President and Chief Executive Officer

dwentz@njamhaa.org 

609-838-5488

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    • Oversees NJAMHAA and the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI).
    • Addresses issues needing executive input and/or direction.
    • Handles special requests from Board members and external audiences.
    • Addresses all calls from the Governor’s Office, policymakers and legislators who deal with issues other than scheduling.
    • Responds to media requests.
    • Serves as the official NJAMHAA representative.
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Lisa Lawson

Associate Executive Director

llawson@njamhaa.org 

609-838-5488

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    • Advance NJAMHAA’s strategic priorities, association operations, and member engagement.
    • Support advocacy and policy initiatives.
    • Strengthen connections with member agencies.
    • Contribute to program and practice group development.

Senior Leadership

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Shauna Fuzes

Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services

sfuzes@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Serves as liaison for the Board and its committees, as well as Practice Groups.
    • Represents the organization at external and internal meetings.
    • Oversees production of NJAMHAA electronic and print publications.
    • Provides member services.
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Steve Hirsch

Vice President, IT, HR and Administrative Services

shirsch@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Oversees the IT Project and NJAMHAA facilities, security, telecommunications and other operational issues.
    • Addresses IT inquiries.
    • Serves as liaison to the Technology Council.
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Julia Schneider

Chief Financial Officer

jschneider@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Performs all accounting functions for NJAMHAA and NJMHI.
    • Handles invoice and general billing inquiries.
    • Manages membership dues.
    • Provides technical assistance for Open Systems' Traverse.
    • Manages accounts payable and accounts receivable.
    • Manages payroll.

Directors

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Ron Gordon

Director, IT Project

rgordon@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Performs on-site systems analyses for agencies to assist them with their technical requirements and planning.
    • Develops and writes technology plans and IT policies and procedures for project customers.
    • Assists the Vice President of IT, Human Resources and Administrative Services in investigating and implementing new software and other applications as needed for NJAMHAA and NJMHI's business operations.

Professional & Program Staff

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Jada Abdullah

Associate Health Policy Analyst

jabdullah@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    Assist the Senior Health Policy Analyst with:

    • Research; budget and legislative analysis
    • Drafting annual reports, policy positions, testimony, grants, surveys and other communications
    • Tracking state and federal legislation and carrying out state and federal advocacy
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Farrah Fabrigas

IT Production Specialist

ffabrigas@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Serves as creative director on all IT and NJAMHAA advocacy, informational, promotional and event materials
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Brian Harris

Communications Specialist

bharris@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Creates the tri-weekly newsletter.
    • Assists with member and advocacy communications projects.
    • Social media
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Arthur Powis

Technical Support Specialist 1

apowis@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Provides on-site technical assistance for members.
    • Assists with network administration.
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Thomas Price

LAN/WAN Network Engineer

tprice@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Provides on-site technical assistance for members.
    • Assists with network administration.
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Tara Shiffert

Administrative Events Planner

tshiffert@njamhaa.org

(609) 780-3695 cell

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    • Provides strategic leadership and end-to-end management of NJAMHAA’s conferences, IT conferences, trainings, and educational programs, with responsibility for event strategy, revenue generation, sponsorship and exhibitor sales, marketing and promotion, registration, vendor management, and comprehensive event logistics.
    • Leads the administration and compliance of NJAMHAA’s Continuing Education (CE) program, including CE applications and approvals, accreditation requirements, attendance documentation, recordkeeping, and the accurate and timely issuance of continuing education certificates to participants.
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Marie Verna

Senior Health Policy Analyst

mverna@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Contributes to the development of policy papers, advocacy materials and grant proposals.
    • Synthesizes members’ recommendations on proposed regulations.
    • Represents the organization at external and internal meetings.
    • Serves as Grant Writer for the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI); Project Director/Coordinator for NJMHI initiatives.
    • Serves as liaison for Practice Groups.

Administrative Staff

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Rozanne Harkins

Administrative Assistant

rharkins@njamhaa.org

609-838-5488

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    • Handles general inquiries.
    • Provides administration assistance to the IT Project and NJAMHAA.

Stronger together. Better outcomes for all.

NJAMHAA is proud to serve as a trusted partner and advocate for agencies and the communities they serve.