Community Mental Health Board Members
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Nozomu "Yosh" Yamanaka
Chair, FOIA officer
Email: MHBchair@lt708.netNaperville - Lisle Township Resident since 2020
Experience: Special Education Teacher, Lawyer, Judge
Volunteered for non-profits related to combatting sex trafficking and mental health transitional housing.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Stipends for new mother bonding; suicide prevention; recruiting LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers).
term expire: December 31, 2026
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Christine Carlsson
Vice Chair
Email: christinec@lt708.net
Naperville - Lisle Township resident since 2019
Experience - Private practice therapist Carlsson Counseling Services, previous experience in Community Mental Health for MISA population, School Counselor, Student Care Manager at large international schoolCommunity involvement has included Hope for Mental Health group at local church, as well as various other service in a church setting. I am very excited to learn more about how to serve our township's mental health needs better.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: To distribute funding to organizations and programs best suited to meet identified needs of our Township. To work tirelessly to educate the community about mental health in order to increase access and reduce stigma and other barriers to care.
term expire: December 31, 2024
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John DeCanto
Treasurer
Email: JohnD@lt708.netNaperville - Lisle Township resident since 1997
Experience: Finance
Volunteer involvement includes DuPage Senior Citizens Council and HOPE's Front Door. Supporter of NAMI DuPage and Mental Health America.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Eliminate suffering, encourage hope, and promote purposeful living.
term expire: December 31, 2025
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Audrey Burris
Secretary
Email: MHBSecretary@lt708.netLisle - Lisle Township resident since 1987 years.
Experience: Support & Education Coordinator, Licensed Massage Therapist, Park District Attendant
Volunteer Mental Health First Aid provider, Peer to Peer teacher, Recovery report specialist, Family Support Group Facilitator, Community Garden.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Mental Illness prevention education in schools (and for adults) including coping skills, therapy, and stress management.
term expire: December 31, 2026
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Gina Sharp
Email: ginasharp@lt708.net
Naperville - Lisle Township resident since 2000
Experience: President, Linden Oaks Hospital
Community involvement includes serving on national, state and local boards for behavioral health, including on Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, and former President of KidsMatter in Naperville.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: To identify and distribute funding to organizations that would most benefit our Township.
term expire: December 31, 2026
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Alexander Zubenko
Email: alexz@708.net
Lisle - Lisle Township resident since 1991
Experience: Retired from private practice of 40 years in Lisle specializing in addiction treatment.
Volunteer at Giving DuPage, and Uniting for Ukraine, Steward for Hitchcock Woods, Psychology student mentor at Roosevelt University.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Advocate and engage mental health professionals to join and remain in the field.
term expire: December 31, 2026
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Stephen Davis
Email: StephenD@lt708.net
Downers Grove - Lisle Township resident since 2004
Experience: IT Project Mgmt, Mgr of Academic Operations, Adjunct Professor, Instructional Assistant (elementary school)
Volunteer with DuPage United, focusing on establishing Crisis Stabilization Units to replace hospital emergency resources and incarceration as a solution for people in crisis.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Reduce social stigma and raise awareness of issues faced by community members (and their families) with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders.
term expire: December 31, 2026
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Renee Kosiarek
Email: Renee@lt708.net
Lisle - Lisle Township Resident since 2001Experience: Leadership and Creativity Professor & Facilitator; Nonprofit Strategy Consultant
As a volunteer, Renee was a strong advocate for lung cancer awareness, having founded the 1st Lung Cancer Walk in Illinois (in Lisle) about 20 years ago. The walks subsequently raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as awareness for that cause. Also assisted a number of nonprofits with strategy and leadership, including Broadway Weekends, The Brain Inflammation Collaborative and Classical Music Chicago.
Goals for the Mental Health Board: Diminish the stigma of mental health and neurodiversity, and uncover and make accessible innovative treatment and diagnostic opportunities for patients and families.
term expire: December 31, 2024
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Joann Wright, PhD