To Advocate. To Educate. To Empower. Together. 
Board Members
Kristie Golden, Ph.D.
Kristie Golden, Ph.D., has a Doctorate in Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Health Administration from Union Institute and University, a Master of Science in Education and Rehabilitation Counseling from Hofstra University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Stony Brook University. Dr. Golden is nationally certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor (C.R.C.), licensed in New York State as a Mental Health Counselor (L.M.H.C). She is currently the Associate Director of Operations for the Neurosciences Service Line at Stony Brook University Hospital, including Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery. In this role she works with hospital and physician leadership, department administrators, and key stakeholders to focus efforts on the success of the neurosciences service line through strategic planning, business development, and operational effectiveness. Prior to this role she served as the Administrator for the Department of Psychiatry at Stony Brook where she was responsible for clinical and business operations, planning, department finances, and overseeing human resource functions.
Previous experience includes her role as Vice President at South Oaks Hospital and Broadlawn Manor, where was responsible for ambulatory healthcare operations and business planning. She also supervised clinical oversight, budget management, quality improvement activities, legislative advocacy, grants, research, and community development.
Dr. Golden pioneered the first vocational rehabilitation program at South Oaks as well as other behavioral health and school transition services benefitting countless children, adolescents, and adults. She also created the first Grants and Research Department for the organization.
An adjunct professor at Hofstra University and Suffolk County Community College, Dr. Golden has taught graduate counseling and vocational rehabilitation. She is an advocate in the areas of primary care and behavioral health integration, vocational counseling, and work-skill development for those with disabilities as well as innovative prevention and treatment in the area of addiction.
Dr. Golden has served on several not-for-profit boards. She was President of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County; Chairperson of the Provider Advisory Committee for the Long Island Behavioral Health Organization; Vice President of Clubhouse of Suffolk; as well as a board member of Concern for Independent Living, the School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, the Curriculum Advisory Board at Hofstra University, and the Transition Task Force with the Nassau County Mental Health Association.
Dr. Golden has also served on a number of legislative-appointed committees including the Suffolk County Heroin and Opiate Epidemic Advisory Board; the Nassau County Prescription Drug Task Force; and, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Suffolk County.
Dr. Golden has received several awards during her career including two Peer Recognition Awards and the George Estabrook Distinguished Service Award from Hofstra University as well as recognition as Organization of the Year Award from the National Rehabilitation Association.
Active in her local community, Dr. Golden is a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairperson.
Andrew T Garbarino, Esq.
Andrew T. Garbarino is Of Counsel to the firm of Ruskin, Moscou and Falitschek, PC in Uniondale. A lifelong resident of Long Island, Andrew has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. He is a member of the firm’s Health Law Department, as well as the White Collar Crime and Investigations, Not-For-Profit, and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy practice groups.
As an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County, Andrew was assigned to the Crimes Against Real Estate Unit and Public Corruption Bureau. While there, he prosecuted cases ranging from sex crimes to white collar crimes, including larcenies, identity thefts, cyber-crimes, forgeries and frauds.
Andrew advocates for and advises various corporations, hospitals, law firms and individuals, including CEOs, CFOs, lawyers, bankers and members of law enforcement, as well as hundreds of physicians and healthcare professionals accused of (or victimized by) criminal, professional, or other misconduct.
Andrew possesses significant experience dealing with regulatory authorities, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and state authorities including the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC), Office of Professional Discipline (OPD), Workers Compensation Board, and a variety of New York City administrative departments. He has also counseled law firms and attorneys facing inquiries by Attorney Grievance Committees and addressed matters involving the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
He has managed dozens of internal investigations for clients including municipalities, hospitals, medical practices and law firms. He often liaises with forensic experts, private investigators, and members of law enforcement.
Articles by Mr. Garbarino have been published in the New York Law Journal, the Nassau Lawyer and Long Island Business News.
Andrew is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section and Criminal Justice Section, where serves on the White Collar and Ethics Committees. He is active with the Hauppauge Industrial Association, serving on the Healthcare and Technology committees.
In his spare time, Andrew enjoys cooking, reading, and writing.
Robert E. Detor, LCSW
Robert E. Detor retired in 2015 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Long Island Home, a member of Northwell Health System, which operates South Oaks Hospital, a 193-bed behavioral health facility with ambulatory services for Children, Adolescents, and Adults. He also oversaw Broadlawn Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a 320-bed skilled nursing facility with a sub-acute care and rehabilitation specialty as well as an adult day health program.
Previously, Bob served as Director of Health Services for the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Catholic Charities, Executive Director of the North Suffolk Center, and the Director of the Bureau of Training for Narcotics and Drug Research, Inc.
Bob currently serves, or has served, on the following boards: The National Association of Psychiatric Health System; LeadingAge New York; United Way of Long Island; Health and Welfare Council of Long Island; Hands Across Long Island; Clubhouse of Suffolk, and; the Victims Information Bureau. He was also a gubernatorial appointee to the Mental Health Services Council.
Bob completed his graduate work at Syracuse University and resides in Port Washington.
Jason D. Sattler
Jason D. Sattler, a Holbrook resident, has more than 13 years of officer-level experience providing an array of commercial banking services to Long Island’s business community.
He presently serves as a Managing Director for Sterling National Bank. Based in the Babylon and West Islip financial centers, he manages a $300-million portfolio of assets and focuses on business development in the Long Island Market.
Jason, who has formal credit training, had previously held positions with Capital One Bank, the Bank of America, and JP Morgan Chase Bank in various locations on Long Island.
Through his own family experiences, he developed an awareness of mental health issues as well as an understanding of society’s critical need to dispel stigmas associated with the disease.
Dedicated to community service, Jason is active with a number of social service and Veterans organizations. He also participates and contributes to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Hydrocephalus Association, and United Cerebral Palsy. Jason also teaches finance education to grade-school students through Junior Achievement.
Daphne Perry MPH, PHR, SHRM-CP
Daphne leads the CEAD team in fulfilling its program responsibilities and collaborates with county partners to promote the awareness of available services, support, and resources for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families within Suffolk and Nassau Counties. She has over twenty years of experience in health care administration. Daphne received her BS degree in Chemistry from Alcorn State University, her MPH from Meharry Medical College and her Professional Human Resources certifications from both the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Lorraine Botti
Lorraine Botti is currently the Marketing Lead for the Stony Brook University Neurosciences Institute. She directs marketing efforts for the Institute and its specialty service lines within Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, while ensuring alignment with the mission, goals, and objectives of both the Institute and the larger Stony Brook Medicine academic medical center enterprise. She has more than 20 years of expertise in healthcare marketing across all channels in categories ranging from managed care and pharmaceuticals, to medical devices, wearable fitness technology, and academic medical centers.
Previously, Lorraine spent several years as an ad agency copywriter. Her clients included a range of consumer goods and services and B2B companies. Lorraine entered the world of healthcare marketing as a Relationship Marketing Manager at Vytra Health Plans, where she led the development and launch of the healthcare industry’s first customer relationship marketing (CRM) loyalty program.
As Marketing and PR Manager at Olympus America, Lorraine was responsible for establishing the brand marketing, PR, and communication functions for the GI Endoscopy Division, raising awareness of colorectal cancer prevention and contributing to Olympus increased market share.
On the agency side, she was VP at Ogilvy PR Worldwide’s Healthcare practice, where her clients included medical devices, pharmaceutical, and genetic testing companies. She also worked as Director of Brand Marketing at Polar USA, a subsidiary of the global wearable fitness technology company that invented the category. At Polar, she led PR, social media, and advertising across all product lines. She also headed her own marketing consultancy before joining Stony Brook Medicine in 2012.
Lorraine received her BA degree in Spanish with a minor in Marketing from the University of Richmond. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks, cooking, reading, writing, the visual arts, exploring vintage shops, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Alicia Delgado-Gavin
Dr. Alicia Delgado-Gavin has spent over 18 years working in the social services field assisting clients with a gambit of behavioral and mental health disorders. Educated at Hofstra University, Dr. Delgado-Gavin specializes in marriage and family relationships, suicide prevalence, domestic violence awareness, and empowerment.
Dr. Delgado-Gavin continues to provide counseling services to officers and individuals with major mood and personality disorders as well as substance abuse disorders. Dr. Delgado-Gavin works with families and couples to provide support and foster positive coping mechanisms to increase positive communication and growth within a family dynamic.
Although Dr. Delgado-Gavin loves to provide individual and family counseling services, she also continues to coach, mentor and facilitate seminars where she encourages others to seek help when needed, identify unhealthy relationships, identify when they feel mentally unstable and how to get help.
In addition to private counseling services and speaking at seminars, Dr. Delgado-Gavin is the author of the book titled, Tears Behind the Smile, which is based on her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence. She believes that people need to be heard but have a hard time acknowledging and expressing how they feel. Dr. Delgado-Gavin loves to empower others and provide people with a sense of hope, peace & joy.
Executive Team
Colleen Merlo, LMSW
Colleen Merlo, a licensed social worker, has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness since November 30, 2020.
She has worked for more than twenty years in Long Island’s not-for-profit sector, focusing on issues of domestic violence, mental health, gender equity, and poverty.
Colleen had previously spent more than six years as executive director of L.I. Against Domestic Violence. Her visionary leadership increased capacity and broadened the agency’s ability to respond to the changing needs of Long Island through innovative programs, such as the first pet-friendly shelter for domestic violence victims in the region.
Before that, she was executive director of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County where she provided direction to drive the mission and vision. Colleen’s strength in building effective collaborations, her advocacy, and tirelessly efforts to bring public attention to the issues facing Long Island’s most vulnerable, greatly enhanced the effectiveness of local programming.
A past co-chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Long Island, she serves on the board of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island, the Suffolk County Family Violence Task Force, and the Suffolk County Teen Pregnancy Advisory Board. She was honored two consecutive years by Long Island Business News, receiving the Top 50 Women in Business award in 2019 and the Non-Profit Leadership Excellence award in 2020.
Married with two children, Colleen lives in Rocky Point.
Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt is a seasoned finance executive with over 35 years of experience in the not-for-profit field. Having worked as a CAO and CFO, he has not only managed finance but also information technology, human resources, and procurement in large not-for-profits.
Currently serving as a CFO consultant, Sanjay started his career in public accounting. After working there for a number of years, he made the transition to become an expert in Medicaid, Medicare, grants, contracts, and foundations. He now leverages his wealth of hard-earned knowledge and experience to make businesses financially successful – his main motive and desire.
Sanjay enjoys playing and watching sports and loves traveling. His desire to be exposed to new cultures, languages, food, and music helps him see the world in a new way.
Dr Louis Teitelbaum
Dr Louis Teitelbaum is recently retired Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, NY. Good Sam is the flagship hospital for Catholic Health Services of Long Island with 437 hospital beds and 93,000 emergency room visits per year.
Dr. Teitelbaum is a Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He has taught students from a multitude of institutions including, SUNY Stony Brook, Malloy college, N Y institute of technology, Adelphi, Hofstra and Drexel university. He continues to teach psychopharmacology to Advanced Nurse practitioners pursuing a specialty in psychiatry as well as emergency room residence and family practice residence at Good Samaritan Hospital.
He has been keynote speaker for New York State Emergency Nurses Association., New York Pharmacy Society and the National Nursing Home Association, St Vincent de Paul International convention. He has been grand rounds speaker for Interfaith Hospital, St. Johns Episcopal hospital, Royal Pharmacy Society, Mercy Hospital, Winthrop Hospital and Bergen Regional Medical center. He has also taught at international medical conferences. Dr. Teitelbaum has had media appearances on television in BBC series the Mind when originally filmed in 1989 and again in 2008. He has been a media consultant for film and TV including producing and script writing for two movies Three Windows and Pieces. During his career he has been in private practice continuously for 35 years. He has previously been on Staff at Mercy Medical Center, Winthrop Hospital and Zucker Hillside.
He is an avid traveler including R.V trips. The doctors in expert snow skier, R.V. enthusiast and antique automobile devotee focusing on pre world war II era . He is most proud of his lecture on resilience available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_k3EcSpu6E
Ron Masera, Ed.D.
Dr. Ronald M. Masera recently retired after over 14 years as a Superintendent of Schools and now serves as Vice President of Operations for the Association for Mental Health and Wellness. A dedicated husband and father of four, he emphasizes the importance of supporting both academic and emotional well-being in schools. He holds a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from St. John’s University and lives in Eastport, NY.
Dr. Masera’s leadership extended far beyond his district through active roles in the Suffolk County School Superintendents’ Association (SCSSA), including serving as President during the COVID-19 pandemic and Chair of the County’s Legislative Committee. A frequent mentor and presenter, he has led workshops on negotiations, governance, ethical leadership, and board-superintendent relations.
Statewide, he served on the Executive Committee of the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS), the Leadership for Education Achievement (LEAF) Board, and the Commissioner’s Advisory Council. Regionally, he has contributed as a SCOPE Educational Services Board Member and Co-Editor of the Journal for Leadership and Instruction. He also served on the NYS Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA) Central and Audit Committees and the Section XI (Suffolk County) Athletics Executive Committee.
Dr. Masera is widely respected as a collaborative, student-centered leader and advocate for public education and mental wellness across New York State.
Kathy Elfers
Kathy Elfers currently serves as the Chief People and Experience Officer at the Association for Mental Health and Wellness, where she leads the agency’s human resources strategy, employee experience, and workplace culture initiatives. In this role, she ensures that the organization’s people practices and operations align with its commitment to empowering communities and fostering healthy, meaningful lives.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in HR and operations, Kathy is a trusted executive known for building high-performing teams, leading cultural transformation, and executing strategic initiatives that drive growth and innovation. She previously served as Executive Director of Human Resources, where she focused on leadership and team development, improving organizational effectiveness, and supporting the agency through strategic transitions.
Kathy’s career spans Fortune 500 retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors, giving her a unique cross-industry perspective and the ability to lead complex organizational initiatives. Her work has consistently focused on enhancing employee engagement, strengthening leadership capability, and building strong, supportive, and enduring workplace cultures.
A champion for equity and employee development, Kathy specializes in executive coaching, program design, workforce expansion, and employee relations. She is particularly passionate about mentoring the next generation of professionals and advancing initiatives that promote well-being and belonging in the workplace.
A proud Long Island native, Kathy is married and the mother of two. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering, mentoring, and spending time with her family.