Shontel Cargill, MS, LMFT
Board President
president@psiga.org
- Mom of an Angel, Survivor, Advocate
- Perinatal Mental Health Professional Regional Clinic Director, Thriveworks
“I humbly serve on the PSI-GA Board of Directors because I have a lifelong commitment of being a catalyst for change in maternal mental health as a survivor, advocate, and perinatal mental health professional. After experiencing the loss of my daughter, I turned my pain into passion and purpose to help mothers and families who have experienced loss, PMADs, birth trauma, infertlity, and are impacted by maternal mortality in the state of Georgia.”
Stephen Berrier, CPA
Treasurer
finance@psiga.org
“I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve on the PSI-GA Board because I’ve seen first-hand the impact that perinatal mood and anxiety disorders can have on a family. My goal is that through the work of this board we can ensure that all Georgians have access to the support and care they deserve.”
Sara Hall, DSW, LCSW
Secretary, Fundraising Lead
lyric715@gmail.com
- Advocate, Believer, Dreamer
- Senior Social Worker, Atlanta VA
“My reason for serving on the PSI-GA Board is to aid in providing resources, education, and support to moms and families who can benefit from such a wonderful organization. I am passionate about mental health issues and believe that PSI offers amazing help in the community.”
Lakeita Arrington-Judkins, DSW
Grants and Foundation Supports Lead
favorone25@gmail.com
- Wife, Mom, Researcher, Advocate
- Medical Social Worker and Community Based Therapist
“I am humbled to be a part of an organization that focuses on advocating and serving families in Georgia who are impacted by maternal mental health. I am passionate about helping mothers experiencing health care inequalities that ultimately impact their prenatal and postpartum care. I am excited about working alongside great leaders in this organization, striving to enhance and improve the well-being of families in Georgia.”
LaToya Banks-Colvin
Stakeholder Communications Lead
ljbcolvin@gmail.com
- Mom, Wife, Survivor, Advocate, Educator, MPA student
- Educator, HCSS
“I am humbled and honored to serve on the PSI-GA board, helping to bring awareness, education, and support services for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders to the childbearing women and families in the state of Georgia. Women and families need to know that they are not alone on their journey and that there is support and help available.”
Lawrence R. Burgess, MPH
Digital Communications Lead
lrburgess89@gmail.com
- Public Health Professional, Researcher Advocate, Fitness enthusiast, and Poet
- Program Analyst for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention
“I am extremely thankful and excited to be a part of the PSI-GA Board of Directors because I’ll get to work with and learn from extraordinary people who share a common passion for service and wellness of our neighbors. Much of my success can be credited to the women who I encountered and currently have in my life. Serving on the PSI-GA Board of Directors will in some ways allow me to pay it forward. I aspire to use whatever privileges at my disposal as a cis-gendered male to help improve maternal physical and mental health issues related to childbearing, because this cause impacts us all.”
Mashanda Burton
Training Coordinator
mashanda192@gmail.com, mashanda.burton@hmhbga.org
- Mother, Grandmother, Advocate, Chef and Inspiration
- Operations Manager, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia
“I am honored to serve on the board of PSI-GA to work alongside such dynamic people. Mental health is stigmatized in the African American community and I have worked with my own family and the community at large in removing this stigma. PSI specifically is incredibly meaningful to me as I’ve used the organization as a resource for my family and as an organizational partner during my day job. I am forever grateful for the services and support PSI offers and honored to be a part of this much needed movement.”
Laytrina Clemons-Brown, MSN, RN
Scholarship Coordinator
Laytrina.Clemons-Brown@northside.com
- Mom, Wife, Family Survivor of Losses, Advocate, Nurse
- Nurse Manager in Women’s Services
“It is humbling to be a part of a community of leaders that puts advocacy, for those who cannot always stand for themselves, first. To take care of others is integral to our survival as humans.”
Bridget Cross, LCSW, PMH-C
PSI State Coordinator Liaison
bridget@bridgetcrossLCSW.com
- Clinical Social Worker, Advocate, Mom
- Psychotherapist in private practice in Savannah, GA
“PSI has been a lifeline to me both personally and professionally since I became a mom. I became a maternal mental health clinician to offer that support outward in the Savannah community, where moms and families struggle profoundly. I’m so honored to join the PSI-GA board and to advocate for our coastal Georgia mamas and for improved maternal health across the state.”
Ashley S. Lingerfelt, MS, LPC, PMH-C
Mental Health Provider Liaison
ashley@playtimetherapy.org
- Mother, Clinician, Advocate
- Clinical Director, Playtime Therapy of Georgia, LLC
“Advocating for better care for birthing families is a necessity. By bringing awareness to the intersection of infant and perinatal mental health, we can change the futures of families within our state. I’m honored to be a part of an organization that puts families first from the very beginning.”
Jose Rodríguez, MD, MBA, FAAP
Provider & Hospital Liaison
jose.rodriguez@wellstar.org
- Wellstar Pediatrician/Asthma Champion
- Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at Medical College of Georgia, Adjunct at Morehouse School of Medicine
- Faculty Graduate Medical Education at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital
- Faculty American Academy of Pediatrics Substance Use ECHO Project
“All children need available parents in all sense of the word, especially the first 1000 days of life when children are most sensitive and parents are at most risk”
Liz Ruth, MPP
Advocacy & Government Relations Lead
advocacy@psiga.org
- Mom, Advocate, Policy Wonk
- Director of Policy, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
“It is an honor to get to serve on the PSI-GA board and help the organization create a world where no one has to feel stigma about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I want all mothers and families to feel that they have the support that they need because no one should feel alone.”
Shlonda B Smith, MS, IBCLC
Volunteer Coordinator
Shlsmith17@gmail.com
- Wife, Mom, Survivor, Advocate
- State Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Coordinator
“I am ecstatic about the opportunity to represent, serve, and advocate for the many families of Georgia impacted by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with PSI-GA. With our collective voices, expertise, and networks, I have high expectations that we can contribute to the improved well-being of Georgia’s families.”
Amanda Gorman
Senior Program and Policy Manager, PSI-Georgia
amanda.gorman@psiga.org
- Mom, Wife, Survivor, Writer, Advocate
- Birth Educator and Podcast Host, Finding your Village
“I am thankful and honored to have the opportunity to be of service to birthing people and their families in Georgia. As a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, I know personally that the work that PSI GA does saves lives. I also acknowledge and lament that there is a large disparity in infant and maternal mortality rates and the rates of perinatal mood disorders affecting the BIPOC community, particularly in Georgia. I feel strongly about advocating for structural, institutional and personal changes to reduce those disparities and to save the lives of birthing people and children in our state.”
Katherine Sylvester PT, DPT, VBAC-certified doula
Board Health Equity Lead
kdpt@operationmist.org
- Mom, Preeclampsia Survivor, Educator, Advocate
- Physical Therapist at Faith Plus Work PT, LLC
- Remote Health Monitor at Operation M.I.S.T.
Following the birth of my daughter, I truly realized the value of a provider who places the needs of individuals over policies, productivity, protocols and preconceived notions. As a board member, it is my mission to find and utilize the information, resources, and research available to us to ensure that individual families have what they need to feel safe, seen and heard throughout their parenthood journeys and thrive throughout their lifetimes.
