Leadership Driving a New Model of Mental Health
Experienced clinicians, educators, and community leaders building a prevention-first approach to mental health access and community well-being.
Executive Director
Dr. S. Dean Aslinia
Provides overall executive leadership and strategic direction for New Horizons Foundation. Licensed clinician, educator, and nonprofit executive with extensive experience in clinical mental health, higher education, program development, and community partnerships. Emphasizes ethical stewardship, systems-based solutions, and long-term sustainability.
NHF was built on the belief that mental health systems must evolve beyond crisis response — creating pathways for education, awareness, and intervention before problems escalate. This model reflects a commitment to long-term community health, not short-term symptom management.
An Integrated Approach to Mental Health
New Horizons Foundation operates within a coordinated ecosystem of organizations — each with a distinct role — united by a shared commitment to advancing mental health access, education, and community well-being.
New Horizons Foundation
Prevention & Programs
New Horizons Center for Healing
Clinical Services
American Psychotherapy Institute
Education & Training
Executive Leadership
Dr. S. Dean Aslinia
Executive Director
Provides overall executive leadership and strategic direction for New Horizons Foundation. Licensed clinician, educator, and nonprofit executive with extensive experience in clinical mental health, higher education, program development, and community partnerships. Emphasizes ethical stewardship, systems-based solutions, and long-term sustainability.
Board of Trustees
Dr. Dean Aslinia, Ph.D., MBA, LPC-S, NCC
President of the Board
Serves as President of the Board of Trustees, providing strategic oversight and ensuring alignment with the Foundation's mission and long-term vision.
Mrs. Farah Abbassi, M.S.
Treasurer
Brings a strong background in organizational management and financial oversight, supporting the Foundation's commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability. A former mathematics professor and the widow of Dr. Amir Abbassi, she continues to honor and advance his vision and enduring commitment to mental health, education, and community impact.
Dr. Nima Khosravani, M.D.
Secretary
A physician who provides medical insight and strategic guidance to support the integration of healthcare perspectives within the Foundation's initiatives, ensuring programming aligns with broader health system considerations and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Vafa Mirshams, DDS
Trustee
Brings professional leadership and community engagement experience, contributing to strategic planning and organizational oversight. As a practicing dentist, she supports the Foundation's commitment to community-centered impact and sustainable growth.
Directors & Senior Leadership
Ms. Gina Afshar
Director of National Operations (Foundation)
Provides national operational coordination, cross-state collaboration, and program execution support for NHF initiatives.
Mr. Joe Shipman
Director of Strategic Communications, Brand Architecture & Media Partnerships (Designate)
Leads strategic vision for NHF's public voice, brand integrity, digital posture, and media relationships. Focuses on credibility, donor and grant readiness, and alignment of communications with mission and values.
Dr. LaVelle Hendricks
Director of Community Partnerships & Civic Engagement (Designate)
Leads civic, faith-based, and community partnerships. Brings extensive experience in civil rights leadership, public engagement, and community advocacy.
Mrs. Naili Woelper-Thompson
Director of Strategic Engagement & Revenue Development
Builds funding pipelines, coordinates sponsorship engagement, and structures the systems necessary for the Foundation's long-term growth and operational scalability.
Dr. Tannaz Moein
Director of Clinical Operations and Youth Leadership Programs
Oversees the Foundation's mental health clinical and supervision operations, while also leading youth leadership and education initiatives. Integrates emotional intelligence, mentorship, ethical practice, and service-oriented leadership across clinical and community-based programming.
Dr. Catherine Hallam
Director of Autism & Neurodevelopmental Programs (Arizona)
Leads autism and neurodevelopmental initiatives through community-based and educational programming.
Dr. Ayda Melika, Ph.D.
Director of Media, Storytelling & Mental Health Advocacy
Leads the development of media-driven mental health storytelling and advocacy initiatives, leveraging film, digital content, and narrative platforms to reduce stigma, amplify community voices, and expand public engagement with prevention-based mental health education. Founder and director of the Urban Media Institute, with a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley.
Officer Lorenzo (Enzo) Ortiz, M.S.
Director of Crisis Negotiation & Law Enforcement Training
Leads the Foundation's connection to law enforcement agencies, developing and delivering crisis negotiation and mental health-informed training that equips first responders with the skills to manage high-risk situations, support community safety, and improve outcomes through empathy, de-escalation, and trauma-informed response. Author of Bringing Hope: One Police Officer's Journey with Empathy on the Path to Service.
Mrs. Lacey Ranck
Director of First Responder & Veteran Programs
Leads the development and implementation of prevention-focused mental health programs for first responders, veterans, and their families. Oversees program design, community partnerships, and student engagement pipelines to support early intervention and long-term resilience. Previously served with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Miss Erika Aguilar
Director of Family & Community Engagement (Spanish Outreach)
Leads culturally responsive family and community engagement efforts, expanding access to mental health education and support within Spanish-speaking communities through relationship-driven outreach, parent networks, and youth leadership development. Founding Leader of the NHF Latina Family Network.
Program Leadership, Advisors & Contributors
Mrs. Erin Perry
Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services
Provides operational leadership, administrative oversight, and systems coordination supporting NHF programs and partnerships.
Ms. Melissa Borden
Director of Program Development & Grants
Leads program design, grant development, and funding strategy for NHF initiatives.
Dr. Solomon Tention, Ph.D.
Director of Leadership & Community Impact
Leads leadership development and culturally grounded programming that advances equity, civic engagement, and community empowerment. Extensive experience in institutional advancement, academic affairs, and student development across diverse community college systems.
Dr. Armando Peelman
Director of Substance Use & Couples Programming (Arizona)
Leads substance-use and couples-focused clinical education and community programming. (Designate)
Mrs. Wendy Pierce
Director of Eating Disorder Programs
Leads education, prevention, and recovery-oriented initiatives addressing eating disorders and body image. (Designate)
Mrs. Shanna Wilder
Director of Sexual Health & Education Programs
Leads sex education and relational health initiatives grounded in evidence-based and ethical practice. (Designate)
Mr. Jesse Sigel
Program Lead — Youth and Men's Group Programming, Grief, Aging & Life Transitions
Leads programming focused on grief, bereavement, aging, and major life transitions, as well as youth and men's group programming. Creates spaces for connection, reflection, and skill-building. (Designate)
Dr. Ryan Smith
Program Contributor — Clinical and School Counseling Education & Skills-Based Programming
Contributes to clinical education initiatives and professional training content.
Miss Ariana Meshinchi
EMT Fellow — College Station
Supports emergency response, informed education, community outreach, and training initiatives through a public-health and first-responder lens.
Medical, Clinical & Financial Oversight
Dr. Babak Abbassi, M.D. (General Surgeon)
Director of Medical Operations (Advisory)
Provides medical oversight and strategic guidance related to integrated care models, interdisciplinary collaboration, and alignment between medical and mental health services across Foundation initiatives.
Dr. Bahar Abbassi, M.D. (Plastic Surgeon)
Director of Integrative Medical Wellness & Aesthetic Strategy
Provides strategic program guidance on integrative wellness initiatives, public education, and medical–wellness collaboration aligned with the Foundation's community health and outreach goals.
Mr. Dave Kessel, CPA
Director of Financial, Tax & Compliance Oversight
Provides financial leadership, accounting guidance, tax compliance, and regulatory alignment to ensure transparency and responsible stewardship. (Designate)
Dr. Alan Francis
Director of Research & Instructional Design
Leads research integration, instructional design, curriculum development, and evidence-based educational programming.
Legacy & Honorary Recognition
Dr. Amir Abbasi (In Memoriam)
Founder of New Horizons Center for Healing — Foundational Influence & Legacy Honoree
Recognized for his enduring influence on generations of clinicians, educators, and leaders whose values and commitment to service inform the mission of New Horizons Foundation.
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Join a growing network of organizations and leaders committed to building a prevention-first model of mental health.