Leadership, Directors & Advisors
Meet the experienced clinicians, educators, and community leaders guiding New Horizons Foundation's mission to advance mental health access and community well-being.
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.
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.
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.
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
Director of African-American Leadership & Community Impact
Provides leadership development, civic engagement strategy, and culturally grounded programming advancing equity and community empowerment.
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 — Grief, Aging & Life Transitions
Leads program development and education related to grief, bereavement, aging, and life transitions. (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.
Join Our Team
We're always looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to advancing mental health access and community well-being.