MHEP Staff

Amy Colesante

Executive Director

Amy is a consumer/survivor with eighteen years experience working within the mental health and substance abuse systems –twelve of them being focused on systems advocacy within the mental health system. In her role as a systems advocate, Amy spent a great deal of time bringing the perspectives of people who use the services into the design and implementation of mental health services. Her training background includes training peers, providers and program administrators on recovery related topics that range from systems transformation to self advocacy, self-help, recovery and the value of natural supports.

TOP

IKE POWELL

Deputy Director of Training

Mr. Powell is the Deputy Director of Training for the Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. and a partner in the Empowerment Partners, LLC. He has thirty years of experience in designing curriculum and facilitating programs that enable people to realize and embrace their potential for growth and to find meaning and purpose in their lives. He has published articles on the relationship of hope and empowerment to recovery. He is a member of the International Association of Facilitators and certified by Mary Ellen Copeland to train recipients of mental health services in the Wellness Recovery Action Plan.

TOP

Isaac S. Brown

Trainer

Isaac Brown is currently a Trainer for the Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. He has been a consumer of mental health services since 1982. He was the former Director of Advocacy & Bridger services for the Baltic Street Mental Health Board, Inc. (BSMHB). Isaac started working in the mental health field as an advocate in 1992. Before joining the BSMHB, he served as program supervisor at a clubhouse in Brooklyn, NY. He currently serves on the Recipient Advisory Committee of the New York State Office of Mental Health; he also sits on the sub committee of New York City’s Community Services Board. He was the president of the Mental Health Empowerment Project’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies. Additionally, Isaac sits on the Board of The New York Work Exchange. In 1997, Isaac was awarded the Consumer of the Year award for Excellence in Service and Programming from the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services. In 2000, he received the Marty K. Smith Memorial Award for contributing to the advancement of people with psychiatric disabilities; and, in 2002 he received the Sonia Brodsky memorial award for furthering the arts. Isaac was also featured prominently in the transit system’s public anti-stigma campaign and has been featured on television, radio and in the New York Times as a prominent advocate in the mental health movement. Isaac received, in 2005, the Ely Lily Reintegration Award for Artistic Contribution.

TOP

Mark A. Lunt

MICA Peer Specialist/Trainer

Mark A. Lunt comes to the Mental Health Empowerment Project from Unity House of Troy where he held the positions of Coordinator, Peer Support Program and Coordinator, Case Management Services. In his new position as Albany County MICA Peer Specialist and statewide Trainer he is currently expanding and promoting self-help groups throughout the Capital District and advocating for consumer inclusion in policy and planning. Mark is a member of the Capital District Trauma Task Force, and sits on the Albany County Department of Mental Health Planning Committee, and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of SUNY Albany. Mark provides trainings in New York State focused on self-help, recovery, and other topics related to personal development. Mark is certified to train recipients of mental health services in the Mary Ellen Copeland's Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP©). Mark is also an Instructor of Photography at a community college and his work is exhibited regularly in the Capital Region.

TOP

Pamela A. Maxim

Office Manager

As Office Manager of the Mental Health Empowerment Project, Ms. Maxim is responsible for the oversight of all day-to-day office management functions and acts as administrative assistant to the Executive Director.

She has over 25 years of progressive office administration experience in mental health, health care and insurance organizations. The majority of her work experience has been as office manager and assistant to the chief executive officer in health-related organizations. Her management responsibilities have ranged from overseeing physical plant activities, to establishing and maintaining office procedures, developing vendor relationships and administering human resource policies/practices.

Ms. Maxim has an executive Secretarial Degree from Albany Business College and has additional college credits including credits in business accounting from Russell Sage College.

TO

Peter C. Ashenden

Senior Consultant for National Affairs

Peter is currently the Executive Vice-President of the Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance (DBSA).