Our Team

Mia began her career in human services in 1992 as a Direct Care Staff member at JRI. She earned her MPA from Suffolk University and completed the Executive Education Program at Harvard University. Mia advanced through several key positions, becoming the Program Director at Glenhaven Academy in 2001 and later serving as Division Director. In 2009, she was promoted to Vice President at JRI, then to Senior Vice President in 2012, and subsequently to Chief Operating Officer. In 2024, Mia was appointed as President and CEO, continuing her dedicated leadership at JRI.

As COO, Kari collaborates with the leadership team to execute JRI’s strategy and vision while fostering an inclusive environment. She oversees key departments, including Training, Staff Development, and Quality Management. Kari has a strong background in working with state partners, funders, families, and youth to develop programming, clinical models, and strategic treatment plans. She began her career at JRI as a Clinician at Glenhaven Academy and has progressed through roles such as Clinical Director, Program Director, Division Director, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Executive Vice President. Kari is a licensed mental health counselor with extensive experience in treating traumatic stress and trauma.

Bisser joined JRI in 1996 as an assistant accountant and has advanced through various finance positions over the past two decades. He served as Budget Director for six years before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2017. Bisser holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from the American University in Bulgaria, as well as an MBA and graduate diploma in professional accounting from Suffolk University. Throughout his time at JRI, Bisser has been instrumental in shaping financial strategies and organization operations.

Dr. Kerry-Ann Williams is a board-certified Psychiatrist with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She is a medical director at Justice Resource Institute and has a faculty appointment to Harvard Medical School as a part-time Lecturer in Psychiatry. In her clinical work, she assesses a variety of psychiatric concerns, but primarily sees individuals who have experienced emotional trauma. She hosts a podcast called “Black Mental Health Matters” which airs every Sunday at 1pm EST. Most recently, Dr. Williams was named in the Boston Business Journal’s 40 under 40 for 2020 and in the Get Konnected! Most Impactful Black Women in Boston in 2021.

Roody joined JRI as Chief Information Officer in January 2016. His role expanded to Chief Administrative Officer in 2025 with oversight of Human Resources and Information Technology. He is a highly accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience. Roody’s experience spans some of the most well-known industry sectors: manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, finance, and government.

Before joining JRI, Roody held the positions of Chief Information Officer and Director of Strategic Planning & Innovation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, where he oversaw all IT operations planning & innovation and provided leadership to the Secretariat employees and constituencies. His education includes a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering Technology from Louisiana Tech University, an MBA and Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from Suffolk University, an MA in Urban Ministry Leadership from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctorate from Massachusetts School of Law. Roody is also a United States Air Force veteran.

Jennifer has worked in the human service field for over 20 years with children and families in residential, community and hospital settings and received her Bachelor’s Degree and MSW from Rhode Island College. Jennifer has worked for JRI since May, 1997. She was promoted to Director of the Commonworks Program in January of 2003. In 2007, she was promoted to a Division Director for JRI, overseeing JRI Regional Resource Centers, Area Lead agencies and several other community based programs. Jennifer was then promoted to Vice President of Community Based Programs where she was be responsible for oversight and development of all Justice Resource Institute Children's Behavioral Health Initiative programs and community based programs servicing children and families across the state. As of 2018 Jennifer was promoted to Executive Vice President, where she assists in managing overall agency operations and continues to oversee community based programming and Day school services across Massachusetts.

Deirdre came to JRI in 1991 to manage the start up of a community group home for women transitioning from institutional settings. She's grown along with JRI Developing Abilities, serving in roles of increasing scope and responsibility, and in 2013 was promoted to Vice President. The Division now includes a range of residential services, employment supports, day habilitation programs for adults with developmental needs and elders. Deirdre also serves on the training committee for the Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers. Prior to JRI, Deirdre's career was in organizations that work to prevent and respond to domestic violence and sexual assault. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a graduate of the University of Connecticut's School of Social Work and the College of the Holy Cross.

Matthew is a seasoned health and human services professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Matt joined Justice Resource Institute in March 2006 and has served JRI in a variety of capacities, beginning with his roots at the program level in administration before accepting a position in the fiscal department at the corporate office a few years later. Currently, Matt supports the CFO as a Vice President and manages a subset of the fiscal team operations at JRI.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. His areas of interest include the use of Artificial Intelligence and work flows to drive innovation, and harnessing technology to improve process efficiencies.

When not in the office, Matt enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Robert joined JRI in 1997, and since that time, he performed in escalating leadership capacities across an array of congregate treatment models. Robert’s role changed in 2018 when he was promoted into the organizational-wide position of Vice President of Operations, in which he worked closely with the JRI senior executive team, in developing, holding, and supporting numerous organizational systems and operations. In 2024, Robert was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations and Enterprise Risk Management. In addition to his expanded role in JRI operations, Robert now leads the organization’s risk management programs. Robert earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Suffolk University, a Master’s degree in business with concentrations in performance management, project management, and operations from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as completed both the Executive and Performance leadership programs from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business.

Deb holds her Master's degree in Psychology and is a LMHC. She has been working for JRI since 1999, developing and leading several large community based initiatives including the successful start-up of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative - Cape & Islands Community Service Agency (CSA). Prior to that, Deb was the Director of the JRI Cape & Islands Family Networks Lead Agency and earlier, led one of the first public/private Wraparound Coordination programs in the state of Massachusetts. Deb's commitment to the Wraparound philosophy and Systems of Care has also prepared our JRI Community Based Services Division to further develop our presence and expand capacity in providing community-based services to children and families in Massachusetts.

Tara Sagor is the Senior Director of Training and Development for Justice Resource Institute. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and received her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University where she is currently an adjunct professor in their graduate department. She has over 20 years of experience in various roles at JRI including educationally, clinically and within the residential milieu.

Tara oversees training and staff development for programs across the agency and externally with JRI's close community partners. She oversees our internal Trauma Response Network, which provides employee engagement resources and resiliency-building opportunities for our staff. She is a National Trainer in ARC and has led multiple training initiatives and implementation teams to establish high standards of trauma-informed care within our programs and through her role as a consultant.

Lindsay joined JRI in 2006 and brings more than 25 years of experience in education. She holds licenses in moderate disabilities, severe disabilities, and a professional-level license in special education administration. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in special education from Bridgewater State University. Lindsay is also a 2015 graduate of Leadership Southcoast.


Her career at JRI began as Educational Director at Glenhaven Academy in Marlborough. In 2015, she was promoted to Division Director, where she oversaw multiple therapeutic day school programs and played a key role in two successful mergers. Today, Lindsay serves as Superintendent of JRI’s five therapeutic day schools and oversees the agency’s Educational Advocacy program.

Dani joined JRI in 2011 as the Contracts and Budget Manager for the JRI Health Division. She received a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law, and an MBA from University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dani has over 20 years of professional experience, including working at investment firms DE Shaw in the Strategic Growth department and Zweig-DiMenna Associates for 7 years in Research. In her current role, Dani oversees the budgets and financials for JRI’s schools and community based programs and serves as Co-Chair of the Governing Body Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee.

Stephanie holds her Master's degree in social work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Stephanie joined JRI in 2017 when Children's Friend and Family Services merged with JRI and became a part of its Community Based Services Division and she was promoted to Executive Director and became a Vice President for JRI. Stephanie has advanced training and experience in clinical practice with children and adolescents as well as non-profit management and leadership and has worked with children and families for the past eighteen years on the North Shore of Massachusetts. In her previous role as Vice President of Children's Behavioral Health Services at Lahey Health Behavioral Services, she developed and oversaw the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative programs and worked closely with the Department of Mental Health and Department of Children and Families, as well as the North Shore United Way. Ms. Sladen actively participates in several statewide committees through the Association for Behavioral Healthcare and currently serves as the Chair of the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative Committee. In October of 2013, she was honored with the first Annual Elizabeth Funk Emerging Leader Award from ABH.

Binh joined JRI in 2013 as Program Director managing the successful start-up of the Dimock Community Service Agency (CSA). In 2018, Binh was promoted to Director overseeing the Connecticut Community Based Services (CBS), Metrowest CBS, Boston CBS, DMH Flexible Support Services, Dimock CSA, and the SMART Team. Binh went on to become Boston Regional Director in 2022 managing Community Services programing, which also includes Long-Term Services and Supports, and Hospital Diversion. In 2023, Binh was promoted to Vice President leading Community Services in Boston and JRI Health.

Prior to JRI, Binh worked for 13 years for the direct-service arm of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Rhode Island. Several years before that, Binh worked in various clinical community-based and outpatient settings in the Boston and New Hampshire areas.

Binh holds a master's degree in social work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. He has extensive experience in developing and managing a variety of child welfare and behavioral health programs contributing toward child/youth, adult and family well-being.

Michelle has been part of JRI since 2007 and has worked in the Residential Division ever since. She started as an intern at Pelham Academy, and has been a Clinician, a Clinical Administrator, Assistant Director, a Director and most recently a Division Director of Residential Services. Michelle brings her clinical background to this new role with training in SMART, ARC, and Neurofeedback. She has been a Clinical Supervisor for many years and also brings knowledge of how to implement treatment in a group care setting. She is also a certified BCC trainer. Michelle is invested working closely with our state partners, supporting and developing staff, creating systems to provide best care cutting edge practice to residential care, and to best supporting the youth and families we serve.

Meredith began her career at JRI in 2005 as a clinician and since then has held various clinical and program leadership positions including her most recent position leading QM for Massachusetts congregate care. Meredith has a bachelors degree from Providence College, a Masters degree from Rhode Island College and is an independently licensed mental health counselor (LMHC).

Jenese Brownhill, MSW, LICSW, is the Senior Director of Human Resources at JRI, where she leads efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. As an immigrant from Jamaica, Jenese is deeply committed to advocating for marginalized communities, drawing from both her personal experiences and her extensive work supporting individuals in navigating systemic barriers.

With over 17 years of experience, Jenese began her career providing mental health services to youth and families impacted by the juvenile justice system in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for addressing systemic inequalities within the juvenile and adult justice systems. Her work spans community-base settings, courts, schools, and state agencies, where she supports the creation of fair and just policies for vulnerable populations.

In addition to her role at JRI, Jenese serves as a Social Work Expert at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, furthering her commitment to equity and justice. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Boston College, a Nonprofit Management Core Certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, and a DEI Leadership Certificate from LeadBoston. Jenese’s leadership is rooted in her passion for social justice, inclusion, and empowering underserved communities.

Holly Mazelli is a results-driven marketing and communications leader with over 20 years of experience. Holly began her marketing career in the banking sector, rising through roles of increased responsibility, before joining JRI in 2016 as Director of Marketing

In her current role as Vice President of Communications and Marketing, Holly leads marketing, branding, communications, social media, and public relations strategies that support and strengthen JRI’s mission. In addition, she oversees the recruitment team, ensuring that employer branding and talent acquisition strategies are aligned. She is passionate about advancing social justice through compelling storytelling with a creative approach to communication. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from UMass Dartmouth and is a graduate of the New England School for Financial Studies.