The Atrómitos Way

Former Executive Director of Care4Carolina, a coalition of nearly 200 organizations across the State striving to realize the promises of Medicaid Expansion for all residents, Abby joined the Atrómitos Way to share Care4Carolina’s role in the legislative process, implementation, and future role with enrollment. Before joining Care4Carolina, Abby was the Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Activist Engagement for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she led federal and State advocacy communications and engagement and managed a national team of policy and advocacy professionals.

Alaina is a strategic problem solver with marketing, brand management, and executive and client relations expertise. At IAMHP, she led contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, marketing campaigns, and cross-functional projects, driving impactful change in healthcare operations and compliance. Previously, as Health Equity and Government Relations Manager at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, she spearheaded federal policy, advocacy, and budget initiatives to expand healthcare and housing access while addressing health disparities.

Amanda is a public health professional with over a decade of experience in program evaluation, strategic planning, and health policy. She previously served as a health program evaluator and manager at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, leading statewide assessments on tobacco control, sexual violence prevention, drug overdose prevention, and environmental health. With expertise in multi-sector collaboration, she has contributed to national and statewide initiatives, including opioid overdose prevention and contraceptive access research.

Andy Almeter revolutionizes HR practices across industries, from law firms to Fortune 500 companies, by restoring the human element in Human Resources and expanding Leath HR Group into the healthcare sector. With experience as a Divisional Business Operations Leader at Novant Health and a Research Fellow at the US EPA, his leadership is backed by a diverse and impactful background. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Andy is deeply involved in community service, earning recognition as a “40 Under 40” honoree and a “Healthcare Hero.”

Andy is an attorney at Cairncross & Hempelmann, PS, with over 25 years of experience. His practice focuses on land use, natural resources, and environmental law. He advises landowners, developers, municipalities, and Native American tribes regarding permitting and long-range planning issues, water rights, and compliance with environmental laws. Andy approaches law practically, emphasizing proactive planning to prevent land use disputes and creative solutions over litigation when conflicts arise.

Angie brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare, government, technology, and public policy, leading nationwide teams in tackling some of the industry’s most complex challenges. As a passionate advocate for bridging gaps in communities, she applies her deep expertise to drive meaningful solutions that enhance public health and policy outcomes. Her leadership and strategic vision continue to shape innovative approaches to addressing critical issues in healthcare and beyond.

Billy is the Chief Executive Officer of Daymark Recovery Services, a not-for-profit, comprehensive, community behavioral health provider that cares for over 50,000 unduplicated persons annually. Trained as a clinical social worker, he has work experience in both community mental health and large hospital settings.

Brandon is the Program Director of Lambert House, an LGBTQ youth center in Seattle, Washington. He came aboard on the Atrómitos Way to delve into the importance of community support networks, how innovative programs are overcoming barriers like geographical isolation, and what it takes to secure a sustainable future for Lambert House and other organizations that provide essential services to LGBTQ youth.

Cindy Jordan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pyx Health. After starting her career as a D.C. police officer-turned-political-fundraiser, Cindy took her expertise to entrepreneurship. In 2017, Cindy co-founded Pyx Health with her wife, Anne. The inspiration to found Pyx Health, a tech-enabled, human-powered solution for loneliness and social isolation, was motivated by their tragic experience with a loved one who struggled with chronic loneliness and social isolation. 

Craig, a Senior Account Executive with the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, is a dedicated community leader and advocate. He actively supports organizations committed to making a meaningful impact and fostering positive change in their communities.

Dasaya is a strategic program and operations professional with nearly 15 years of experience in project execution, organizational strategy, and large-scale digital and business transformation. She excels at uniting diverse perspectives—customers, designers, developers, and business experts—to drive impactful change

Dawn Ferrer is a passionate advocate for marginalized and victimized communities, with extensive experience in anti-trafficking efforts. As the former Executive Director of A Safe Place, she led initiatives to support survivors and address the complex intersections of trafficking, trauma, substance use, and societal stigma. Dedicated to education, prevention, and community collaboration, Dawn works to dispel misconceptions about trafficking and empower communities through awareness and action.

Erin is the CEO of Community Impact NC, with over 15 years of experience in substance use disorder prevention and community-based initiatives. A dedicated recovery ally, she co-founded Wilson’s Recovery Community Center and advocates for local recovery resources, housing, and policy change. Erin holds multiple degrees, is a Certified Prevention Specialist, and serves on various boards, working to bridge gaps in behavioral health and recovery support.

Jai is an advocate for health equity and reducing barriers to care for gender-expansive communities. She holds a Master of Public Health, emphasizing health and wellness for Transgender and Non-Binary communities. Since 2011, she has worked with county and state health departments, universities, healthcare facilities, and community-based organizations to increase capacity for serving gender-expansive communities in public health and healthcare initiatives. 

JC Lyle is dedicated to ensuring people have access to safe, stable housing. With experience spanning disaster recovery, nonprofit leadership, and housing policy, she has grown WARM NC into a regional force and now leads affordable housing initiatives at Wesley CDC.

Kat is a healthcare and social policy consultant with nearly 20 years of experience in Medicaid transformation, health equity, and integrated care. She has worked across sectors to design and implement policies that address health-related social needs, advance whole-person care, and improve community health outcomes. Her expertise helps states and organizations navigate Medicaid reforms, including Section 1115 waivers, behavioral health redesign, and cross-sector collaboration.

Kate has spent more than a decade helping nonprofit organizations learn the intricacies of the federal funding process to increase their chances of success in what continues to be a highly competitive market. She has a strong background in grant writing and an uncanny ability to identify growth opportunities. She offers experience providing leadership and growth opportunities for clinical and educational programs for diverse healthcare systems.

Katrina Knight has led Good Shepherd for two decades, driving its transformation through best practices in homelessness and housing solutions. Under her leadership, the organization developed CCU Lakeside Reserve, a 40-unit permanent supportive housing community, and transitioned to a low-barrier, first-oriented shelter model. A past Chair of the Cape Fear Housing Coalition and a member of the City Workforce Housing Advisory Committee, she has been a leading advocate for hunger, homelessness, and housing affordability for nearly two decades.

Kristina is a Program Director at Coastal Horizons Center's Brunswick County Child & Adolescent Office and leads a team providing outpatient and school-based mental health services across Brunswick and Columbus public schools and three Classical Charter School of America sites. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University and an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, Kristina holds licenses in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and National Certified Counselor, alongside being a Certified Clinical Supervisor with the NC Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board. 

Liz is a dynamic creative force skilled in graphic design, front-end web development, branding, and strategy. With over a decade of experience as a graphic designer, Liz’s expertise informs her approach as Content Manager at Atrómitos, where she creates, plans, and manages engaging content across multiple platforms to ensure consistency in tone, style, and visual identity.

Michealle Gady, JD, is the Founder, President, and CEO of Atrómitos, with nearly two decades of experience in health law, policy, and system reform. A former Health Counsel for the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, she played a key role in shaping major healthcare legislation, including the Affordable Care Act. Through Atrómitos, she provides strategic guidance on Medicaid, value-based care, and healthcare policy, helping partners navigate the complexities of an evolving healthcare landscape.

Michelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Clinical Programs at TryCycle Data Systems. She has over 25 years of clinical experience and a decade of teaching psychology and is a leader in mental health and addiction treatment, leveraging cutting-edge technology and integrative wellness strategies. Her work is grounded in both practice and academia, shaped by her personal experiences as a resilient advocate for meaningful change in behavioral health.

Molly is a health policy and strategy consultant with over 15 years of experience in lobbying, advocacy, and health policy development, as well as a dedicated educator and advisor to graduate students. Her leadership in managed care and deep engagement in maternal health advocacy stem from her own experience surviving severe maternal morbidity in 2016. She serves on Washington State’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, advocates with MoMMA’s Voices, and played a key role in extending Medicaid to one year postpartum in the state.

Nicole Havelka is a Certified Professional Midwife with over a decade of experience in perinatal care, including work as a doula, midwifery apprentice, and graduate of the National Midwifery Institute. She practices the Midwives Model of Care™, providing holistic, individualized, and hands-on support throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Passionate about empowering families, she helps clients understand their options, make informed decisions, and pursue their birthing goals with confidence.

Olivia is a seasoned leader in strategy development and technology solutions, specializing in IT Project and Program Management. With over 12 years of experience managing complex initiatives, she excels in guiding clients through the identification, implementation, and support of solutions that enhance organizational efficiency and strategic growth. Her expertise ensures that businesses leverage technology effectively to drive innovation and long-term success.

With a background in program management, policy implementation, and community organizing, Peter brings our clients the technical skills necessary to flourish in their current environment while preparing for inevitable change. He has supported clinical care teams, Boards of Directors, and volunteer committees across community sectors to achieve outcomes and establish more efficient operational infrastructures. 

Raina is a data strategist passionate about leveraging technology and analytics to drive positive impact. Raina possesses a robust skill set spanning the realms of public health, analytics, surveying, database management, and health IT with a focus on health information exchanges (HIE). Throughout her career, Raina has assisted companies with all aspects of reporting and analytics, from data collection to strategy and analysis, as well as product management of data platforms. Most recently, this included assisting the Maryland Department of Health’s Contact Tracing Unit with managing its contact tracing technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan is the Chief Operating Officer of Coastal Horizons, leads the organization's efforts in mental health, substance use treatment, justice services, child welfare, and integrated health programming. With a background in Psychology from Wake Forest University, an MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MBA from UNC-Wilmington, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He holds licenses in North Carolina as a clinical social worker and clinical addiction specialist. He serves as Treasurer on the National Association of Social Work Board and the NC Child Board of Directors. Ryan also shares his expertise as a part-time instructor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's College of Health and Human Services. He is a current Annie E. Casey Foundation Child and Family Fellow. 

Sharon is an educator and mental health professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in neurodiverse children, youth, and severe literacy dysfluencies through her private practice, Pathways of Learning. Her career spans homeschooling, special education, service-learning program management, and Teach for America, reflecting her deep commitment to education. She holds two master’s degrees—an M.Ed. in Learning Sciences from the University of Washington and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, reinforcing her dedication to holistic student support.

Stephanie is the Executive Director of the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank and is a proven leader dedicated to strengthening communities through access to healthy living and education. With extensive experience in community partnerships, grant management, fundraising, and board development, she excels in building strong teams, coaching staff, and managing complex budgets. Her leadership is driven by a passion for creating sustainable solutions that empower individuals and communities to thrive.

Suzanne is an experienced nurse-midwife with a strong background in clinical care, health policy, and advocacy across private, government, and nonprofit sectors. Passionate about reproductive justice and sexual and reproductive health, she has led initiatives ranging from nursing education to trauma-informed discussions on racism and anti-racism. A recognized leader in advocacy, she was named the NC Nurses Association’s Legislative/Political Nurse of the Year in 2014 and has completed fellowships in advocacy and leadership with the American Nurses Association and Duke University.

Tiffany is a health and human services leader with over a decade of experience in program management, workforce development, and health equity initiatives. As Regional Director for Workforce Development in North Carolina, she led efforts to strengthen public health workforce capabilities and developed targeted training programs addressing cultural competence, health literacy, and professional development. With advanced degrees in social work, public administration, and evaluation, she is dedicated to fostering future public health professionals through mentorship, workforce initiatives, and interprofessional education.

Tina Simpson is a former team member of Atrómitos. In the first episode of the Atrómitos Way, she discusses the substantial challenges "regulatory lag" poses in care delivery innovations. She delves into the significant influence of a critical lesson from "Finding Nemo" on her crucial professional and personal choices, always considering the importance of "just keep swimming."

Tony is a Vietnam veteran who founded Save A Vet Now, a nonprofit organization that focuses on veteran suicide prevention.

Yasmin Shah Tomkinson came to the Cape Fear Literacy Council as a volunteer tutor in 2002. It was a great experience, and she was very pleased to join the staff in 2004. She served as the Adult Literacy Program Director for 11 years, working closely with adults from diverse backgrounds and volunteers who helped them improve their educational skills. Now, as Executive Director, Yasmin enjoys working strategically to ensure that CFLC continues to thrive.