The HALI Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Wettengel, MPH, NYCPS as the new Chief Executive Officer of Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI).  Ms. Wettengel comes to HALI with over 15 years of management experience.  Before joining HALI, she led the Long Island Regional Planning Consortium, a multi-stakeholder board facilitating changes to the NYS behavioral health system.  Ms. Wettengel also designed, built, and led innovative peer-delivered crisis intervention services, including Sherpa, a partnership between FCA (Family & Children’s Association) and Catholic Health Hospital system emergency departments, supporting patients and their families who survived substance overdoses.  She also oversaw a large peer service division at the Mental Health Association of Nassau County, providing self-help groups, mobile outreach, peer warmline, and Turquoise House, a peer-run residential crisis respite and hospital diversion house.

Building on the legacy of HALI Founder and previous CEO Ellen Healion, the HALI Board looks forward to Ms. Wettengel’s background and leadership, propelling HALI forward to a future where peer support and a self-directed, hopeful life is available to everyone.  Please join us in welcoming and supporting Melissa in her role as HALI’s new CEO.