PLAN of Georgia Staff
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Kenya Phillips is a Georgia Certified Peer Specialist, an active member, advocate, and state trainer of the National Alliance of Mental Illness Inc. (NAMI); alongside, a motivational speaker and Whole Health & Wellness Coach for the mental health community. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing. She also holds a dual degree in Divinity and Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center of the Atlanta University Center (AUC); while at current, she is pursuing her Educational Doctorate in Pastoral Community Care and Counseling with a minor in Traumatology at Liberty University. She has served as a member of the Georgia Mental Health and Advisory Council, NAMI GA Recovery Council, and the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Advisory Council (PRA), Board Member.
Kenya is a recent widow, a mother of a twelve-year-old daughter, and a friend of the community who is unapologetic about her experience with mental illness. Despite the fact that a great deal of society tends to write off those that are experiencing mental illness as stuck or probably won’t make it; Kenya has always found a way to break through the barriers of stigma and beat the odds of failure to achieve many successes and fostered supports for herself and others. Currently, she uses her recovery story, poetic voice, and creativity to express her support and mutuality to those that choose to embrace their experience with mental illness as well as those who don’t and need understanding regarding this experience. She offers the opportunity to present and passionately share her journey of homage in her community.
Patricia Clarke MSW, Care Manager
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Patricia Clarke is a professional social worker with 15 years of experience in the social service field. She began her journey in the field by providing volunteer services with homeless families at the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children. She pursued her passion for social work and graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Georgia State University in 2001. Her background includes therapeutic mental health counseling, biopsychosocial assessments, outreach, training, advocacy, life/health coach, and case management. She has worked in various settings in the areas of: child welfare; low income/homelessness adults; HIV/AIDS permanent supportive housing; community/home-based behavioral health; hospital-based adult mental health; residential substance abuse treatment; and residential group homes for children. She is passionate about helping individuals overcome any barriers, obstacles, or challenges to help them improve their quality of life. On her spare time, Patricia enjoys spending time with her family, providing volunteer services for homeless individuals/families, and creating handmade African arts and crafts.
Larry Goodman LPC, Clinincal Director
Kenya Phillips, Director of Communication and Outreach
Larry Goodman LPC, Clinincal Director
Larry Goodman is a licensed professional counselor, who has dedicated his career to providing services to adults with psychiatric and developmental disabilities in the Atlanta area. He served as PLAN of Georgia’s Executive Director before moving into a Care Manager role to focus on the delivery of direct services to PLAN’s clients , and now combines delivery of direct services with oversight of clinical and administrative operations. of the program. Prior to coming to PLAN, Larry served for over 25 years as the director of Northside Hospital’s program for adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. A native of Chicago , he is a an avid sports fan and enjoys writing and cooking. He loves birds and has learned to love cats.
Trina Sumlin, Financial Manager
Trina Sumlin, Financial Manager
Larry Goodman LPC, Clinincal Director
Trina Sumlin is a financial manager with over 25 years of service. Trina began her career in the Public Housing Social Services Division where she was a Renting and Occupancy Specialist. However, with experience and determination, a blueprint was formed for additional goals and aspirations. In addition to her work with PLAN of Georgia, Trina is an entrepreneur in the mental health field, and the owner a company that provides representative payee services to adults with psychiatric disabilities. Among her strengths are organizational and interpersonal skills. During her spare time, Trina enjoys reading, spending time with family/friends, and watching movies.
Brian Starie, Care Manager
Trina Sumlin, Financial Manager
Brian Starie, Care Manager
Brian Starie is a peer specialist, with 20+ years of experience providing services to consumers in and around the metro-Atlanta area. Brian started his career in residential services and moved onto to supported employment in more traditional drop in centers, and in person all around the Atlanta community. Brian has worked to help many consumers find lasting employment and maintain or find better jobs to gain better pay, in more fulfilling roles. Starting his career in 1993 he has enjoyed leadership and direct services provider experience with the state of Georgia, Northside Hospital and Briggs & Associates. He believes strongly in self-determination and choice for people getting the services they need as well as the burgeoning area of trauma and it’s relation to mental health and system dysregulation. Brian also has provided services for people on a face-to-face basis in their homes as a peer specialist to assist with GA ACT Team support. In his free time, Brian enjoys gardening, photography, writing poetry, playing guitar, and yoga.
PLAN of Georgia Board of Directors
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Attorney Burgess received her B.A. from North Carolina State University, an M.A. from the University of South Florida and her J.D. from Georgia State University. Known for her excellence in representation, Attorney Burgess specializes in Social Security Disability Law for adults and children. She brings to the Social Security Disability
Attorney Burgess received her B.A. from North Carolina State University, an M.A. from the University of South Florida and her J.D. from Georgia State University. Known for her excellence in representation, Attorney Burgess specializes in Social Security Disability Law for adults and children. She brings to the Social Security Disability practice her compassion, quest for justice, enthusiasm and desire to help others. By doing so she’s been able to make a positive difference in the daily lives of people who need help the most.
Attorney Burgess has been the featured speaker for several organizations, support groups, and the local bar association. She serves on the Board of Directors for PLAN of Georgia, the Hypersomnia Foundation and Special Needs Cobb. She is also a member of the Georgia and Cobb County Bar Associations, the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) and the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA).
Elliott Kyle
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Elliott has served on the board of directors for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, and as the senior warden of that vestry. In addition, Elliott has served as past president of the board of directors for Canterbury Court, a continuing care retirement community in Atlanta. He is responsible for Skyline Seven Real Estate’s Investment
Elliott has served on the board of directors for St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta, and as the senior warden of that vestry. In addition, Elliott has served as past president of the board of directors for Canterbury Court, a continuing care retirement community in Atlanta. He is responsible for Skyline Seven Real Estate’s Investment Sales Division and is one of Atlanta’s top commercial real estate sale producers. Elliott volunteers at Crossroads Community Ministries, an agency that assists people experiencing homelessness in becoming more economically and personally stable.
Tommie Thompson
Anjel F. Burgess, Secretary
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Tommie Thompson Zaher is a native of Louisville, KY. After graduating from the
University of Louisville, she came to Atlanta to work and start a family.
She is currently a full-time Salesforce Administrator for a local company. She is
planning to use some of her application skills to assist Plan of Georgia with event
tracking and other helpfu
Tommie Thompson Zaher is a native of Louisville, KY. After graduating from the
University of Louisville, she came to Atlanta to work and start a family.
She is currently a full-time Salesforce Administrator for a local company. She is
planning to use some of her application skills to assist Plan of Georgia with event
tracking and other helpful information for growing the organization.
As a Deacon in the Episcopal Church, Tommie serves at the Church of the Common
Ground in Woodruff Park. Many of the members of the church experience mental
illness, incarceration and marginal housing.
Tommie is very involved in NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She is a
trainer for the NAMI advocacy program and a facilitator for Family Support Groups. She
is currently leading a group for family and friends who have loved ones affected by
incarceration. She served on the Board of Directors for NAMI Northside Atlanta where
her focus has been legislative priorities and advocacy.
Her husband partners with her on several projects. They are landlords and like to do
renovations. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law, a toddler grandson, roommates,
tenants, cats and many birds.
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Art is the Senior Advisor for Food Safety, Division of Foodborne Waterborne & Environmental Diseases at the Center for Disease Control. He is the former Director of the CDC Food Safety Office. He has been a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer and the Chief of the Communicable Disease Division, Hawaii Department of Health. He cur
Art is the Senior Advisor for Food Safety, Division of Foodborne Waterborne & Environmental Diseases at the Center for Disease Control. He is the former Director of the CDC Food Safety Office. He has been a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer and the Chief of the Communicable Disease Division, Hawaii Department of Health. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. He is also a CDC Liaison to the ILSI North America Board of Trustees, the Center for Produce Safety Board of Directors and the Food Safety Summit Education Advisory Board. He is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and board-certified in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health. He has a BA from Oberlin College, an MPH in International Health and Epidemiology from the University of Hawaii; and MD from the University of Maryland.
Akua Davis, LCSW
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Akua Davis, LCSW
Akua Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Certified Grief Specialist (CGS), and Certified Anger Management Specialist II Instructor (CAMS-I). She earned her Master of Social Service Administration (MSW) with a specialization in Children, Youth, and Families (School Social Work) from Case W
Akua Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Certified Grief Specialist (CGS), and Certified Anger Management Specialist II Instructor (CAMS-I). She earned her Master of Social Service Administration (MSW) with a specialization in Children, Youth, and Families (School Social Work) from Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in Cleveland, Ohio. Akua has completed postgraduate work with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Family and Children Services in Los Angeles, California, and the State of Georgia. Additionally, she is a Certified School Social Worker, recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Akua is trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) through Behavioral Tech (M. Linehan), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). She brings over 30 years of experience as a Social Service Consultant, Clinical Supervisor, and Subject Matter Expert in the field of mental health.
Her areas of specialization include working with at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Akua is deeply passionate about supporting individuals in crisis and those struggling with mental health disorders and trauma. Her expertise encompasses Addictive Diseases and Substance Abuse, Trauma-Informed Care, Suicide Prevention, and Clinical Supervision. She is committed to her philosophy of “Maximizing Hope” in the lives of the clients she serves.
Douglas Allison
Arthur P. Liang, MD MPH Vice President
Akua Davis, LCSW
After working at state and private psychiatric hospitals and a community mental health center, Doug Allison established a private practice in clinical case management in 1987, assisting adults with psychiatric disabilities. He has a B.A. in psychology from Indiana University and an M.S. in psychiatric rehabilitation from Boston Universit
After working at state and private psychiatric hospitals and a community mental health center, Doug Allison established a private practice in clinical case management in 1987, assisting adults with psychiatric disabilities. He has a B.A. in psychology from Indiana University and an M.S. in psychiatric rehabilitation from Boston University. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Certified Case Manager.
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Mary Lou served as a board member for Fulton Science Academy Charter High School. Mary Lou is the mother of a PLAN client, a NAMI member and an advocate for better mental health services in Georgia, She was a catechist at St. Bridget Catholic for many years. Now retired, she was an Advanced Research Technical Leader for Kimberly Clark
Mary Lou served as a board member for Fulton Science Academy Charter High School. Mary Lou is the mother of a PLAN client, a NAMI member and an advocate for better mental health services in Georgia, She was a catechist at St. Bridget Catholic for many years. Now retired, she was an Advanced Research Technical Leader for Kimberly Clark and Exide Technologies responsible for development of new materials.
Richard Roesel, Treasurer
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Richard serves on the board of directors for Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria VA. He is graduate of Emory law school and the St. Mary Seminary .He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Washington DC. Richard began his legal career as a lawyer with Emory's community legal service center doing poverty law, then worked as a lab
Richard serves on the board of directors for Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria VA. He is graduate of Emory law school and the St. Mary Seminary .He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Washington DC. Richard began his legal career as a lawyer with Emory's community legal service center doing poverty law, then worked as a labor lawyer for 30 years, and afterwards represented professional associations in Washington.
Kaleb Watson
Mary Lou Delucia, President
Kaleb Watson
Kaleb served in the United States Army for several years beginning in 2015. After his service, he attended Georgia State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer information systems and developed a strong interest in technology. He now works as a marketing data analyst. Following the challenges he faced during and afte
Kaleb served in the United States Army for several years beginning in 2015. After his service, he attended Georgia State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer information systems and developed a strong interest in technology. He now works as a marketing data analyst. Following the challenges he faced during and after his time in the military and seeing the importance of a strong support network, Kaleb is eager to apply his skills and experiences to help others.