51±¬ÁÏ

Katie Connors, MPH
Project Director, CASA-Trinity, Inc.

Katie Connors, MPH, serves as Project Director for the HRSA-funded Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) Impact Grant at CASA-Trinity, where she leads regional initiatives focused on strengthening recovery support services, workforce development, and access to care across rural Western New York. Katie is passionate about advancing collaborative, community-driven solutions to address substance use and behavioral health challenges in rural communities. She is honored to serve on the BRIGHT Project Community Council.

Send an email to Katie Connors

Dr. Kristin Dudek
Chief of Student Supports & Information
Salamanca City Central School District

Dr. Kristin Dudek serves as the Chief of Student Supports and Information for the Salamanca City Central School District, where she oversees comprehensive student support systems, including special education, data reporting, attendance, health services, and compliance. 

With nearly three decades of experience spanning classroom instruction, district leadership, and statewide collaboration, Dr. Dudek brings deep expertise in special education administration, grant management, and data-driven decision-making. 

Her work is grounded in equity-focused research and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for historically marginalized students, particularly in rural and high-need communities.

Send an email to Dr. Dudek

Samantha Fletcher, Ph.D., MSW
Director of Workforce Development/Indigenous Nations Liaison
NYS Office of Mental Health

In October 2023, Sam Fletcher, Ph.D., MSW, accepted the position of Director of Workforce Development at the NYS Office of Mental Health. In this role, Dr. Fletcher and her colleagues developed a strategic plan to address the workforce crisis through multiple initiatives, including expanding pathways into the field of mental health as well as targeted recruitment and retention strategies. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, she also serves as Indigenous Nation liaison to the nine Nations located in the state.

Send an email to Dr. Fletcher

Cameron Howell, MS, OTR/L
Treatment Team Leader
Elmire Psychiatric Center

Cameron Howell, MS, OTR/L, has been a licensed Occupational Therapist in New York state for three years. For the entirety of his professional career, he has worked for the NYS Office of Mental Health at Rochester Psychiatric Center. He recently accepted a promotion at Elmira Psychiatric Center as a Treatment Team Leader where he will be overseeing inpatient adult services units. 

Send an email to Cameron Howell

Olivia Knox, MSW
Mental Health Program Specialist, Workforce Development
Office of Planning, NYS Office of Mental Health

Olivia Knox, MSW, is a macro level Social Worker (MSW) with experience in policy, advocacy, and administration.

Send an email to Olivia Knox

Jessica Swanson, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist & Associate Professor
Jamestown Community College

Jessica Swanson, OTD, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with 18 years of clinical experience in school-based and community-based practice. She holds advanced credentials in sensory integration theory and youth pelvic health, and she brings a depth of applied expertise to her work with children and families. For the past six years, she has worked in higher education, where she is passionate about preparing the next generation of OT practitioners through experiential, applied learning. Her clinical roots and commitment to whole-child, family-centered care continue to shape her approach to both teaching and community practice.

Send an email to Jessica Swanson