Leadership Team
Robert Hallion
Executive Director
Read Bio
Bob has been a valued member of the MetroWest community for more than 19 years, with a distinguished career in behavioral health services. Prior to becoming Executive Director of Behavioral Health Partners of MetroWest, Bob was the Senior Director of Behavioral Health Operations for nine years at Advocates, where his leadership and expertise were pivotal in advancing their mission.
In addition to his role at Advocates, Bob concurrently managed the budget and financial operations for the Behavioral Health Partners of MetroWest for six years. This dual role equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of both financial and programmatic aspects of the Behavioral Health Community Partner (BHCP) program and the MetroWest Care Connection (MWCC).
Bob’s deep commitment to serving diverse and underserved communities, combined with his values and compassion, are invaluable assets in his position as Executive Director.
Bob holds a Bachelor’s degree from Temple University, as well as certifications from Suffolk University and Tufts University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
Susan Gentili
Board of Managers
Read Bio
Susan is President & CEO of the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC). She has been an integral part of SMOC for the last 35 years, beginning her career as a Housing Manager in which she managed SMOC’s real estate portfolio, including 60 affordable housing units at the time. Since then, Susan has assumed successive management roles including Case Manager, Director of SMOC’s shelter program, Division Director for Emergency Services, and Senior Director of Emergency Housing and Stabilization Programs. Before her current role, Susan was named Chief Program Officer in 2017, managing over 500 employees and overseeing SMOC’s emergency and supportive housing programs.
Susan graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She and her husband, Jeff, have lived in Marlborough for 25 years.
Kurt Isaacson
Board of Managers
Read Bio
Diane Gould
Board of Managers
Read Bio
Diane is President and CEO of Advocates. She joined Advocates in 1985 and was appointed President and CEO in 2013. She also serves as President and CEO of Advocates’ affiliate organizations, Family Continuity and HMEA. In a career spanning over forty years, she has held many clinical and leadership roles and directed a range of clinical, residential, and support services promoting empowerment, inclusion, and health equity.
Central to Diane’s approach to leadership is a commitment to collaboration. At Advocates, Diane emphasizes partnership with employees, funders, and individuals who receive services as an essential way to advance the agency’s mission.
In the broader community, Diane is an active board member of the Massachusetts Providers Council, Association of Behavioral Healthcare, and several other industry advocacy organizations. Throughout her career, Diane has worked to build diverse, inclusive community coalitions that address behavioral health and social service needs. Diane’s several community recognitions include the 2011 Deborah Blumer Community Health Leader Award from the MetroWest Health Foundation, the 2015 MassPRA Public Advocacy Award, and The Providers’ Council’s 2020 CEO Award and 2022 Chair’s Award. Diane’s leadership has resulted in Advocates being selected as one of the Top 100 Women Led Businesses and one of the Top 100 Places to Work in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe.
Diane holds a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College, and the values of the social work profession continue to inform her vision and leadership. Previously, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts with a concentration in English and Women’s Studies.
Sara McCabe
Board of Managers
Read Bio
Sara is President and CEO of Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. She began her career at Wayside in 2003 as a residential counselor and teacher at Wayside’s special education school, Wayside Academy. Since then, she’s held many roles including Assistant Director of Wayside Academy, Training and Risk Management Director and Campus Director.
In 2017 Sara was promoted to Vice President of Campus Services responsible for overseeing six adolescent residential programs, the Wayside Academy and the psychiatric day treatment program at the Framingham Campus. In addition to her role as Vice President, Sara also oversaw the Marketing and Development Department and led the Agency’s 2020 Strategic Planning process. In September 2021 Sara was promoted to the agency’s first Chief Operating Officer charged with positioning the agency for continued growth in Central, Eastern and Northeastern Massachusetts.
In addition to her leadership roles, Sara has more than 17 years of experience as a trainer in the field of worker safety for mental health care settings and is on the National Association of Social Workers training task force for Massachusetts. Sara is an adjunct professor at Boston University in the School of Social Work.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass. and her Master of Social Work from Wheelock College in Boston, Mass. She holds her independent clinical license in Massachusetts. She is also a registered yoga teacher with a focus and expertise in trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices.
MetroWest Care Connection Team
Shannon Ahern, LMFT
Program Director
Read Bio
Shannon has worked in the MetroWest community for over twenty years, supporting residents and providers in navigating systems and accessing care. In addition to overseeing MetroWest Care Connection’s service components, she spearheads community engagement efforts and leads several coalitions focused on systemic level change in the areas of Behavioral Health Access and Housing in the region. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Penn State University and a Master’s in marriage & family therapy from the University of Rhode Island.
Genilce Santana
Senior Care Coordinator
Read Bio
Genilce has been an essential part of the community at MetroWest Care Connection since 2019. She is passionate about improving residents’ outcomes through expert referrals and ensuring top-quality care alignment. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Genilce offers invaluable language assistance and cultural understanding to a diverse range of residents, making her an indispensable asset to the community. Outside of her professional commitments, Genilce loves to travel with her family. Exploring new destinations and immersing herself in different cultures broadens her perspective and fills her life with various experiences and cherished memories.
With a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a master’s degree in counseling psychology in progress at Framingham State University, Genilce is dedicated to deepening her expertise in helping individuals navigate psychological, emotional, and interpersonal challenges.
Cayden Davis
Project Coordinator
Read Bio
Cayden (he/him) has been in public health for almost five years, where he has worked in care navigation for folks living with and affected by HIV. His interests include advocacy, health policy, community organizing, and LGBTQ+ health care. Through his studies and direct service experience, Cayden discovered his passion for improving service equity and access, particularly for folks facing complex structural barriers. As a trans man, Cayden’s greatest joy comes from connecting with and uplifting his community.
Attending Clark University for his undergraduate and graduate studies, Cayden obtained his Master’s in Community Development and Planning in 2020, concentrating on health equity.
Orquidea Pena
Care Coordinator
Read Bio
Orquidea is a bilingual care coordinator with more than fourteen years of professional experience specializing in case management, housing preservation work, and community outreach. Born in the Dominican Republic, she immigrated to New York City at a young age and has lived in Massachusetts for a long time. In her spare time, she enjoys thrift shopping and exploring new places with her two children and husband.
Chiara Doretti, M.A.
Clinical Operations Manager
Read Bio
Chiara was born in Milano, Italy and moved to the U.S. with her family at ten years of age. Chiara has first-hand experience about adapting to a new country, new culture, way of living, and learning a new language. She attended Providence College for her undergraduate degree and later got a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Assumption College. She has worked in the public school system, supporting students and families of diverse cultures for thirteen years and feels strongly and passionate about making all people feel accepted, understood, supported, and feel that they belong.
Grace Snedden
Community Organizer
Read Bio
Grace Snedden is a passionate community organizer based in Framingham, Massachusetts. Originally from Quincy, MA, Grace spent 11 years living in Phoenix, AZ before returning to the local area. She is a proud mother of an adult son, a Navy veteran who lives nearby.
With a diverse professional background spanning business, higher education, and childcare, Grace has always been driven by a desire to make a positive impact. For the past three years, she has been deeply involved in organizing around the issue of bodily autonomy in Framingham. Through her work, she strives to empower individuals and communities to use their collective voice in advocating for meaningful change on critical social issues.
Grace is dedicated to creating spaces where people can come together to push for the societal changes they want to see.
Behavioral Health Community Partners Team
Manuel (Manny) Clavijo, LMHC
Project Director
Read Bio
Manny is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over fifteen years of experience providing services related to mental health and social justice. He has extensive experience in counseling psychology, theology, divinity, and healthcare administration.
Before his current role, Manny was a Global Ambassador for Catholic Relief Services, advocating for strategies to end poverty in underdeveloped and developing countries worldwide. His leadership roles also include serving as Division Director of Behavioral Health at Family Continuity, Clinical Care Manager and Program Manager for BHPMW BHCP at Family Continuity, Director of Campus Ministry and Adjunct Professor of Theology and Social Ethics at Anna Maria College, and founder of Health Education and Advocacy for Latinos (HEAL), a humanitarian organization committed to addressing healthcare disparities and providing education and support to Latinos.
Manny has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College, a Master’s degree in Theology from Boston College, and a Master’s degree in Divinity from St. Mary Seminary and University.
Jeff Ford, LICSW
Manager of Population Health and Quality Management
Read Bio
Jeff Ford is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in human services working with people who have traumatic brain injuries, complex medical needs, severe mental illness, and substance use disorders. Jeff has worked in a variety of settings, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, residential programs, community-based outreach, psychiatric emergency services, and inpatient services for mental health and substance use.
Jeff has a Master of Social Work, a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, and a Bachelor of Arts in General Business Administration from Michigan State University.
Danielle Henry
Administrative Coordinator
Read Bio
Danielle Henry is an Administrative Coordinator with the Behavioral Health Partners of MetroWest. With a passion for customer support and the satisfaction that comes from helping someone solve a problem, Danielle has continued to collaborate with leadership to continuously improve service outcomes that impact member and patient comfort. She is known for her organization, communication and attention to detail, allowing her to manage office operations with precision, making her an indispensable part of the team.
Danielle’s journey began in Upstate New York. She has been a longtime Massachusetts Resident for 25 years while she pursued her education Worcester State University. There, she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, laying the foundation for her career in Human Services. Danielle has been in the Human Services field for over 13 years, fostering trust and rapport within the Healthcare Community.
Outside of her professional life, Danielle is passionate about going on adventures and spending time with her Husband and 4 children. She enjoys reading, drawing and going to the beach, and is committed to keeping an open mind, being compassionate and genuinely enjoys helping people. It is important for her to build solid, lasting relationships with everyone she meets.
Looking ahead, Danielle is focused on serving as a liaison and key point of contact to facilitate programmatic and operational communications internally and externally, as well as working within the clinical and administrative team to develop comprehensive workflow within the BHCP program.
Marlon Velasquez
Project Manager
Read Bio
Marlon comes with over seven years of extensive experience in program development and operations management. Through hard work and dedication, Marlon has distinguished himself as a professional committed to enhancing organizational effectiveness and delivering successful outcomes. Marlon’s expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of essential functions, including the design and implementation of training programs, conducting comprehensive assessments, and meticulously tracking the needs of both enrollees and staff. Marlon’s experience in delivering care coordination always began with ensuring that support is always one call away and ranges from supporting members with navigating the application process for community resources, brainstorming creative solutions to getting needs met and/or attending medical/housing/DCF appointments as an advocate for the member. Through these experiences, Marlon has seen the members achieve successful outcomes in addressing financial/housing insecurities which has cemented his conviction in the impact that care management has on its members as it can be a vital for members trying to improve health equity and improve their quality of life. Utilizing his analytical skills, Marlon is diligent in supporting the Director to ensure that the program is not only well-structured but also adaptable, meeting the evolving needs of the organization and its stakeholders. As such, Marlon’s experiences serving the demographics in need of supports make him an excellent candidate for the position of Project Manager of the BHPMW Behavioral Health Community Partner Program.