MHNE 2026 Leadership Awards Reception Details
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
NYU Kimmel Center – Rosenthal Pavilion, 10th Floor
60 Washington Square South, NYC
Purpose: To celebrate and bring awareness to exceptional leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and their families in the behavioral health and autism communities.
Attendance: 150 guests
Typical Guests: Attendees include influential leaders and decision-makers from prominent healthcare providers, behavioral health and autism treatment and support agencies, nonprofit community organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies. Individuals with lived experience and their family members also attend.
Event Format: The event begins with a networking reception featuring live jazz music and a buffet, followed by the Awards Presentation Program. All seating is assigned and tables of 10 are reserved.
Virtual Event Journal: Color advertisements are purchased in celebration of the honorees by Board Members, family members, colleagues, and event sponsors.
Proceeds From This Event will help expand and develop the educational mission of Mental Health News Education (MHNE). Through our publications Autism Spectrum News and Behavioral Health News, MHNE is dedicated to reducing stigma, raising awareness, and providing trusted, evidence-based information to improve the lives of individuals living with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and autism while also supporting their families and the professionals who serve them.
A Look Back at Last Year’s Event:
MHNE Event Honorees Since 2013:
For more information, contact David Minot, Executive Director, at (978) 733-4481 or dminot@mhnews.org.
2026 Event Sponsors
For more information, contact David Minot, Executive Director, at (978) 733-4481 or dminot@mhnews.org.
Meet Our 2026 Honorees!
Honoree Details in Development
Board of Directors
Chair
Rachel A. Fernbach, Esq, Executive Director and General Counsel
New York State Psychiatric Association
Vice-Chair
Yvette Brissett-André, MPA, Executive Director and CEO
Unique People Services
Secretary
Mary Brite, LCSW, CASAC, Chief Compliance Officer
Outreach
Treasurer
Keri R. Primack, CFP, Managing Director, Senior Private Client Advisor
Quent Capital, LLC
Members of The Board
Anita Appel, LCSW, Senior Health Care Consultant
Sachs Policy Group
Peter D. Beitchman, DSW, LMSW, Principal
Behavioral Health Consultation
Jonathan P. Edwards, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, Program Consultant
NY City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Ann-Marie K. Foster, MPA, FACHE, President and CEO
Phoenix House NY|LI
Samuel Wesley Jackson, MD, Clinical Director of Psychiatry
Erie Family Health Center
Danika Mills, MSW, LCSW, MPS, LCAT, CCM, Head of Care Operations
Grayce
Debbie Pantin, MSW, MS-HCM
Barry B. Perlman, MD, Past President
New York State Psychiatric Association
Jorge R. Petit, MD, Founder/CEO
Quality Healthcare Solutions, LLC
Joshua Rubin, MPP, Principal
Health Management Associates
Jarod Stern, Senior Managing Director
Savills
Kimberly Williams, MSSW, Principal
Health Management Associates
Founding Chairman
Alan B. Siskind, PhD, LCSW
Executive Staff
Ira H. Minot, LMSW, Founder
David Minot, Executive Director