Meet Our Distinguished Speakers Championing Mental Health Awareness

Featured Speakers at the Reception

Mercedes Alvarado

President, Oklahoma Psychiatric Hospital Association

Mercedes Alvarado is currently the Oklahoma Psychiatric Hospital Association President and the Behavioral Health Director for INTEGRIS Health.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with 25 years’ counseling experience.  Mercedes works both in an inpatient hospital setting and in private practice. 

Mercedes has a passion for assisting hospital patients on medical floors who also have a behavioral health condition as she believes an individual’s physical and mental well-being should be considered during a hospital stay.  She acts as a Behavioral Health consultant for the INTEGRIS Health Safety and Quality Teams.  She has been involved in the implementation of tele-psychiatry consultants for the INTEGRIS Health OKC Metro hospitals and has advocated at the state level for additional state resources needed for individuals with co-occurring medical/behavioral health issues.

 

Lorna Palmer

Executive Director, NAMI Oklahoma

Lorna Palmer is the Executive Director of NAMI Oklahoma, where she provides strategic leadership to advance mental health education, advocacy, and support services across the state. In this role, she works closely with community partners, policymakers, and stakeholders to improve systems of care and ensure that individuals and families affected by mental illness have access to the resources they need. 
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Lorna brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her career has been dedicated to strengthening communities and expanding access to critical services through collaborative, mission-driven work.
Lorna’s commitment to mental health advocacy is deeply personal. Having witnessed firsthand the profound impact mental illness can have on families, she is passionate about advancing policies that promote early intervention, equitable access to care, and long-term support. Under her leadership, NAMI Oklahoma continues to elevate the voices of those with lived experience while working to reduce stigma and improve outcomes statewide.

 

Dave Roberts

CEO, RideCare

David Roberts has a 30+ year career in law enforcement, starting in the United States Coast Guard where he served more than 20 years and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His work continued as an Oklahoma City Police Officer where he was heavily involved in mental health crisis work, being part of the CIT program for over 18 years.

In 2010, David started David Roberts Consulting, LLC, offering security services to businesses, events, and mental health facilities. In 2021, he partnered with the State of Oklahoma to create RIDE CARE, a long-term transportation solution, providing access to needed psychiatric services without law enforcement involvement. His extensive training and expertise in law enforcement, investigations, and logistics, along with his ability to work within a team uniquely outfit him in the role of CEO. 

Joy Sloan, LCSW

CEO, Green Country Behavioral Health Services

Joy Sloan, LCSW, has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing behavioral health, including the past 15 years as Chief Executive Officer of Green Country Behavioral Health Services. With over 36 years in healthcare—spanning clinical social work and service as an emergency medical technician—Joy brings both frontline experience and clinical expertise to her leadership.
A former collegiate athlete, Joy believes strong teams produce the strongest outcomes. Her leadership style centers on collaboration, inclusion, and strengths-based thinking, empowering staff and partners to improve lives across Oklahoma.
Joy also serves as President of the Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma, where she helps advance policies and partnerships that strengthen the state’s behavioral health system.
A proud Muskogee native, Joy remains deeply committed to improving behavioral health care for her community and the entire state.

Zack Stoycoff

President and CEO, Healthy Minds Police Initiative 

Zack Stoycoff is president and CEO of Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, a nonprofit that leads policy and community change to end untreated mental illness and addiction in Oklahoma. He and his team advise state and local officials, treatment systems, schools, and other partners in developing data-driven solutions to behavioral health challenges across the state.
At Healthy Minds, Zack leads collaborations that have drawn millions of dollars into the state for new and enhanced treatment services and helped pass some of the nation’s strongest state legislation expanding access to behavioral health care. His work has advanced solutions around the youth mental health crisis, health insurance parity, and workforce shortages.
Zack has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma and 15 years of professional experience influencing public policy. He was previously vice president of government affairs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, and he has a background in journalism.

Sasha Teel

Executive Lobbyist, HB Strategies

Sasha has nearly 20 years of experience in Oklahoma government affairs, specializing in policy development, communications, and stakeholder engagement. She most recently served as Chief of Staff for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), overseeing government affairs, communications, strategic partnerships, and tribal relations. The department recognized her exceptional work ethic by naming her Employee of the Year at ODMHSAS. 

Earlier she served as a Media Specialist for the Oklahoma House of Representatives where she supported all 101 representatives from both parties with research, speech writing, legislative summaries, and press releases, while managing press conferences and committee meetings. Sasha also served as a Director of State Authorities for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), where she led teams in developing new rules and regulations, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws while improving program efficiency. Sasha also worked for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a Communications Associate. 

A native Oklahoman, Sasha earned a bachelor’s in Public Relations from the University of Central Oklahoma. During that time, she interned as a Capitol reporter for The Journal Record. She lives in Goldsby with her husband, Jamie, and their son.

Carly Rae Van Zant

Director of Public Relations, MyCare Technologies

Carly Van Zant is a communications leader at the intersection of media, technology, and mental health. With more than 15 years of experience in broadcast and digital media, she helps bring innovative solutions to the forefront—connecting communities, first responders, and providers to care when it matters most.

As Director of Public Relations for MyCare Technologies, Carly leads strategic storytelling and brand visibility for tools that are transforming mental health response and access. Her work amplifies real-world impact, helping organizations better serve individuals in crisis and beyond.

Deeply committed to her community, Carly also serves in advisory and leadership roles, using her voice to advance awareness, collaboration, and meaningful change in mental health.