National Advisory Council

Providing guidance and expertise to the foundation on strategic planning, major grant initiatives, and other priorities.

National Advisory Council members have expertise in fields related to the Hogg Foundation’s mission, including psychiatry, community health, social work, sociology, philanthropy, public policy, and law. They bring a variety of perspectives to our work, including consumer and family advocacy, lived experience of mental health, public and private sector practice, academia, and rural life.

Appointed by the foundation’s executive director, council members serve staggered five-year terms and meet annually.

National Advisory Council, 2024
Tracee Black-Fall

Tracee Black-Fall

Term of Service: 2024 - 2029

Ms Black-Fall is a Certified Community Health Worker, Certified Family Peer Supporter, an Ohio Certified Prevention Specialist Assistant. Her impact extends nationally through her work with faith-based communities, where she enhances mental health literacy, promotes suicide prevention, and champions holistic wellness.

H. Stephen Cooper, MSW, PhD, LCSW

H. Stephen Cooper, MSW, PhD, LCSW

Term of Service: 2024 – 2029

Dr. Cooper is Professor of Social Work and Chair of the Department of Social Work at the University of North Dakota. He has more than 30 years of work experience in rural communities, including law enforcement, child and adolescent mental health, residential treatment, administration, and rural network planning and development.

Paolo del Vecchio, MSW

Paolo del Vecchio, MSW

Term of Service: 2021–2026

Mr. del Vecchio, a person in long-term recovery from mental health and addictions, has been a leader in the peer recovery movement for 40 years. Paolo is now an independent advocate to advance recovery-oriented policies and practices on national and international levels.

Angelique Harris, PhD

Angelique Harris, PhD

Term of Service: 2023 – 2028

Dr. Harris is Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and is an Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine in the Department of Medicine. Their research examines how groups construct health issues and how the structural marginalization and stigmatization they experience impact their experiences with health care.

Jennifer Maedgen, PhD

Jennifer Maedgen, PhD

Term of Service 2024 – 2029

Dr. Maedgen serves as the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator for The University of Texas at Austin, as well as the Electronic Information Resources Coordinator. Her office also coordinates accommodations under the auspices of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. She is a licensed psychologist in the state of Texas.

Dennis Mohatt

Dennis Mohatt

Term of Service: 2021 – 2026

Mr. Mohatt is the Vice President for Behavioral Health for the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, a collaborative venture with 15 western states, as well as the Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. He has over a decade of experience in community mental health.

Allen Smart

Allen Smart

Term of Service: 2024 – 2029

Mr. Smart is a national spokesperson and advocate for improving philanthropic practice under his group PhilanthropywoRx. He works with individual funders, philanthropy support organizations, regional and national rural organizations, and national nonprofits.

Luis Zayas, PhD

Luis Zayas, PhD

Term of Service: 2023 – 2028

Dr. Zayas is Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He is a nationally recognized academic and higher education administrator who has made significant contributions in the field of social work.