National Advisory Council

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.