Leadership

Meet the Executive Team

Gaudenzia’s established group of professionals has over 300 years of combined experience in substance use disorders and related fields.

As a team, we are passionate about our mission, work on some of the most challenging and complex substance use problems our clients face, and deliver high-impact outcomes every day.

COVID 19 1Dale Klatzker, PhD

Chief Executive Officer, Gaudenzia, Inc.

Dr. Klatzker has over 40 years of leadership experience in behavioral health…Read More

Leadership 54Dr. Patricia McKernan

Chief of Staff

Dr. McKernan has over 30 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, community corrections, and homeless services…Read More

Leadership 48Gadi Aronson, MSW

Chief Community Engagement Officer

Mr. Aronson has 30 years of fundraising experience. As a seasoned community organizer…Read More

Clay CauleyClay Cauley, Sr., Esq.

general counsel

With more than 17 years of experience as an attorney, Mr. Cauley is an advanced litigator…Read More

Leadership 52Nicholas Chaban

Chief of administration

Mr. Chaban has over 30 years of financial management leadership experience. He holds a…Read More

Doug Hilton

Doug Hilton, SPHR

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Doug Hilton began working for Gaudenzia in a contractor capacity and HR leader in March 2020…Read More

Leadership 55Erin Pressel, MS, MBA, CCJP, CCDP

CHIEF STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Ms. Pressel has over 14 years of experience in the mental health and drug and alcohol service systems…Read More

Leadership 70Bhavani Raghavan Lobo

Director of quality assurance

Ms. Raghavan Lobo has over 19 years of experience in the substance use disorder, criminal justice, and mental health fields…Read More

Leadership 58David Slinger

chief executive officer, gaudenzia foundation

Mr. Slinger’s track record includes overseeing the launch of many of Gaudenzia’s program sites, from…Read More

Leadership 60Cecilia Velasquez

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Ms. Velasquez has done much to advance the treatment and awareness… Read More

Bill Wilson, MS

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

Mr. Wilson is responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation… Read More

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Leadership 64Kristy E. Blalock, LCPC, LCADAS, MAC, NCC, BCPC, CADS

Chesapeake

Ms. Blalock has over 20 years of behavioral health experience providing clinical and…Read More

Florence Paige

Central

Ms. Paige has worked in the behavioral health field for over 30 years.  Her work in…Read More

Leadership 67Gail Hannah

Eastern

Ms. Hannah has served in various roles at Gaudenzia. Since 1984, she has…Read More