Collaboration in Action
About LIPLA
our purpose
We unite behavioral health and substance use professionals across Long Island.
The Long Island Professional Liaison’s Association (LIPLA) is a community of clinicians, providers, and professionals dedicated to advancing behavioral health and substance use care. We exist to create meaningful connections, share knowledge, and strengthen the support systems available to individuals and families across Long Island.
Our mission is to bring like-minded professionals together to collaborate, exchange resources, and elevate the quality of care in our community. We believe that by uniting expertise and fostering professional integrity, we can expand opportunities for growth, learning, and collective impact.
Our vision is a stronger, more connected behavioral health network. One where collaboration leads to innovation, partnerships drive positive change, and every member contributes to a healthier Long Island.
Guided by integrity, driven by purpose
Commitments We Uphold
Collaboration
Building meaningful connections across the behavioral health community.
Community Impact
Working collectively to support individuals and families in need.
Knowledge Sharing
Promoting education and professional growth through open exchange.
Integrity
Upholding ethical standards and mutual respect in every partnership.
The People Behind Our Vision
Meet the Team Behind LIPLA
LIPLA’s Board of Directors is made up of seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds in substance use, mental health, and related fields. Each member contributes unique expertise and leadership to advance our mission of uniting, educating, and supporting the Long Island professional community. Together, they ensure that LIPLA remains a dynamic, trusted resource for those dedicated to improving care and services for individuals and families affected by addiction and mental health challenges.
Paul Gillen,
Wellbridge
President
See more
Paul is the Senior Outreach Representative for Wellbridge Rehab for over two years. He is a native Long Islander who believes meaningful connections are the foundation for lasting impact. With a mix of strategic thinking, creativity, and compassion, Paul works to build partnerships, create growth opportunities, and bring fresh solutions to complex challenges. His goal is simple: to connect people with the resources and support they need to succeed.
Stephanie Morgan,
Kenneth Peters/Forge
Vice-President
See more
Stephanie Morgan is the NY Outreach & Engagement Coordinator for Forge Health and Kenneth Peters Center for Recovery. Born and raised in Central NY / Syracuse, Stephanie obtained a BA in Psychology from SUNY Cortland, focusing on behavioral and developmental psychology. Deviating from a planned career in behavioral health, Stephanie spent a decade in hospitality management and operations. In the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, however, she was drawn to return to a field of helping others navigate the complex field of mental health and addiction treatment. Stephanie is passionate about finding ways to bridge gaps in information and communication, especially for family members and loved ones feeling lost in the system. She now lives in Sayville, NY with her husband Joe raising their 3 children.
Ryan Fidotta,
Rolling Hills Recovery
Secretary
See more
Ryan is a dedicated leader in the behavioral health and recovery field, currently serving as Executive VP of Business Development at Rolling Hills Recovery Center. With robust expertise in healthcare, and business development, he plays a vital role in expanding access to addiction treatment by cultivating strategic partnerships, enhancing outreach, patient experience, and driving organizational, and community growth.
Alexandra Gleason, North Shore Relationship Center
Treasurer
See more
Alexandra Gleason is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, owner of North Shore Relationship Center. She is the secretary for LI PLA. Fun facts: Alexandra is the mom of 7 year old triplets, is in Ayurvedic culinary school and studies the Akashic Records!
Aynisa Leonardo,
Water Gap Wellness
Membership Chair
See more
Aynisa Leonardo is a Licensed Clinical Art Therapist (LCAT, ATR-BC), who has been in the field of addiction and mental health services for over a decade. She is the VP of Clinical Outreach at Water Gap Wellness, in support of community outreach, treatment placement, education, and program development. She has concentrated on advanced clinical education, locally and nationally, providing evidence-based and interactive presentations for treatment facilities, non-profits, and corporate agencies, to raise awareness on current trends, reduce the stigma associated with accessing care, and improve collaboration within the healthcare community. She also founded Military Resilience Foundation in 2013, providing holistic and community based events in the community for veterans and first responders.
Fun Fact- Aynisa’s first career was filmography and photography.
Annette Morreale, Integrity Treatment Partners
Event and Education Committee
See more
Annette Morreale is the Director of Business Development for Integrity Treatment Partners and Integrity Sober Homes. She is a driven and compassionate professional dedicated to helping others, passionate about making a positive impact, fostering meaningful connections and bringing creative solutions to every challenge.
Nicole Augustino Carey,
Praesum Healthcare
Ethics Committee
See more
Nicole Augustino Carey is an accomplished business development leader in behavioral healthcare, specializing in mental health and addiction services. She has designed peer workforce development programs that strengthen community support systems and expand access to care. Guided by ethical leadership principles, Nicole champions transparency, accountability, and equity, fostering trust between organizations and the communities they serve. Her collaborative approach unites stakeholders, drives sustainable growth, and ensures that initiatives remain mission-focused and community-centered.
Fun fact / she helped organize a local recovery event that drew more people than the town’s annual parade.
Dawn Harris,
Victory Recovery Partners
Public Relations
See more
With more than 25 years of experience in the field of substance use disorder, Dawn Harris is a dedicated and seasoned professional recognized for her expertise in complex clinical cases and her impactful work at the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system. Throughout her career, she has served in a wide range of clinical, administrative, and advisory roles, consistently advocating for evidence-based treatment approaches that prioritize recovery, dignity, and long-term stability.
Ms. Harris’ work has focused on some of the most challenging populations—individuals with co-occurring disorders, histories of trauma, and deep involvement in the criminal justice system. Her ability to navigate these complexities with clinical insight and systemic understanding has made her a valued leader in multidisciplinary teams, court-based diversion programs, correctional treatment initiatives, and reentry planning.
Fun fact: Ms. Harris enjoys theater and dance. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Christina McMahon, Nassau County for Victory Recovery Partners
Public Relations
See more
Christina began her journey in the field at Seafield Services outpatient, where she worked as an assessment counselor before becoming the primary counselor for a caseload of individuals recently released from incarceration. This experience deepened her understanding of the complex challenges faced by those re-entering the community and strengthened her commitment to providing compassionate, person-centered care.
Christina later played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation of Victory Recovery Partners’ flagship OASAS-certified outpatient program. Her leadership and dedication were instrumental in shaping the program’s early success. She went on to serve as the Executive Director of Victory’s Shirley location, where she continued to advance the organization’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality care.
In addition to her work at Victory, Christina also served as Director of Access at Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research. In that role, she focused on reducing barriers to care and expanding patient access to life-saving treatment.
Currently, Christina serves as the Regional Vice President of Nassau County for Victory Recovery Partners, overseeing clinical operations and performance improvement across the region. She is proud to be an active member of LI-PLA and remains deeply committed to improving behavioral health outcomes across Long Island.