MHARS Board Bids Farewell to Longtime Board Member and Welcomes New Staff

On June 1, 2021, Pamela Waite stepped down from her board position on the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board. Since its merger in July 2019, she had served as the Board’s vice chairperson.  Pamela served on the former Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County since 2016 and prior to ADAS merging with the Lorain County Board of Mental Health in 2019.

“Pamela continued to ensure that the Boards focused on client-centered, outcome-driven service delivery,”  said, Executive Director Emeritus, Elaine Georgas.

Pamela has an extensive background in advocacy, nursing and mental health. The MHARS Board staff and board thank her for her service and lending her expertise. She will be missed. The board has begun its internal process for filling her position as vice chairperson.

This week, the MHARS Board welcomed its new Executive Director Michael Doud. Interim Executive Director Elaine Georgas will assist in Doud’s transition.

“Michael brings to the job an exceptional combination of energy, sensitivity, and proven leadership. Both the Board and Staff are impressed with his extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio, his three decades of service within the mental health/substance abuse area, and his strong management skills,” said Board Chair Dr. Hope Moon. “We expect Michael to not only continue the MHARS Board’s excellent programs, but to work with partners and funders to help expand the MHARS Board’s programs to more people in need.”

Click here to read more about him.

The MHARS Board was also joined by a new Communications and Community Relations Director, Nancy Kelsey, in May. Nancy brings a diverse background of experience to this position.

Most recently, she served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s office starting out as its Social Media & Digital Communications Manager. Her previous experience includes communications work with Cleveland State University’s Division of University Engagement and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In addition, she has nearly 10 years of experience as a reporter working in newsrooms around the country for news services, print, radio and digital media. She also spent two years working as an AmeriCorps volunteer teacher on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. She resides in Cleveland with her husband and two dogs.