Margaret Sisson, Executive Director.  Ms. Sisson was inspired by her son's struggle with OCD and addiction to become an advocate for other families affected by these diseases. Ms. Sisson has worked to expand treatment options for families in Georgia by advocating for more therapists and clinics to specialize in OCD. She has focused in particular on OCD and Substance Use Disorder. Ms. Sisson was also on the board of OCD Georgia (an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation) She is a board member of OCD Gamechangers and a regular panelist on the Compassionate Connections webinar discussion OCD and Addiction. Her advocacy work has extended to partnering with Kennesaw State University and their Collegiate Recovery Program.

Susan Boaz, Trustee.  Ms. Boaz is President of the Board of Directors of the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation.  Ms. Boaz has been instrumental in raising awareness about PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep), a disorder that exhibits sudden onset of OCD symptoms.

Michael Jenike,  MD, A founding trustee who passed away Oct.2023. Dr. Jenike was the Founder and Director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Institute at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School Affiliate.  Dr. Jenike was also a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and the Founder of the OCD Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.  Dr. Jenike served as chair of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the IOCDF.

Mass General Department of Psychiatry is establishing the annual Michael Jenike Grand Rounds Lecture in Psychiatry to ensure that his legacy of research, teaching and mentorship of the next generation of OCD clinicians and researchers endures.

Teresa Wren Johnston M.A., LPC, MAC, Trustee. Ms. Johnston is the Founding Director of Kennesaw State University's Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery (CYAAR). Under her leadership the CYAAR has become a thriving Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) which provides recovery support services on the KSU campus, along with education and research in addiction and recovery science.  She is also an adjunct professor in the Psychology Department located in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.  Johnston is a licensed professional counselor specializing in substance use disorders, addiction education, intervention, and recovery. 

As a public speaker, Johnston presents at national conferences, summits, workshops and is often called to sit on expert panels on topics in addiction and recovery, collegiate recovery, strategic planning, fundraising, ethics and program sustainability.  She sits on the advisory board for Project Decoy, a collaborative Georgia wide research project with Emory University’s Department of Behavioral Health, participates on the advisory board of the Davis Direction Foundation, and is the state coordinator for GA Network. Johnston is the Founding President of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education and the CRC Southeast Summit.

She has been the recipient of multiple awards including Richmont Graduate University Distinguish Alumni Award, GCCA Clinical Program of the Year Award, the Georgia’s Governor Commendation for Service and the Association of Recovery in Higher Education Kitty Harris Lifetime Achievement Award.

Under her leadership the CYAAR has enjoyed statewide and national attention, featured on NPR’s A Closer Look, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, CBS 46: Atlanta News, The Marietta Daily Journal and The Saporta Report. Johnston has secured multiple grants for the University including the NCAA Choices Grant, the Cobb County Impact Grant and most recently awarded the first federally funded Collegiate Recovery Grant.

Johnston’s past experience in substance use disorder treatment and corporate America have provided her with a strong foundation as an executive leader in organizational and program development. As a licensed professional counselor, she also provides mental health and substance use disorder counseling in a small private practice.

Paula Littleton, Trustee.  Ms. Littleton is a Youth and Family Ministry Director and has worked in youth and family ministry for more than 20 years.  She has a particular passion for working to help people with mental illness and those living with people with mental illness to find suitable solutions and programs, often in coordination with teachers, counselors, doctors and pastors.

Mark B. Riley, Trustee.  Mr. Riley is an attorney and Founder of Urban Realty Partners, focusing on building infill, walkable and environmentally sustainable projects in Atlanta's in-town communities. He has been involved in public education in Atlanta since the early 1990s, and serves on the Atlanta School Board and as Director of The Sartain Lanier Family Foundation.  Mr. Riley has had personal experience with family members diagnosed with OCD and related illnesses.

Kevin Putman,Trustee. Kevin is the Founder of RUN OCD, a grassroots movement that raises awareness about OCD by sponsoring support groups, hosting events and educating others. Kevin also participates in national OCD conferences and has established himself as a go-to for OCD in his community. Kevin was diagnosed with OCD when he was in college and received treatment from the Houston OCD Program. He is passionate about OCD advocacy through raising awareness and educating.

Sarah C. Sisson, Trustee. Ms. Sisson is an advocate for OCD, anxiety, panic disorder, and substance use disorder. She graduated from Georgia College and State University with a Bachelors in English major with a concentration in creative writing. Sarah struggles with OCD and has a passion for helping those who struggle with mental health and addiction. She spoke on a panel at the 2018 International OCD Foundation’s annual conference in San Francisco as well as on a Lived Experience panel in Washington DC. Sarah is an Occupational Therapist Assistant and works in a Skilled Nursing Facility.