Who We Are

Deborah Gribbin

Chair of Board of Directors

Deborah Gribbin is the Chair of CAN’s Board of Directors. Deborah has over 25 years of experience working with nonprofits, running organizations and providing individual counseling to those in need. Deborah previously served as the US Director of The Atlantic & Pacific Exchange Program (APEP), a nonprofit headquartered in the Netherlands. She came to CAN almost two decades ago through her work as a grants manager for the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation. She then developed an immediate connection to the organization’s leadership and mission. Since the passing of Effie Smith, Deborah has served as our volunteer Executive Chair, fulfilling many of the duties of an interim-Executive Director. Deborah’s career has centered on assisting those in need and helping nonprofits become more effective and efficient. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Michelle Dyson

Training and Outreach

Michelle Dyson brings a sympathetic ear and over 40 years of personal and familial lived experience to her role as an advocate. Michelle advocates for persons with mental health and substance use challenges, conducts CAN-developed trainings in a number of areas, and is certified in both Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Emotional CPR (eCPR). She is a licensed MHFA instructor and eCPR trainer. In addition to her work with CAN, Michelle is a part of the Department of Behavioral Health Stakeholders’ group, a member of the Behavioral Health Planning Council’s Planning and Accountability Committee, and serves on the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Council.

Pertrina Thomas

Senior Advocate

Pertrina Thomas is CAN’s current longest-serving Advocate. Pertrina is semi-retired, but regularly steps in to help CAN and its consumers. She joined CAN as a volunteer in April 2017 after nearly a decade as a consumer within the DC mental health system. With CAN’s support, Pertrina developed the skills to navigate the system and advocate for herself, ultimately paving the road to recovery. This lived experience has made her both eager and well-equipped to advocate for others. Since joining CAN, she has helped resolve hundreds of consumer cases, liaising with core agencies, case managers, and other organizations to help those in need to find their own recovery roads. Pertrina approaches treatment holistically and understands firsthand the role the arts can play in recovery. She credits part of her healing to having had the opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center with The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts.

Bernita Paige

Director of Advocacy

Bernita Paige is CAN’s Director of Advocacy. Bernita brings over 15 years of working within the government, and with a diverse group of consumers and customers. She was a housing counselor for over two years and she recently obtained her Peer Recovery Certification. She has over 20 years of lived experience in the Mental Health & Recovery System. With a background in customer service and mentoring, she has become well-informed and knowledgeable about how to field consumer inquiries. She is eager to learn and assist consumers with everyday situations and overcoming obstacles that they may be presented with. As a single parent raising three daughters, her method was to always be able to listen and assist when needed. She believes it is important to keep the lines of communication open and to approach each situation differently. In her spare time, her and her husband would go out to talk with the community about their paths to recovery. Every year, she sponsors 3-5 families at Christmas time.

Simon Fuerstenberg

Executive Director

Simon Fuerstenberg is CAN’s Director of Operations. Bringing more than 10 years of experience working in government and nonprofits, Simon joined CAN as program manager in February 2020 and initially worked with then-Executive Director Effie Smith to manage a grant from The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since then, Simon’s responsibilities have grown to include not only program management but also grant work, contracting, and supporting the Board of Directors in the day-to-day running of the organization. In his current role, he supports the work of CAN’s advocates by maintaining compliance and providing operational assistance in whatever form necessary. Prior to his work with CAN, he served as Grant Manager and Education Associate at Relief International, worked for the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and was an independent contractor to USIP, USAID, and Family Health International 360. He is certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and Emotional CPR (eCPR), is part of the Department of Behavioral Health Stakeholders’ group, and serves on the Behavioral Health Planning Council’s Planning and Accountability Committees well as the DC chapter of Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Advisory Board. Simon holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Economics and History from Hamline University and a Master’s in International Affairs from The George Washington University’s Elliott School.

Monique Townsend

Resources Specialist

Monique Townsend is CAN’s Resources Specialist. She joined CAN through the organization’s partnership with the DOES Project Empowerment Program. This program seeks to reduce economic disparity by serving DC residents facing multiple barriers to employment. With decades of lived experience navigating the DC mental health system, Mrs. Townsend is highly knowledgeable about CAN’s resource networks and core agencies in DC. She began her internship eager to learn more about the mental health care system, share her wisdom, and develop more extensive networks with service providers. Mrs. Townsend has now completed a 6-month intensive training and earned her HIPAA and WRAP certifications. She has utilized her lived experience and training to serve countless individuals seeking support through CAN, and now holds the positions of Resource Specialist and Office Notary. A dedicated staff member and longtime consumer of DC mental health services, she is uniquely positioned to assist CAN consumers. Above all, Mrs. Townsend brings a genuine passion for helping others navigate the DC mental healthcare system alongside other DC-based resources.   

Ayana Baker

Administrator

Ayana Baker is CAN’s administrator. She is certified in HIPAA procedures and Wellness Recovery Action Plan. Ms. Baker is a Washington DC native with experience in the Behavioral Health system in the city. Ayana is a cinnefile and loves to support the arts in the city. She believes in the art of self-care.

Effie Smith