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Mental Health Matters: Trauma and the Pandemic Speakers
Tara Auclair, Director at Crescendo Consulting Group brings her deep experience in the healthcare industry and her career aligning with mission-driven organizations to Crescendo Consulting Group as Director. She has held various roles in a multitude of organizational environments including health IT, start-up, hospital, medical society, multi-stakeholder coalition, non-profit and private practice. A process-oriented strategic thinker, Tara enjoys working with individuals and organizations to ensure the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.
Tara previously worked for Crescendo where she served as the Marketing and Member Services Manager for the Maine Health Management Coalition (now the Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine). Other career highlights include managing public, community and media relations; social media; crisis management; employee communications; and the customer reference program management for a fast-growing health IT company. Additionally, Tara’s past experience includes consulting; developing and executing strategic marketing plans; planning regional healthcare summits, charity award luncheons and galas; membership sales for country clubs and resorts; human resources and employee training; and researching the benefits and best practices of innovative workplaces.
Tara earned her BA from Tulane University and her MBA from Boston University. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeast Florida, Chair of The Longest Day and advocates at the state and national levels. She’s a long-time member of the Junior League where she has held numerous leadership roles and received the Outstanding Service Award in 2019.
Gwinnell Brant, MPA, CPM, is a seasoned, civilian law enforcement professional, with a career at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office spanning three decades. She currently serves as their Director of Mental Health Services, a position created in early 2022, tasked with assessing and enhancing mental health-related processes within the agency to ensure best practices are employed. She serves as liaison to external behavioral health stakeholders, fostering collaborative efforts to best serve the citizens of Polk County.
Prior to this assignment, Gwinnell served as Director of Professional Compliance for nine years, leading agency strategic planning and accreditation processes for the 2,000+ member agency. In the course of her career, Gwinnell led the transition of Sheriffs and subsequent agency reorganization when Sheriff Grady Judd was elected; created and managed a citizen Sheriff’s Advisory Council; served as liaison with the Florida Sheriffs Association; supported agency legislative lobbying efforts; and led multiple special project teams.
Currently, Gwinnell is completing her dissertation toward a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Liberty University. She received her Master of Public Administration from Troy University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Warner University. Additionally, Gwinnell attained her Certified Public Manager designation from Florida State University’s Florida Center for Public Management.
Gwinnell is actively involved in Polk Vision processes, currently serving on the Government and Behavioral Health Teams. She is a graduate of Leadership Polk (Class IX) and Leadership Lakeland (Class 37). She is also an active member of the Lakeland Rotary Club, having served on the Board of Directors and as Communications Chair.
Kirk D. Fasshauer, LCSW, FT, CTM, is the Director of Crisis Response Services for Peace River Center. He has been with Peace River Center for 20 years and was responsible for creating the Crisis Response Team. Kirk has over 30 years of various mental health and psychiatric emergency health care experience. Kirk holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida. He is also a trained crisis/hostage negotiator and a certified Field Traumatologist.
Nicole Sweat, MS, BA is currently the Behavioral Health Program Manager at Lakeland Regional Health. She has worked at LRH in the Behavioral Health Department for 20 years in a variety of roles thus knows the full spectrum of the current program. She oversees all therapists, social workers, legal processes of Baker Act Court, as well as recreational and therapeutic groups. Nicole is a fierce behavioral health advocate and has been so in Polk County, Lakeland area well over 2 decades. She sits on multiple boards such as the Baker Act/Marchman Act Advisory Group for Circuit 10 as well as the FACT Team advisory group. She has been integral in the formative years of programs in Polk County such as Helping Hands, NAMI, as well as the practice of using of Peer Specialists in the hospital settings to connect more patients to appropriate care in the community. Nicole is a known expert in mental health law for both children, adults, and senior adults. She is a transformational and inspirational leader since her joy for what she does is contagious.
Alicia L. Wilkinson, MSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is both diligent in her field and committed to the profession. She started her journey in 2011 with a passion to help advance the wellbeing of those she serves. Her mission is to successfully empower individuals, families, and the community abroad by providing information and skills needed to thrive and maintain healthy systematic relationships.
Ms. Wilkinson is currently employed through BayCare Health Systems where she works as a Licensed Clinician, contracted through the Polk County School Board helping students reach their social and emotional goals.