Jodie collaborates with schools and community-based organizations to raise awareness, encourage open conversations about youth suicide, and strengthen support for young people. For more than 15 years, she has played an essential role in helping middle and high schools implement the SOS Signs of Suicide® program, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that teaches students how to recognize warning signs and seek help from a trusted adult.  Jodie provides hands-on guidance throughout every phase of SOS implementation, including planning, training, classroom instruction, screening, and data collection. She also leads school-wide training sessions that prepare faculty and staff to recognize and support students who may be at risk.

Before joining Elyssa’s Mission, Jodie worked as a school social worker and assistant principal at both the elementary and middle school levels. Her extensive experience gives her a deep understanding of the challenges facing today’s youth and the importance of schools, families, and communities working together to protect them. 

Throughout her tenure at Elyssa’s Mission, Jodie has witnessed firsthand the lifesaving impact of mental health screening and has helped connect thousands of young people to critical support. She takes great pride in knowing that each time she visits a school, at-risk students are identified and linked to the services they need.

Mary McNeill brings more than 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families to her role with Elyssa’s Mission. Mary began her career as a teacher where she taught in Chicago, China, Iowa, Japan and Russia.  As a result, she has acquired a unique perspective of people and cultures.  Mary works closely with students and families to gain a deep understanding of the challenges young people face both in and outside the classroom.

Following her career in education, Mary transitioned to social work, allowing her to further support students and families from a mental health and wellness perspective. She worked as a school counselor, where she provided support to students and collaborated with educators and families to address students’ social and emotional needs.

Mary currently maintains a private social work practice, where she works with children, adolescents, and adults. Her combined experience as an educator, school social worker, and clinician gives her a unique understanding of the importance of early intervention, connection, and creating supportive environments where young people feel safe asking for help.

At Elyssa’s Mission, Mary is committed to helping schools strengthen their suicide prevention efforts and ensuring that students have access to the support, resources, and caring adults they need to thrive.

Valerie assists middle and high schools to establish and/or refine protocols in their community before implementing the SOS Signs of Suicide Program. She supports schools with all aspects of the SOS program, including planning for programming and supporting schools on SOS days. Valerie helps schools navigate through the difficult, and oftentimes complicated process of losing a student to suicide. Valerie guides schools through the healing process as they transition back to a healthy and safe environment.

Valerie brings years of experience to the mission. She has provided therapy to children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as co-developed family-based treatment programs in her previous role with Riley Children’s Hospital. She provided community outreach and consultation services to mental health practitioners across the state of Indiana. Valerie holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Elmhurst College.

She possesses an unwavering commitment to promoting the positive well-being of groups and individuals facing adversity, in addition to a perspective that celebrates diversity.

Palma Lacey serves as the Director of Hope Squad Programming at Elyssa’s Mission, where she leads the continued growth and expansion of Hope Squad in schools throughout Illinois.

In her role, Palma works closely with elementary, middle and high schools, training and supporting school staff as they implement the program. Palma has witnessed firsthand how Hope Squad can transform school culture by teaching students to recognize when a peer may be struggling, offer support, and connect them with a trusted adult. She is constantly inspired and motivated by the students and educators involved in this program, who lead with kindness and empathy and find new, creative ways to connect their school community and ensure every student feels supported.

Palma was passionate about mental health, but became interested in the non-profit world while volunteering for Elyssa’s Mission in college. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Palma earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2015.

Kerry started volunteering at Elyssa’s Mission in 2019 and now works as a Program Assistant for the SOS program. Having been impacted in her personal life by the loss of a loved one to suicide, Kerry is passionate about educating young students about the signs of depression and suicide.

Kerry has a Learning and Behavioral Specialist Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Curriculum and Instruction Master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University.

Carol Felsenthal joined the board of Elyssa’s Mission shortly after its inception in 2006 . She brings her extensive background in human resources and recruiting to the board. In the early years of the Mission, Carol partnered with Ken Meyers and taught suicide prevention workshops in many of the schools where today we teach our SOS Signs of Suicide Program. She currently sits on the Nominating Committee. Carol earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Colorado and her MBA from Loyola University.

Ellen Hirsch has served Elyssa’s Mission in many capacities over her more than 7 years on the board, including being on the nominating committee, building the strategy for the cycle fundraising event, evaluating our school-based support services and providing planning for the annual fundraising event.

She has spent her career in Human Resources and is currently at Stepan Company. Prior to Stepan, she was at Hillrom in the capacity of Vice President, Talent Acquisition and DEI. In that role, she had global responsibility for the company’s comprehensive talent and diversity activities and strategy. Prior to that, Ellen spent 3 years at Hospira, leading the global talent acquisition function including the launch and scaling of an applicant tracking technology in EMEA, LATAM and APAC. She was published in HRO Today as a pioneer to address talent needs for high volume recruiting with recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), a cost-effective talent acquisition model.

Earlier in her career she led talent functions at Walgreens and W. W. Grainger, Inc. including 15 years as an executive Human Resource Business Partner. Ellen received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She enjoys competing in long distance running and triathlons.

Alan Meyers is a co-founder of Elyssa’s Mission and has served on its Board of Directors since the organization’s founding in 2006. As Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, he oversees all financial records, including the annual audit report and financial statements, which are prepared by independent firms. Alan also plays an active role in fundraising and supports the organization’s continued growth and financial sustainability.

Before becoming an independent financial trader, Alan served as Vice President of Sales at Prudential Securities for more than 30 years. His extensive experience in finance, sales, and leadership provides valuable knowledge and insight to the Board. As Elyssa’s father, Alan remains deeply committed to honoring her memory and advancing the Mission’s lifesaving work.

Jason joined Elyssa’s Mission as a board member in 2022 and has served as Board Chair since 2025. Having been personally impacted by suicide, Jason is deeply committed to advancing suicide prevention efforts and supporting mental health awareness.

Jason brings more than 25 years of finance and accounting leadership experience and has served on multiple nonprofit and for-profit boards. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Inogen, Inc. Prior to joining Inogen, he held leadership roles at Baxter International, Hillrom, and KPMG.

Jason earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He and his wife live in Wheaton and are proud parents of three daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis and following Indiana University athletics and the Chicago Cubs.

Liz Riggs is a dedicated college counselor and passionate advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. With over 20 years of experience guiding students and families through the college search and application process, Liz brings a unique perspective on the challenges teenagers face today.

A committed volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) since 2012, Liz has supported suicide loss survivors through peer-to-peer outreach, spearheaded impactful fundraising efforts, and advocated for public policy changes that promote mental health awareness.

Liz’s work is profoundly shaped by her personal experiences with suicide loss, fueling her commitment to providing hope and healing to others. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Elyssa’s Mission, bringing her experience and dedication to support its critical work.

Sarah Shaheen is a licensed school counselor and professional counselor. She worked as a high school counselor at Loyola Academy for 11 years before finishing her PhD in Counseling in 2022. As a school counselor, Sarah implemented and facilitated the SOS program with her students.

She is passionate about suicide prevention and education and has served on the board of Elyssa’s Mission for over seven years. During her time on the board, Sarah has assisted with Elyssa’s Mission’s programming and scholarship.

Sarah recently moved to Evanston where she lives with her husband and two children.

SOS Signs of Suicide, provider of mental health screening and programs, a Service of Riverside Community Care:

Meghan’s Bio

Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work:

Jonathan’s Bio