Our Dedicated Staff
Meet the Team Guiding Your Teen’s Growth
At HavenRise Academy, our team is the heart of everything we do. Every therapist, educator, and support professional is here because they believe in teens—their resilience, their potential, and their ability to rise even during difficult moments. Our staff brings together deep clinical expertise, genuine compassion, and a shared commitment to creating a safe, structured, and uplifting environment.
Your teen’s healing begins with connection, and that’s exactly what our team provides—steady support, evidence-based care, and a space where every young person feels seen, valued, and empowered.
Jamie Stevens
Chief Executive Officer
Jamie Stevens
Chief Executive Officer
Known for her servant-leadership approach, Jamie builds strong, values-driven leadership teams focused on outcomes, integrity, and exceptional client care. At HavenRise, she oversees organizational strategy, growth, and clinical excellence, ensuring that every service reflects the mission of providing high-quality, compassionate mental health support to adolescents and families.
Mandy Jack, LMHC
Chief Clinical Officer
Mandy Jack, LMHC
Chief Clinical Officer
At HavenRise, Mandy leads all clinical programming and oversees the medical team, therapeutic services, and behavioral health technicians. She is passionate about building high-quality, client-centered clinical environments where adolescents receive compassionate, developmentally appropriate, and evidence-based care.
Lindsey Crites
Vice President of Operations
Lindsey Crites
Vice President of Operations
As Vice President of Operations at HavenRise, she oversees operational strategy, compliance alignment, vendor partnerships, and all intake and utilization review functions that support high-quality clinical and medical services. Lindsey is known for her strategic mindset, calm leadership, and commitment to building efficient systems that enhance outcomes for youth and families.
Dr. Blazen Draguljic, M.D.
Medical Director & Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Blazen Draguljic, M.D.
Medical Director & Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Draguljic has held medical director roles within the U.S. Air Force, served at leading children’s hospitals, and taught as faculty at Mayo Clinic, University of Florida, and Creighton University. He brings extensive expertise in complex psychiatric conditions, crisis stabilization, and evidence-based treatment for adolescents.
Known for his calm, collaborative approach, Dr. Draguljic is passionate about helping youth and families build resilience, hope, and long-term mental wellness.
Sara Holt
Director of People & Culture
Sara Holt
Director of People & Culture
At HavenRise, she oversees People & Culture, ensuring a supportive, compliant, and values-driven environment for staff and clients. Sara is passionate about servant leadership, meaningful employee experiences, and creating systems that allow people to thrive while delivering exceptional care.
Ava Suleiman, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ava Suleiman, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Ava’s background includes work in pediatric behavioral health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, inpatient detox and residential programs at Lakeview Health, and behavioral health units supporting clients ages 5 through adulthood.
Known for her compassionate, steady presence, Ava is dedicated to empowering adolescents to understand their mental health, build coping skills, and move toward meaningful change.
Marixa Seiler, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Marixa Seiler, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Cristina has worked extensively with youth in crisis, supporting them through evaluations, medication management, therapy, and evidence-based interventions. She is known for her trauma-informed, relational approach, and for partnering closely with families, therapists, and interdisciplinary teams.
Her passion is helping adolescents feel seen, supported, and capable of creating a healthier future.
Chrissy Orr, LMHC
Licensed Therapist
Chrissy Orr, LMHC
Licensed Therapist
Chrissy has provided therapeutic services at Nemours Children’s Health, where she offers brief interventions, psychosocial assessments, crisis support, and family education. Previously, she served as a family reunification counselor and in-home therapist, partnering closely with caregivers and multidisciplinary teams to promote safety, emotional regulation, and healthy communication.
Chrissy is passionate about helping youth and families feel heard, supported, and empowered to develop the tools they need to thrive.
Natalie Medina, M.Ed.
Family Therapist
Natalie Medina, M.Ed.
Family Therapist
Her career has focused on strengthening family relationships, empowering caregivers, and helping young people build resilience. Natalie brings expertise in navigating complex family dynamics, supporting parents through challenging transitions, and coordinating care across multidisciplinary teams.
At HavenRise, Natalie provides compassionate, structured, and highly collaborative family therapy services, helping families communicate more effectively, repair patterns of conflict, and create a supportive environment for long-term healing.
Bianca Croyle, LCSW
Licensed Therapist
Bianca Croyle, LCSW
Licensed Therapist
Bianca’s work centers on evidence-based interventions, emotional regulation, academic and behavioral support, and coordinated care with multidisciplinary teams.
Bianca is committed to providing inclusive, compassionate care that empowers adolescents and families and connects them with resources for stability and growth.
Soraya Orr, LMHC
Licensed Therapist
Soraya Orr, LMHC
Licensed Therapist
With extensive experience using evidence-based modalities—such as CBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness-based interventions, and solution-focused strategies—Soraya supports clients navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, identity development, and major life transitions.
She is known for her affirming, strengths-based approach and her ability to create safe, collaborative therapeutic spaces where clients feel valued and understood.
Samantha Canuel, M.Ed.
Educator
Samantha Canuel, M.Ed.
Educator
Her experience spans charter schools, public schools, and vocational programs, where she has led classrooms, supported GED preparation, trained teachers, and driven student success through data-informed strategies. At HavenRise, Samantha blends her strong educational background with her passion for student empowerment, helping adolescents build confidence, skills, and academic momentum while receiving clinical care.
MarKeisha Benson
Behavioral Health Technician
MarKeisha Benson
Behavioral Health Technician
With experience assisting diverse populations across mental health, medical, and caregiving settings, MarKeisha brings patience, professionalism, and a steady, supportive presence to every client interaction. She is passionate about maintaining a safe, structured environment where adolescents feel respected and cared for.
John Boote
Intake Representative
John Boote
Intake Representative
John brings exceptional empathy, strong communication skills, and a natural ability to help families feel understood and supported during their first interactions with HavenRise. His calm presence and authentic connection style help adolescents and caregivers feel welcomed, heard, and ready to begin their healing journey.
Bethany Karlovich
Outreach Representative
Bethany Karlovich
Outreach Representative
At HavenRise, Bethany connects with community providers, schools, and referral sources to ensure families and adolescents have access to the right level of care. She is known for her warmth, professionalism, and genuine commitment to helping families find supportive, effective mental health treatment.
Shaun Brown
Front Desk Professional
Shaun Brown
Front Desk Professional
Shaun’s background includes roles with the Department of Juvenile Justice, LAPD, and major private organizations, where she excelled in managing high-volume communication, confidential documentation, scheduling, and multi-department coordination. At HavenRise, she ensures that the front desk runs seamlessly while offering every client and family a kind, supportive, and professional first point of contact.