Leadership & Staff

Andrea Sherwin serves as President and CEO of Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI). Andrea joined the organization in 2018 with over 26 years of experience in corporate marketing, strategic planning, management, sales and service, expansion planning, and managing teams. Prior to her appointment as President and CEO, Andrea worked in corporate marketing and served on the Board of Directors for MHANWI for four years, where she co-led the development of the organization’s new mission statement with management, staff, and other key members of the Board; served as Chairperson for the organization’s Marketing Committee; and successfully volunteered her time to develop, launch, and maintain MHANWI’s Facebook page for its first year of growth. In 2014, Sherwin was honored as the Influential Woman of the Year in Marketing & Media by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, as well as certification from the School of Bank Marketing & Management. In addition to her prior board work with MHANWI, Andrea’s community involvement has included serving on the Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly Editorial Board, various community-based marketing committees, and serving as a volunteer art instructor for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana early in her career.

Kimberly Smith joined Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana in 2018 as Vice President of Operations. A native of Lake County, she holds a Masters of Social Work from Indiana University Northwest and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Purdue University Calumet. Prior to joining MHANWI, she served as Executive Director for Early Learning Partnership of NWI (now merged with MHANWI) and has worked professionally with families and children for more than 23 years. Kim, a National Trainer for Parents as Teachers and an Adjunct Professor for the School of Social Work program at IUN, is dedicated to strengthening and expanding parent education and family wellness services in the region. She has been active on numerous task forces, committees, and boards, including United for Children, Hammond Reads, and Lake County Prevent Child Abuse. She has been named a NWI Women of Merit, an Influential Women Nominee, and a “Leaders as Heroes” award winner.

Joyce Leon serves as Vice President of Human Resources for Mental Health America Northwest Indiana (MHANWI).  She joined the organization in 2020.  She has over 40 years’ experience in the Human Resources field. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Indiana Tech College, where she teaches courses within the Human Resources and Business disciplines, and has been an Adjunct Professor for Indiana University NWI, Indiana Wesleyan, and Ivy Tech College.  She has served on various boards in the community throughout her career, most recently Mental Health American NWI, prior to joining the organization, and Northwest Indiana Workforce Board.

Joyce graduated from Loyola University, Master of Science in Industrial Relations, with a concentration in Human Resources, and Calumet College of St. Joseph, Bachelor of Arts in Management.

Her prior work experience includes positions as Director of Human Resources for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana, Director of Human Resources for LaPorte County Government, and Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources for Mercantile National Bank.  She was hired to create Human Resources Departments for LaPorte County Government and Mercantile National bank.

Joyce is an active professional member of the Society for Human Resources Management at the National and Regional level.

Wendy serves as Senior Director/Programs & Partnerships for Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI). She has over 15 years of experience in management and program development focused on building strong communities, thriving families, and children who are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. She earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs, with a concentration in Human Services, and is a certified trainer in Continuous Quality Improvement. Wendy also holds a Level IV Mentor Infant Mental Health Endorsement and serves as Vice President for Prevent Child Abuse Lake County. She is a member of the Lake County Child Death Review Team and serves on the advisory boards of First Steps of NWI and Real Fathers Initiative. Wendy is currently the co-chair of the Healthy Families Indiana Leadership Committee.

Terany has been with Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI) for 10 years and serves as Program Director. She began her career at MHANWI as a Family Support Specialist, moving up to Supervisor, in 2014 was promoted to Program Manager, and in 2020 was promoted to Program Director. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Purdue University Calumet (now known as Purdue University Northwest).

Michelle joined Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI) in 2018 as Program Director for Parents as Teachers, Empowering Teens as Parents, Ready to Soar, and Parents’ Village programs. She recently served as Program Director for Early Learning Partnership of NWI (now merged with MHANWI). She has nearly 16 years of experience in leadership roles and program development & management. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Alyssa Zilz, MSW, LSW, our Porter County Program Director has experience working with at risk youth & families and adults in addictions/mental health. She started as a Family Support Specialist in our Healthy Families program in June of 2015 where she helped provide in home services with our Infant Safe Sleep, Mothers & Babies and Baby & Me Tobacco Free programs. She was the promoted to Porter County Program Director in November of 2021. Alyssa holds a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University Northwest where she completed multiple internships as a School Social Worker. She currently holds her LSW in the state of Indiana and is endorsed in Infant Mental Health. She is also a member of Hub Coalition; Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition of Porter County; Porter County Client Consultation Board; and First Things First Initiative.