Meet the Staff
Director of Programming
Kristin Varnell
Kristin Varnell is a licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, with degrees in Psychology/Theatre and a background in teaching Special Education. She came into mental health advocacy through a deep interest in the human mind, and a desire to use her Occupational Therapy skills to help others live a meaningful life while living with mental illness. She says, "Physical and mental health cannot be separated from the other. Mental health advocacy is leading the way to a healthier society!" She challenges anyone reading this to engage in gratitude, love others, and to live mindfully in the present!
Meet the Board
Board President
Dylan Silva
Dylan Silva brings extensive business acumen to the board as well as his passion for the clubhouse model that addresses mental illness with a unique and data-driven approach. He holds degrees in Business Management, Business Administration and is pursuing his doctorate in Strategy and Innovation from Capella University. He currently works for a globally recognized Strategy/Management consulting firm where he helps clients drive innovation forward with new strategies, new technology, and efficiency. As a result of his involvement in a nationwide mental health foundation known as "Be Nice" and his interest in following the Clubhouse model, he stands ready with the passion and skills to build a brand and a reputation for Charlotte Clubhouse to be one of the top clubhouses globally.
Vice President of Operations
Hillary Young
Hillary is an experienced project manager, consultant, and operational specialist with a Master’s in Performance Enhancement Psychology. She brings expertise in process improvement, change management, and organizational consulting to help individuals and teams achieve their goals. With a strong background in non-profit work, including philanthropy, fundraising, and direct care, Hillary is passionate about fostering community impact and driving meaningful change through strategic planning and compassionate leadership.
Vice President of Community Outreach
Lynn Puma, MSW, LCSW
Lynn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in mental health working in Charlotte, NC, for over 20 years. Lynn owns a private practice and is an adjunct professor in the School of Social Work at UNC Charlotte. Lynn brings a vast network of mental health connections in the community. Mental illness can be very isolating, and CC's focus on getting members together is why this program does fantastic things for this community.
Secretary
Megan McCann
Megan Leach McCann is a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist, currently serving as Department Chair for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. She has also been involved in the advocacy group, NC OT Alliance for Mental Health Promotion since its inception. As one of the founders of Charlotte Clubhouse, Megan has kept the momentum going since day one with her excellent organizational and communication skills. She says, "It has been amazing to see the progress and growth since opening in October of 2022. I enjoy serving the members of Charlotte Clubhouse, especially when I can be a part of the Work-ordered Day."
As a true Occupational Therapist, Megan lists the following meaningful roles and occupations in her life: mom of dogs and humans, spouse, pedestrian, cyclist, dancer, reader, yogi, cook, organizer, daughter, sister, friend, volunteer, and equity advocate.
Treasurer
Larry Clark
Larry is a CPA in North Carolina who has owned and operated his own accounting firm, Larry A. Clark, CPA, PLLC for the past twenty years. He has utilized deep skillsets in budgeting, cash management, internal controls, fixed assets, job costing and more to work with his particular passion of non-profits. Larry has held CFO and Controller level positions during his career, and he is currently Director and CFO for DBI Fire and Security. His strengths of leadership, communication and teamwork have been particularly useful in his experience with such organizations as Youth Meditation, Crisis Assistance Ministry, the Charlotte Chapter of NAMI, and facilities specifically targeting homelessness, women's and children's issues, addictions and other mental illnesses. Larry says, "I am excited about the potential for Charlotte Clubhouse to provide real substantive help to the Charlotte mental health community."
Member on the Board
Eric Brooks
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Board Member-at-Large
Khalil Khouy
Khalil is a highly motivated Certified Data Scientist and goal-oriented team player / product owner striving to help organizations in resolving data issues, optimizing workflows, and mitigating risk through leveraging Collaboration, Dark Data Analytics, Ideation, Conceptualism, Creation, and Lean Implementation. KhaliI owes his success to his family, friends, current and past co-workers and educators. He is always ready to learn more, to interact more, and to do more. Favorite hashtags include #grateful #alwaysopentoconnect #obssessedwithgoals #obssessedwithcreatingimpact. Khalil says, "I am happy to help the Charlotte Clubhouse Board of Directors by providing diverse insight and approach to measure progress over time, as well as learn, interact and ideate directly with the board members.”
Board Member-at-Large
Jacqueline Mayo
Hello, my name is Jacqueline Mayo OTD, OTR/L, I am an occupational therapist and the chair of the Master of the Occupational program at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord, North Carolina. Jacqueline has experience as a school-based therapist, serving as a member of the early childhood leadership team, diagnostic team, and the equity team. She received a Bachelor of Science in occupational therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University, a post-professional Master of Science from Boston University Sargent College, and a post–professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. Jacqueline’s interests include the development of a cultural competence training program for educators and is a member of the North Carolina DEI. She is also a member of the NC Interprofessional Education Leaders Collaboration (IPELC) whose goal is to identify and immerse students in real world interprofessional experiences before entering clinical practice. Jacqueline is also involved in identifying evidence-based methods for the development of professional reasoning skills in occupational therapy students.
Honorary Board Member
Linda Vigen Phillips
Linda wrote a book in 2014 called Crazy, based on her experience growing up with a mother with bipolar disorder, and she has been an active mental health advocate ever since. With a degree in Sociology and a teaching certificate she has taught braille, worked with developmentally disabled adults, taught writing and reading to students with learning challenges, spoken at numerous reading, writing, and mental health conferences nationally, directed a drop-in center for persons with mental illness and their families, and become one of the founders of Charlotte Clubhouse. She says, "Charlotte Clubhouse is near and dear to my heart, and I want to be available in the best possible way to assure that this viable program survives and thrives in Charlotte."