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Staff Type: Staff

With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Suzanne has held leadership positions in finance, fundraising, and program development, driving impact across community-based and healthcare organizations. She is passionate about person-centered care, equitable access to mental health support, and delivering outcome-driven services that improve well-being. Drawing on her extensive experience guiding organizations through strategic initiatives and evidence-based practices, Suzanne combines clinical insight with operational effectiveness to achieve meaningful impact.

Suzanne completed her undergraduate degree at UCLA and earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds certificates in Trauma-Informed Practice & Policy and Program Evaluation.

Lisa Karlov serves as the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) at DBSA, where she is responsible for financial management, human resources, facilities, technology, and legal services. Working closely with senior leadership, she helps drive operational efficiency, ensures financial health, and supports the organization’s overall mission.

Lisa works to maximize mission impact through the departments she manages, ensuring that financial and administrative functions support DBSA’s goals. She previously worked in nonprofit organizations and most recently served as a nonprofit financial consultant, where she helped optimize financial operations and improve systems. She holds a degree from the University of Illinois and is committed to advancing DBSA’s mission through strategic financial leadership.

Andrew Smith is a public health social worker with more than 15 years’ experience working as a program manager and advocate on behalf of individuals who live with mental health conditions and various disabilities. 

In his role at DBSA, he helped develop and now presents a series of community education workshops to help individuals better understand how to access quality care. Additionally, Andrew works to galvanize mental health advocates and policymakers to improve mental health care at the state and federal level. 

Andrew received his master’s degrees in both public health and social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has an extensive work history as a mental health professional and case manager. His direct-practice experience as a licensed social worker gives him the insight needed to improve the mental healthcare system. 

Interested in interviewing Andrew or having him speak at your event? Contact media@dbsalliance.org.

Q: Position Title
A: Individual Giving Project Manager

Q: Department
A:  Development

Q: What is your role?
A:  I am responsible for the oversight and facilitation of DBSA’s annual fund, major donor program, honor and memorial tribute gifts, board giving, planned giving programs, and our donor management system all of which support the long-term ability of DBSA to execute its mission.

Q: When did you start working at DBSA?
A:  October 2021

Q: What are you most passionate about in life and work?
A:  Staying positive, living a healthy life, and encouraging others to do so as well.

Lisa Goduco serves as the first line of contact for peers participating in Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD2) research and for facilitators, coordinators, researchers, and program vendors. Lisa is responsible for managing the administrative and first-line communication aspects of DBSA’s Peer Support Services Department, primarily focusing on DBSA’s partnership with the BD2 program.

Lisa has been a member of the DBSA staff since 2017, supporting peer specialist training and peer and policy engagement priorities for DBSA. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate of community service, consistently working to make a positive impact through her efforts and commitment to improving the lives of those around her.

Lisa earned a BFA in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design and BA in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago.

Douglas’ unique blend of professional and lived experience enables him to build and grow DBSA’s community of peer support specialists: people living with mood, substance use disorders and/or trauma who are trained and can be state certified and credentialed to help guide and support others in their own community to find wellness. 

Having experienced a mental health and substance use condition himself, Douglas strives to uplift others through peer support, community, and positivity. 

Douglas holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and is a state of Illinois certified and credentialed peer recovery specialist (CPRS).

Interested in interviewing Douglas or having him speak at your event? Contact media@dbsalliance.org.

Sabrina is the Development Operations Coordinator at DBSA and a highly skilled fundraising professional with 9 years of experience in donor data management, reporting, and stewardship. With a passion for driving donor engagement and retention, Sabrina optimizes donor database systems to ensure data integrity and deliver actionable insights to support strategic fundraising goals. Her collaborative approach and attention to detail have contributed to successful campaigns and strengthened donor relationships. Sabrina is excited to use her skills to further the mission of DBSA, creating lasting impact through strategic data insight and meaningful donor connections.

As a Senior Manager for the national office of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) in Chicago, Kimberly leverages her passion for social justice, lived experience, and early career experience as a patient advocate and a corporate partnership manager to establish robust relationships with DBSA’s medical-product development partners. In addition to serving as a senior fundraising manager, Kimberly also supports DBSA’s senior leadership team in its effort to create sustainable strategies toward the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). 

Her work has contributed significantly to growth and sustainability in the organizations’ fundraising pipeline and has helped to solidify DBSA’s reputation as the “trusted source” in the delivery of peer support & mental wellness resources and services.  

A native Chicagoan, Kimberly has over 20 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, and holds a B.A. in Psychology, from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is also a dedicated mother, daughter, and cat-owner.  

Kimberly and her team work tirelessly to enhance mental health equity, leveraging strategic alliances to amplify their impact.  

 Contact Kimberly by emailing Development@DBSAlliance.org.

As the Digital Communications Manager, Maria focuses on building DBSA’s brand and reputation through digital experiences, social media engagement, and other communications/marketing strategies. She is a firm believer that those who live with a mental health condition can and do lead productive lives with purpose. With her own lived experience, she’s able to bring the peer voice to DBSA’s external and internal communications.

Eduardo is currently serving as DBSA’s Accountant. He provides financial support to the organization on a day-to-day basis and long-term financial reporting. He ensures DBSA is compliant with financial policies and regulations and monitors the organization’s overall financial health and stability. 

Eduardo earned his BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois and brings over 15 years of prior experience working in the financial fields of nonprofits. He is committed to optimizing financial operations through cross-functional collaboration. Eduardo hopes to make a positive impact on mental health by using his skills to further the DBSA mission. 

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