Who we are
Our Staff
Annmarie Cameron
Annmarie is a native northern Californian who moved to the south coast to attend college in San Luis Obispo. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1986 with a degree in Psychology and Family Studies. Moving further down the coast, Annmarie moved to Santa Barbara in 1989 and quickly became a volunteer at the Fellowship Club of the Mental Wellness Center, and then went on to become the CEO.
Annmarie Cameron has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Wellness Center since 1992. During her tenure, the organization has expanded to provide additional affordable housing, educational programs in local schools and established a community center for all to access at the agency headquarters on Garden Street.
With each passing year Annmarie has become more determined to see the needs met of those who live with mental illness and those of their care giving families and friends. Education, practical solutions such as affordable housing and integrated healthcare promoting early intervention resources are her top priorities.
Gabriela Dodson, LCSW, MSW
Director of Wellness & Recovery Programs
gdodson@mentalwellnesscenter.org
(805) 884-8440 ext 3296
Gabriela Dodson, LCSW, MSW, is our Director of Wellness & Recovery Programs, a position that pairs well with her more than 25 years of professional experience in mental health developing holistic programming, working with people experiencing mental illness and homelessness, as well as directing clinical services and hospice-based programming. Gabriela is charged with expanding our programs, services, and education outreach to meet the community’s needs at organizations including Family Service Agency, Santa Barbara Public Defender’s office, and Hospice of Santa Barbara.
Pauline Keeble
Administration/Finance Manager
pkeeble@mentalwellnesscenter.org
(805) 884-8440 ext 7237
Pauline Keeble, Director of Finance & Administration, and has been serving Mental Wellness Center for over 10 years leading business office operations. Pauline oversees the MWC administration, facilities contracts, and all MWC accounting and regulatory reporting. Additionally, she has oversight over the Garden Street and Eleanor Apartments.
Nick Papageorge, LMFT
Residential Services Manager
npapageorge@mentalwellnesscenter.org
(805) 884-8440 ext 3246
Nick Papageorge is a long-time resident of the Central Coast. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in clinical psychology at Antioch University, Santa Barbara. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and credits his long-time therapist for inspiring him and piquing his interest in psychology.
As Director of Residential Services, Nick is primarily responsible for the oversight and operations of Mental Wellness Center’s four licensed Adult Residential Facilities which permanently house adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Nick loves those he serves and those he works with, and couldn’t imagine working anywhere other than Mental Wellness Center.
Liat Wasserman, MA/MSW
Director of Development & Communications
lwasserman@mentalwellnesscenter.org
(805) 637-6151
Liat Wasserman, MA/MSW, comes to Mental Wellness Center after a career in public relations, several years as a grant writer and, most recently, Development and Communications Director at Unity Shoppe. Wasserman brings strategic thinking, effective communications, event planning and donor relations experience to her work with all groups – clients, foundations, corporate and private donors, and all other supporters. A mother of two, Wasserman has spent years volunteering in her area of expertise by serving on committees and boards for local causes: education, cross-cultural communication, religious and ethnic diversity, and event branding.
Julieta Silva
We can’t underestimate the power we have as individuals to provide the support that people need to transition from a place of pain to a place of possibility.
Dr. Vivek Murthy
U.S. Surgeon General