NY-AC-365 - Policy Strategies to Advance Mental Health, the Arts and Social Justice...During a Pandemic

Margaret Carlock-Russo, EdD, LCAT(NY), ATR-BC, ATCS, is a board certified art therapist and licensed creative arts therapist, currently serving as the President of the American Art Therapy Association. Margaret has over 25 years of experience as an art therapist working with individuals and groups. Much of her career has been spent working with people with health conditions or impairments, learning disabilities and dementia. Most recently, she has developed Chroma Soul Arts, an organization focused on providing community groups and retreats, addressing issues of aging, social connection, self-care, and wellness. Margaret is also an associate faculty at Prescott College, coordinating their Expressive Arts Therapy Post Master’s Certificate Program.

Since 2013, Ms. Stine has advocated for the availability and accessibility of psychological services for the American Psychological Association.  In her role as senior lobbyist and leader of advocacy organizational relationship initiatives, she engages in lobbying and policy development on federal health care issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, telehealth, parity, integration and workforce, and creates strategic alliances and collaborative opportunities. 

Prior to joining the APA, Stine spent over a decade as the chief lobbyist for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law – a national legal- advocacy organization- where she managed a diverse portfolio of federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting children and adults with mental disorders in the areas of health care, education, and justice. 

For over ten years, Ms. Stine co-led the Health Policy Committee of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG)- a coalition of over 70 national mental and behavioral health organizations- on a range of key federal legislative efforts, including the passage of mental health parity, the Affordable Care Act and comprehensive mental health reform, and is now serving as the Chair of the MHLG Board of Directors. 

Ms. Stine received a Bachelor's degree in psychology from UCLA, a Master's in clinical psychology from SUNY-Binghamton and a Juris Doctorate from the Washington College of Law at the American University in Washington, D.C.

Brian D. Banks, is a Government Relations professional with over 20 years combined professional experience within NGO’s, Associations, and For-Profit organizations. He has spent the majority of his career working in his hometown of Washington, DC where like many others he was bit by the politics bug. Brian earned his undergraduate in Communication Studies, where he focused on Media Affairs, and Business Communication. He then earned his MA from The Catholic University of America in Politics with a focus on Congressional Studies.

Within his career he has focused on local, state, and federal policy issues that primarily focus on improving the lives of people. Brian also teaches as a Professor of Communications, his goal is to bring his real-life experience as a spokesperson and lobbyist into the classroom where he primarily teaches Fundamentals of Communication with a focus on business and policy. Brian has been seen on many networks including the Food Network, BBC, NPR, and BET for issues relating to the Federal Safety-Net, Education, and the Environment.

He has spent his career as an advocate and lobbyist where he has educated and empowered legislators to make informed decisions that support their constituents in the areas of; Mental Health, Access to Healthy Foods, Education, Gaming, Healthcare, and Tax issues to name a few. He has had the honor of serving as a lead for Government Affairs at many prestigious organizations including serving at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Air Force. He was also chosen as a community leader by the Obama Administration, where he primarily focused on the nations safety-net programs. Brian has received several awards for his undying commitment to service, including being recognized by the U.S. Department of State for providing his expertise to the international U.S. and African Leaders Program, and he received the Professional and Community Excellence Award from Porsche in 2016.

Brian is a devote husband to Sheela Banks whom he met at Marshall University where they both were student-athletes. They have two children; Dominick who is a U.S. Marine, a daughter Skylar. And a crazy Labradoodle named Lyric. When Brian is not working he is likely traveling with his family, or adding to his art and antique collection.

Marete Wester is Senior Director of Arts Policy and the National Initiative for Arts & Health in the Military (NIAHM) at Americans for the Arts (AFTA) where she advances and develops cross-sector policy issues and strategic alliances nationally and internationally. Among her primary current focus areas include arts and military/veterans issues, international engagement, as well as public health. During her tenure, she has helped develop and launch several of Americans for the Arts’ signature policy forums, including the annual National Arts Policy Roundtable at Sundance. She helped initiate and now facilitates and manages the National Initiative for Arts and Health in the Military—an effort that brings military/civilian agencies in to advance the use of arts and creativity as tools for health for all service members, veterans, their families and caregivers. She serves as Americans for the Arts’ Creative Forces Project Director for the Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Endowment for the Arts. 

An experienced administrator of cross-sector collaborations and initiative development, she is responsible for managing major strategic alliance relationships, including stewarding formal Memorandums of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Health Administration, and collaborations with diverse national service organizations and public agencies. She holds a bachelor's of music performance degree from Wilkes University, PA and a master's degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia.