This session will explore how COIVD has impacted employee mental health and effected substance abuse in our communities. Speakers will share their perspectives and provide the information human resources professionals should know to help address these emerging issues.
The Speakers:
David Pankotai was appointed by the Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) Board of Directors as its Chief Executive Officer beginning on December 17, 2018. David is an experienced executive with a demonstrated thirty-plus years work history in the behavioral health care industry.
He previously held the position of Executive Director for ConsumerLink Network, Managed Comprehensive Provider Network (MCPN) funded by the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority to manage services and supports for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Starting in 2002, David developed ConsumerLink Network as a successful start-up corporation that grew to $100+ million dollars in annual revenue and over 6,000 members.
Under the direction of the County Executive, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and the Macomb County Community Mental Health Board, Dave now leads Macomb County Community Mental Health in the provision of a wide variety of mental health treatment and support services to adults and children with mental illness, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and people with substance use disorders. David holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling from Oakland University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of Michigan-Flint.
David and his fiancé, Kimberly, are both long-time residents of Macomb County.
Traci Smith is a workforce professional with over twenty years of successful experience in leading and managing human service professionals. Traci’s career first began as a Case Manager assisting low income individuals in accessing resources while establishing and reaching their career goals. Her career includes experience managing the delivery of workforce services, career counseling and acting as a college academic advisor. As a compassionate goal driven professional she found her passion in helping others discover and maximize their talents.
Prior to joining MCCMH, Traci was a Regional Director for a national workforce development company. As a Regional Director she managed locations throughout the eastern US leading seven senior leadership teams delivering workforce development services to over 100,000 customers annually. In 2016, Traci joined Macomb County Community Mental Health (MCCMH) as its Chief of
Staff. Traci has the privilege of leading MCCMH's talent engagement initiatives for its 500 team members. During her career Traci has presented nationally on best practices for workforce development program design and delivery. The accomplishment that she is most proud of is her continuous relationships with the professionals she has had the privilege to coach through the ranks.
Traci has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Masters of Arts degree in Counseling from Oakland University. Some of her other professional development includes graduate level training in Career Development Facilitation and Training. As a resident of Macomb County you may find her at the local hockey rink supporting her husband Michael and son Easton.