Hello

Hello, I’m Summerlee. My commitment to re-entry, behavioral health, and community transformation comes from lived experience. Having been incarcerated myself, I understood the barriers of rebuilding long before I ever stepped into leadership roles. That reality fueled my determination to create real change for people facing the same challenges I once overcame.

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Over the past 15 years, I’ve earned multiple degrees and professional credentials, including becoming a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) and a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS). These credentials have allowed me to support individuals dealing with addiction, mental health struggles, trauma, and the difficult transition back into society.

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One of my proudest accomplishments is returning to the same facility where I once served time—this time as an educator and program developer. I created and taught re-entry programs inside the prison, giving women the tools, mindset, and practical skills needed to reclaim their lives. That work set the foundation for the mission I continue to carry today.

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I have extensive experience working with high-risk populations in the adult behavioral health sector. I have taught mental health day treatment groups, SUD (Substance Use Disorder) groups, and facilitated classes focused on coping skills, emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and relapse prevention. My work also includes case management, peer support, and serving as a court liaison, helping clients navigate legal requirements, treatment compliance, and successful re-entry.

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My behavioral health career has included partnerships with several organizations across Ohio, where I collaborated with clinical teams, case managers, court systems, and community programs to ensure clients received consistent, high-quality support. This work strengthened my ability to advocate, coordinate services, and build systems that truly meet people where they are.

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Before entering nonprofit and behavioral health leadership full-time, I served for seven years as both Marketing Director and Operations Director for a Black-owned company in Columbus, Ohio. Those years sharpened my skills in administration, branding, team leadership, and organizational growth—skills I now utilize through my company, Synergy Solutions Consulting, where I help small businesses strengthen operations, clarify their vision, and scale sustainably.

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My dedication to community extends far beyond professional roles. I have been an active speaker, advocate, and leader through initiatives like Women Just Like Me, the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, and multiple youth-focused programs across the state. Working with high-risk youth has allowed me to combine mentorship, education, and behavioral support to guide young people toward healthier paths.

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I also completed a paid internship in Charlotte, North Carolina, at their Community for Transition program, where I served as a Re-entry Coordinator and Peer Supporter. There, I helped returning citizens build transition plans, access resources, and regain stability—an experience that deepened my understanding of the re-entry system from both sides.

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With more than a decade of leadership, advocacy, and direct service work behind me, I remain committed to building programs, supporting families, and creating opportunities for people to rise above their circumstances.

My work is personal. My purpose is clear. And my mission is to help others build lives filled with dignity, stability, and possibility.