We are excited to announce BrainFutures’ new Board President, Jeff Richardson, MBA, LCSW-C, a fierce advocate for behavioral health with more than 30 years of experience, including two decades in community-based care. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer ofIntegral Care, which provides high-quality, low-cost healthcare to people impacted by mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Jeff is the father of four adult children, one of whom has special needs. That lived experience fuels his commitment and his current work to ensure equitable access to behavioral health services for families facing similar challenges.
He also brings a long-standing commitment to nonprofits and innovation, including previously serving as the Board Chair for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
“I am honored to serve as President of the Board of Directors of BrainFutures. BrainFutures is driving innovation in brain health and wellbeing to ensure that transformative, evidence-based treatments reach the people who need them most.”
- Jeff Richardson, MBA, LCSW-C
We're grateful for Jeff's nine years on the BrainFutures' board and now for his leadership as Board President as we continue pushing innovations forward.
There are several indicators that 2026 could be the year the FDA approves the first psychedelic medication, but will clinics be ready? Will these treatments be accessible?
Senior Director, Jazz Glastra, spoke with Josh Hardman of Psychedelic Alpha and other national experts about concerns, open questions, and the excitement for patient impact.thingPowerfu
We are at a critical moment as we await the first FDA approvals. Creating real access requires preparation and shifts in both policy and practices.
Bridging Research and Practice
A Fireside Chat
To move from insight to implementation, we're engaging partners and national leaders to ensure the systems are ready. During a fireside chat this week, held in partnership with Sunstone Therapies, U-PEP, and the Office of System Catalyst, distinguished guests from 50+ organizations joined us as we explored current research, clinical applications, and the systems that must be built to deliver this care at scale, and make new treatments accessible to those who need them.
During the fireside chat, Bridging Research and Practice, Marketa Wills, MD, MBA, FAPA, CEO/Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association, shared opening remarks.
Sarah Norman, Executive Director of BrainFutures, hosted the engaging conversation and opened with these thoughts,
"Strong data from clinical research and even FDA approval are not enough to reach patients at the time and place they need support.
Creating comprehensive access in communities across the United States – including rural, urban, and suburban communities – requires shifts in practice by providers and behavioral health systems. BrainFutures is collaborating with clinicians, patients, and our partners to ensure patients have real-world access to these treatments after FDA approval. We urge you to join us.”
- Sarah Norman, Executive Director, BrainFutures
The fireside chat panel featured insights from:
Manish Agrawal, MD | Founder & CEO of Sunstone Therapies
Mary (Bit) Yaden, MD | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, John Hopkins University
Rachel Yehuda, PhD | Director, The Parsons Research Center at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Adriana Manygoats de Julio, MD | Medical Director of Aurora Mental Health; Representative for the American Indian Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association
Tyler Norris, MDiv | Co-Founder and Director, CEO Alliance for Mental Health
We are grateful for the work of these clinician-researchers who are pushing the frontiers of science to discover new treatments that can reach people for whom existing treatments have not helped.
BrainFutures is collaborating with provider associations to build the necessary infrastructure to translate research to practice.
We've published 16 expert reports and toolkits on psychedelic assisted care, all led by clinicians, peers, and consumers.
"Bridging research to practice also requires partnership. No single organization, clinic, or researcher can build this infrastructure alone. Provider organizations, clinicians, professional associations, researchers, policymakers, healthcare payers, peers, and perhaps most importantly, patients must have a seat at the table."
- Sarah Norman, Executive Director, BrainFutures
The work is urgent and timely, which is why partnership is the only path to real system readiness.
Engaging Behavioral Health Leaders To Ensure Access
We also need to ensure the wider behavioral health ecosystem is ready. That means bringing system readiness into conversations with organizations like the Mental Health Liaison Group Health Committee, a nonprofit coalition of 100+ national behavioral health organizations, families, caregivers, providers, advocates, and other stakeholders working together to strengthen access to care.
BrainFutures’ Executive Director, Sarah Norman, presented on psychedelic medicine and highlighted BrainFutures’ strategies and tools to advance system readiness, shifting policy and practice.
Advancing Brain Health Together
There’s no doubt change can’t wait! People are desperately awaiting new treatment options, and BrainFutures is ensuring that these cutting-edge treatments move out of the lab, off the shelf, and into lives.
From Capitol Hill to the classroom, we’ve focused on psychedelic medicine and youth mental health advancements.
Learn about our milestones from last year that set the stage for what's ahead and see why we're more energized than ever for the future of mental health.
"I've used BrainFutures' toolkits to brief decision makers in Washington, helping prepare for a smooth rollout of psychedelic therapies. BrainFutures' work is helping chart the path to access after FDA approval."
