Crestline Advisors Team of Executive and Senior Consultants

Susan Dess, R.N., M.S. – Managing Director, Emerita

Susan (Sue) Dess is a veteran health care management professional and the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Crestline Advisors. Sue founded Crestline Advisors in 2013. Her background includes over 25 years of managed care experience, holding executive management, business development, operational, and clinical leadership positions in large heath care systems and national managed care organizations. Examples of past roles include Senior Vice President of Health and Wellness of ValueOptions, Inc.; Chief Executive Officer of ValueOptions of Arizona (the largest Managed Behavioral Health Organization contract in the country at the time), and Vice President of Care Management and Emergency Room Services at St. Agnes HealthCare.

Sue is also a Registered Nurse who spent 25+ years as a Public Health, Emergency Room, and Critical Care Nurse. Her experience gives her an understanding of the social determinants, medical, and behavioral health issues that impact the “big picture” of health care and the importance of integrated care.

As the C.E.O. of Crestline Advisors, Sue works closely with clients and consultants, valuing collaborative teams, ensuring the best resources, and driving high-quality outcomes for each Crestline Advisors project. She received her B.S.N., M.S. in Administration and Certificate in Managed Care from the University of Maryland. Sue serves on the Board of Directors of several community organizations and, throughout her career, has received multiple service awards.

Tim Mechlinski, Ph.D., M.H.A. – Managing Director

Tim Mechlinski is the Managing Principal of Crestline Advisors. Tim is a well-rounded health care management consultant with experience in R.F.P. response development, project management, program design, workflow development, operational review, and compliance auditing.

Tim leads most of Crestline’s proposal response development team, assisting clients with all facets of the R.F.P. response process, including pre-opportunity review, pre-RFP release work, and R.F.P. strategy and review. He is an experienced researcher with extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative approaches. By specializing in data analysis and visualization, Tim uses his skills to drive successful R.F.P. bids and to assist clients in presenting the data that demonstrates the value they bring to their clients and customers.

Tim joined Crestline Advisors in February 2014. His previous roles include working as a lecturer and professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Lewis and Clark College (Portland, OR), and California State University Long Beach. Tim also worked as a senior program evaluator for federal grants.

Tim earned his Bachelor of Arts in French and Sociology and Master of Health Administration at the University of Southern California, and his Ph.D. in sociology at UCSB. His academic work has appeared in both theoretical and applied peer-reviewed academic journals. Tim is also an alumnus of the Peace Corps.

Shannon Walters, M.C., L.A.C. – Associate Managing Director

Shannon Walters is a versatile professional with more than 30 years of experience in the health care industry. She became a consultant with Crestline Advisors in 2015 and is now the Associate Managing Director for the company. Over the years, she has supported RFP response development for numerous Medicaid MCOs and procurements, building strong relationships with health plan clients along the way. She excels in writing for care management, behavioral health, clinical scenarios, network, and provider relations content areas for varied population types. She previously managed and served as an auditor on our Program Integrity Audit team. She now supports oversight of our Network Management project to help health plan clients meet provider contracting goals during implementation or expansion.

Prior to her work with Crestline Advisors, Shannon worked in both provider and Medicaid MCO settings, holding leadership positions in behavioral health/crisis call centers and utilization management, provider relations, and network operations departments. Shannon has been responsible for the management and oversight of large multi-team departments. With a focus on customer service and employee morale, she developed policies, procedures, workflow improvements, and effective employee training and supervision protocols. These efforts lead to increased employee satisfaction and performance and improved relationships with providers.

Shannon received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Counseling degrees from Arizona State University. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor in Arizona. She recently moved to the Los Angeles area, after living in the Phoenix area for more than 30 years.

Jennifer Brummet, L.P.C.

Jennifer Brummet is an adaptable professional with over 20 years of experience working in various behavioral health care and child welfare settings across the country. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona since 2007, Jennifer is also an approved clinical supervisor under the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Clinically trained in the treatment of eating disorders, trauma, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, substance abuse, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Jennifer’s experience working in both the public and the private sector enables her to assist organizations in acquiring accreditation, credentialing, and licensing. Jennifer’s expertise extends to designing and implementing programs for populations with complex behavioral health conditions and multi-system involvement.

Jennifer joined Crestline Advisors in 2015. Since that time, she has worked with an array of health care entities. These include integrated health care, behavioral health, mental health organizations, state agencies, and managed care organizations (MCOs). Her consulting focus includes leading project management teams for the implementation of statewide foster care organizations and RFP writing on topics related to complex populations. In addition, she has experience conducting clinical and quality audits for providers and MCOs.

Jennifer Brummet received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Arizona State University and her Masters in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. An avid student of yoga and a certified children’s yoga instructor, she helps other yoga teachers understand and work with children with special needs.

Cameron Cobb, MSW

Jeanne Golden-Burke, M.A.

A versatile professional with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Jeanne Golden-Burke has worked in both provider and managed care organizations, holding leadership positions in provider relations, network management, eligibility/enrollment, and revenue cycle.

Through these positions, Jeanne was responsible for meeting compliance measures surrounding network management, provider satisfaction, and eligibility and claims functions. She accomplished this through establishing new processes and procedures, training and enhanced reporting standards and capabilities. These results led to improved provider and community satisfaction and accounts receivable trends. Jeanne has supported multiple managed care organizations with recruitment and pre-RFP activities, as well as implementing Medicaid MCO contracts. Her areas of writing expertise include provider relations and network management/operations. She has also supported provider agencies with resolving complex claim issues, reporting, and implementing electronic health record capabilities.

Jeanne joined Crestline Advisors in 2022. Since that time, she has assisted health plans across seven states with Medicaid and/or D-SNP managed care Request for Proposal response writing.

Jeanne received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Oregon State University and Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, NY.

Jeanne also serves as the Treasurer for the Arizona Showmen’s Association and has been living in the Phoenix metropolitan area since 2005.

Jessie Gillam, M.C., L.P.C., N.C.C.

Michele Grignon, M.C., L.P.C.

Michele C. Grignon is a seasoned health care management expert with 25 years of experience in managed care consulting, health care accreditation, clinical operations, and call center environments. Michele has served in management and executive roles for national managed care companies and provider organizations, overseeing utilization management functions, training programs, and behavioral health and nursing crisis intervention services.

Michele joined Crestline Advisors in October 2016 with a primary focus on request for proposal writing; completing utilization review and fraud, waste, and abuse auditing projects; and managed care operations projects.

Michele received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her Master of Community Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She became licensed as a professional counselor with the Board of Arizona Health Examiners in July 2004. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Individuals through the Arizona Trauma Institute.

Elizabeth Harken, J.D.

Elizabeth Harken is a seasoned compliance executive with experience in a broad array of health care programs throughout the United States. Elizabeth served as the chief compliance officer for a national managed behavioral health organization. During that time, she oversaw compliance with 15 state Medicaid programs, as well as Medicare Advantage, Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), state insurance requirements, federal contracts, and Employee Assistance Programs. She has developed and managed: the fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) prevention and detection program; privacy program, including implementation of Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) amendments; compliance training and education; and internal audit and ethics hotline. In addition to her compliance experience, Elizabeth served as the director of grievance and appeals. She was responsible for developing and operationalizing policies, workflows, and staff training materials consistent with state and federal requirements.

Elizabeth joined Crestline Advisors in January 2015, with a primary focus on compliance programs, fraud, waste and abuse prevention, and detection, and operationalizing health care regulations, accreditation standards, and licensing requirements. She also provides proposal response development services, primarily focusing on legal and regulatory functions.

Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa. She is a member of the State Bar of Arizona.

Roni Hooper, LMSW

Roni Hooper is a highly skilled executive with over 25 years of Medicaid/Medicare experience in the healthcare industry. Throughout her career, Roni has held important positions in Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and has been involved in critical departments such as the behavioral health adult system of care and clinical operations. Her executive-level oversight of large provider programs has resulted in obtaining contracts based on RFP responses, the development of strategic plans, policies, procedures, workflows, root cause analysis/interventions, and supervision protocols. Roni’s unwavering dedication has improved employee satisfaction, efficient operational programming, integrated behavioral health and primary care, and successful management of yearly budgets.

Roni joined Crestline Advisors in May of 2022 to aid health plan and provider clients. She offers a wide range of services including developing integrated RFPs for MCOs, strategic planning, managing clinical operations, improving processes, creating policies and workflows, implementing new programs, and conducting audits and reporting.

Her RFP writing specialty includes utilization management, care management, behavioral health, case scenarios, comprehensive assessments, integrated care plans, integration of PH and BH.

Roni obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Dana College in Nebraska and a Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University. She received her Associate License in Social Work with the Board of Washington Health Examiners in 2023. She has been living in the Seattle area since 2018 after spending 17 years in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Annette Kuhn-Wine

Annette Kuhn-Wine is an adaptable and forward-thinking professional with 30 years of experience in healthcare. Beginning her career as a certified substance abuse counselor, Annette has also gained operational experience in managed care settings, including provider relations, provider network development, network adequacy, provider training, and monitoring. For the past 15 years Annette has consulted nationally for large and small, non-profit healthcare agencies optimizing business and clinical functions, leveraging technology such as Electronic Health Record (EHR) implementations.

As a writer, Annette has written grant applications and proposals ranging from local program development, and service delivery to statewide Medicaid managed care contracts specialization in staffing, training, administrative requirements, and network management. She works collaboratively with accountable owners and subject matter experts to design and develop solutions to address RFP specifications and requirements, which then informs the development of the proposal response.

Leading EHR implementations and provider network projects, Annette has experience producing and delivering successful results within complex business environments. Her responsibilities include analyzing specifications, leading solution design sessions, creating technical and training documentation, and facilitating change management sessions paving the way for business optimizations and efficiencies.

Annette received her Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies from Park University and Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Graphic Design from Newman University.

Lisa Palucci, DNP, NE-BC, CPHQ, CSSGB

Beth Pfile, LCSW

Armando Peelman, EdD, M.S.C.

Armando Peelman has more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health and managed care.  He has worked in both provider and health plan organizations as an administrator, director, trainer, and clinician. As the plan administrator he was responsible for the clinical, contractual, and operational oversight of all contracted Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient, intensive outpatient, substance use residential, eating disorders, and integrated care providers.

Armando also as a subject matter expert on Human Development, Mental Health and Wellness, and Trauma Informed Care for universities.

Armando has participated in numerous RFP and RFA bid proposals. His areas of writing experience include case management, evidence-based services, assessment and screening, community-based organizations, value added services, child welfare, case scenarios, adult and children behavioral health.

Armando has a Master of Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix and a Doctor of Education degree with emphasis on Behavioral Health from Grand Canyon University. He is a Licensed Associate Counselor in Arizona and has lived in the Phoenix metropolitan area since 2003.

Joanne Scillia, R.N., B.S.N.

Joanne Scillia is a registered nurse with over 30 years of senior-level experience within the healthcare space, including public and privately held for-profit organizations, not-for-profits, and startups.  Ms. Scillia has extensive experience in building new programs and re-establishing current programs, incorporating improved efficiency, quality, and financial performance using technology, improved policy, training, and establishing a culture of accountability.

Joanne’s expertise includes the following populations and programs Medicaid, Medicare, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans, institutional care, and chronic special needs programs.  She has held executive-level positions within health plans, Accountable Care Organizations, integrated health systems, health care consulting organizations, and provider organizations such as hospice, palliative care, and home care. She is highly familiar with the Joint Commission and the National Committee for Quality Assurance and has led multiple organizations through successful accreditation. Joanne’s knowledge base extends into population health, risk stratification modeling, integrated complex care management, long-term supportive services, utilization management, and behavioral health.

Joanne joined Crestline Advisors in 2022, with a primary focus on proposal writing (e.g., care management, long-term services and supports, utilization management, quality, and value-based payment arrangements) as well as utilization review and data validation projects, managed care operations projects and population health, including risk stratification methodology and hot spotting.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Florida International University and resides in New Jersey.

Michelle Squire M.S.N, R.N., C.C.M.

Michelle Squire is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience in health care, including acute care, commercial non-profit health insurance, and managed care operations. She has extensive experience driving health care strategies in diverse and rapidly evolving environments, propelling growth, and improving processes throughout organizations.

Before her consulting career, Michelle was the Director of Medical Management for a large health plan in New York City. She was responsible for pioneering innovative ways to deliver high-quality and cost-effective healthcare to some of the state’s most vulnerable populations, through the establishment of best-in-class care management and utilization management programs.

Michelle is a published author, with her 2019 publication about Whole Person Care Management leading care management solutions and strategies across the healthcare continuum. Her publications focus on evidence-based and holistic approaches to population health and the necessity for integrated methods in care coordination processes.

Michelle joined Crestline in 2022 with a primary focus on proposal writing. Her areas of expertise include population health, care management, utilization management, quality management, maternal and child health (including medically fragile children and foster care populations), transitions of care, LTSS, diabetes self-management, risk stratification, and information technology.

Michelle received her Master of Science in Nursing Degree from Walden University and resides in New Jersey.

Jeanna Thorpe

With over 25 years of health care experience, Jeanna Thorpe has worked with managed care organizations, state agencies, and providers in over 20 states. She brings to the table a unique perspective of having consulted with multiple types of entities. These include not-for-profit and for-profit providers of service, county and State governmental entities, and not-for-profit and for-profit national and regional managed care entities, as well as serving on the leadership team for a national managed care organization in Arizona.

Jeanna has extensive knowledge of Medicaid/Medicare managed care and health plan operations. Specific areas of expertise include provider network design, development, and management, contract negotiation, provider relations; credentialing; member services, regulatory compliance, and policy development.

As a proposal writer, Jeanna has worked on over 100 proposals ranging from local program development, and service delivery to statewide Medicaid/Medicare managed care contracts. She works collaboratively with accountable owners and subject matter experts to design and develop solutions to address R.F.P. specifications and requirements, which then informs the development of the proposal response. She also has experience serving as the proposal manager responsible for producing and delivering compliant proposals within complex business environments. Responsibilities included scheduling and running proposal kick-off meetings, leading solution design sessions, facilitating key review meetings, final document review, and coordinating proposal governance/sign off. Jeanna’s writing expertise includes network development and management.

Additionally, Ms. Thorpe has been part of the “on the ground” implementation team for several statewide Medicaid health plan implementations. Jeanna has over 20 years of experience as a Principal Consultant with a focus in healthcare; she began working with Crestline Advisors in 2014.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University.

Julie Trottier

Christine Wells, Ph.D., M.B.A.