STAFF

Chief Advocacy Officer

Michelle Tinkler (she/her) has been in the Behavioral Health Field since 2008, when she worked at a crisis stabilization until in Pierce County. After that, she worked for the Pierce County Behavioral Health Organization (BHO), where she worked in Continuous Quality Improvement leading to her career as the Pierce County Ombuds for six years. 
Michelle has a Business Management degree focused on Healthcare Administrative Management and continues her legacy of sticking up for people’s rights and neutrally negotiating complaints and grievances with provider organizations. Michelle is passionate about following the rules and challenging any stigma and rights violations in the Washington State Behavioral Healthcare system. Michelle has emerged as one of the most respected conflict resolution specialists in Washington State. She is respected by her peers and sits on several policy committees, including the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, and she currently chairs the Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy Advisory Council. 

Michelle is an even-tempered realistic individual with personal experience and professional experience in the systems that serve people in Washington State. 

Director

Tisha Robbins (she/her) was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. She has worked in behavioral health services for almost 30 years, starting as a Mental Health Technician and later as a Mental Health Counselor. One day, while flipping through the local newspaper's employment/job search section, she came across an ad looking for a "mental health advocate and problem solver." She applied and was hired as the Director of Mental Health Ombuds Services for Spokane County. During her 16 years of service as an Independent Contractor for the Spokane Region, she began to expand her services. In addition to her role as Ombuds, she became the region's Quality Review Team Coordinator. She grew her role as mental health Ombuds for Spokane County to become the Behavioral Health Ombuds for all seven counties in the region (before 2019). Once her tenure with the Spokane Region ended, she collaborated and consulted with other Behavioral Health Ombuds across the state, later taking the role of Behavioral Health Ombuds Outreach Coordinator for the nine counties within the Greater Columbia Region. Tisha has spent the past 20 years dedicated to the cause of behavioral health advocacy and education. 

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She feels strongly that her role as Behavioral Health Advocate is to help individuals share the power of their voice and impact regional and state-wide behavioral health services in Washington State. Tisha has had the opportunity to attend many educational and certification opportunities; some of her most valued include; Mental Health First Aide Facilitator Certificate, Mediation, Leadership Academy, Crisis Peer Support training, and Motivational Interviewing. 

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Tisha enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends at their cabin on Deer Lake. She enjoys spending time on the water, playing a good game of horseshoes or beach volleyball. When she is not advocating for the rights of others, she can be found spending time with her family, which includes a large extended group of individuals she refers to as her "family unit." Tisha loves to cook, and every Saturday (spring to fall), she can be found hosting a huge family-style dinner and spending quality time with her "family unit."

Program Manager

Andy Levitt (he/they) grew up in Vancouver, WA with their parents and one sibling. Andy began battling with mental illness and self-harm around age 12 and struggled immensely in their teens and young adult years. While struggling with his mental health, Andy attended Washington State University Vancouver and became the “straight ally” president of their queer/straight alliance for a year before they realized that they were also queer and nonbinary. Andy met his partner, a trans man, at age 25 and together they moved to Olympia, WA in 2016, where they battled abject poverty and near houselessness while Andy worked as a caregiver in memory care.

After getting a position as a youth peer counselor on a WISe team in 2019, Andy and their partner got incredibly lucky and moved into a small, one-bedroom house on an acre of land. Two years later, they were able to get legally married and purchased a bigger home to house their whole family.

Andy, his partner, his stepson, and their four cats all live together in their house in Grays Harbor County, WA now. Andy is incredibly stable in their mental health and has been clean from self-harm for over 11 years. Andy values kindness, compassion, and healthy communication, and believes that everyone is capable of recovery.

Spokane Region BHA

Gail Kogle (she/her) has been in recovery for many years and has more than twenty years of experience working in the field of behavioral health. Before 2008, she engaged in job development using the no-wrong-door approach for anyone interested in exploring their interests, specializing in working with individuals with serious mental illness. In 2008 she was hired at the Spokane Regional Support Network (RSN), which later became the Spokane Behavioral Organization (BHO). In January 2019, she became the Behavioral Health Ombuds for the Spokane Region. She continued until October 1, 2022, coming to the Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy as the Program Director for the East Region. While at the RSN and BHO, Gail took on the oversight of the grievance system for the agency and the provider network, as well as working closely with her constituents to develop a robust system that was responsive to the needs of the individuals served. She also worked closely with her RSN/BHO for compliance during External Quality Review Organization review activities and was responsible for monitoring all document submissions. 

Advocacy Coordinator

Born in Seattle and raised in the bucolic town of Bothell, Lisa Day (she/her) currently resides on beautiful Camano Island. She originally entered a behavioral health assistive role through a partnership with a community organization in Skagit County.

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Before her time with the Behavioral Heath Ombuds, she spent eight years navigating housing for low-income residents. Lisa has a wealth of multi-generational lived experience in both Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. She has worked with and supported diverse populations for over 30 years, is a proud veteran, and has always carried a passion for the underdog.

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Lisa is excited to have joined on the ground floor of the newly formed Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy, representing and providing advocacy to the five counties that comprise the North Sound region of Western Washington.

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Donna Kelly (she/her) was born and raised in New York City. She moved to Olympia when it was time for her oldest daughter to begin school. With the high cost of living and not wanting her daughter to be exposed and enticed by the experiences she grew up with, Donna headed to smaller, more affordable, peaceful surroundings. Since then, Donna has raised multiple birth, adoptive, and foster children, many of whom have struggled with behavioral health issues.

Donna worked as a behavioral health Ombuds from 2010 to 2022. Before 2010, Donna studied Occupational Therapy, worked for Olympia School District providing transitional services, worked in the area of vocational rehabilitation, and provided life skills instruction for adults with a dual diagnosis of developmental disabilities and mental illness. Donna is pleased to continue her relationships with the participants and agencies in the area she has worked with over the past 12-plus years. Today Donna is the Thurston/Mason behavioral health advocate for The Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy. Donna is excited to be a part of this new agency and to see what the future holds.

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Nanine Nicolette (she/her) was born in 1970s Los Angeles to a fierce, compassionate mother. Nanine’s mom led her on a journey from the beaches of California to the tiny mountain town of Conconully, Washington. Along the way, Nanine acquired an amazing, brilliant dad and an array of adventures. They gifted her with an annoying brother, a progressive upbringing, and as many books as she could possibly read. Nanine’s family eventually fractured – leaving her with two sets of creative, ingenious parents and an extensive family foundation. 
 
Nanine identifies as an outstanding mother, dedicated bookworm, trauma survivor, perpetual student, and eternal optimist. College-educated and empathic, Nanine spends most of her life in service to others. She is an LGBTQ+ and BIPOC ally with an emphasis on inclusivity and equality. Outside of that role, art and writing hold dominion over heart and soul. Nanine believes life is precarious, listening is undervalued, and that rose-colored glasses are a must-have accessory. 
 
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” - Brené Brown 

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Daaoshara “Dae” Degrate (she/her) is the new King County Behavioral Health Advocate. She is a passionate, hardworking advocate who worked at Volunteers of America and has 11 years of workforce development coaching experience. She uses her skills to empower family members and individuals with the strengths, strategies, and hope to inspire positive change and sustainable recovery.   She is proficient at providing different resources to people in the community and helping them become more self-sufficient. Dae has the ability to see all sides of a situation, and her mission is to find positive solutions for all sides of any conflict at the lowest possible levels in our behavioral health systems. She has a certificate from Gonzaga Business School and received three commendations. Dae brings her own lived experience and commitment to diversity into all her interactions. She is a joyful, upbeat person that loves to help people help themselves.

Behavioral Health Advocate 

From a young age, Angie's passion for community service has been evident. As a parent to four biological children and numerous foster children, she played a pivotal role in her community, believing deeply in the power of local engagement. She immersed herself and her children in various community activities, from volunteering at food banks and homeless shelters to supporting local schools and organizations.

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For over 25 years, Angie thrived as a restaurant manager while pursuing higher education and earning multiple degrees. However, driven by her belief in the value of lived experience, she eventually followed her heart's calling to support others in a more direct manner. Transitioning careers, Angie discovered her true calling in behavioral health. As a Program Manager at a nonprofit specializing in mental health, she facilitated support groups, led Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), and served as a Certified Peer Counselor (CPC).

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Today, with OBHA, Angie feels she has found her purpose, dedicating herself to helping others in need. For her, life is not just about reaching a destination but embracing the remarkable journey it offers. Angie's story is a testament to the transformative power of following one's passion and making a meaningful impact in the community.

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Natasha was born and raised in Washington State.  At the age of 13 her mother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and substance use disorder. Natasha remembers driving her mother to the hospital numerous times and dropping her at their doorsteps. That is when her interest in understanding mental illness began. Natasha struggled with addiction as a 14-year-old child, moving into her teen years when she became a young mom. At 25, Natasha enrolled in beauty school and met the love of her life. She had that “fairy tale” relationship and soon married, welcoming her 3rd daughter into the world. Natasha lost her husband to addiction on their 2-year wedding anniversary. Her fairy tale was over. Through the trauma, Natasha began college, majoring in Psychology. She wanted to do everything she could to understand mental illness and addiction. She accepted her first job as a Mental Health Tech working at Cascade ETC in Centralia, WA. She moved up the totem pole from floor tech and floor coordinator to discharge planner for the hospital; and eventually the administrative assistant and patient advocate at South Sound Behavioral Hospital. 

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Natasha constantly strives to help others understand the stigmas surrounding Mental Health and Substance use. Her passion for advocating for those feeling unheard or misunderstood led her to work for the Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy. Now, at 36, Natasha is thriving, raising her 3 beautiful daughters and using her own lived experience to show that it is possible to overcome the deepest trauma and addiction. 

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Born in 1998 in Michigan, Alyssa Cruz relocated to the Bronx, New York, until the violence of the turf wars began. Losing her childhood best friend due to a drive-by, Alyssa’s mother decided it was time to move as they did from city to city and state to state. Alyssa grew up most of her life surrounded by violence, abuse, and drugs. Being assaulted at nine years old changed the way she viewed the world. Alyssa never felt safe. 

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Growing up, Alyssa tried to escape the real world by doing drugs and running away, all because she never felt safe. Young Alyssa “fell in love,” having her first child at 17, a beautiful little girl, her second rainbow baby at 19 (Surviving DV), and her third miracle baby at 22. Alyssa hit the ground running, showing immense strength, knowing that she would protect and provide and always give everything she didn’t as a child to hers. She is graduating and working three jobs, getting her CPC, sitting in on meetings, showing up, and showing out. Using her voice to make a change and lead the way for herself and those whose voices have been stolen, she stands tall and forgives. Alyssa plants seeds wherever she goes; she encourages, advocates, and instills power within herself and others. She is proud of the love she shares with the world and her acceptance of everyone; she is compassionate, bold, and brave. 

Advocacy Coordinator

Growing up in the South, Angela spent her early days camping lakeside in Tennessee, exploring the bayous of Louisiana, and diving shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. Following the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, Angela felt called to volunteer with the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, a New Orleans nonprofit that collaborates with residents and community leaders to amplify their voices and protect their health against harmful environmental pollutants. Working directly with families and witnessing the resilience of community inspired Angela to pursue a career in social justice and advocacy. The journey was not without its challenges but was instead accentuated with colorful experiences that would ultimately benefit her endeavors and expand her knowledge of the behavioral health world.

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In 2019, Angela left Crescent City to settle in Vancouver with her family and menagerie of pets. She finally fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree. She finds solace in nature through camping, paddleboarding, and writing and is thrilled to have found a place that feels most like home.

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Sarah Joy was born in British Columbia, Canada, to immigrant parents from The Philippines and England. She comes to the Office of Behavioral Health Advocacy bringing lived experience in regard to behavioral health and navigating care as both a youth and adult. Sarah Joy comes from a background of in-home, inpatient, and residential care; much of which comes from Pierce County.

She values being compassionate, considerate, and remaining curious about the world. She loves to spend time with her Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix, Willow; the rest of her free time is split between playing the harp, singing, sewing, gardening, spending time with loved ones,  and spending time in nature.

Advocacy Coordinator

Alex Baccus (they/she) was born in the 90s in Seattle, inconveniently four days after Christmas Day. Alex pursued a life of adventure, living in Germany and traveling through Europe in 2018, attending Harley Davidson school in 2019 before finding their heart’s work in caregiving in 2020. As an at-home caregiver, Alex was encouraged to become a Certified Peer Counselor and, eventually, to work on a WISe team first as a Youth Support and then as a Care Coordinator. 

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Alex identifies as a student of life, a dedicated friend, a trauma survivor, and an aspiring writer. Alex spends their life attempting to answer the question, “Was I helpful today?” in service to friends, peers, and their community. Alex believes that kindness is always needed, that empathy is always worth it, and that humor is a necessary survival skill. 

Behavioral Health Advocate 

Laycee (she/her) is a Washingtonian native, born and raised in Puget Sound. Laycee's journey to the forefront of social work is both inspiring and profound. Her resilience in overcoming personal battles with addiction and confinement has propelled her into a vocation where her experiences serve as a beacon of hope for others.  As a passionate advocate, her mission extends beyond conventional support to truly empower individuals, supporting them on a path to achieve success. This commitment is underpinned by a comprehensive set of qualifications, including certifications in peer counseling, anger management, crisis intervention, recovery coaching, suicide prevention, and CPR first aid. Moreover, Laycee is dedicated to her own growth and development, continuously engaging in education to enhance her ability to serve her community effectively.

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At the core of Laycee's work is a deep understanding of the human spirit's resilience. Her true passion lies in inspiring hope through her own story and professional expertise. Laycee embodies the essence of dedication, making a significant impact in supporting those navigating their journey toward healing and empowerment. Laycee is a loving mother of two and a wife who values nothing more than family time. Her hobbies include shopping, interior decorating, party planning, fashion, family gatherings, walks in nature, and, most importantly, self-care.

Spokane Region Advocacy Coordinator

Born in 2003, Kayleen (she/they) was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. Living in the same city their entire life, Kayleen has watched her fellow peers and community members struggle and wanted to strive to be part of the change that was needed. Growing up watching as drugs and violence slowly overtook her once safe city, Kayleen watched as her home slowly changed into a town they barely recognized. Along with home not being the safest space, Kayleen put her energy into school and helping her peers.

Alongside their passion for helping others, Kayleen has a great passion for all kinds of art, including music, painting, and literature. Often using art as an escape from the harsh reality of the world, art became a huge part of Kayleen’s recovery.

Using the lived experience of being a young adult navigating a scary time, especially with behavioral health issues, Kayleen strives to make sure that other people don’t have to go through the turmoil they did just to receive help. Kayleen believes that no matter what your background, you deserve the help and empathy to heal from your wounds. Showing that to people as much as they can, they strive to continue to help their community in every way possible.

North Central BHA

Dylan Spradling (they/he) grew up in Northern California, graduated from high school in Michigan, and graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, earning a B.A. in Psychology. Like many social science graduates, they also identify as a trauma survivor and person in long-term recovery. Dylan is passionate about creating a world in which everybody has the support and tools necessary to meet their needs and flourish. Dylan lives with their wonderful partner and two black cats in sunny Wenatchee, Washington. 

North Sound BHA

Jeremy (he/him) started his career at Navos in West Seattle as a Peer Bridger, aiding inpatient clients in their transition from hospital to community. This crucial experience sparked his desire to assist people on their recovery path. He then joined Compass Health's Pathways program, where he worked on social determinants of health and helped clients achieve their socioeconomic, mental health, and wellness goals.

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In 2022, Jeremy joined Volunteers of America, where he worked in Crisis Services, supporting individuals with system and resource navigation through referrals. His medical expertise has also broadened his perspective, as he has dealt with a wide range of people and cultures in South King County, developing a thorough awareness of the issues surrounding public health.

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His client interactions reveal a wealth of knowledge and comprehension concerning community resources and social service institutions. His approach is based on compassion and empathy, informed by his own personal experiences. He possesses a strong sense of equitable treatment, due diligence, and humility, along with a desire to continue educating himself and other individuals. Outside of performing duties, Jeremy enjoys outdoor sports, baking, and spending time with his family. His broad hobbies reflect his conviction in the value of balance and well-rounded living.