Leadership

JD Kalmenson

CEO, Founder

Elliott Liebhard

CFO, Founder

Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC

Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC

President, and COO Renewal Health Group

Marlon Rollins, PhD, LPCC, LMHC is a member of the California Hospital Association, and a licensed therapist with more than 15 years of experience in mental health, dual diagnosis and addiction treatment management. He has served as CEO and COO at some of the largest psychiatric hospitals and addiction programs in the state of California.

In his role as COO and President of Addiction Services with Renewal Health Group, Marlon supports leadership to align operations to meet organization goals. He also advises on strategic planning with the CEO and CFO to help enhance program services.

Dr. Rollins is the author of Healing the Impoverished Mind: Building Resilience Through Adversity. He is a suicide loss survivor of his sister Amber who was a nurse and battled addiction. He dedicates his work to honor her memory of caring for others. He is a board member of United Survivors International. He has also served as a BIPOC mentor with the American Association of Suicidology, and is a member of the Steering Committee for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Dr. Rollins is passionate about enhancing quality of life and well-being through high quality care. As an ordained minister, he uses his faith and experiences to inspire others to seek healing.

Marlon enjoys hiking, photography, drawing, and working out for self-care.

Operation Directors

Dr. Neda Javaherian MD

Medical Director

Melissa Sidnam, MA, SHRM-SCP

Director of Human Resources and Operations

Since joining Renewal in 2016, Melissa has held positions in admissions, counseling, and program management. In her current role as Director of Human Resources and Operations, Melissa’s emphasis is on alignment of the human resources function with the strategic goals of the organization. She specializes in employee management and relations, policy/procedure development, regulatory and legal compliance, management training and coaching. A native Californian who grew up in the Bay Area, Melissa received both her BA and MA in Psychology from Humboldt State University and Certificate in Addiction Studies from Diablo Valley College. In 2021 she achieved the SHRM Senior Certified Professional Certification. Melissa is a firm believer that our employees are our greatest assets and a workplace can only flourish when everyone feels valued, respected and accepted.

Amy Crichton

Executive Director Phoenix Rising Recovery Center

Amy Crichton is the Executive Director and founder of Phoenix Rising Recovery Center.  Amy brings 20 years of experience in the field of addiction and recovery to this position. During her recovery from her own addictions, she developed a passion for working with other addicts. She worked in non-profit-criminal justice therapeutic community style treatment for over 10  years and in the private industry since.  Amy has helped set up and design many programs in the recovery field as well as helps guide compliance for facilities in California. Designing Phoenix Rising was not only a vision but an accumulation of experience in multiple modalities and treatment styles to form a unique environment to start the journey to choosing life.  Amy believes that every single person truly has the ability to not only recover but create a fulfilling and productive life.  She believes that providing an environment that is authentic, compassionate, and innovative creates a foundation of healing, strength, and growth.

Faridah Gonzalez LVN

Faridah Gonzalez LVN

Executive Director / Lead Nurse Sanctuary Treatment Center

Faridah A. Gonzalez has been practicing as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for the past 13 years. Initially, Faridah worked for a Non-Profit Community Health Center, where she provided community outreach and chronic health education to patients. Her first hand experiences at the Community Health Center made her realize she had a passion for helping those struggling with addiction, so she decided to help in a more direct manner. In 2014 she focused her career on working in Substance abuse and dual diagnosis recovery treatment. It wasn’t until 2017 that she found her home with the Sanctuary Treatment Center. Faridah started with the company as a Lead Nurse and though hard work, determination and commitment to the betterment of patients and staff, she rose to become the Executive Director for Renewal Health group. Today, she leads a team of clinical, medical, and patient support staff. Faridah promotes a vibrant culture of growth and support, ensuring that all staff members are set up to succeed. She is a fierce advocate for ensuring that the medical and mental health needs of her clients are met.

Kathy Rosales LVN

Kathy Rosales, LVN

Director of Nursing Phoenix Rising

Karl Kirsch, LMFT, LAADC

Clinical Director
Phoenix Rising

Karl Kirsch is an LMFT and LAADC with 20 years experience in the helping professions. He specializes in treating individuals with mental health and addiction issues.

Mr. Kirsch is the Clinical Director at Phoenix Rising Recovery. In this role, he directs program content and implementation, along with the supervision of clinical staff. Karl maintains a strong working relationship with educational institutions and provides a stable platform for the practical training of student interns.

Karl has held counselor, therapist, and management positions throughout his career. He is an active member of CAMFT. He is grateful whenever a client has a positive shift in behavior and achieves a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction with their own lives and relationships. Karl has supervised many interns and associates who have gone on to licensure themselves.

Mr. Kirsch is a family man with a wife and two young daughters. He is an active community member, an avid runner and cyclist, and when not with his family, he can be found hitting the trails or pavement.

Denise Cooney

Clinical Director for Sanctuary Treatment Centers

Denise Cooney is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 22 years of experience working in mental health, dual diagnosis, and addiction and recovery treatment.  She is the Clinical Director for Sanctuary Treatment Centers, the Los Angeles based SUD program within Renewal Health Group. Denise found her calling in the field of addiction and recovery in 2014 after spending the first part of her career working with children in the foster care system as a Clinical Director for a community-based organization.  Having the benefit of bringing forth her own recovery as a once active member of Alanon, Denise offers compassion for the families as well as the addicts. Denise leads a team of clinicians, case managers and counselors. She has had the joy of watching over half of her AMFTs complete their hours and become licensed under her supervision. She brings forth not only a vast amount of clinical knowledge, but a leadership style that encourages her staff to grow, process deeper the needs of the client and provides a positive and relationally based supervision style. 

Madlen Pashinian Foroughmand

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 103786)
Clinical Director for Renewal Sobriety IOP
EMDR and Trauma Focused Therapist

Madlen Pashinian Foroughmand is a Licensed Marriage, EMDR Therapist and Family Therapist, who has been working in the Mental Health field since 2012. Madlen has a broad range of training and experience with Anger Management, Emotional Focused Therapy, Grief Focused Therapy, Trauma Informed Therapy and Domestic Violence Advocacy.

As the Clinical Director of Sanctuary Outpatient Program, she and her team have created a unique, wrap-around program for patients struggling with substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and difficulty integrating back into society. 

Madlen has trained, supervised, and supported upcoming Associate Marriage and Family Therapists, along with the staff associated with the program, in order to create a cohesive, safe, and family-like environment. 

Madlen is a strong believer in utilizing compassion, empathy, and ethics in everything that she does for the company, and makes client care a top priority.

Madlen is also a private practitioner who treats clients in her private practice focusing on trauma and relationships. Additionally, Madlen is an adjunct Professor at her Alma Mater, Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

She also enjoys exercising, spending time with her family, and gratitude practice.

Admissions & Marketing

Stephanie Rosten

VP of Admissions

Stephanie Rosten is the VP of Admissions at Montare Behavioral Health and Renewal Health Group. She found her calling in the field of addiction treatment after recovering from the tribulations of her own addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Stephanie began her career in behavioral health as a dependency technician while attending College of the Desert. As a case manager, Stephanie was an inspirational role model for her clients. By sharing her life experiences she motivated them to return to school to complete their education and seek gainful employment. Stephanie received her CADAC credentials at The Center for Addiction Studies and Research.

Stephanie leads a team of admissions counselors. She encourages them to meet clients where they are now. Stephanie also oversees Renewal Health Group’s alumni program.

Lara Frazier, MBA

VP of Digital Marketing

Lara Frazier is the VP of Digital Marketing at Renewal Health Group. Lara has over twelve years of experience in the behavioral health industry, and over twenty years of experience in marketing. Lara holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Pepperdine University. Lara oversees all digital marketing efforts and manages all aspects of digital marketing campaigns for Renewal Health Group. She is incredibly passionate about mental health treatment and addiction awareness and is well known in the digital recovery space for writing and speaking about these topics. Lara also Co-founded one of the number one publications and websites for addiction recovery, which Mark Zuckerberg praised “as a place for people affected by addiction to come together.” In her free time, Lara enjoys being in nature, hiking, and cuddling with her pet pig.  

Christian McLaughlin

Marketing
Director

Renee Baribeau

Renee Baribeau

Marketing & Brand
Manager

Hailey Livingston

Hailey Livingston

National Director of Business Development

Monica Montoya

Monica Montoya

National Clinical
Outreach Specialist

Charles White

National Outreach
Specialist

Stephanie King

Director of Business
Development​

Jessica McAninch, RADT-1

Admissions Manager

Jessica McAninch is a RADT-1 certified Admissions Manager. She is a seasoned substance abuse professional who joined Renewal Health Group in 2019. Jessica is patient, compassionate as she guides clients and families through the admissions process. As a person of great understanding, she possesses a unique ability to tap into the feelings and needs of clients seeking renewal. This insight gives Jessica the capacity to help those who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health. Jessica is a good listener who supports clients as they rebuild their lives and connections with loved ones.

Jessica is truly committed to recovery and the success of every individual entering Renewal Health Group.

Jill Macellaro

Alumni Coordinator

As Alumni Coordinator for Renewal Health Group, Jill applies her experience, expertise and passion for helping people by strengthening and building community. After coming to terms with her personal struggles with addiction, she decided to enter the field of substance abuse and mental health.

Jill holds a B.A. degree in Business Management from Farmingdale State College. Her previous work and background in the field of Public Relations and Marketing has enabled her to spearhead and oversee various alumni services and events. 

Jill’s calming, caring and empathetic demeanor is a great fit for encouraging and developing fellowship among client’s who successfully completed treatment at Renewal Health Group’s many substance abuse facilities.