EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Michelle Schafer, MS, CEAP, LMHC 

Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Schafer serves at the Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Cooperative where she leads the not -for-profit, integrated health system serving communities across Tennessee. Michelle joined MHC in April of 2024 bringing over 30 years of experience in behavioral health, improving clinical quality, transforming models of care, managing operational performance and growth, creating community systems of care, and facilitating behavioral health integration. She has presented across the country as an expert in behavioral health and has spent her career advocating for those with behavioral health and substance use needs.

Ms. Schafer previously served as the Regional/System Vice President of SSM Health over Behavioral Health. There she led the Behavioral Health services in communities across the Midwest through a fully integrated health care delivery system. SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 300 physician offices and other outpatient and virtual care services, 13 post-acute facilities, comprehensive home care and hospice services, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization.

Prior to SSM, Ms. Schafer served in the Administrative Director role for Behavioral Health at IU Health, where she oversaw all inpatient, outpatient, EAP, substance abuse and primary care integration services for the IU Health system. She has also served in multiple other leadership positions at IU Health, Fairbanks Hospital and Valley Vista Health in Indiana.

Ms. Schafer has also held several community roles including board memberships, behavioral health executive committee member for the Missouri Hospital Association, NAMI, Chair of the Missouri Children’s Collaborative and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is looking forward to serving the greater Tennessee community as well.

She earned a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology degree from Indiana University.

Corey Cronrath, DO, MPH, MBA 

Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Corey Cronrath’s professional journey reflects a blend of military service, medical expertise, and leadership. A dual board-certified physician in Occupational and Aerospace Medicine, Dr. Cronrath also holds a master’s in public health and business administration.

Following high school, Dr. Cronrath enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. This pivotal decision instilled in him the importance of teamwork, service, and discipline. Upon fulfilling his Marine Corps obligations, he joined the North Dakota National Guard and embarked on his academic pursuits.

Dr. Cronrath completed his residency in Pensacola, Florida, where he honed his skills and knowledge. He then served as a flight surgeon in the US Army, undertaking deployments to Afghanistan, the Baltics, and Honduras. These experiences showcased his ability to provide essential medical support in diverse and challenging environments.

Balancing a demanding career with a fulfilling personal life, Dr. Cronrath is married and the father of three children. His personal time is often spent on the family’s hobby farm, where he and his wife tend to their alpacas and llama, reflecting his appreciation for nature and hands-on work.

Andrea Westerfield, MSSW, LMSW, LCSW

Chief Operating Officer

Andrea Westerfield serves as Chief Operating Officer where she directs, oversees and supports all of MHC’s operating activities.

She joined MHC in 2008 as a Child and Youth Care Manager. She quickly transitioned to supervisory, and eventually senior leadership roles, where she was instrumental in shaping MHC’s Community-Based Care Management model. She also served as MHC’s Vice President of Integrated Care, where she led operations of clinical outpatient treatment across behavioral health, physical health, and addiction service lines. She is well respected for building consensus, aligning forces and leading teams to success.

Andrea received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Murray State University  and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Tennessee.

David Wilson, MBA, CPA

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Development Officer

David Wilson serves as Chief Financial Officer responsible for all financial operations of the organization. David also serves as Chief Development Officer and oversees the financial feasibility of new opportunities for MHC. David brought a wealth of experience to MHC in 2014 in community-based healthcare, accounting/finance and business intelligence. In 2018, Wilson was named “Nashville Business Journal’s CFO of the Year” for non-profit agencies.

Prior to joining MHC, David practiced accounting with the Nashville based accounting firm Kraft CPAs.  David left public accounting in 2010 and became Director of Finance for SunCrest Healthcare, a private equity owned for-profit home healthcare company.

David left SunCrest in 2014, when the company was sold, and was named CFO of Mental Health Cooperative.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and an Adjunct Professor of Accounting for Belmont University.

David received his Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina State University and Middle Tennessee State University and his MBA from Belmont University, Jack Massey School of Business.

Kenya Adams, MHA is Vice President of Integrated Care. Previously, Kenya was Director of our Payor Contracting, Strategy and Development.

Kenya has over a decade of direct experience in clinic operations. She’s held several leadership roles, one of which was with Ascension Saint Thomas Health where she was responsible for an integrated health system of primary care and behavioral health clinics that provided care to the uninsured populations of Davidson, Rutherford, and Humphreys Counties. Kenya is passionate about improving healthcare delivery, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. She has a sharp focus on operational excellence, and has successfully implemented process improvements, leveraged technology solutions, and fostered team collaboration to enhance clinic productivity and patient care.

Kenya received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Psychology from the University of New Orleans. She also holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Capella University.

Brittany Greene, MA

Vice President, Metro Operations, Grants and Contracts

Brittany Greene brings over two decades of transformational leadership to Mental Health Cooperative, overseeing a complex portfolio of Metro Nashville programs while driving innovation across grant-funded initiatives and strategic partnerships.

With a clinical foundation and more than 10 years in managed health care leadership, she has led large-scale efforts in clinical operations, provider networks, contracting, and systems alignment. Her work is grounded in practical innovation, equity, and the belief that small, consistent actions create lasting impact.

Widely known for her people-centered approach, Brittany builds systems that reflect real-world needs and values human connection. Her early experience as a foster care case manager continues to shape her purpose-driven leadership, rooted in empathy, action, and the power of showing up.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lipscomb University and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Melanie Mummert, SPHR

Vice President, Human Resources

Melanie is our Vice President of Human Resources and is an ICC certified Coach and SPHR certified professional. With over 20 years of experience implementing innovative talent, leadership and learning and OD initiatives that boost productivity and engagement, she drives our people first philosophy to empower our workforce. Before joining Mental Health Cooperative, she spent time driving strategic HR programs in start-ups as well as Fortune 500 organizations.

Scott Palmer, MBA 

Vice President, Business Development and Strategy

Scott is an accomplished executive with expertise in behavioral and physical health. His leadership at the American Academy of Neurology, Allina Health, and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation reflects a proven track record in strategy, launching new ventures, and driving market growth.

Scott’s career includes transformative achievements such as developing a major community healthcare campus in partnership with Mayo Clinic, pioneering an integrated care model at Emory Brain Health Center, and securing over $50 million in impact and social venture funding. His leadership has advanced medical innovation, broadened access to care, and fostered strategic growth across healthcare settings.

As a consultant and entrepreneur, Scott has partnered with esteemed organizations like Stanford Medicine and the National MS Society, providing expertise in healthcare strategy, market development, and revenue expansion. He also teaches graduate courses in healthcare strategy and operations at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. A U.S. Army veteran, Scott holds a master’s degree in health care management from Johns Hopkins University.

Ruth vanBergen, MBA MSEd, LPC

 Senior Vice President, Emergency Services

Ruth vanBergen serves as Senior Vice President of Emergency Services, where she is dedicated to transforming emergency psychiatric services with a focus on operational excellence, compassionate care and outcomes.

Ruth began her career at MHC in 1998 where she led the development of the state’s first Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), which is still in operation today.  She has also been instrumental in building and nurturing MHC’s care management service, focused solely on persons with serious behavioral health challenges that has matured into one of the largest programs in the state. Ruth previously held the position as Senior Vice President of Operations where she was responsible for all organizational functions, infrastructure and quality of care.

Ruth received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Arizona State University, her MBA in Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Southern Illinois University.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee.

Kate serves as the VP of Administration where she provides oversight of the administrative functions and as a strategic partner to executive key agency initiatives. She joined MHC in 2019 as a Project Manager working with the Information Technology team. She was promoted to Director of Project Management to serve the entire agency working on cross functional teams and projects. She has worked to implement various technology solutions, lead process improvement work, and help manage expansion efforts of services and programs. Prior to MHC, Kate worked as a healthcare consultant focused in process improvement, regulation reporting and population health. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Vanderbilt University.