Our Staff
Amy Kalinick
Chief Financial Officer
Amy is a dedicated and accomplished finance and operations professional with an impressive career spanning over three decades. With a strong background in executive management and financial operations within both the public and non-profit sectors, she has demonstrated her expertise and commitment to ensuring the success of the organizations she serves.
As the Chief Financial Officer at Horizon Healthcare Partners (HHP), Amy plays a pivotal role in the organization's financial health and overall operations. She oversees the daily accounting and financial functions, taking on the responsibility of preparing and delivering comprehensive monthly financial and program reports to the CEO, Treasurer and Board of Directors. Amy's ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights and strategies accentuates her dedication to fiscal sustainability and best practices for the organization.
As a mentor and supervisor, Amy's leadership style is both versatile and motivating. Leading by example, she inspires those around her to deliver their best work and contribute to the collective success of the team. Her commitment to professional development is evident in her pursuit of higher education holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Johnson and Wales University and is currently enrolled In the Master's Program for Non-Profit Fiscal Management at the same institution.
Amy's dedication extends beyond her professional responsibilities. She is a strong advocate for mental health and substance abuse awareness, demonstrating her empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals within the behavioral health treatment system in finding and receiving recovery support. She is a member of various professional associations including QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor, CMA(Certified Management Accountant) Candidate, HFMA-Healthcare Financial Management Assoc. and MGMA Certified CHFP and ACMPE nominee (certified Healthcare Finance professional) and AICPA member.
Karen Jeffreys
Director of Communications & Community Partnerships
Karen Jeffreys joined HHP as Director of Programs in May of 2019 when the CABHI (Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals) grant under SAMSHA and BHDDH came to an end. Prior to coordinating the CABHI grant, Ms. Jeffreys was the Associate Director for the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless (RICH) where for nine years she worked on the Coalition’s legislative, policy and advocacy work towards the Coalition’s ultimate goal of ending homelessness in Rhode Island. Additionally, Ms. Jeffreys was responsible for the Coalition’s strategic communications work including proactive and reactive media work, assisting member agencies with their communications efforts, developing a communications infrastructure and statewide public awareness efforts.
Ms. Jeffreys has been actively involved in fighting for social and economic justice for over thirty-five years. Through her hands-on experience with community organizations working on such issues as hunger, homelessness and housing, health care, welfare rights and domestic violence, she has developed a commendable level of expertise in organizing, advocacy and public policy and strategic communications. She is co-author with Charlotte Ryan of Beyond Primetime Activism: Communication Activism and Social Change that provides tools for navigating communication and media inequalities.
Elizabeth O’Dea
Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth O’Dea is currently serving as Director of Community Engagement at Horizon Healthcare Partners (HHP)/BH Link. The entire span of her work career has been dedicated to being an advocate for marginalized, underserved populations. Serving for 10 years as Director of the Poverello Center, a Food and Wellness Center located in Providence, Elizabeth supervised all operations and aspects of this program. Over her directorship, the program expanded and increased dramatically in scope and services rendered. She performed needs assessment, case management as well as assisting program participants with dental, medical and housing assistance. She also managed a staff of thirty plus employees and volunteers as well as marketing the program for numerous, successful fundraising events. Prior to HHP, her most recent position was with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank (RICFB). Her facilitation of community meetings, workshops, trainings and activities was integral to her work as liaison between the RICFB and all member agencies. She brings a wealth of experience and passion to her work.
In her present role at HHP, she shares information about the new 988 Crisis Lifeline as well as information about the new Rhode Island Outreach (RIO) crisis mobile team throughout Rhode Island. She is instrumental in the planning and executing past practices to achieve this goal and will continue to play an integral role in the exciting work ahead at Horizon Healthcare Partners/BH Link.
Donna (Dee-Dee) Williams
Director of Community-Based Services & Housing Supports
Donna (Dee-Dee) Williams is currently the Director Community-Based Services & Housing Supports. She has more than twenty five years’ experience working in the field of HIV/AIDS; her other work experience includes more than seven years with high risk women and children affected by substance abuse, early childcare development, program implementation, women’s issues and community activism. She has more than fifteen years of managerial level experience and her dedication to direct services has earned her a notable reputation in the community. She is devoted to her community and works tirelessly for women’s issues. As an Ordained Pastor she reaches out to the hurt and broken children of God and those who are underserved. DeeDee was awarded the John Hope Settlement House Outstanding Women’s Award for community service, the Women of Achievement Award from YWCA of Northern RI and the Working Angels Award from the AME Women’s Missionary. She held the position of co-chair for the Community Planning Group for HIV Prevention for 4 years and was selected as a Commissioner for the Human Relations Commission of Providence RI. As the author of “the gurlz” a book for women, by women, about women she is continually working to help women love themselves and others.
No Tan
Senior Accountant
No Tan joined the Horizon Healthcare Partners Finance Team in June 2022. She joins the organization with a high-level of accounting knowledge and financial management experience. She is responsible for maintaining financial records and supporting financial compliance within the organization. Her role also includes preparing and reviewing financial information.
No has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and her hands-on experience goes back 30 years. She is new to the non-profit environment and looks forward to learning and supporting this type of organization.
Deborah Covey
Staff Accountant and Administrative Specialist
Deb Covey joined the finance department at Horizon Healthcare Partners in November of 2021. As the organization’s Staff Accountant and Administrative Specialist, she is responsible for transactional accounting activities, assisting the maintenance of financial records and meeting financial compliance within the organization. Additionally, she supports HR, PR and broad administrative duties to support the day to day operations and reporting requirements of Horizon Healthcare Partners.
Deb holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications and although she is new to the behavioral health ecosystem she is finding that for her efforts, it is extremely rewarding and offers lots of possibilities.
Julnelle Fortes
RI Rapha Project Program Manager
Julnelle “Nelly” Fortes has joined Horizon Health Partners (HHP) as the Program Manager for Rapha Project RI. She has been empowering and uplifting youth and young women for over 20 years. Serving her community in different aspects is a motivator for Julnelle. From Domestic violence advocacy, HIV/Hep C testing, harm reduction efforts, and educating youth and young adults.The start of her passion for leadership dates back to 2009 when she became the youngest person in R.I to hold the Co-Chair position for the Rhode Island Community Planning Group (RICPG). Her focus has always been prioritizing the health and self-esteem of youth and women of color.
With over 15 years of experience in protective hairstyling and a passion for making women feel good she decided to step out on faith and start Pretty & Powerful LLC, which provides a foundation of educational, entrepreneurial, professional support and personal care that improves the self- esteem and economic empowerment of women and girls of color.
As a mother of four, she devotes any free time to continuing her education and building her skills in hair care, healing methods, and personal development. She enjoys finding creative ways to bridge the gap between beauty, and self-esteem and uses her skills to uplift and encourage women.
Jo-el Tillinghast
988 Community Network Coordinator
Jo-el is currently serving as the Community Network Coordinator for the 988-call center and BH Link Crisis Center. Before advancing into her role with Horizon Healthcare Partners (HHP), Jo-el worked in the call center at BH Link for 4 years answering crisis calls engaging in crisis response and intervention while providing support and resource guidance based on the individual's needs. In her present role, she uses her experience to raise awareness and inform communities and people throughout RI on services offered by 988 and BH Link and how it can be used as a great resource for so many.
She attends community outreach events that include but aren’t limited to direct contacts with various agencies, schools, colleges & universities, first responders and other community groups providing the information needed to spread knowledge to the people. Jo-el also has a hand in recruiting those who are interested in getting into the behavioral health field and feeling the benefits of helping those in need.
Prior to entering the behavioral health field, Jo-el worked with children and families in childcare for over 20 years throughout the City of Providence. She has gained much experience with diverse groups and populations over that time span and uses this in her daily efforts to help better understand the many and various needs of different communities and cultures.
