Meet the Staff
Operations Manager
Kristin Varnell
Kristin Varnell is a licensed and certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, with degrees in Psychology/Theatre and a background in teaching Special Education. She came into mental health advocacy through a deep interest in the human mind, and a desire to use her Occupational Therapy skills to help others live a meaningful life while living with mental illness. She says, "Physical and mental health cannot be separated from the other. Mental health advocacy is leading the way to a healthier society!" She challenges anyone reading this to engage in gratitude, love others, and to live mindfully in the present!
Meet the Board
Board President
Dylan Silva
Dylan Silva brings extensive business acumen to the board as well as his passion for the clubhouse model that addresses mental illness with a unique and data-driven approach. He holds degrees in Business Management, Business Administration and is pursuing his doctorate in Strategy and Innovation from Capella University. He currently works for a globally recognized Strategy/Management consulting firm where he helps clients drive innovation forward with new strategies, new technology, and efficiency. As a result of his involvement in a nationwide mental health foundation known as "Be Nice" and his interest in following the Clubhouse model, he stands ready with the passion and skills to build a brand and a reputation for Charlotte Clubhouse to be one of the top clubhouses globally.
Vice President/Operations
Linda Vigen Phillips
Linda wrote a book in 2014 called Crazy, based on her experience growing up with a mother with bipolar disorder, and she has been an active mental health advocate ever since. With a degree in Sociology and a teaching certificate she has taught braille, worked with developmentally disabled adults, taught writing and reading to students with learning challenges, spoken at numerous reading, writing, and mental health conferences nationally, directed a drop-in center for persons with mental illness and their families, and become one of the founders of Charlotte Clubhouse. She says, "Charlotte Clubhouse is near and dear to my heart, and I want to be available in the best possible way to assure that this viable program survives and thrives in Charlotte."
Vice President/Community Outreach
Lynn Puma
She opened her private practice, Bridging the Gap Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, to help competitive athletes and high-stress professionals learn to manage and cope with the unique pressures and challenges that they experience. As a former collegiate soccer player, she helps student and collegiate athletes improve their mental health and ultimately become better at their sport or job. Lynn helps her clients develop self-awareness of thoughts and emotions during competition and other areas of sports performance. Lynn has served as a legislative committee member with the National Association of Social Workers NC chapter and she has spoken nationally about integrating mental health into healthcare settings. Lynn says, "I really appreciate how Charlotte Clubhouse focuses on creating positive habits to support members' mental health. Mental Illness can be very isolating, and CC's focus on bringing members together is another way this program does amazing things for this community."
Secretary
Megan McCann
Megan Leach McCann is a Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist, currently serving as Department Chair for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. She has also been involved in the advocacy group, NC OT Alliance for Mental Health Promotion since its inception. As one of the founders of Charlotte Clubhouse, Megan has kept the momentum going since day one with her excellent organizational and communication skills. She says, "It has been amazing to see the progress and growth since opening in October of 2022. I enjoy serving the members of Charlotte Clubhouse, especially when I can be a part of the Work-ordered Day."
As a true Occupational Therapist, Megan lists the following meaningful roles and occupations in her life: mom of dogs and humans, spouse, pedestrian, cyclist, dancer, reader, yogi, cook, organizer, daughter, sister, friend, volunteer, and equity advocate.
Treasurer
Larry Clark
​Larry is a CPA in North Carolina who has owned and operated his own accounting firm, Larry A. Clark, CPA, PLLC for the past twenty years. He has utilized deep skillsets in budgeting, cash management, internal controls, fixed assets, job costing and more to work with his particular passion of non-profits. Larry has held CFO and Controller level positions during his career, and he is currently Director and CFO for DBI Fire and Security. His strengths of leadership, communication and teamwork have been particularly useful in his experience with such organizations as Youth Meditation, Crisis Assistance Ministry, the Charlotte Chapter of NAMI, and facilities specifically targeting homelessness, women's and children's issues, addictions and other mental illnesses. Larry says, "I am excited about the potential for Charlotte Clubhouse to provide real substantive help to the Charlotte mental health community."
Member on the Board
Eric Brooks
Add a short bio for each team member. Make it brief and informative to keep visitors engaged.
Board Member-at-Large
Khalil Khouy
Khalil is a highly motivated Certified Data Scientist and goal-oriented team player / product owner striving to help organizations in resolving data issues, optimizing workflows, and mitigating risk through leveraging Collaboration, Dark Data Analytics, Ideation, Conceptualism, Creation, and Lean Implementation. KhaliI owes his success to his family, friends, current and past co-workers and educators. He is always ready to learn more, to interact more, and to do more. Favorite hashtags include #grateful #alwaysopentoconnect #obssessedwithgoals #obssessedwithcreatingimpact. Khalil says, "I am happy to help the Charlotte Clubhouse Board of Directors by providing diverse insight and approach to measure progress over time, as well as learn, interact and ideate directly with the board members.”