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Carla Pretto
Executive Director
Carla Pretto is the Executive Director of the Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH), where she leads statewide efforts to improve systems of care for children, youth, and families. Driven by lived experience following the loss of her daughter, Carla is a passionate advocate for meaningful systems change and accessible mental health supports. She brings over 25 years of experience in research, healthcare, and program leadership, along with a strong commitment to family-driven, youth-guided care. Carla is also a registered nurse and continues to contribute to the field through both professional and advocacy roles.
Krissy Dristy
Youth Peer Support and Parent Support Partner Program Director
Krissy Dristy is the Director of Peer Programs at ACMH, overseeing Michigan’s Youth Peer Support (YPS), Parent Support Partner (PSP), and Crisis Support Partner (CSP) programs. With over a decade of experience and lived expertise in mental health and substance use, she is a strong advocate for peer services and reducing stigma. Krissy is a recognized leader in Michigan’s youth and family movement and is dedicated to building partnerships that strengthen systems and expand access to peer support statewide.
Hi, I’m Krissy Dristy! In my role at ACMH, I help oversee our peer delivered services for youth and families. In partnership with the staff at ACMH, I provide training and technical assistance to Youth Peer Support Specialists, Partner Support Partners and supervisors around the state. I am passionate about the importance of lived experience in our public mental health system, and the difference our stories can make when supporting youth and families to find their voice. I love talking about how YPS and PSP enhance our service array in Michigan, and I am very fortunate to be able to do this regularly in my work!
Favorite piece of wisdom:
Trust the process. When you are going through hard times remember who you are, where you are going and how far you have come. It may be a bad day, but it’s not a bad life!
Sara Reynolds
Youth Peer Support Statewide Coordinator
Sara Reynolds is the Youth Peer Support (YPS) Statewide Coordinator at ACMH, where she leads the development and implementation of youth peer support training and programming. Drawing from her lived experience and professional background as a certified peer support specialist, Sara is dedicated to elevating youth voice and reducing stigma. She also facilitates the Statewide Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and leads youth engagement initiatives across Michigan, including Youth Mental Health Action Day.
Hello! My name is Sara Reynolds and I am the Statewide Coordinator for Youth Peer Support. I lead the Youth Peer Support training and certification model by facilitating trainings, coaching calls, and technical assistance as well as heading up our continued development of the model. As a person with my own lived experience with mental health challenges, I am passionate about Youth Peer Support – particularly the hope and empowerment that is at the core of this unique service. I believe that we are extremely fortunate to have such a powerful support available to youth in Michigan and I am so pleased to be able to partner with the Youth Peer Support Specialists and their supervisors across the state who are truly making a difference.
Favorite piece of wisdom: “We rise by lifting others”
Margo Pierce
Parent Support Partner Statewide Coordinator
Margo Pierce is the Statewide Coordinator for the Parent Support Partner (PSP) Program at ACMH. With over 30 years of lived experience as a parent navigating mental health and developmental systems, she is deeply committed to supporting and empowering families. Margo oversees training and certification for Parent Support Partners across Michigan and works to ensure that parent voice is integrated into both policy and practice. She is a passionate advocate for helping families find their voice and navigate complex systems.
My role will be to support the PSP model and service by preparing for and conducting trainings, providing coaching support, and assisting with technical assistance and professional development meetings for both new and recertifying PSPs. I also assist with the orientation and evaluation processes, training events, refinements to training materials, technical assistance, and other materials and processes.
Favorite piece of wisdom: You will absolutely get through this and come out on the other side.
Dianna Robinson
Family Crisis Training Specialist
Dianna Robinson is the Director of Operations at ACMH, where she leads strategic initiatives, statewide engagement, and organizational systems that support families and youth. With over 36 years of lived experience navigating complex systems for her son, she brings both personal insight and professional expertise to her work. Dianna is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and has a background in leadership development, training, and operations. She is passionate about empowering families, strengthening systems, and advancing meaningful change through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Angie Engler
Parent Peer Support Lead Trainer
Angie Engler is a Parent Support Partner Lead Trainer at ACMH, where she supports the training and development of new Parent Support Partners. With lived experience as a parent navigating complex behavioral health and child welfare systems, she brings compassion and real-world insight to her work. Angie is dedicated to empowering families, strengthening engagement, and promoting trauma-informed, family-driven care.
Kyla Viurquiz
Crisis Peer Lead Trainer