Our Team

Meet the Team Behind Teen Lifeline

Luis Barcelo

Fund Development Specialist

Jennifer Connor

Caring Contacts Intake Specialist

Amanda Dailey

Office Administrator

Mackenzie Gates

Prevention Coordinator

Andrea Gonzalez

Fund Development Specialist

Elizabeth Hansen

Communications Specialist

Morgan Hines

Community Liaison

Nikki Kontz

Clinical Director

Madison Marks

Crisis Service Associate

Michelle Moorhead

Executive Director

Leah Pearson

Prevention Specialist

Jaymee Shaw

Administrative Assistant

Mark Williamson

Youth Services Associate

Fund Development Specialist

Luis Barcelo

He / They

“I was a Peer Counselor long before I became an employee. Teen Lifeline completely changed my life’s trajectory and made me who I am today. I see that same change happen time and time again with our volunteers now and it’s amazing to see.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Fund Development Specialist

ROLE | As a fund development specialist, Luis works with current and potential donors, parents, community partners, and other stakeholders to share the story of Teen Lifeline and its volunteers.

CONTACT FOR | Questions about gifts, events, third-party fundraisers, or making in-kind donations.

You can reach Luis by email at luis@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | At age 16, Luis became a Teen Lifeline hotline volunteer, answering calls and texts and helping at events for seven years. He joined Teen Lifeline as a fund development staff member in 2018.

EDUCATION | Brophy College Preparatory and Camelback High School in Phoenix

EVERYDAY LIFE | Luis enjoys hiking, cycling, spending time with friends, reading, and discovering new music. He relates to border collies because he’s loyal, protective, playful, and ready for adventure.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Luis are: amicable, funny, and positive.

Caring Contacts Intake Specialist

Jennifer Connor

“The best thing about working at Teen Lifeline is the positive environment and opportunity to learn and grow every day. The peer counselors inspire me with their ability to withstand adversity and help others do the same.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Caring Contacts Intake Specialist

ROLE | As the Caring Contacts Intake Specialist, Jennifer works with Teen Lifeline’s peer counselors and interns to make contact through texts, phone calls, and packages to teens recently discharged from inpatient behavioral healthcare. She researches community resources and services, providing knowledge to Caring Contacts clients and low-level case management oversight for the Caring Contacts program.

CONTACT FOR | Questions regarding the Caring Contacts program, volunteer opportunities, and mental/behavioral health education.

You can reach Jennifer by email at jenn@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Interned at Teen Lifeline from August 2021 to March 2022, joining the staff immediately after as the Caring Contacts intake specialist. Prior to Teen Lifeline, Jennifer worked in behavioral health and education.

EDUCATION | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Jennifer enjoys working out and spending quality time with friends and family. She was a student athlete as a teen. If you asked her what animal she most relates to, she’d say a lioness because female lions are known to be independent, fierce, ambitious, and nurturing.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Jennifer are: driven, considerate, and humble.

Office Administrator

Amanda Dailey

“Working for Teen Lifeline has taught me not to be fearful of asking tough questions of someone you think might be having thoughts of suicide.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Office Administrator

ROLE | As the office administrator, Amanda is responsible for accounting, board relations, employee recruitment, and human resources activities.

CONTACT FOR | Career opportunities and questions related to billing.

You can reach Amanda by email at amanda@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, event planning, and administration. Amanda joined the Teen Lifeline team in 2009. She experienced the impact of suicide personally at only 13 years old when a friend died by suicide.

EDUCATION | Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Amanda loves to travel, camp, hike, and snuggle on the couch with her husband while watching a good movie. If she were an animal, she would be a cat because they are particular about who they want to be around but love their people unconditionally.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Amanda are: genuine, loving, and silly.

Prevention Coordinator

Mackenzie Gates

“Teens bring fun, passion, and energy to everything they do. They are so smart and insightful, and they keep me in the loop with what’s hip.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Prevention Coordinator

ROLE | As the prevention coordinator, Mackenzie connects callers to the resources they need by overseeing the crisis hotline, training new volunteer peer counselors, and leading suicide prevention workshops for both teens and adults.

CONTACT FOR | Scheduling trainings, workshops, or community education. Also, contact Mackenzie about Mitch Warnock Act compliance, postvention services, and internship opportunities.

You can reach Mackenzie by email at mackenzie@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Passionate about crisis intervention and suicide prevention education, Mackenzie has been working with Arizona teens for 10 years! She started right here at Teen Lifeline when she was 16, taking calls on the crisis hotline. She has worked with young people in many capacities over the years, but most enjoys working with youth and adults, educating on what we can all do to impact the issue of teen suicide.

EDUCATION | Master’s degree in social work from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Arizona State University.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Mackenzie hikes, plays volleyball, and enjoys anything outdoors. Her favorite thing in the world is her dog Friday. In high school, she attended the Arizona School for the Performing Arts.

THE BIG 3 | Three words describing Mackenzie are: energetic, passionate, and fun.

Fund Development Specialist

Andrea Gonzalez

“Engaging with teenagers who possess diverse and individualistic ideas and perspectives on life is an incredibly gratifying experience.

Witnessing these young individuals evolve into responsible adults, embracing their independence, is truly awe-inspiring. The joy I derive from observing their personal growth is immeasurable, and it fuels my passion for this work even further.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Fund Development Specialist

ROLE | As a fund development specialist, Andrea works with potential and current donors to develop relationships and create awareness of Teen Lifeline’s work. She also takes part in the planning of events and fundraisers.

CONTACT FOR | Questions about auction items, donations, events, gifts, or data entry.

You can reach Andrea by email at andrea@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Andrea joined our fund development team in July 2023. Prior to Teen Lifeline, Andrea mentored first-year college students as part of her internship with the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

EDUCATION | Bachelor of Science in marketing from Arizona State University. She graduated from Verrado High School in Buckeye.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Andrea is the oldest of three kids, all Arizona born and raised. Her Irish terrier mix dog, Kali, has the nickname Soot Sprite because of her black fur!

Outside of work, Andrea loves to take group workout classes, watch new movies, and try new food places with her boyfriend while rating them on a scale of 1 to 10. If you asked her what animal she most relates to, she’d say butterflies because of how they embrace change and growth.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Andrea are: empathetic, enthusiastic, and trustworthy.

Communications Specialist

Elizabeth Hansen

She / They

“Everyone at Teen Lifeline is here because they want to help others. It’s a shared compassion that fosters an empathetic work environment. We’re people here, not numbers.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Communications Specialist

ROLE | As the communications specialist, Elizabeth works to enhance public awareness of Teen Lifeline and its services.

CONTACT FOR | Social media and digital campaign content, partnerships, website updates, graphic design assets, and communications internships.

You can reach Elizabeth by email at elizabeth@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Volunteered as a peer counselor at Teen Lifeline during high school. Since 2018, Elizabeth has built a strong digital communications program at Teen Lifeline, increasing social media reach and engagement.

EDUCATION | Bachelor of Science in marketing from Arizona State University & Barrett, The Honors College. She graduated from Skyline High School in Mesa.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Elizabeth enjoys creative writing, art, video games, and tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. She spends her free time working on stories with her girlfriend and partner of many years. Their goal is to have their stories published as a book, comic, or graphic novel.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Elizabeth are: creative, compassionate, and diligent.

Community Liaison

Morgan Hines

She / Her

“Teenagers have an incredible capacity for growth and change. We leave teens with skills they can actually use to help a friend and save someone’s life.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Community Liaison

ROLE | As the community liaison, Morgan builds relationships with school districts, communities, and agency partners throughout Arizona. She supports school districts and communities by consulting on policies and procedures around crisis and mental health, participating in advocacy groups, task forces, and committees, and providing training and education.

CONTACT FOR | ID Initiative, Mitch Warnock Act compliance, postvention services, school, district, or agency policies and procedures, MOUs, community partnership, and expansion efforts.

You can reach Morgan by email at morgan@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Working with Serious Mental Illness, transition-aged youth, children and families experiencing poverty, and children and families experiencing behavioral health issues. Morgan is a trainer for SafeTALK, ASIST, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and More than Sad for Educators. She joined Teen Lifeline in 2015.

EDUCATION | Two master’s degrees from Arizona State University—one in social work and one in public administration—and a bachelor’s degree in human services from the University of Iowa.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Morgan grew up in a big family in Iowa (Go Hawks!) but traded it all for warmer weather. She spends her free time with her husband and two rescue dogs traveling, camping, hiking, and rooting for their favorite sports teams.

Clinical Director

Nikki Kontz

She / Her

As Teen Lifeline’s Clinical Director

ROLE | As the clinical director, Nikki oversees the Teen Lifeline hotline and all clinical and regulatory issues regarding crisis intervention, suicide prevention education and volunteer training.

CONTACT FOR | News media interviews, trends, statistics, and grants.

You can reach Nikki at nikki@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Nikki serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition. Nikki joined Teen Lifeline as a teen peer counselor during high school and later became a full-time staff member in 1994. She specializes in mental health, crisis intervention, suicide prevention and postvention, suicide prevention education, and adolescence.

EDUCATION | Master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University.

Crisis Service Associate

Madison Marks

“I have been in the same hopeless place that most of our callers have been at. I started volunteering at Teen Lifeline when I was 17—I never heard of Teen Lifeline before and being able to see the progress Teen Lifeline has made is amazing. Now, I get to help teach teens skills that are important to helping other teens and themselves.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Crisis Service Associate

ROLE | As the crisis service associate, Madison demonstrates the impact Teen Lifeline makes through data analysis and helps support staff with their tasks.

CONTACT FOR | Data reporting and community outreach material requests.

You can reach Madison by email at madison@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Volunteered as a peer counselor from 2017 to February 2022, when she joined the staff as the crisis service associate. With five years’ experience as a peer counselor, she knows firsthand the issues teens face and what it’s like to be a teen volunteer.

EDUCATION | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. She graduated from Red Mountain High School in Mesa.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Madison enjoys playing video games, listening to podcasts and music, and going to concerts and conventions. With two cats of her own at home (Sushi and Mochi), she most relates to cats because she loves their independent personality.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Madison are: nerdy, passionate, and understanding.

Executive Director

Michelle Moorhead

She / Her

“Our teen peer counselors eventually go on to serve on nonprofit boards, work in health care and make a difference in their communities. Watching these teens grow throughout their time at Teen Lifeline is my greatest joy.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Executive Director

ROLE | As the executive director, Michelle oversees all day-to-day operations, improving performance, developing organizational culture, reporting on revenue, and directing organizational strategy. She works with the Board of Directors, donors, stakeholders, staff, and volunteers to prevent teen suicide by enhancing resiliency in youth and fostering supportive communities.

CONTACT FOR | Compliance, finance, organizational strategy, board governance, and agency management.

You can reach Michelle by email at michelle@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Involved in the research and creation of Teen Lifeline in 1986. Hired as the training and prevention specialist in 1988 and has been the Executive Director since 2000. Nearly all of Michelle’s more than 36-year career has focused on leading the movement to prevent teen suicide.

EDUCATION | Master’s degree in professional psychology with an emphasis in adolescent psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Michelle and her husband Jeff love to travel, especially to see one of their favorite country bands. They have two grown sons. Michelle graduated from Tolleson Union High School and was involved in student government including Senior Class President and Flag line.

THE BIG 3 | Three words that describe Michelle are: maternal, compassionate, and dedicated.

Prevention Specialist

Leah Pearson

“There is never a dull moment when working with teenagers. The teens are always entertaining, and hearing about their dreams and what they are currently doing is interesting.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Prevention Specialist

ROLE | As a prevention specialist, Leah works closely with teens to provide education and support for their mental health and delivers suicide prevention services to the community. She is also one of the clinicians that supervise our crisis hotline, helping support both the peer counselors and the teens who call/text in to the hotline.

CONTACT FOR | Questions about our suicide prevention services.

You can reach Leah by email at leah@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Leah joined our prevention team in July 2023. Prior to Teen Lifeline, Leah worked in the Department of Child Safety, helping families make behavioral changes to improve their household environments. She won an award for having the most engaged families during her tenure at DCS.

EDUCATION | Master’s degree in forensic psychology and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, both from Arizona State University. She graduated from Raymond S. Kellis High School in Glendale.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Leah is a stepmom to three kids ages 9 to 12. She enjoys reading, watching TV shows, traveling, and walking her two dogs: Kona, a German shepherd, and Bailey, a labrador retriever. If you asked her what animal she most relates to, she’d say an elephant because they are calm and gentle.

Administrative Assistant

Jaymee Shaw

“I honestly love working with my co-workers. They are such caring individuals, and you can tell they are passionate about what they do.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Administrative Assistant

ROLE | As the administrative assistant, Jaymee provides project support for the team members at Teen Lifeline.

CONTACT FOR | Clerical or billing questions.

You can reach Jaymee by email at jaymee@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Working in departments that specialize in developmental disabilities, juveniles, alcohol and drug treatment, communicable diseases, and psychiatric crises. She first began working in the behavioral health field during her senior year of high school and joined Teen Lifeline in 2019.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Jaymee enjoys crafts like making earrings, photography, hiking, and exploring new places. She was the class clown in high school, getting along with anyone and everyone. She relates to butterflies because she adapts well to change.

THE BIG 3 | Three words or phrases that describe Jaymee are: different, funny, and extremely blunt.

Youth Services Associate

Mark Williamson

“My favorite part of working at Teen Lifeline is getting to know the volunteers and seeing them progress as peer counselors and individuals.”

As Teen Lifeline’s Youth Services Associate

ROLE | As the youth services associate, Mark has supervised the training of hundreds of new volunteer peer counselors.

CONTACT FOR | Becoming a hotline volunteer or with questions about volunteer training.

You can reach Mark by email at mark@teenlifeline.org.

Personal Background

EXPERIENCE | Worked at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. He began volunteering as a peer counselor on the Teen Lifeline hotline in 2006 and joined the team as an employee in 2014.

EDUCATION | Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, where he majored in linguistics.

EVERYDAY LIFE | Fluent in Spanish, Mark has served as both a translator and an interpreter. He spends his free time outdoors.

THE BIG 3 | Three words to describe Mark are: contemplative, caring, and nervous.

Meet the Team Behind Teen Lifeline

Luis Barcelo

Jennifer Connor

Amanda Dailey

Mackenzie Gates

Andrea Gonzalez

Elizabeth Hansen

Morgan Hines

Nikki Kontz

Madison Marks

Michelle Moorhead

Leah Pearson

Jaymee Shaw

Mark Williamson

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