Nominees

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

SEAT 2

LISEL STEPHEN (TN) CANDIDATE PROFILE

DELEGATE ASSEMBLY

INSTITUTIONS (ADULT)

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Lisel Stephen serves as Director of Inmate Services at the Harding Campus for the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office in Nashville. With more than 25 years of experience in corrections and community mental health, she has dedicated her career to supporting special populations affected by addiction, depression, anxiety, anger management, self-esteem challenges, and women’s issues. After earning her master’s degree, Lisel became Director of Outpatient Services for a women’s treatment center, where she played a key role in transforming the program into Nashville’s first gender-specific co occurring outpatient treatment program. She also developed innovative programming that expanded a 30 day adolescent alcohol and drug treatment program into a comprehensive 90-day program addressing substance use disorders, mental illness, and behavioral challenges. For more than nine years with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Lisel has led multidisciplinary teams overseeing treatment services, educational programming, and inmate support services for the past three years. She is passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and advocates for individuals in custody to have the greatest opportunity for long-term success upon reentry into the community. In addition to her leadership role, Lisel provides training for correctional staff and mental health professionals to promote greater understanding, empathy, and awareness of the prevalence of mental illness within correctional settings. She is also an active member of several civic and cultural organizations, including the American Correctional Association. Outside of her professional work, Lisel enjoys spending time with family and friends.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE

Director of Inmate Services, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office 25+ Years in Corrections & Community Mental Health Substance Use Disorder & Behavioral Health Programming Reentry Services & Inmate Support Programs Staff Training & Mental Health Awareness Education Leadership in Multidisciplinary Treatment & Educational Services

Advocate for Behavioral Health & Reentry Services Leader in Community Mental Health & Correctional Programming Supporter of Gender-Specific & Co-Occurring Treatment Programs

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