Meet the Leadership Team
Our leadership team is comprised of experienced professionals who are passionate about helping others.
Alicia Brown
M.S., Ed.S., LCMHCS
Founder & CEO, The Oaks Therapeutic Community
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Credentials that Count
Alicia Brown is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. Serving first as a public school counselor and then in private practice, Alicia founded The Oaks in 2017 with an incredible team of volunteers. Therapeutically, Alicia has worked with clients across the lifespan, specializing in blending The Oaks Wellness Model with a cognitive behavioral approach to increase brain health, encourage a healthy thought life, and foster meaningful, lasting change.
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Alicia holds an Ed.S. and M.S. in School Counseling from UNC Greensboro, where she was inducted into Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society, and a B.S. in Psychology from Gardner-Webb University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and competed as an NCAA Women’s Basketball athlete.
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Why It Matters
Alicia believes every person is priceless. When individuals come to understand their worth and combine that with sound therapeutic techniques in counseling, incredible healing and purpose can follow. She is passionate about ensuring that all people have access to high-quality, compassionate therapeutic care.
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Where I Thrive
Alicia thrives in pursuing a mission and vision alongside an amazing team of passionate and exceptional teammates. She connects most with the Thriving Community spoke of The Oaks Wellness Model, believing that life is more meaningful—and even the hard things more bearable—when we walk the journey together.
Kelly Martin
Director of Finance
Credentials That Count
Kelly is a seasoned financial accounting professional with over 30 years' experience across diverse sectors. Throughout her career, she has developed an expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, compliance and internal controls. Her broad industry experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of financial operations.
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Why It Matters
Her spiritual gifts are mercy and service, and she is deeply driven by a desire for people to know who Jesus created them to be - and to thrive in that truth. She has personally experienced the love, care and transformation offered through The Oaks, and it has left a lasting impact on her life. She counts it as a true blessing to use her background in financial accounting to support the mission of The Oaks. By stewarding resources well, she helps enable the organization to reach more people, offer more care and continue being a place of hope and healing.
Where I Thrive
She connects most deeply with Spiritual Strength. For her, it's the center that allows all the other areas of life to move freely and with purpose. When you know Jesus and understand who he created you to be, life becomes sweeter, calmer and more intentional. It becomes our anchor in life no matter how the winds blow. It's from this place that she lives, works and serves, and it's why she is passionate about helping others discover that same truth.
Ava Kallam
Client Care Coordinator
Credentials that Count
Ava is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned her degree in Communication Studies. After completing a marketing and administrative internship with The Oaks, she stepped into her current full-time role as Client Care Coordinator. In this position, she connects members of the community with counselors and community groups, helping ensure that each individual is matched with the support they need.
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Why It Matters
She has always had a passion for helping others and knew early on that this would be at the center of whatever career path she pursued. Ava is dedicated to creating spaces where everyone feels valued, loved, and truly appreciated. At The Oaks, she has the privilege of encouraging people to take the first step in their mental health journey and walking alongside them as they receive the help they are seeking. She finds it deeply inspiring to witness daily the blessings and miracles the Lord is working in the lives of clients and within The Oaks community.
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Where I Thrive
Within The Oaks’ wellness model, the Life Skills spoke resonates most strongly with Ava. She thrives in finding joy in life’s simple pleasures—whether reading a book, exploring her creative side, or soaking up sunshine outdoors. These rhythms allow her to remain grounded and continue bringing encouragement and care to others.
Melissa Cox
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Credentials That Count
Melissa brings over 15 years of professional marketing experience, with a Business Degree in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She has specialized training in strategic communications and community engagement, and her expertise lies in crafting campaigns and visuals that not only inform but inspire action—helping individuals and families connect with resources that support mental health and wellness
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What Matters
What drives Melissa’s work is more than just skill—it’s a genuine passion for people. She believes every story matters and is honored to use her gifts to share the mission of The Oaks in ways that uplift and encourage. Seeing lives touched and communities strengthened is what keeps her motivated each day.
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Where I Thrive
Melissa thrives by keeping her eyes on Christ. Her faith is both her anchor and guide, shaping the way she serves others and reminding her of the greater purpose behind her work. She continues to grow in her walk with God while using her talents to build meaningful connections within the community.
Christina Leggett
Chief Operating Officer
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Credentials that Count
A proud graduate of Guilford College, where she also played collegiate volleyball, Christina knows the value of teamwork and perseverance both on and off the court. She brings over 20 years of operational and leadership experience, blending business expertise with a lifelong passion for helping people. As Chief Operating Officer, she thrives in building systems that keep things running smoothly while ensuring The Oaks’ heart for the community is always front and center. A Greensboro native, Christina carries a deep love for the Triad area and the people who call it home.
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Why It Matters
For Christina, The Oaks is more than a workplace—it’s the place where her passions finally came together. From serving on mission fields to investing in her local community, she’s always been driven by the desire to help people find healing and hope. Her favorite part of her role is watching dreams turn into reality—not just for The Oaks, but for the individuals and families who walk through the doors every day.
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Where I Thrive
Within the Wellness Model, Christina connects most with Exercise and Community—two spokes that mirror her own life experience. Years of volleyball taught her that movement fuels strength and community builds resilience. Whether it’s breaking a sweat to clear her head or linking arms with others in service and support, she believes both movement and meaningful connection are essential to living well. At The Oaks, she brings that same energy—helping the team stay strong, united, and always in motion toward growth.
Tori Truhe
LCMHCA
​Rooted Coordinator
Credentials that Count
Tori completed her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University in 2024 and is now a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Associate (LCMHCA). Tori serves at The Oaks as a licensed counselor and the Rooted program coordinator. She has also started developing skills in the area of equine-assisted psychotherapy. She has served others in individual, school, and group settings, incorporating both wellness and mental health practices.
Why It Matters
Tori has a heart for others to recognize their worth and identity and to find restoration accordingly. She is honored to partner with clients in their journey, offering a safe space to find healing and hope. Recognizing that each person is unique and valuable, she is ready to meet clients where they are and adapt the counseling process to their specific needs.
Where I Thrive
Considering her own wellness, Tori finds strength from her Rest/Sleep spoke. Whether in quiet time with the Lord, sitting outside in nature, or simply finding small moments of stillness in the busyness of life, Tori regains strength when she rests. Incorporating this practice into her daily rhythms equips her to love God and serve others both at The Oaks and elsewhere.
Abby Larrick
Masters Level Intern
Credentials that Count
Abby holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At The Oaks, she provides support wherever it is needed, with a primary focus on administration and community engagement.
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Why It Matters
After spending two years in overseas missions, Abby felt a deep pull toward the mental health and wellness field. Her passion for helping people and her heart to see others become whole and healthy led her to pursue counseling. She values connection—both within her community and with the people she loves most—which fuels her desire to continuously encourage growth and healing within herself and the world around her.
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Where I Thrive
Through both personal experience and education, Abby has developed a strong passion for integrating physical and spiritual health with mental health. This holistic approach has shaped her own journey and inspires her to help others thrive through the interconnected spokes of community, movement, nutrition, and mental wellness.
Vanessa York
LCMHC-S
Clinical Supervisor
Credentials that Count
Vanessa York is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor with more than a decade of dedicated service in the mental health field. Her career began as an adolescent intensive in-home therapist, where she provided critical support to young people and their families. She later served as an assessment therapist in a hospital setting, gaining valuable experience in acute care. Vanessa then transitioned into private practice, counseling individuals and supervising interns, while also teaching pastoral counseling at the university level. She is a sought-after speaker and trainer on mental health topics, known for her ability to connect with diverse audiences.
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Throughout her career, Vanessa has worked with clients across ages, races, and backgrounds. She is highly skilled in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy, and she is deeply committed to treating the whole person—mind, body, and soul. This holistic approach aligns seamlessly with The Oaks Wellness Model, reflecting her belief that true healing comes from addressing every dimension of human experience.
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Vanessa’s academic foundation is equally impressive. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology, Christian ministry, and theology, as well as a master’s degree in professional counseling from Liberty University. In addition, she earned a Christian Leadership certificate and has served in ministry leadership for over 30 years, including her ordination as a minister in the Wesleyan denomination. She also maintains a supervision license as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, equipping her to mentor and guide the next generation of therapists.
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Why It Matters
Vanessa believes that when life feels overwhelming, painful, or uncertain, no one should have to face it alone. Therapy offers a pathway to healing, peace, and renewed strength. With compassion and expertise, Vanessa helps clients navigate challenges, discover resilience, and embrace healthier ways of living. Her mission is to walk alongside individuals as they create meaningful change and reclaim hope.
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Where I Thrive
Vanessa thrives in empowering others to reach their fullest potential. She is most energized by building thriving communities, recognizing that her work is part of a greater mission. She believes the most impactful way to pursue this mission is by multiplying her efforts—pouring into others so they, too, can flourish and live out their true giftedness.