Leadership

  • TSgt. Damian Battinelli, USAF (Ret.)


    Founder / President

    Damian Battinelli is a U.S. Air Force military veteran, was a 9/11 First Responder, a 9/11 cancer survivor, and a multimedia badass! Battinelli spent most of his 14 year military career as an F-16 ejection systems maintainer at the 158th FW, VTANG where he was also shop supervisor until his medical discharge for PTSD in 2012. After many years struggling to understand his own mental health, Battinelli felt an important calling to start an organization focused on the many mental health struggles he and many others navigate every day.

  • Milan Saha, Esq


    General Counsel / Compliance Officer

    Milan Saha grew up in the North Country with his TV in a small hamlet, because he tried to be but mostly was not.  What for? Because It’s a ‘burg under there, where he learned to walk his dinosaur like Was Not Was, and believe in miracles with stars on ice (…just in time for totality).

  • Darin Perrotte, Saranac Lake Chief of Police


    Board Member

    In early 2022, Perrotte became Chief in Saranac Lake, NY. Chief Perrotte is very active in Mental Health of the Community as well as his Officers. He became certified as a Crisis Intervention/Mental Health Instructor for Police and also as a Peer Counselor for his fellow Officers. Chief Perrotte is also a NYS certified Crisis Intervention Officer as well as an FBI Certified Crisis/Hostage Negotiator.

  • Jay Bleeker


    Board Member

    Born and raised in Plattsburgh, Jay graduated high school at Seton and then became a RN. Jay has worked most of his career in psych, but is currently working in primary care.  He has 2 daughters, 1 son, and likes long walks on the beach.

  • Raeanne Brunelle McLaughlin


    Fundraising Coordinator

    Raeanne McLaughlin has spent the past 30 years of her career working with older adults, many of which are veterans.  She was born and raised in the North Country. She earned her Bachelor’s of Psychology and Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh.  She moved to California in 2000 where she furthered her career and gained valuable experience with pharmaceutical research, neuropsychology, behavioral science and older adults in Assisted Living and Memory Care Settings.  She returned to the North Country to raise her only daughter in December 2007, where she proudly was the Executive Director of Pine Harbour Assisted Living for 14 years. She now is a  consultant for Assisted Livings all over New York State helping Long Term Care Facilities provide exemplary care for the older adults they serve.

Support Team

  • Matthew McGarr

    Audio / Video Engineer

    Born and raised in Plattsburgh, NY, my inspiration is primarily the lush green environment I’ve grown up around, as well as the varied and aging architecture so typical of New England. Whether using wet or dry media, visual energy is always a priority for me.
    Learn more about Matt

  • Joel Settevendemio

    Air Guitar Tuner

    As a lifelong native to the North Country, I've always wanted to commit to enriching the culture. I enjoy contributing through the expression of the arts with music, writing, and film. This project just resonates with me as a person with a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. It finally feels like I'll be able to put my talents to good use for a cause I care deeply about.

  • Christina Battinelli

    Expert

    With over 12 years of experience in nonprofit work, Christina has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable populations. Her career in social services began in Plattsburgh, NY where she worked as a Targeted Outreach Worker, focusing on the uninsured and underserved.

    Currently residing in FL as the Team Lead for the BRAVE Program, Christina works tirelessly to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, eliminate barriers to receiving support, and ensure that families have access to the services they need.