Administrative and Management Team

Ann Raney has worked as a clinician and administrator in community mental health for nearly 30 years. With advanced degrees in social work and religion, she has taught at The University of Chicago, is a graduate of Leadership Evanston, and maintains a private psychotherapy and consulting practice. Her clinical interests include relational therapy, spirituality, and mindfulness. Her position at Turning Point includes staff supervision and consultation as well as administrative oversight. She believes that all members of the agency team benefit from understanding all aspects of the agency’s mission to provide quality care to the community.

Kelly Schuler has over 20 years of strategic and tactical leadership experience within the healthcare field. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Marquette University.  In the role of Chief Operating Officer, Kelly oversees financial activities, administrative staff, and business operations.

Martina Cortez has experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and families. Her areas of expertise include mood disorders, addiction, and anxiety. She also has extensive experience with training and supervising students and clinical staff. She uses a psychodynamic and client-centered approach, with a recovery-oriented focus. She believes that the most important thing she can bring to the therapeutic experience is an empathic and non-judgmental perspective that allows people to feel comfortable and safe. She has more than 20 years of experience in community mental health.

Ronit Peikes, Human Resources Director, manages the Human Resources department at Turning Point and is involved in the hiring of new staff, maintenance of personnel requirements and records, and ensuring compliance with employment-related laws and standards. In her clinical work, she works with adult clients. Her areas of interest and expertise include working with individuals with depression, bipolar disorder, women’s issues, and anxiety, as well as running therapy groups. 

Stephanie Bright is our Compliance Coordinator and Intake Team Lead. Her bio will be available shortly.

Kelly Fritz, Groups Coordinator, works with children, adolescents, and adults. She received a master's degree in Counseling from Northwestern University. In her coursework, she specialized in children and adolescents. Kelly uses an integrative approach that emphasizes psychodynamic and person-centered principles. Her clinical interests include depression, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and relational issues. 

Jennifer Sultz has over 25 years of experience working with Chicago non-profits in executive leadership positions involving administration, development and event coordination. Her responsibilities include oversight of Turning Point’s development efforts including marketing and community outreach and all aspects of fundraising. She has a strong background in the arts and is a graduate of Grinnell College where she serves as an alumni volunteer.  

Melissa Iavarone is our Open Access Coordinator and Preceptor. As the Open Access Coordinator, Melissa is responsible for the overall coordination of the referral and admissions process. Melissa’s role as the Preceptor is welcoming and facilitating learning by assisting new therapists to meet clinical objectives. Melissa obtained her BA in psychology and went on to earn her Master of Social Work while working as a case manager at Turning Point. Melissa believes in meeting clients where they are with compassion, empathy, and communication.

Alexis King, Residential and ARCHES Program Coordinator, has completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Studies with an emphasis in family social services from Northern Illinois University. Alexis has experience in working as a Case Manager and working with clients in residential programs to promote their independence. She is passionate and dedicated to the field of social services and mental health. 

Julie Rooney, Director of Group Programming and Clinical Support Services, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 18 years of experience treating couples, families, and individuals. She is trained as a Marriage and Family therapist by Arizona State University, which provided her with a systemic and integrative approach to psychotherapy. Since 2015, Julie has worked in management roles at Turning Point and was the Groups Program Coordinator from 2017 to 2021. In addition to her clinical and management roles, she has provided clinical supervision to interns as well as clinical staff and is passionate about providing the highest quality supervision to her supervisees. In her clinical work, Julie utilizes a strengths-based, client-centered approach to support her clients in achieving their individual goals, fueled by a belief that we all possess the ability to change our stories and live the lives we desire. Julie’s clinical interests include women’s issues, parenting, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, trauma recovery, and couples and family therapy. ​

Rayna Trayanova, Office and Facilities Manager, manages the support staff and works with all clinical staff. She also manages facilities needs and has been the primary contact for multiple large-scale construction projects on-site. She is fluent in Bulgarian and has some knowledge of Russian and Serbian.

Sheri Williamson is our Director of Counseling Services. Her bio will be available shortly. 

Simone Wilson is our Director of Mobile Crisis Response. Her bio will be available shortly.