Alex Shulman, M.A., is a Research Assistant at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, where he has worked since early 2021. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, with a B.S. in Social and Cultural History, and of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with an M.A. in United States and Latin American History.  Additionally, he completed a user experience design immersive course at General Assembly, a computer and digital technology school, and added user experience background research and usability testing to his skillset. Through his educational and professional background in history, his first professional positions included working as a guide and researcher at a number of museums and historic sites in the Greater Boston area. 

 His work at the Center includes qualitative data analysis for a study exploring workplace stigma resistance among peer support specialists and fidelity assessments for a Vocational Empowerment Photovoice series of courses. He is currently working on a grant about state-level policies and older individuals with serious mental illness. 

 Prior to his work at BU, he was a research and design team assistant at C4 Innovations, a mission-driven small business that advances recovery, wellness, and housing stability for people who are marginalized. During his 7 years at C4, he collaborated on several Small Business Innovation Research projects which identified the ways that young adults with schizophrenia use social media. Additionally, he assisted with user testing and data analysis of a motivational interviewing simulator, qualitative data analysis of the connections between racism and homelessness, and a video game for young people with psychosis. He also worked on the design phase of these projects by assisting in quality assurance, usability testing, and accessibility compliance. 

 He identifies as a person in long term recovery from mental health and substance use and uses his recovery journey to inform his work. 

Jane is a member of our Training, Dissemination and Technical Assistance (TDTA) team. She has extensive experience in implementation and evaluation of best-practice programs in supported employment and other mental health services. She is particularly interested in understanding change processes in scaling up mental health services policy and practice.

Lisa Krystynak is a Senior Training Associate at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, since October 2023. She completed her MS in Rehabilitation Counseling at Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA in December 2009. Prior to joining the Center of Psychiatric Rehabilitation on a full-time basis, Lisa worked for 3 years in a consulting role as a Coach in the “Coaching and Achievement for Peer Providers” program, designed to decrease work-related stress and turnover among peer providers.

Before joining Boston University, Lisa worked for 9 years for a peer-run agency offering recovery services to uninsured people with mental health and substance use challenges. She served in a variety of roles (In-Reach Extender Director, Recovery Hub Director, Drug Court Liaison, Director of Employment and Director of Transitional Aged Youth Program).

Lisa also has extensive experience working within the Foster Care System. She served as the Foster Care Director for a non-profit organization operating across North and South Carolina, providing comprehensive education, treatment, and care for children (birth to 18 years) in need. In addition, Lisa served as a Therapeutic Foster Parent for 15 years in her local community.

Along with being a Certified Peer Support Specialist, Lisa also has lived experience as a mother of someone with substance use challenges and understands the impact of addiction on a family system. Lisa has had the opportunity to support other mothers and family members, as they consider their own recovery and attempt to navigate the Justice System alongside their loved one.

Lisa has dedicated the last 35 years of her career to supporting people experiencing Mental Health challenges, substance use disorders and trauma, in a way that supports their own personal hopes and dreams. Through professional trainings and tapping into her own lived experiences, Lisa believes people have their own solutions and that these solutions can be realized if helpers will listen for understanding and connection, without judgement.