Lisa LaCon, Ph.D., CRC

I am the Co-Founder and Director of BLESSED Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides employment and workforce development services to individuals with disabilities, formerly incarcerated persons, and other disadvantaged groups. I have a proven record of securing and managing over $17 million in grants from various sources, designing and implementing innovative research and programs, and partnering with external agencies and stakeholders to benefit the community. I hold a Ph.D. in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Rutgers University and am certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor. With more than 24 years of experience in the social service and nonprofit sectors, I am a passionate social entrepreneur and mental health advocate dedicated to empowering urban communities through education, advocacy, and wellness initiatives. I am also the Founder and Executive Producer of Urban Tools for Change Network (UTCN), a platform for residents in urban areas who want to learn more about mental health issues and how to achieve wellness and recovery goals. UTFC is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Amazon podcast platforms.