Wednesday, Sept. 17
Light breakfast and live music from Trial, Error and Triumph: 7:30-8 a.m.
Program: 8-9:30 a.m.
Mitchell Hall at Columbus State Community College
250 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
Featured Speakers
David Covington, CEO and President of Recovery Innovations, will serve as the keynote speaker for this year's annual meeting.
David W. Covington, LPC, MBA is a recognized innovator, entrepreneur, and storyteller in the behavioral health field. He serves as the CEO and President of Recovery Innovations and is a co-founder and partner at Behavioral Health Link. As the producer of Moving America’s Soul on Suicide, David is committed to transforming suicide prevention efforts. He also curates and hosts the weekly “988 Crisis Jam” Learning Community, in collaboration with SAMHSA and NASMHPD, and co-publishes Lifelines: The 988 Podcast alongside Dr. John Draper.
In 2024, David was honored with the prestigious Zero Suicide Visionary Award in Liverpool, England. Since 2010, he has been a founding member of the Executive Committee for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, where he co-led two key task forces in 2011 and 2016 alongside Dr. Michael Hogan. These efforts resulted in the groundbreaking Zero Suicide and Crisis Now initiatives, which have redefined approaches to suicide prevention and crisis intervention worldwide. To support these initiatives, David has hosted eight international convenings, bringing together leaders and experts from over 25 countries to foster global collaboration and innovation.
From 2005 to 2020, David served as vice-chair of the SAMHSA National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Steering Committee. In 2018, he emceed the First National Rally to Prevent Suicide on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He continues to serve on the Steering Committee of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
David’s leadership extends to his roles as past president of the American Association of Suicidology and former member of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing Board of Directors. A licensed professional counselor, he holds an MBA from Kennesaw State University and an MS from The University of Memphis. Since 2017, he has been a founding member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC), created under the 21st Century Cures Act to advise Congress on behavioral health care.
A two-time national recipient of the Council of State Governments Innovations Award, David was also a finalist in the 2009 Harvard Kennedy School Innovations in American Government Awards for his pioneering work on the Georgia Crisis and Access Line, which received national recognition in Businessweek. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Vice President at Magellan Health, overseeing a $750 million annual Medicaid contract as part of the Regional Behavioral Health Authority.
David's work has been featured by NPR and USA Today, and he is a sought-after speaker at international conferences. Follow him at davidwcovington.com and on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant will join us for brief remarks at the 2025 annual meeting.
Chief Bryant began her career in law enforcement with the Detroit Police Department on August 31, 2000. Chief Bryant worked several high profile units within the Detroit Police Department such as Housing Support Division, Executive Protection, Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force and Office of the Chief.
In June of 2006, Chief Bryant was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. During her tenure as Sergeant, her assignments included, Domestic Violence, Tenth Precinct, Office of the Chief Investigator and Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator Office.
In November of 2013, Chief Bryant was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. As Lieutenant, she served as the Training Director for the Detroit Police Academy. She was re-assigned to Chief’s Neighborhood Liaison where she was responsible for the Neighborhood Police Officer program, Reservists, LGBTQ Liaison program, Junior Cadets and Explorers programs, Chaplains and Traffic Safety.
In April of 2016, Chief Bryant was promoted to Captain. Her commands as Captain included the Tenth Precinct and Homicide.
On September 5, 2017, Chief Bryant was promoted to the rank of Commander where she served as the Commanding Officer of Major Crimes. Chief Bryant was re-assigned as the Commanding Officer of Professional Standards Bureau in January of 2019.
On September 9, 2019, Chief Bryant was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief where she served as the Deputy Chief of Neighborhood Policing Bureau-East and the Metropolitan Division. On June 2, 2021, Chief Bryant was selected by Mayor Andrew Ginther to serve as the Chief of Police for the Columbus Division of Police where she oversees a force of over 1,900 personnel.
Chief Bryant holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration; Community Development from Central Michigan University where she graduated with honors. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bowling Green State University where she graduated with honors. She is a graduate of session 46 of the FBI National Executive Institute and session 76 of the Senior Management Institute for Police. Chief Bryant is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Annual Awards and Scholarships
Don’t miss out on seeing this year’s annual award winners and scholarship recipients recognized. Each year, ADAMH honors the individuals in the behavioral health system who go above and beyond in their work to support the Franklin County community.