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Our Staff
The staff of The New Foundation is comprised of both professional and administrative employees. They include Independent and Master's level therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, behavioral health technicians, as well as an incredible support staff who ensure the smooth functioning of The New Foundation.  Here are just a few of our key staff: 

Jewel Owens, LCSW
Executive Director/ President
Born and raised in South Dakota, Jewel moved to Arizona in 1984 after graduating from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. The New Foundation was her first job after college, starting as an overnight counselor. After three years, she went to work briefly (about 18 months) for Wendy Payne O'Brien Center, returning to The New Foundation in November, 1989. She obtained her Master's of Social Work from Arizona State University in May, 1994 and is currently licensed by the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health as an Independent Licensed Social Worker. Over the years, she has held various positions, including Transition Counselor, Clinician, Clinical Coordinator, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Diversion Program Coordinator, Assistant Director, and moved into the President/CEO position in May, 2002. An advocate for the strengths model and a firm believer in Cognitive Behavioral Approaches, Jewel's passion is developing new programs and models for the agency. She was a key player in the creation of The New Foundation's Diversion Domestic Violence Program and the Scottsdale Time Out Program.
jowens@thenewfoundation.org
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Geri Leary, MSW, LCSW
Director of Operations
Geri has a Masters degree in Social Work from Marywood College Graduate School of Social Work in Scranton, PA, and is a Licensed Independent social worker in Arizona.
Geri’s professional achievements include providing psychiatric services to diverse populations including geriatrics, adults, children and adolescents with a special emphasis in crisis intervention and chemical dependency. During the past ten years, Geri has focused her expertise on adolesent chemical dependency. She has developed inpatient, out-patient, after care and family programs dealing with the multifaceted problems associated with chemical dependency.. Geri currently oversees the administrative and clinical programming of The New Foundation.   
geri@thenewfoundation.org
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Dr. Sheila Wong, M.D., M.S.
Medical Director/ Psychiatrist
Dr. Wong specializes in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with particular interests in psychopharmacology She treats her patients with different psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, tic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, and substance related disorders.
Dr. Wong earned her medical degree at Shanghai Second Medical University, where she completed her residency training in Pediatrics and practiced as a  pediatrician.  She completed her general psychiatric residency and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (MIHS).  She also completed her Master's degree in nutrition at Arizona State University.
Dr. Wong is a faculty member at MIHS Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Fellowship Program and supervises fellows for consultation services and rotations and The New Foundation.  In addition, Dr. Wong teaches psychopharmacology and lectures for their training program.
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Melissa Townsend
HR Administrator
Melissa was raised in Mystic CT and moved to Arizona in 1993. She has worked in Human Resources for over 10 years in businesses as varied as two small sandwich shops to a major airline. She feels that The New Foundation provides the opportunity to help teenagers by supporting the staff that works with them. One of Melissa's main goals at The New Foundation is to continue to hire and retain the best staff in the industry.
hr@thenewfoundation.org
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Judy Nichols-Evans, MC, LPC, REAT
Clinical Coordinator
Judy is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kansas and a Masters degree in Counseling from the University of Phoenix. Judy is also a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist through the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association. She has ten years experience working with abused, neglected, homeless and at-risk youth. She specializes in Reactive Attachment Disorder and uses the creative arts (drama, movement, painting, music and poetry) in groups and individual sessions as a means of therapeutic healing.
jevans@thenewfoundation.org
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Dineen Rouse, M.Ed
Director of Education/Principal
Dineen has been with the New Foundation since 1997. Originally hired as the Education Coordinator, Dineen became the principal of the Marion Burton School in 2003.She has a Master's in Educational Leadership from N.A.U and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from Dowling college in Oakdale, NY as well as an A.A.S. in Early Childcare Education. Dineen's numerous responsibilities include overseeing the structure and supervision of school personnel and students, maintaining Dept. of Education and North Central Association Accreditation, developing educational programs to meet individual student’s needs and educating staff on appropriate behavioral interventions in the classroom setting.
mbschool@thenewfoundation.org
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Sophia Campbell, LMSW
Director of Marketing / Community Liaison
Sophia Campbell is the Director of Marketing for The New Foundation. She holds two undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Social Science as well as a Master's Degree in Social Work. As a Licensed Social Worker, Sophia worked as the Intake Coordinator at The New Foundation for approximately 4 ½ years. After a short hiatus, Sophia returned to TNF as Director of Marketing educating the community about TNF and the numerous programs and services they offer.
scampbell@thenewfoundation.org
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Mikelle Schneider, MA, LPC
Director of Admissions
Mikelle has her Masters degree in Education and Human Development with a focus on Community Counseling from George Washington University. Mikelle is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. Before being promoted to Director of Admissions, Mikelle worked as Clinician for two years here at The New Foundation. Mikelle also currently facilitates Survivor’s Groups for girls, which provide a supportive, safe place for victims of sexual and physical abuse to share thoughts/feelings and heal from past trauma. She has a mind/body approach and uses her knowledge of mindfulness, meditation, and yoga in her group sessions. She is Level 2 certified in EMDR and incorporates these cognitive-behavioral skills in treatment.
intake@thenewfoundation.org
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Jim Kiesel
Director of Quality Management
Jim has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from New Mexico State University and a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Norwich University along with twenty five years of healthcare experience. He has worked in a variety of different areas including physician and hospital quality assurance, medical staff relations and administrative and operational support services. Jim has several years of experience working directly with health care performance improvement activities as well as with regulatory and survey/accrediting agencies.
jkiesel@thenewfoundation.org
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