Magnolia Clubhouse ShopEmployment & Education Programs
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Our Staff
Magnolia Clubhouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We employ staff of diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We actively work to increase the diversity of experience and perspectives on our team. We are committed to being a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We work to identify inequities within our organization and develop policies and practices that advance equity principles in our workplace and work.
Administration Unit
Lori, a psychologist, has been with Magnolia Clubhouse since 1997. Prior to her position with the Clubhouse, she worked at the University Hospitals of Cleveland Mood Disorder Program as a post-doctoral fellow. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University in 1995 where she is currently an adjunct clinical faculty member in the Department of Psychology. A Medical Advisory Board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Cleveland, she also serves on the board of NAMI Ohio. In addition, Lori serves as a Faculty and Advisory Council member for Clubhouse International (the umbrella organization for Clubhouses around the world), and is on the Advisory Board of the Clubhouse Program of Research, a partnership between the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Clubhouse International. In 2015, Lori was named Executive Director of the Year by NAMI Ohio.
Don Bernardo
Director of Development & Communications, Magnolia Clubhouse
216-721-3030 ext. 145
Don joined the Clubhouse in 2023 after serving as Director of Development at Hopewell, a therapeutic residential farm community for people with serious mental illness. His 36-year career in non-profit fundraising and administration includes work at the Cleveland Clinic, Great Lakes Theater, Hiram College, and the Achievement Centers for Children, among others. Don also served as Managing Director of Lyric Opera Cleveland, and has managed arts councils in upstate New York and Erie, PA. He earned an MBA degree in Arts Management from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a Bachelor’s in Drama from the University of Toronto, and is credentialed as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by CFRE International. Don is an award-winning actor and director, performing regularly with several regional community theatres.
Angel graduated from Hamilton College in 1994 with a degree in Comparative Literature and received a master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University in 1998. In 2010, she received training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy through Behaviortech. Angel has spent most of her career providing community support to the most vulnerable populations of Cuyahoga County.
After a decade with the State of Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Chuck was hired by Hill House in March 1993 to start a program to help transition individuals with long-term hospitalizations, as well as those with dual developmental and mental health issues, into the Clubhouse community and then into the greater community. Chuck graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in social work.
Nicole joined the staff at Magnolia Clubhouse in March of 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Dyke College and has over 20 years of experience working in all facets of accounting including corporate accounting, data analytics, and finance. Her work experience has also provided her extensive knowledge of several financial software programs, experience with the programming languages SQL and Python, she is a certified Microsoft Excel super user, and she has been involved in several implementation projects on accounting software.
James joined the Magnolia team in 2022, bringing with him a 30-year Clubhouse career including 15 years at the original Clubhouse, Fountain House in New York. A Kansas native, James earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wichita State University and his master’s degree in Social Work from Hunter College, City University of New York.
Nick joined the Clubhouse in November of 2019 as a Mental Health Professional and is currently the manager of the agency's Upscale Resale Shop. He holds a master's degree in Psychology and has over 13 years of experience both in Clinical and Research Psychology. Nick spent the majority of his life in Upstate New York and was born in Syracuse, went to school in Buffalo, and most recently lived in Saratoga Springs. His most recent role was as a Mental Health Worker for a private psychiatric facility working closely with a diverse population of adults and adolescents in crisis. While working at the hospital Nick was also able to collaborate with the Senior Leadership team on improvement projects such as the integration of Positive Psychology applications and approach. This turned out to be a perfect segway to coming to work at Magnolia Clubhouse which, just like the field of Positive Psychology, focuses on understanding and growing people's strengths and abilities.
Tiffany joined Magnolia Clubhouse in January 2022. She is a northeast Ohio native and graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in social work. Prior to coming to the Clubhouse, Tiffany was a school-based therapist at Ohio Guidestone and a social worker for the Medina County Health Department. Tiffany enjoys live music, gardening, and fostering for local animal rescues.
Aryn joined Magnolia Clubhouse in July of 2021. She comes to the Clubhouse after spending two years as a case manager at Signature Health. Aryn earned her Bachelors in Social Work from Bluffton University in 2019. She is a Painesville native and currently resides in Willoughby. In her free time, she likes to spend time outside going on bike rides or going for walks at the park.
After graduating from Muskingum College, Jennifer joined AmeriCorps to lead a youth health program with the American Red Cross. She then spent two years with the Peace Corps teaching AIDS education in Africa before returning to Cleveland as a specialist in the foster care program with Big Brothers Big Sisters. She joined the Clubhouse in 2014.
Communications Unit
Ryan joined Magnolia Clubhouse in 2013 and is a key member of the Communications Unit. He previously worked as a Youth Specialist at Bellefaire JCB from 2006 to 2013. While working at Bellefaire, he co-facilitated Partial Hospitalization and CPST groups with children. Ryan graduated from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting in 2014.
Adonté joined Magnolia Clubhouse in 2023. Adonté attended Saint Francis University (PA), where he received a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Currently, Adonté is enrolled in Cleveland State University’s master's program to obtain his clinical degree in Social Work. Prior to coming to the clubhouse, Adonte has years of experience working as a Child Protection Specialist at the Division of Children and Family Services. Adonté enjoys cooking, playing recreational sports, and hanging out with his dog in his free time.
Hospitality Unit
Laura received her graduate degree from CWRU’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences in 2007 and also holds a clinical social work licensure with supervisory designation. She joined the Clubhouse in 2013.
Greg is our local celebrity chef! He has been sharing his talents as a creative and enthusiastic chef at Magnolia Clubhouse since 2004. He is a key staff member of the hospitality unit, working with members to teach strong skills and provide the opportunity for members to learn the joys of cooking nutritious meals while working together as a collaborative and creative team. He often asks both staff and members to share family favorites to enhance the variety of lunches served daily at the Clubhouse. He is fun and creative and always has a smile! He truly enjoys his work, and it shows. Greg also participates in social outings with the membership particularly with an annual shopping trip to Amish Country.
Jordan Krugman, LSW, MSW
Mental Health Professional, Magnolia Clubhouse
216-721-3030 x124
Jordan Krugman joined Magnolia Clubhouse in September of 2023 as a licensed social worker. Jordan attended Ashland University, where she received a bachelor's degree in Psychology. Jordan later attended Cleveland State University, where she received a master's degree in Clinical Social Work. Prior to coming to the clubhouse, Jordan was a school-based behavioral health specialist working with children and adolescents at OhioGuidestone. In her free time, Jordan enjoys watching movies and spending time with her family and friends.
Jillian Roberts joined the Magnolia Clubhouse staff in 2024. Jillian received her Bachelor of Psychology from Kent State University and her Master of Social Work from Cleveland State. Jillian has over 10 years of experience working in the mental health field as a case manager, helping adults with mental health disabilities be able to retrieve resources and navigate in the community.
Tia Thomas joined the staff of Magnolia Clubhouse in August of 2022. She holds a Master of Social Work degree, which she completed from The University of Toledo in 2021. Tia calls herself “a social worker who loves to cook,” having had six years of kitchen experience at her family’s restaurant, The 4 Bistro, in South Euclid. Previously, she worked with youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio for two years. In addition, while attending college, she gained experience as an intern working with youth and families at a school-based program in Toledo.
Tia has a passion for art and loves traveling and spending time with family.
Membership Unit
Anthony comes to Magnolia Clubhouse with a bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University in business. He has over ten years of community engagement experience, including being an assistant coach for the Cleveland State Women's Basketball team and Supervisor of Security for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Anthony previously worked in mental health for over two years with Frontline Service and Medical Mutual. He enjoys sports, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Kevin Liptrap joined the staff of Magnolia House in 2023. Kevin possesses an M.ED and ED.S. from Baldwin Wallace and Bowling Green Universities. During the past decade, Kevin has been the Director and Program Director for various organizations that help those vulnerable in need. These nonprofits have centered around the homeless, those with mental illness, the incarcerated, and youth with challenges and barriers. Kevin is from the mountains and the beaches of Virginia. In his downtime, Kevin likes to watch his son play college football, play with his granddaughter, visit the ocean, and enjoy a lot of Mitchell's ice cream. He has discovered golf as a new hobby and is having fun purchasing gadgets to improve his game.
Kevin graduated from Cleveland State University with a BA in business. Before joining the Clubhouse in 2017, he worked as a vocational/employment specialist at The Employment Alliance and Recovery Resources for eight years.
Nicky graduated from Cleveland State University in December of 2018 with her B.A in Psychology. Before moving to the USA from England to return to school, she spent a few years traveling and living abroad. Nicky worked in hospitality for 15 years before returning to school to fulfill her passion for psychology, and while at Cleveland State she started and ran two student organizations pertaining to mental health. Nicky loves music, traveling, horseback riding and the outdoors, and she volunteers with a Search and Rescue team in her spare time. She also volunteers with Stand Up for Kids; an organization that helps homeless youth, and she is a proud advocate for the LGBT community and youth in and/or aging out of foster care. She has been at the Clubhouse since May 2019.
Clinic Staff
David received his Advanced Practice Nurse education at Case Western Reserve University. With 11 years of nursing experience, he has worked as a Nurse Practitioner for seven years. His nursing experience ranges from working in hospital intensive care units and emergency departments, to adult and geriatric psychiatry.
Melanie has been a Licensed Practical Nurse for eight years but has worked in the medical field for 26 years. She holds an associate's Degree in Applied Science/Human Services which allows her to work as an assistant social worker. Work throughout her career has spanned multiple disciplines within the human services field. She currently is enrolled at Indiana Wesleyan University to obtain a Bachelor's Degree. She is a native Clevelander.
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