The Flinn Foundation Welcomes Newest Board Member Dana Lasenby

In December 2024, Dana Lasenby became the newest member of the Flinn Foundation Board of Trustees — making good on her goal of working with “people with good hearts” and especially Chief Judge Freddie Burton, Jr., whose work she has long admired.

In truth, Lasenby brings to the Flinn Foundation considerable experience as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director at Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), where she applies her decades of experience in health care administration as a master’s level psychologist. Prior to joining OCHN, Lasenby served as Chief Clinical Officer at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network.

We spent time with Lasenby to learn more about what she will bring to the Board — and the colorful way she likes to unwind at the end of a long day.

Q: You have decades of clinical experience in mental health support. Tell us more about where you started out.

I have been truly fortunate to work in the clinical arena. My first “real” job at 23, 24 years old was on a locked psychiatric unit at what was then Detroit Mercy Hospital. I was working with individuals who were at some of the sickest times of their lives, so vulnerable, so in need. I started wondering what we could do to help people, so they are not rotating through the system, really providing the help they need and improving the quality of their lives.

Q: What did you learn that helped shape the rest of your career?

Over the years, I have been able to work face-to-face with individuals we serve in the role of a clinician, an advocate, and as a system innovator. I am often frustrated when I hear people say: “the system is broken.” There are hundreds of thousands of people who work in the public behavioral health system and give their hearts every day to serving people.

Are there improvements to be made? Yes. Are there things we need to do better? Absolutely.

Serving on the Flinn Foundation Board allows us to impact change and be solution-focused, leaning on input from a diverse group of subject matter experts. This includes clinical, operational, and administrative experiences, as well as from experiences as a community member and seeing what is needed. I am truly honored to use my voice to contribute to the amazing work that the Flinn Foundation is already doing.

Q: Where do you see Michigan stand as a leader in supporting and innovating in the mental health space?

The pandemic brought important awareness to the mental health needs of our community. Not just the people we typically care for, but everyone struggling with isolation, depression, or grief. Unfortunately, several devastating tragedies also forced Michigan to pay attention to mental health differently than some other states. When you look at the Oxford shooting, for example, and the shooting at Michigan State University and most recently in (Rochester) splash center, two of those incidents occurred in Oakland County.

I am proud to say Oakland Community Health Network’s administrative costs are less than 7%. This is a benchmark that should continue to be a priority to ensure funding is dedicated to services for people. We are doing the most with the least and are good stewards of our resources.

We have a number of new service programs being introduced, and my hope is that we integrate these initiatives in a way that promotes best practices, while also complementing existing services focused on the most vulnerable people. It can be a challenge to find a balance between new and existing programs, while also taking prevention into consideration. How do we make sure that we are preventing people from going to the most extremes when they say: “I told you I needed help.” We need to ensure the most vulnerable people we are serving, who cannot really navigate on their own, have the support and resources they need. That means not just the people we serve, but the people who serve the people we serve. I always want to advocate for them.

Q: What role do you think philanthropy can play in supporting programming and best practices?

I think setting priorities is critical to philanthropy and program assistance. One, you want to give to programs you want to see continue or see created because you know it is going to give to the community and make a difference. Two, how do you make sure that you are getting the return you want from your investment? Even though you are given dollars, you have to be good stewards of those dollars. The Flinn Foundation is about giving, supporting and setting organizations up for success. I think Flinn is looking for good community investments, making sure the organizations are good at doing what they are doing and healthy to receive funding. Also, how do we support organizations to be fiscally sound and whole?

Q: What do you think people absolutely need to know about mental health?

Mental health is about all of us. At any given point in life, we can be impacted directly or indirectly by our mental health. I tell my team this a lot: give each other grace because you just do not know what someone is going through. That does not mean we are not accountable, but that our mental health fluctuates and changes. For some, that shift is tough, while others are more resilient.

Mental health is our health. We must stop separating our brains, hearts, spirits and souls. Sometimes we are in physical pain because we are in emotional pain, and sometimes we are in emotional pain because we are in physical pain. You have to treat the whole person.

I want people to know they do not have to struggle in silence. There are resources available. Just call 988. When I started here a few years ago, I realized I would not have known about OCHN had I not applied for my role as CEO. I continue to work hard at increasing community awareness about our services. I want people to know who we are and what we are about. We are here to help the community and empower people. Being empowered means that if I need some help, I will reach out and get the help I need. Help is available.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a new grandbaby; she is my first. So, I take advantage of every opportunity to visit her in North Carolina until I can convince her parents to move to Michigan. I have two children who are young adults. My daughter has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology and my son has an associate degree in criminal justice. I am so proud of the loving, caring people they are — and their strong personalities. I tell my husband we did an excellent job.

I also do a few things that would surprise people. I like to read good books. I like to watch trash TV sometimes. Lately, I have been coloring for relaxation and to unwind. I do buy coloring books and give them out when I go to various places and events, because I think kids should have coloring books. Take the technology away and color!

I also give out a lot of coloring books to adults. Their response is usually positive, and they often say: “I haven’t colored in a long time!” Again, I encourage people to color more. It slows you down and makes you refocus. It is just very soothing.

Learn more about the Board of Trustees at the Flinn Foundation.