Featured Member: Cara Alexander on HBCU CONNECT!

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Cara Alexander
Deputy Director , Health and Human Services
Location: Kensington , MD United States
Joined: Oct 23rd, 2025

About (request update)

Experience

I currently work with Health and Human Services as Deputy Director
I have years of experience working in the Government and Policy industry.

Deputy Director, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SES) | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
From September 2024 to Current • 2 year(s)
Lead operations with $700M+ budget and 100+ professionals across three divisions, providing executive oversight and serving as U.S. expert representative on overdose prevention to international forums.

Intermittent Lecturer | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor - School of Social Work
From January 2021 to Current • 5 year(s)
Provide clinical teaching in graduate-level courses for School of Social Work and support students in integrating research, theory, and policy into practice applications.

Field Instructor | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor - School of Social Work
From August 2020 to Current • 6 year(s)
Supervise and mentor MSW students through structured feedback and competency-based evaluation while facilitating student learning aligned with CSWE standards.

Division Director (GS-15) | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
From January 2021 to November 2024 • 3 year(s)
Directed Division of Targeted Prevention operations, managing 29 staff and 440+ federally funded programs with $100M annual investment, securing $42M in additional funding.

International Public Health Advisor/International Officer (GS-14) | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
From September 2018 to January 2021 • 3 year(s)
Served as SAMHSA's primary international officer, leading PEPFAR programs in Ukraine and conducting rapid geopolitical analysis for the Office of the Secretary.

Adjunct Lecturer | University of Southern California - School of Social Work
From August 2012 to August 2019 • 7 year(s)
Provided clinical teaching in graduate-level courses and supported students in integrating research, theory, and policy into practice.

Senior International Public Health Analyst (GS-13) | Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
From January 2017 to August 2018 • 1 year(s)
Managed the largest portfolio within the HIV/AIDS Bureau's international program, overseeing PEPFAR-funded programs across 8 countries impacting over 2.7 billion individuals.

Senior Public Health Analyst (GS-13) | Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
From October 2014 to January 2017 • 3 year(s)
Directed technical assistance and monitoring for 29 grants ($13M annual investment) and enhanced systems of care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Clinical Social Worker (GS-12) | Department of Defense (DoD)
From November 2012 to October 2014 • 2 year(s)
Oversaw clinical and administrative social work for 28-bed Emergency Department at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and provided leadership and training for Army and Navy social work interns.

Psychotherapist/Consultant | Private Practice
From January 2007 to December 2012 • 5 year(s)
Provided consultation services to military installations and organizations while developing and delivering psycho-educational programs for military commands.

Case Manager | Athens Regional Medical Center
From January 2008 to December 2010 • 2 year(s)
Provided case management services in medical setting.

CEO/Psychotherapist | Clinical Alternative Resource Associates, LLC
From February 2002 to December 2007 • 5 year(s)
Grew organization from 1 to 50 employees in four years while managing $2.5M budget and secured two state contracts for comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services.

Program Coordinator | Atlanta Metro Psychiatric Associates
From January 2003 to December 2003 • 0 year(s)
Coordinated programs at psychiatric associates practice.

Therapeutic Child Care Coordinator | Metro Atlanta Recovery Residencies
From January 2001 to December 2002 • 1 year(s)
Coordinated therapeutic child care services in recovery residential setting.

Lead Program Facilitator | Gwinnett County Juvenile Court
From January 1997 to December 2002 • 5 year(s)
Led program facilitation services for juvenile court system.

Medical Social Worker | Gwinnett Medical Center
From January 1997 to December 1999 • 2 year(s)
Provided medical social work services in hospital setting.

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