Suzzette Garcia is EDC’s Project Director of Suicide Care Policy and Health System Transformation. As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and behavioral healthcare executive, she brings over a decade of experience in behavioral health leadership, systems transformation, regulatory compliance, and program development. Her work has focused on designing and scaling trauma-informed, high-quality behavioral health programs while advancing workforce development and clinical quality.

Suzzette leads national initiatives that advance evidence-based suicide care, health system transformation, and behavioral health policy for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention at EDC. In this role, she collaborates with healthcare leaders, policymakers, payers, and cross-sector partners to strengthen suicide prevention strategies and improve access to high-quality behavioral healthcare across the U.S.

Prior to joining EDC, Suzzette served as an executive leader and board member for California’s professional association representing Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. In this capacity, she advanced behavioral health policy, workforce development, and professional standards for mental health professionals statewide. She has also held executive and clinical leadership roles across outpatient, intensive outpatient, and community-based behavioral health programs throughout California, leading multidisciplinary teams, accreditation readiness efforts, and large-scale quality improvement initiatives.

Suzzette holds a BA in Psychology from National University and her master’s degree in clinical counseling from Alliant International University. She is currently completing her doctorate in Organizational Psychology, with a research focus on artificial intelligence applications and ethical implementation in behavioral healthcare.