STAFF
Taunya Black (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
execdirector@gratefulhearttherapy.org
Taunya (she/her) has professional roots in non-profit and educational settings, where she has served in various capacities, including: teacher, program director, executive director and DEI director, as well as expertise in organizational development and strategic management consulting. In 2018, she co-founded Momentum Collaborative, a DEIB and organizational development consultancy dedicated to supporting organizational shifts in culture, policy and practice. In addition to her work with organizations, Taunya served as an adjunct professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies and, in 2019, she was honored to curate a mental health conference specifically addressing the mental health of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color. In 2023 Taunya received the “Organizational Culture Shift” award from Pacific Center for Human Growth at their 50th year gala.
Tracy Smith, Psy.D
Clinical Director
Dr. Tracy Smith is a clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience specializing in trauma, supervision, training, teaching, program development, and multicultural aspects of psychology. Working in community mental health settings, hospitals, jails, and schools, she specializes in providing care with a compassionate approach to helping clients work towards healing, increased understanding of self, and improved relational capacity. In addition to and in tandem with her clinical work, Dr. Smith is committed to supporting the exploration of psychological experiences related to race, class, and other cultural and social systems that we all reside in. Dr. Smith deeply believes that the work of psychology can and should be a socially just and liberatory practice. She works to identify gaps in mental health services and develop effective solutions that enhance the overall well-being of individuals and communities.
Angie Green
Payroll and Financial Manager
Angie joined Grateful Heart in October 2016 as Financial Coordinator and is tasked with overseeing most of the financial activities for the associates at Grateful Heart. With more than 30+ years of marketing, business development, and customer service expertise, Angie enjoys supporting our associates prepare for licensure and launch their practices as therapists.
Jen Herrington (she/her)
Project Coordinator
Jen has worked in non-profit administration for 15 years. Her favorite things to do are organizing and sorting through pages of data, culling processes that no longer serve, and being a part of a strong and effective team. She is excited about supporting associates in beginning their practice and preparing for licensure. She always loves to talk about swimming, knitting, architecture, and the revolution.
Michael MacLafferty, LMFT (he/him)
Operations & Systems Manager
Mike is a CIIS alum and has been a clinician at Grateful Heart since 2015. He hopes to be a force for ease and optimization that improves quality of life for everyone at Grateful Heart. He enjoys the variety of administrative work balanced with his clinical work. Personal interests include astrology, sci-fi/fantasy/horror, and good food with friends.
Paul LeBars, MA, AMFT (he/him)
Referral Manager
Paul brings a passion for service and community to his position as Referral Coordinator. Paul completed his Master of Arts degree at John F. Kennedy University in 2013, focusing on the study of Transpersonal Psychology. He continues his life’s work at Grateful Heart both as a clinician and member of our staff, bringing his passion for healing to his work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
K.Sue Duncan, MA, LMFT
Interim Board Chair, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
With over 35 years of experience in the field of therapy, K.Sue is a seasoned therapist who specializes in individual, long-term, depth psychotherapy. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to helping individuals navigate personal challenges with a holistic, person-centered approach that integrates both psychological insight and emotional support. In addition to clinical practice, K.Sue has devoted many years to teaching and training the next generation of therapists, with the last 15 years spent leading a nonprofit therapy training center. K. Sue is deeply committed to multiculturalism and LGBTQIA+ issues, drawing on both extensive study and training in these areas as well as her own lived experiences.
As a current board member, she brings her wealth of experience in therapy, leadership, and community-building to help guide the organization in fulfilling its mission and serving its diverse clientele.
Matthew Armstrong
Board Member
Matthew serves as the Operations and Development Director at San Diego Dance Theater (SDDT), bringing a
profound connection to the organization and over a decade of experience in the dance and nonprofit sectors. His
journey with SDDT began in 2006 as an audience member, evolved through mentorship and scholarship
opportunities, and culminated in performing and choreographing for the professional company. Today, Matthew
combines their passion for dance with a strategic focus on community engagement, fundraising, and operational
excellence, ensuring the organization thrives in its mission to foster inclusivity and creativity in the arts of the San
Diego Region.
In addition to their work with SDDT, Matthew is the co-founder and co-director of ConnectArte Multidisciplinary Space,
in collaboration with Raúl Navarro and Pamela Macías. ConnectArte is an independent alternative studio/forum
offering performances, workshops, and master classes in dance and other art disciplines for the community of
Tijuana, Baja California.
In 2016, Matthew Co-founded a non-profit social impact program called “Borboleta: Inclusive Art,” an organization in
Tijuana, Mexico that provides a variety of inclusive dance and art experiences such as workshops, master classes
and performance opportunities for children and adults living with or without disabilities, who goal is to accept and
embrace everyone’s diversity.
Matthew is also a dancer, choreographer and teacher based in the San Diego/Tijuana Region. Aside from SDDT, he
was worked with the prestigious dance companies such as Malashock Dance [2022-2024] & Lux Boreal [2011-2022].
His choreographic pieces within the companies have been presented both in Mexico and Brazil & the United States.
In addition to his artistic work, Matthew was appointed the coordinator of International Relations within Lux, where he
excelled in the development of professional relationships, with an emphasis in those of the San Diego/ Tijuana region
and other binational possibilities with artists throughout the United States.
Interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors of Grateful Heart? If so, please email us for more information at admin@gratefulhearttherapy.org.