Board of Directors

Kristen earned her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado, Boulder in Organic Chemistry. She later served as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo where she taught Organic Chemistry, Neurochemistry, and the Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons. After Kristen’s 17-year-old son, Anders, developed schizophrenia – which was most likely associated with high-potency cannabis use in his early teens – Kristen joined the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University (2018). At Vanderbilt, she researched new antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia. During that same year, Kristen delivered a TEDx presentation titled Rewiring Revolution: Neuroplasticity’s Impact on Wellbeing. Tragically, Kristen lost her son to an accidental overdose in 2019 after his mental health severely declined, and he became addicted to opioids and stimulants.

Two years after her devastating loss, Kristen changed the trajectory of her life to utilize her scientific teaching and research skills to educate adolescent-aged children and their caregivers on mental health challenges and how it can lead to substance use and self-harm. As the Director of Outreach and Advocacy Programs and Assistant Professor of Research at the Warren Center, Kristen presented to youth, caregivers, legislators, and law enforcement about the impact repeated stress, social media, screen time, and substances have on the developing adolescent brain. In addition, she developed a multi award-winning educational documentary aimed at youth titled “Speaking Through Me” that was released August 2023.

Kristen has appeared on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and NewsNation: Elizabeth Vargas Reports regarding increased psychosis risk with high-potency cannabis use during adolescence. In 2025, the overwhelming desire to reach more youth called Kristen to launch the non-profit “22 Forever” in memory of her son, Anders. As the President and Executive Director of 22 Forever while continuing as Assistant Professor of Research at Vanderbilt Medical School, Kristen delivers adolescent brain health presentations both nationally and internationally. In addition, 22 Forever’s mission includes empowering young minds through a middle school curriculum that educates on optimizing brain health and well-being during this opportune time of adolescent neuroplasticity.

Kim Viviano has dedicated her career to advancing community well-being through leadership in health, aging services, and education. She previously served as Executive Director of Bethel Retirement Community and led health and wellness programs at the Healthy Aging Association. Currently, she supports communications, finance, and operations at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine Basic Sciences Department at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. Kim is passionate about building connections and strengthening organizations that make a difference. With a background spanning nonprofit management, higher education, and community health, Kim Viviano offers board-level expertise in strategic communications, program development, and stakeholder engagement. She has overseen multi-site operations, led fundraising and outreach initiatives, and built strong teams of staff and volunteers. Kim is committed to helping mission-driven organizations expand their reach and impact.

Jim Olechna was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Sport with a concentration in Nutrition Studies from the University of Scranton, where he later completed his Master in Health Administration (MHA). During his graduate studies, Jim completed an administrative residency at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in the Department of Pathology and Clinical Labs.

Following his residency, Jim joined CHOP’s Department of Finance, focusing on long-range strategic planning, operational budgeting, business intelligence, and financial analytics. Driven by a passion for improving clinical outcomes and operational efficiency, he pursued and achieved a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

Jim then served as an Enterprise Improvement Advisor in CHOP’s Center for Healthcare Quality and Analytics (CHQA), leading enterprise-wide initiatives in patient flow and capacity, patient transport, high-level disinfection and sterilization, medication reconciliation, and the design and implementation of a “meds-to-beds” program in collaboration with CHOP Pharmacy. He later transitioned to Supply Chain Logistics as Distribution Operations Manager, overseeing medical and surgical inventory, warehouse operations, freight, courier, and mail services.

In December 2021, Jim joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) as an Administrative Officer in the Department of Emergency Medicine, managing all departmental functions related to finance and human resources. In March 2024, he was appointed Chief Business Officer for the department. In this role, Jim oversees all administrative operations for a multi-functional department, including fiscal management, human resources, and facilities. He serves as a strategic partner to leadership, ensuring alignment with institutional goals in clinical care, research, and education. His responsibilities include budget development and monitoring, policy implementation, personnel management, space and equipment planning, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Jim provides leadership in creating an efficient, compliant, and collaborative environment that supports departmental objectives.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active through running, skiing, and rowing, traveling to new destinations, and cooking and entertaining.

Chris Curia served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer for Energy Transfer, one of the largest Master Limited Partnerships in the Midstream Energy Segment, which includes Energy Transfer LP and Sunoco LP from January 2015 till May 2025. Chris was responsible for the Human Resources, Public Relations, Corporate Security, and Corporate Facilities functions for nearly 13,000 thousand employees across the United States.

Chris has more than 45 years of experience within the oil and gas industry. He joined Energy Transfer in July 2008 as Vice President of Human Resources in San Antonio, TX. In 2015, he relocated to Energy Transfer’s corporate office in Dallas. Prior to joining Energy Transfer, Chris held Human Resources leadership positions at both Valero Energy Corporation and Pennzoil. He also has several years of experience in the retail sector of the energy industry. He has served on the Board of Directors for Sunoco LP, USA Compression Partners LLC, American Red Cross (North Texas) and the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Foundation. He earned his master’s degree in industrial relations from West Virginia University.

Mr. Curia has a valuable perspective due to his extensive experience working as a human resource professional in the energy industry, and the insights he brings on matters such as succession planning, compensation, employee management and acquisition evaluation and integration.

Dr. Tyler W. Barrett is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and the Associate Chief Medical Officer for Compliance at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He previously served as the Executive Medical Director, Quality & Patient Safety Director, and Director of the Clinical Operations Division for the Department of Emergency Medicine. His clinical goals focus on patient safety and quality improvement, opioid stewardship, multidisciplinary patient care pathways, and reimbursement-related issues. Dr. Barrett has been actively engaged in research throughout his career and has authored more than a hundred peer-reviewed original research investigations and reviews. He received a Vanderbilt Physician Scientist Development award and successfully transitioned to an NIH/NHLBI K23 award. His research focus areas include improving the emergency department (ED) treatment of patients with opioid use disorder, increasing the use of non-opioid analgesia, and the risk stratification of ED patients with atrial fibrillation. Dr. Barrett’s contributions have been recognized with selection as a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.

Dr. Barrett was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, and attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, majoring in Psychology as a Natural Science. He matriculated to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, followed by a transitional year internship and emergency medicine residency at the Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and UCLA/Olive View-UCLA Emergency Medicine Residency programs, respectively. Dr. Barrett was named Chief Resident and awarded the Nurses’ Choice Award among the graduating residents. In 2005, he was recruited back to Vanderbilt as an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine. He continued his education, earning a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation from Vanderbilt University in 2010 and a Certification in Healthcare Change Management from the Tennessee Medical Association John Ingram Institute for Physician Leadership Lab.

Dr. Barrett participates in several professional activities that support education and mentoring, faculty governance, and community outreach. He has benefited from outstanding mentorship and has committed to paying it forward as a mentor to over 40 student, resident, and faculty mentees. His dedication to medical student education was recognized with induction into the Vanderbilt Alpha Omega Alpha chapter. He is a Senior Associate Editor for Annals of Emergency Medicine and a past chair of the ACEP Reimbursement Committee. His extramural activities include serving as Chair of the Vanderbilt University Faculty Senate, representative on the Vanderbilt University Faculty Senate Student Athletics Committee, and an Emergency Medicine Team Physician for the Nashville Predators professional hockey team. He volunteered on the Nashville Youth Hockey League Board of Directors from 2014 to 2022 and currently serves on the Nashville Academy of Medicine Board of Directors. Dr. Barrett was appointed by Lt. Governor Randy McNally in August 2025 to serve a three-year term on the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council. He is actively involved in promoting education about the dangers of opioids among adolescents and young adults. He authored the USA Hockey Player Safety Program “Opioid” and “E-cigarette/Vaping” educational materials and developed two opioid education continuing education programs for teachers, coaches, and school leaders.