FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Aug. 11, 2025) – The Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH), a statewide nonprofit organization representing over 80 community-based behavioral healthcare providers, today announced the appointment of two members to its Board of Directors: Sarah Glenn-Smith, CEO of The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, and Tammy Mello, President and CEO of Key Program, Inc. in Westborough.
ABH’s Board of Directors sets the policy, advocacy and education agendas to improve and expand access to mental health and addiction services in Massachusetts at a time when workforce challenges and the need for accessible care are growing. The appointees will serve for a two-year term, through 2027.
“Sarah is a veteran healthcare and education executive with leadership experience in a major healthcare system and a provider organization, making her the perfect addition to our board,” said ABH President and CEO Lydia Conley. “She understands first-hand the challenges facing providers and the steps needed to overcome these challenges.”
Before being appointed to lead The Learning Center for the Deaf, Glenn-Smith served as president of ambulatory and outpatient services at Kaleida Health, Western New York’s largest healthcare system, as well as president of the healthcare system’s joint radiology venture. She was chief operating officer of PLS 3rd Learning, an international education technology organization, and of The Exigence Group, a healthcare management organization. Glenn-Smith currently serves as board treasurer of Summer of Sass, a nonprofit providing subsidized housing and resources to LGBTQIA+ youth. Senate President Karen Spilka appointed her to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women in 2020 and she fulfilled roles as treasurer, chairwoman and secretary of legislative and public policy.
“Tammy brings to our board extensive experience as a successful advocate for children and families in the Commonwealth,” said Conley. “She has been a forceful advocate within state government, as an advocacy association executive, and now as a provider organization CEO. I look forward to her contributions as we work to strengthen community behavioral healthcare.”
Before taking over leadership of Key Program, Mello served as executive director of the Children’s League of Massachusetts. Under her leadership, the association expanded access to foster care and adoption, ended child marriage and increased funding for private sector services in the Commonwealth. She also has over has over two decades of state service, most recently as executive director of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, and director of violence prevention at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. She was also a front-line child protection social worker.
Glenn-Smith, of Holliston, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, San Bernardino and an executive master’s degree in business administration from the University at Buffalo. She also holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in conflict analysis and resolution from Nova Southeastern University.
Mello, of Pembroke, earned a bachelor’s degree in science and criminal justice from Westfield State University, and holds a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from Boston University. Mello is a recipient of the Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance Award and the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Unsung Heroine Award.
About the Association for Behavioral Healthcare
The Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) represents more than 80 organizations that are the primary providers of community-based behavioral healthcare in Massachusetts. Their nearly 50,000 dedicated employees provide clinically effective and cost-sensitive care to more than 80,000 individuals on any given day in communities throughout the state. ABH is recognized as the leading statewide association advocating for the preservation, promotion and advancement of community-based mental health and addiction services. Visit www.abhmass.org for more information.
