Jackie St. Germain, LCSW, MBA

Jackie St. Germain, LCSW, MBA, is a therapist, administrator, mental health and substance use advocate, community volunteer, and educator. Jackie has devoted the past 30 years to working as a passionate advocate for those struggling with mental health and substance use concerns. With the goal of servicing more people and advocating for reform at all levels, Jackie is a much sought-after speaker and has spoken to many influential groups across the United States and Canada.

With a passion for making change at all levels, Jackie has built an impressive career serving as a divisional director of community relations, chief operations officer of a psychiatric hospital and chief executive officer of a psychiatric hospital. However, Jackie knew there were more ways she could serve her community if she had the freedom to conduct outreach, talk with and represent those struggling with mental health issues in our city. To that end, she joined UTHealth Behavioral Sciences Campus as their Director of Marketing and Business Development. In this role, she meets with individuals and groups as an advocate, teacher and supporter. It is not unusual to see Jackie answering her phone at all hours of the week, weekend and holidays. Her willingness to take that call from someone desperately needing help for their loved one has resonated with many. She calmly helps them and works to provide resources and support – never indicating she stepped away from dinner, her family, or a vacation to do so.

Jackie is an energetic and passionate leader in mental health policy, advocacy and education. She is committed to improving access to high-quality care, reducing stigma, decriminalizing mental health, and driving systems change. She has worked hand-in-hand with fellow social workers, behavioral health providers, EAPs, advocacy organizations, state officials, and concerned individuals to create mental health change that is long-lasting and helps to bring change to the landscape of mental illness for all. The relationships Jackie has developed with these individuals have proved critical in securing funding for those with medical illnesses and mental health concerns. Jackie’s work within the mental health industry has led to securing funding, and assisting countless individuals both directly and indirectly through her support, education and advocacy and due to this work.

Jackie has served our community on a variety of boards and advisory boards, including president and vice president of the Houston Employee Assistance Professionals Association, president of Houston Area Continuity of Care, board member of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals – Houston Chapter, advisory board member of Child Advocates – Houston Chapter and most recently Leadership Houston, of which she is a proud graduate. Jackie continues to use the skills she learned in Leadership Houston while advocating and working with those struggling with mental health concerns in our community.

When she is not working, serving our community on committees, or volunteering, Jackie loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling and loving on her two “foster fail” pups.