Psychology

Amanda Balkhi, Ph.D. is a passionate advocate for child health and wellbeing and is the current Executive Director of the Balkhi Foundation. With the support of educators, families, and students, it is Amanda’s goal to bring the strong opportunities for educational growth within and outside of school within reach of the talented students that are striving for success. It is her hope to use the lessons learned in academia to partner with schools and students …

Martha S. Zlokovich, PhD studied Psychology and German her freshman and sophomore years at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, earned her BA in Psychology at UCLA, and her MS and PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of Florida. The first half of her career she was a faculty member at Southeast Missouri State University. The second half of her career she served as Executive Director of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. …

Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D., was born in La Habana, Cuba and emigrated to the US in 1960. Antonio received his PhD from the University of Georgia. He has taught at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) since 1981 and prior to that at St. George’s University School of Medicine. His primary teaching activities include Brain and Behavior, Clinical Neuropsychology, and History of Psychology. Antonio is founding director of UNCW’s Centro Hispano, and his research …

Dianne A. Allen, MA, CAP, CTP, LCAS-A is an intuitive mentor, speaker, author, ambassador for the neurodiverse, substance abuse counselor, and life catalyst. A licensed substance abuse professional in Florida and North Carolina, Dianne has served individuals seeking recovery for over four decades. Dianne has been actively involved in mental health and addiction counseling during her career working with adults, teens, and families. Her expertise is in working with intense sensitivities of gifted individuals. She …

Dr. Stephen Alli enters his second season with Florida Football in GatorMade as the Director of Professional Development. In this role, Stephen directs programming and create opportunities to enhance the personal and professional growth of football student-athletes through internships, and professional skills workshops, and mental health advocacy. Stephen also oversees growing the network of professional partners and serve as a connection for Gator football alumni. A Canadian native, Stephen played Wide Receiver at Florida from …

Several years after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Florida, Janette Berne earned a master’s degree in Community Counseling from Georgia State University while working full time at a shelter for children taken out of the home for abuse and neglect. Janette went on to create the shelter’s Positive Parenting Program, which continues today, to offer parenting classes and counseling to at-risk families. Janette then served adults and families as a …

Peter Dodzik is a pediatric neuropsychologist who focuses on the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders, complex medical issues, learning, and psychological disorders in children and adolescents. He is currently part of a multi-disciplinary group practice at Northwest Behavioral Health Services in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He also provides inpatient neuropsychological care at Northwest Community Hospital and through Fort Wayne Neurological Center/Lutheran Hospital in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Dodzik is active in teaching and training …

Kristy Johnson is a proud Double Gator, having received both her undergrad degree and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. While attending UF, she was a model student and an avid civic leader, serving on the Board of Managers for the J. Wayne Reitz Student Union. Since her time in Gainesville, she has led a distinguished legal career over the past two decades in both the public and private sectors and currently serves …

Matt Michaels, Ph.D. is a strategic behavioral healthcare administrator and is currently serving as Senior Vice President at Behave Health Corp. His goal is to make a permanent positive impact on behavioral health systems in America. He takes an integrative approach by blending clinical, research, and administrative acumen in pursuit of this goal. Matt started his career in behavioral health as a volunteer at the Alachua County Crisis Center while completing his undergraduate studies at …

Chris Pitisci is the Managing Partner and Founder of Pitisci & Associates. Chris is a University of Florida graduate and a third-generation Tampa native. He began his Information Technology staffing career when he joined a publicly-traded, national consulting firm that provided both staff augmentation and project-based professional services. Following his eight years there, Chris transitioned to a local, full-service executive search and professional staffing firm as a partner and Vice President of IT Recruiting. In …

Patricia Thomas Shutt, PSY.D., CEDS is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a co-founder of the Therapeutic Oasis of the Palm Beaches in Boca Raton. She was born and raised in Southeast Florida and attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in Gerontology. She continued her post-graduate studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, earning both a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 1994 …

Meredith Wikstrom is a Senior Experience Design Consultant with CGI, a global IT and business consulting services firm. She attended the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Business Administration and Sociology in 2005. She continued her studies at the University of North Florida where she earned a Master of Arts in General Psychology in 2010. In her career, she’s learned the value of relationships and brings …