“This conference exists for the clinicians of Louisiana, the people who show up every day to make our communities healthier. By creating a boutique educational experience, inviting leading voices in behavioral health, and donating all proceeds to Louisiana nonprofits, I hope to give back to a state and a profession that have given so much to me.”
Madison Nyquist is a behavioral health leader and advocate deeply involved in supporting recovery, education, and community initiatives in Louisiana. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Strategic Growth at Odyssey Behavioral Health, where she works on expanding access to high-quality behavioral health services across various care settings.
As Co-Founder of the Louisiana Mental Health Conference, Madison brings together leading clinicians and educators to deliver boutique, high-impact training for clinicians statewide. The conference’s proceeds are donated to Louisiana nonprofits that strengthen mental health and recovery communities, reflecting her mission to uplift both professionals and the communities they serve.
In 2025, Southeastern Louisiana University honored Madison’s advocacy for recovery and higher education by naming the Madison Nyquist Lion Up Recovery Endowed Scholarship—a scholarship she established to provide financial assistance to students in recovery participating in the LION UP program.
Randal Gomez is a Baton Rouge native and a passionate leader in the field of behavioral health and addiction recovery. She currently serves as Vice President of Business Development at Woodlake Addiction Recovery Center, where she has been instrumental in strengthening outreach, expanding access to treatment services, and supporting pathways to recovery since joining the organization in 2014. In her role, Randal brings both professional expertise and deep personal commitment to helping individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
Randal’s advocacy extends beyond her executive work. She is co-founder of the Louisiana Mental Health Conference (LMHC), a boutique educational event designed to bring leading behavioral health clinicians together, elevate professional education, and reinvest all conference proceeds into Louisiana-based nonprofit programs that support mental health and recovery in local communities.
Angie King, LCSW is a seasoned behavioral health leader and dedicated advocate for mental health and recovery support throughout Louisiana. She brings years of professional experience working in behavioral health services, most recently serving in executive-level roles that focus on enhancing access to care, strengthening community partnerships, and supporting individuals and families navigating mental health challenges. Most recently, Angie accepted a role as Program Director with Behavioral Health Connections, part of the UHS (Universal Health Services) network, where she continues to drive impactful behavioral health programming and support services in Louisiana.
Angie is deeply committed to collegiate recovery and serves as Vice President of the LION UP Collegiate Recovery Board at Southeastern Louisiana University, and is extremely involved in NAMI - Southeast Louisiana.
As a co-founder of the Louisiana Mental Health Conference, Angie has helped shape a boutique educational event that brings leading behavioral health clinicians to Louisiana while directing all proceeds to local nonprofits that support mental health, recovery, and community well-being.
Katie Paine is a dedicated behavioral health professional currently serving as Manager of Emergency Mental Health Services at FMOL Health | Our Lady of the Lake, where she leads efforts to coordinate timely, compassionate crisis care for individuals experiencing acute mental health and behavioral health needs. In this role, Katie works with multidisciplinary teams to support patients and families in the emergency setting, helping ensure that those in mental health crisis receive appropriate assessment, stabilization, and connection to ongoing support services through FMOL’s comprehensive system of care. FMOL Health provides a wide range of mental health and psychiatric services to the Baton Rouge region and beyond, including 24/7 emergency support and integrated behavioral health resources.
Katie is also actively engaged in statewide behavioral health advocacy and education. She serves on the committee for the Louisiana Mental Health Conference (LMHC), contributing her insight and leadership to help shape training opportunities for clinicians and to support mental health and recovery-focused nonprofits throughout Louisiana.
Sherry Sterling, LCSW is a highly respected behavioral health clinician and leader who has served as a pillar in Louisiana’s behavioral health community for over 20 years. She currently works at Baton Rouge General, where she continues to support individuals and families through compassionate, high-quality behavioral health care and clinical expertise.
Throughout her career, Sherry has held a variety of roles across the behavioral health continuum, earning a reputation for steady leadership, deep clinical knowledge, and unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. Her long-standing presence in the field has made her a trusted voice among clinicians and community partners alike.
Sherry also serves as a committee member of the Louisiana Mental Health Conference (LMHC), contributing her experience and insight to help advance professional education and strengthen behavioral health systems across the state. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to improving access to care, supporting fellow clinicians, and enhancing mental health outcomes for Louisiana communities.
