Leadership Team

Stacey L. Lawton, Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Lawton began her career with SCADD in August of 1993 as a hotline operator in the New London acute care setting. Since then, she has held several key roles within the agency, advancing her position to Chief Operating Officer in 2006. Ms. Lawton has maintained the operational excellence of the organization by leading the SCADD team in the delivery of quality, affordable treatment services. In October of 2019, as part of the agency’s leadership succession plan, Ms. Lawton was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Lawton earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. In addition to her service to SCADD, she currently serves as the Board Secretary for the Southeastern Regional Action Council (SERAC).

Maria T. Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer

Ms. Sullivan joined the SCADD team in July 2020 and brings over 35 years of experience in the social services field. She began her career as a residential adolescent counselor at The Children’s Center in Hamden, CT and subsequently moved on to the Apt Foundation where she dedicated 19 years to adult and adolescent treatment services and ultimately served as the facility’s Executive Director.  Maria’s career path then led her to serve in several behavioral health leadership positions at Rushford, St. Vincent’s Health Services in Bridgeport, CT and Eastern Connecticut Health Network through Manchester and Rockville Hospitals. Maria’s most recent experience includes oversight and development of Outpatient services for CT Renaissance in Southwestern CT.  Maria has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and secured her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Southern CT State University. She holds a license in clinical social work and still practices direct care in a private practice setting in Branford, CT. Maria is thrilled to have found a place to continue the career work she loves as well as acres of quiet serenity to relocate to and share with her loved ones. 

Alan Aleia, Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Alan Aleia was hired as SCADD’s Chief Financial Officer in January of 2020. Alan has been in financial, and operational leadership roles in the Healthcare Industry for over 30 years. For the last 8 years, he was Senior Vice President at Parallon Business Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hospital Corporation of America. There, his team was responsible for the implementation and delivery of Revenue Cycle Solutions for a diverse client base of over 50 national healthcare systems and physician practices.  He held leadership roles in the insurance industry and developed advances in claims management technology which resulted in being awarded 5 US Patents. Alan began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers on the audit staff. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. 

Kathryn DeMars, Chief Compliance Officer

Ms. DeMars was hired in May 2020 as the agency's first Chief Compliance Officer. Kathy brings to SCADD a specialized skill set developed during her 30+ years at Hartford Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Network of programs. Kathy's experience in quality and privacy management along with her understanding of state regulatory agencies has earned her a highly respected reputation. Kathy's high standard for compliance and quality has contributed to her successful working relationships with the Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Social Services and the Court Support Services Division of the Connecticut Judicial Department. Kathy has successfully ushered dozens of programs through the accreditation and re-accreditation process of The Joint Commission and CARF. Kathy's systematic approach has allowed her to develop, coordinate and lead organization wide compliance through monitoring and auditing initiatives that cover legal, contractual, regulatory, accreditation and HIPAA/privacy practices. 

Jennifer Chadukiewicz, Chief  Strategy Officer

Ms. Chadukiewicz joined our SCADD team in September 2022 bringing over 20 years of experience in development and leadership. Jennifer had the distinct privilege of serving as co-chair of the Governor’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Sub-Committee for Recovery and Health Management, bringing the Recovery Friendly Community initiative to cities and agencies across Connecticut. Ms. Chadukiewicz brings a wealth of knowledge to SCADD through project management and lived experience. She successfully implemented and grew the Emergency Department Recovery Coach Program for CCAR in 22 hospitals throughout the State of Connecticut.

Jennifer is a graduate of Charter Oak State University with a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Policy through the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She is a respected Recovery Coach Professional and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist successfully navigating team members through motivation, keen program evaluation, communication, and innovative recovery program development. 

Jennifer has been awarded The Client Advocacy Award by The Connection, Inc. recognized for her exceptional care and compassion through her work for the recovery community in 2021, the NCADD/Westchester, Inc Those Who Are Making a Difference Award in honor if her profound work performed in service of those with addiction in 2019, and the North Central Regional Mental Health Board Connie Johnson Award, given for dedicated service and outstanding contributions on behalf of individuals with mental health and addiction challenges and their families in our community in 2018.

Jennifer is thrilled to bring her vast experience with organizational growth and creativity to the SCADD family as the Chief Strategy Officer.

Dr. Lawrence Peacock, Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Peacock uses his story to illustrate the power of building a life that one is called to live. He grew up in a world that told him to "aim for less." It was sometimes said, but always known, that when you grow up poor and disadvantaged less is the best you'll ever be. However, he rejected that story.

His education on the human mind began as an individual pursuit. He spent many hours in his late teens and early twenties reading about psychology and the human experience. In his 20s, he decided to leave behind his job painting houses and began his pursuit of his undergraduate degree in psychology. He graduated from Rutgers University with highest honors. While at Rutgers, he was a Paul Robeson Scholar and he spent two years studying cognition. He continued on to Harvard Divinity School where he completed a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. He completed his medical degree at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. He was privileged to complete his Adult Psychiatry Residency at Duke University where he served as the Chief Resident at the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina. While at Duke, he learned from the top faculty and leaders in the field. They taught him a sophisticated and nuanced approach to mental health and psychopharmacology.

After residency, he became the Director of ECT Services at UConn Health Center. While at UConn, he also served as the Medical Director of Outpatient Psychiatric Services. As a faculty member, he was heavily involved in their residency training where he introduced Positive Psychology to the UConn community with lectures and talks.

For several years, he was the Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry of Eastern Connecticut Health Network and the Medical Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services at Rockville General Hospital in Vernon/Rockville, CT. Most recently, he served as The Director of Psychiatry at Wakulla Correctional Institution--a level 5 maximum security prison. 

He has received teaching awards at Duke and UConn and recently taught at the University of New England College of Medicine. Dr. Peacock has spent his life working to understand the human experience and how to help others to achieve what he refers to as “their best practice of self.” His interests range from the study of consciousness, religious experience to the biological predictors of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective.

Cheri Golia, Chief Human Resources Officer

With over 20 years of progressive experience in the human resources field, Ms. Golia is a seasoned professional specializing in strategic HR management within non-profit settings. Her expertise lies in creating and implementing HR strategies that align with organizational goals, whether in large, matrixed environments or smaller, start-up ventures. Known for a process-focused, solution-driven approach, Cheri excels in leading, motivating, and communicating effectively while upholding strong ethical standards and demonstrating exceptional organizational and analytical skills. Prior to joining SCADD Cheri held the position of Chief Human Resources Officer for Root Center for Advanced Recovery, in Manchester, CT. In this role, she managed HR operations for a holistic behavioral nonprofit health focusing on comprehensive support for leadership and staff.

Katie Ramos, Deputy Chief of Operations

Ms. Ramos is a licensed clinical social worker who joined the SCADD team in November 2023. She brings over 20 years of experience working in the social service field. Throughout her career path, Katie secured several leadership positions, the most recent being the Vice President of Eldercare Services at United Community and Family Services, Norwich, CT. She enjoys working with adults and is pleased to have found a position that aligns with her own values and beliefs, and one that provides an opportunity for her to grow professionally.