Innovation Hub @Thrive Center

Matthew Biel, MD, MSc, is the Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and a Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He co-directs the Early Childhood Innovation Network, focusing on enhancing developmental outcomes for children and families in Washington, DC. As an Aspen Ascend Fellow, Dr. Biel’s work targets the effects of adversity and stress on children, aiming to reduce health disparities and improve access to mental health care for underserved populations. His clinical interests include anxiety, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, and complex medical conditions in children and adolescents. Dr. Biel has published extensively and is actively involved in psychiatric education and advocacy for children’s mental health, including co-chairing the Committee on Health Promotion and Prevention at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He completed his medical and master’s degrees at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and trained in psychiatry at New York University.

Toby Long, PhD, PT, FAPTA, is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University and the Director of Professional Development at the Center for Child and Human Development. She holds a physical therapy degree from Boston University, a master’s in early childhood special education from George Washington University, and a doctorate in human development from the University of Maryland. Dr. Long is a leading expert in early intervention for young children with disabilities, serving on numerous editorial boards and authoring influential publications, including ‘The Handbook of Pediatric Physical Therapy.’ Her work extends internationally, collaborating on projects in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Asia to improve early childhood intervention services. Dr. Long has received multiple awards, such as the Lucy Blair Service Award and the Catherine Worthingham Fellow honor from the American Physical Therapy Association.

Neal Horen, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the Director of the Early Childhood Division at Georgetown University’s Center for Child and Human Development. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Horen is a national leader in early childhood mental health and systems of care. He has worked with all 50 U.S. states and various international communities to develop mental health systems for young children and families. Dr. Horen is involved in numerous federal projects, such as the MIECHV TA Center and the TA Network, providing expertise in mental health consultation. He is dedicated to training, consultation, and creating resources for infant and early childhood mental health, balancing his professional pursuits with raising four children.

Tawara Goode, MA, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical Center and has been with the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD) for over 30 years. She directs the National Center for Cultural Competence and leads efforts at the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Professor Goode’s work focuses on advancing cultural and linguistic competence in developmental disabilities, and she has led numerous federal and private sector projects as a principal investigator.

Mariam Kherbouch, MBA, serves as the Managing Director of the Thrive Center. An experienced university administrator who directs the center’s operations, oversees all center grants and is the principal administrative staff for the OPWDD-NCCC Partnership. Her role includes liaising with various university departments and overseeing budgetary management to ensure compliance with institutional policies. Kherbouch is also a key member of the project’s leadership team, contributing to the operational success of center initiatives.

Corey Williams, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Georgetown University. He is involved with the Wellness in School Environments (WISE) program, providing school-based mental health services. Dr. Williams leads innovation in mental health services through the Early Childhood Innovation Network (ECIN) and focuses on early childhood development and community-based participatory research. He has a strong background in diversity and inclusion, having contributed to relevant initiatives during his training at Yale and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Celene Domitrovich, PhD, is a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at Georgetown University and a senior scientist at the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Her expertise lies in prevention science, with a focus on developing and evaluating interventions that support children’s social and emotional learning. Dr. Domitrovich collaborates with various institutions to promote evidence-based interventions that enhance children’s well-being and adjustment.

Noel Bravo, MPP, is the director of project development for the Early Childhood Innovation Network at Georgetown University. He focuses on integrating mental health supports for families with young children into community settings. Bravo co-leads a racial equity learning community at the Thrive Center and is committed to advancing early childhood development, community mental health, and school mental health initiatives.

Jason Lehmbeck is a founder, advisor, investor and community builder in the mental and developmental care space. He has extensive experience with high-growth startups and has founded companies like DataPop and Undivided. Lehmbeck is launching a lab at Georgetown University to develop solutions for unmet needs in child and family mental health and has been mentoring founders and investing in the sector for over a decade.

Louise Langheier is the co-founder and CEO of Luminary Impact Fund and the co-founder and former CEO of Peer Health Exchange, a national nonprofit that provides health education led by youth for youth. She has held various leadership roles, including Founding Board Chair of I AM ALS and Board Member of Outer Coast. Langheier is recognized for her commitment to health education and advocacy, with a strong background in supporting young people’s health and well-being.

Marci Spector is the co-founder and managing partner of Luminary Impact Fund. Previously, she was a portfolio lead at The Jenesis Group, where she supported nonprofit organizations in building sustainable business models. Spector was also a partner at New Profit Inc., a venture philanthropy fund known for advancing equity and opportunity in America by combining venture capital rigor with nonprofit sector values.

Kinsley Cuen, Program Manager at the Innovation Hub @Thrive Center, brings extensive experience in accelerator programs and research initiatives. She is passionate about fostering innovation and community, with a strong focus on equity and inclusivity. Kinsley is excited to contribute to the Innovation Hub’s efforts to address unmet needs in child and family health and to make essential tools and resources accessible to communities driving change.