00:00
Timothy A. Zercher: Well, Melanie, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. You lead a large team, so we appreciate it.

Melanie Dallas: I’m really excited about it. Thank you, Timothy, for having me.

00:10
Timothy A. Zercher: Absolutely. Let's jump right in. If you could share the story of how you got involved in behavioral health, how did you end up in this career?

Melanie Dallas: It’s been a journey of nearly 38 years. Early experiences with my uncle, a Vietnam Huey crew chief, exposed me to trauma and its impacts. My background in business and marketing led me to study consumer behavior, which eventually guided me toward a master’s in behavioral health counseling. Over the years, I’ve worked across multiple levels of care and found my home in this field.

01:50
Timothy A. Zercher: That’s awesome! Congrats on pivoting from marketing to behavioral health.

02:09
Timothy A. Zercher: What are some of the biggest gaps in mental health care access that you and your team are working to close?

Melanie Dallas: Access is a huge challenge. People often struggle to know who to trust and how to get care. Our approach is to simplify access, engage communities, and place staff directly into settings like hospitals and justice systems to meet people where they are.

04:41
Timothy A. Zercher: For someone stepping into a leadership role, what mindsets or habits are most critical for success?

Melanie Dallas: Surround yourself with a strong team, trust them, delegate effectively, and focus on vision over crisis. Leadership is about seeing the long-term horizon while supporting your staff in the present.

08:04
Timothy A. Zercher: What does your team do to gain new clients, and what’s working well right now?

Melanie Dallas: We use a soft marketing approach aligned with community engagement. Training institutes, community-based staff, and strategic programs like our veteran outpost help us reach our audiences effectively.

11:31
Timothy A. Zercher: What new marketing tactic or strategy is your team exploring?

Melanie Dallas: We’re focusing on direct marketing to veterans and developing recovery-friendly workplaces. Both approaches meet the unique needs of specific populations while also engaging the broader community.

16:08
Timothy A. Zercher: Thank you so much, Melanie. Your leadership and commitment to behavioral health are making a real impact.

16:18
Melanie Dallas: Thank you, Timothy. It’s been an honor to join you and share our work.