Our Leadership

Staff Leadership

Pathway Homes’ Leadership Team is composed of senior management who oversee all operational aspects of Pathway Homes, Inc. Leadership team provides information and guidance to the President and Chief Executive Officer, develops and applies policies and procedures, directs agency growth and evaluates outcomes.

Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, LCSW, LSATP, MAC

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Lambert-Woodard has over 30 years’ experience and was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Homes in 2011 having served as President and Chief Operating Officer for the preceding 14 years.

Since she has taken on the role of CEO, the agency has gone through a tremendous period of growth and innovation. She has been nationally recognized for her ability to seize the opportunity presented during the housing downturn and grow Pathways’ housing portfolio to over 300 properties providing permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious mental illness in Northern Virginia and Central Florida. She was able to manage this growth while evolving service quality through strong fiscal management.

Dr. Lambert-Woodard is an avid supporter and advocate of Fair Housing and is known for her continued commitment to combating NIMBYism and eradicating stigma. She served as the 2014-2017 Co-Chair for the Fairfax Fair Housing Committee; and in 2012, she was instrumental in changing local policy and practice by creating political and community support to foster a more inclusive community in Fairfax County. Dr. Lambert-Woodard currently serves as Chair of the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers (VACBP), and is on the Advisory Board of the Advanced Credentialing Academy of Substance Abuse Counselors.

During her tenure, Pathway Homes has been nationally recognized by the NonProfit Times as a Best Nonprofit to Work in the nation from 2012-2018. Also, Pathway Homes received national attention from the National Association for County Community and Economic Development for a 22-unit project developed in collaboration with Fairfax County’s Department of Housing and Community Development. At the state level, Pathway Homes received the coveted 2013 Virginia Housing Award at the Governor’s Housing Conference for its innovative consumer- directed housing approach. Locally, Pathway Homes was recognized by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce as a finalist in their Best Corporate Citizen Award in the nonprofit category.

In 2014, Dr. Sylisa Lambert-Woodard was the recipient of the 10th Annual Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award. This competitive award recognizes and spotlights outstanding leadership among Washington-area nonprofit chief executives. And, has recently been showcased in the Washington “Profiles for Success” featuring area CEO’s that make a difference.

Prior to joining Pathway Homes, Dr. Lambert-Woodard served in several capacities. She is the Founder and current CEO of the Alliance Therapy Center, LLC which serves children, adolescents, and adults in Northern and Central VA for over 20 years. She is EMDR trained and works extensively with Veterans specializing in trauma. She directly worked in and managed federal, state and local programs and contracts with HUD, Department of Justice, and Department of Corrections, SAMSHA, and VAASAP within the metropolitan area. She has directly served and developed substance use and co-occurring services for habitual offender’s inpatient and outpatient, as well as, directly provided forensic services within regional prisons. Dr. Lambert-Woodard has provided pastoral counseling and professional coaching. She has taught at local universities, and provided training, lecture, and keynote presentations for conferences, universities, and organizations throughout the country and internationally. In addition, she has supervised and served in various management capacities within the Fairfax County’s Human Service division and Community Services Board.

Dr. Lambert-Woodard received her Bachelor of Science from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, Master’s degree in Social Work from Catholic University, Washington D.C., and Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. She is a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Professional (LSATP), Master Addictions Counselor (MAC), Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Board Diplomate- Fellow (FACASAC). In 2016, Dr. Lambert-Woodard successfully completed the Harvard University Business School Strategic Responsibilities in Non-Profit Management Executives training program.

Will Packard

Chief Financial Officer

Will Packard coordinates the overall direction of Pathway Homes’ financial and accounting systems and assures the effective and efficient use of agency resources.

Will Packard coordinates the overall direction of Pathway Homes’ financial and accounting systems and assures the effective and efficient use of agency resources. As Chief Financial Officer, he is responsible for internal controls, oversees the development of the annual operating budget, and directs the annual audit of financial statements. Hired in April 2024, Will is a collaborative leader who fosters a culture of financial stewardship and accountability across the organization.

Will formerly served as Chief Financial Officer at United Community, a human services agency based in the Mount Vernon region of Fairfax County. As a member of the executive leadership team, he helped steer United Community through the Covid pandemic and its aftermath.

A certified public accountant, Will has 35 years of experience owning and managing small businesses and leading nonprofit organizations. Will earned a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University with a Certificate in African Studies. He later earned his Master of Business Administration at George Mason University.

Anita Robinson, LCSW

Vice President for Clinical Services

Anita Robinson, LCSW serves as Vice President for Clinical Services. She provides leadership and clinical oversight of supported living and semi-independent living programs in both Fairfax and Arlington. Anita partners with clinical managers around services, program development and evaluation.

Anita has over 25 years’ experience in Human Services. She was originally hired by Pathway Homes as a Mental Health Counselor I in 1988. She has steady been promoted through the agency ranks holding positions as an MHC II, Division Director, and Associate Vice President for Clinical Services prior to assuming her current role in 2011.

As a member of Pathways’ Leadership and Clinical Management teams, Anita supports strategic planning, implemented the design of our 360 evaluation, facilitates collaborative relationships with community partners, provides oversight to our clinical internship program, and plays a major role in staff training and in the development of programs and policies. Anita is Pathway Homes’ liaison to the Local Human Rights Committee. She provides clinical trainings at local universities and to other community organizations.

Anita has been a program surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2009. She is an approved Virginia Board of Professions Supervisor and is an Adjunct Professor with George Mason University.

Anita received her LCSW in Virginia in 2006. She has a Masters in Social Work from University of Maryland and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Emory & Henry College.

Shantel Graves, MA, CBHCMS

Senior Division Director

Shantel Graves serves as the Senior Division Director providing direct oversight and supervision to Case Management Services and Program Services under the guidance and support of Anita Robinson, Vice President of Clinical Services. Shantel has over twenty years in the social services field and over fifteen years of supervisory and management experience.

Shantel began her journey at Pathway Homes of Florida in 2016 under former Director and Executive Consultant Joel McNair, who’s also a former CEO of Pathway Homes Inc.

Together they began building the Pathway Homes of Florida staff which at the time only consisted of four Case Managers. At present day, Pathway Homes of Florida now has a total of 13 staff which include: eight Case Managers, a Housing Specialist, a SOAR Specialist, a Peer Support Specialist, and an Administrative/Accountant Assistant.

Shantel is overall responsible for providing daily support to her staff and clients that are enrolled in Permanent Supportive Housing Program. She works closely with HSN Homeless Services Network, the leading agency of the Continuum of Care in the Central Florida area.

Shantel has established a strong relationship with several intricate staff of HSN’s HLT Housing Locator Team and CES Coordinated Entry System to ensure both client and staff needs are being met. She attends various meetings throughout the community and represents Pathway Homes of Florida at a host of local community and government meetings. She also serves on the HMIS Advisory Board with HSN.

Shantel originally from New Orleans, La. holds a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Bachelors in Psychology from Southern University at New Orleans.

She also is a Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Supervisor for the state of Florida.