Janelle Miller Moravek ~ Nonprofit Leader – Mental Health Advocate

Janelle Miller Moravek

Janelle Miller Moravek is a nonprofit leader and mental health advocate who helps families navigate a system that can often feel overwhelming. As Executive Director of Youth & Family Counseling since 2009, she has led its growth while expanding access to care across Lake County, Illinois.

Known for her practical and compassionate approach, Janelle speaks on how to find the right mental health support, strengthen communities around youth, and build more sustainable systems of care. She is especially passionate about mental health literacy, supporting caregivers, and addressing burnout in the behavioral health field.

She also brings a leadership lens to her work, sharing insights on workforce development and building resilient, people-centered organizations. Janelle serves on the board of the Lake County Alliance for Human Services and co-chairs the Lake County Behavioral Health Action Team.

Most Popular Topics:

Mental Health: We’re Changing The System in Lake County, but Your Community Could Leverage The Same Blueprint, too
There is no such thing as a mental healthcare system – there is simply a collection of organizations of varying size and different flavors operating autonomously to address mental health concerns.  This is confusing for the consumer and leads to delayed treatment and inefficient delivery of services.  At YFC, we’re working on changing that by helping the community understand who the providers are at each level of care, and by fostering collaboration among providers so that there is no wrong door to treatment.

The Most Underrated Hire Every Successful Nonprofit Leader Leans On
The best nonprofit leaders are always looking for people and systems to help them reach the next level of success and impact.  After 20+ years in this space, Janelle realized that there’s one particular hire that’s essential for growth and worth every dollar you invest in to get the RIGHT fit.

Where Young People Get Mental Health Right and Why The System Needs To Listen
Many of our youth are more willing to get mental health treatment and are more empathetic to others in difficult situations.  So why aren’t we asking them more often, what do they need?

 

Conversation Starters:

  • How did you get into the nonprofit space? How has the sector evolved since you began your career? What do you think still needs to change?
  • Most Executive Directors don’t have the longevity and success that you do at one organization, why was it important for you to stay?
  • You’ve said you grew up in a culture where people didn’t talk about feelings. What led you to step into the mental health space, and how has that shaped the way you lead?
  • You’ve said, “There’s no such thing as a mental healthcare system.” What do you mean by that?
  • For someone who’s never been to therapy (or thinks they can’t afford it), what would you want them to know?
  • For someone who’s struggling, what’s the best first step to finding professional mental health support?
  • You’ve talked about the need to strengthen the behavioral health workforce. What are some changes you think could make a real difference?
  • Why is there a mental health worker shortage, and what does it mean for access to care?
  • You’ve said we need to upskill adults to meet kids’ mental health needs. What does that look like in practice?
  • Why do you love Medicaid?

To Download: Janelle’s Conversation Starters

 

Partial List of Previous Podcasts:

Teaching Journeys with Dave Roberts
Joy Found Here with Stephanie Rivera
Voices for Mental Health with Candace Schoner
How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange
Fund the People with Rusty Stahl
The Culture Coach with Wendy Brand
What’s Next GenX with Nicole Gray
Get on Their Turf with Dr. Suzanne Simpson
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership with Dr Patton McDowell
Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio with Tony Martignetti
The Transition Bridge with Debi Ronca
SHIFT with Elena Agar
Nonprofit Hub Radio with Meghan Speer
Business Behind Fundraising with Sherry Quam Taylor
The Nonprofit Show by American Nonprofit Academy


Rave Reviews:

“Janelle was a delight to work with as a guest on The Transition Bridge Podcast!     Her passion to help others understand and navigate the behavioral health system is evident as she shares her personal story along with her wisdom and knowledge of how the system works. I know my audience gleaned so much value from our conversation together!”
~ Debi Ronca, Host, The Transition Bridge

“Janelle Miller-Moravek is an exceptional leader whose industry expertise and strategic acumen have significantly bolstered Youth and Family Counseling’s growth and stability. Janelle’s leadership is truly exemplary, and I wholeheartedly endorse her for any future endeavors in the field of mental health. She’s not only a subject-matter expert but a witty storyteller who is inspiring both seasoned professionals and the behavioral health workforce of the future.”
~ Sherry Quam Taylor, Host, The Business Behind Fundraising Podcast


Website:
CounselingForAll.org