Sheryl Kubiak, Ph.D. was honored as one of Crain’s 2023 Notable Leaders in Behavioral Health. As the founder of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, Kubiak oversees the research and technical assistance conducted by 40 staff members across several initiatives, including jail diversion, crisis response, opioid treatment ecosystems, and juvenile justice. As the Dean of the School of Social Work, Kubiak manages faculty, staff, Board of Visitors members, and the school’s budget and grant funding. Kubiak has worked to build partnerships and expand workforce opportunities for people with behavioral challenges.

“Sheryl has championed some of the greatest sustaining progress in Michigan, crossing rigid boundaries between systems,” said Lynda Zeller, Michigan Health Endowment Fund senior fellow. “She actively engages people and leaders with living/lived experience to analyze problems, brainstorm solutions and lead change.”

Kubiak is honored alongside three faculty at the School of Medicine and several community partners of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice. “The energy and motivation of these honorees to tackle some of the most challenging and entrenched problems in our community is fantastic,“ said Kubiak. "Collaboration is key. None of this movement is possible without the dedication and commitment of our partners in this work or the passion of the staff of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice!"

View the 2023 Notable Leaders in Behavioral Health on Crain’s Detroit business here.

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About the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice: The Wayne State University School of Social Work Center for Behavioral Health and envisions communities in which research, data, and best practices are used by multiple stakeholders to enhance the optimal well-being of individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorders who come into contact with the criminal/legal system. Learn more