Senior Leadership Team

Deena Tampi MSN, MBA-HCA, RN, DFAAGP

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Tampi is an accomplished senior healthcare executive with expertise in leadership, operations, financial oversight, clinical excellence and strategic planning.  Prior to her appointment as Acting CEO of ABH, she was the Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Behavioral Health Advisory Group and served as the Executive Vice President of Diamond Healthcare Corporation.

Among many honors, she was recently appointed by the Connecticut Speaker of the House to the Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council.  She is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, and has co-authored over 70 evidence-based publications and five academic text books.

Christine Cowan MBA

Chief Financial Officer

Christine is a talented, accomplished finance leader with experience at several nonprofits in Connecticut. She has significant experience working with the DCF, DMHAS, CSSD, OEC and other state agencies with contracts and grants administration. She is a servant leader and team builder who creates an environment of goodwill for her colleagues and all stakeholders. Christine was previously the Vice President of Finance at Wheeler Clinic, Inc. and responsible for revenue cycle, budget and grant management. And, she was previously the CFO at the Root Center and Controller at Clifford Bears Guidance Clinic. Christine received her Bachelor and Master degrees from Stony Brook University. Christine will be responsible for overseeing all things finance including accounting, treasury, budgeting, financial planning, and information technology.

Margie Barse

Chief People Officer

Marjorie Barse, Chief People Officer, has over 35 years of expertise in Human Resources and Operations.  Ms. Barse is a results-focused leader who delivers talent acquisition, retention and motivation solutions that help harness the full power of our most valuable assets – our people.  As a senior leader at ABH, she demonstrates commitment to ABH’s key initiatives by leading strategic and tactical efforts to acquire, engage, retain, and reward talent.  

Throughout her career Marjorie Barse has held various leadership positions in the insurance and healthcare industries including serving as a leader on an Operations Review Team that reviewed offices across the country to provide consultative support in the areas of Operations and Human Resources.  Prior to coming to ABH Ms. Barse led a non-profit organization as the Chief Operating Officer/Leader of HR providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Marjorie has been a valuable member of the ABH team for 5 years and has demonstrated career progression within the organization.    

Kristin Bonilla MS, LADC, AADC, CCS

Vice President of Programs

Kristin Bonilla, Vice President of Programs has over 30 years experience in a variety of behavioral health settings including Medication Assisted Treatment, Housing, Women’s services and culturally specific programs. She served as a senior leader in a community based non-profit for twenty-five years. Ms. Bonilla has been a licensed clinician for over two decades and holds an Advanced Addiction Counselor Credential. She is a surveyor and mentor with the Commission on Accreditation and Rehabilitation Facilities(CARF). Prior owner/founder of KBonilla New Hope Counseling, LLC. She has served on many local boards in leadership capacities throughout her career. In addition to clinical supervision she has expertise in program development, design and oversight.

Paul Zakarian

Vice President of Programs

Paul Zakarian has extensive experience implementing a variety of high quality, cost effective state and federally funded programs that provide evidence based clinical and support services to vulnerable populations.  

For the last twenty five years he has served as a senior leader in community based non-profits with a specialty in implementing programs that help to address social determinants of health through provision of safe affordable independent and ‘sober’ housing, residential substance abuse treatment, transportation, educational and job opportunities, nontraditional counseling, and other support services.