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

A C-suite nonprofit executive, with 25+ years of leadership and management experience, Dr. Lambert-Woodard is President & CEO, Pathway Homes, Inc., ranked by The NonProfit Times and Best Companies group as one of the best nonprofits to work for over the last 8 years.

Sylisa Lambert-Woodard, EdD, FACASAC, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, CSAC, SAP

Board Certified Diplomate-Fellow

C-suite nonprofit executive, with 25+ years of leadership and management experience.

Psychotherapist by training, social sector strategist by design.

Specializing in nonprofit leadership and governance building exceptional cultures of excellence, strengthening executive, board impact and community impact by the use of an equity lens to dismantle barriers and create systemic change. She is a mission focused, analytical thinker, and results-oriented. Passionate about creating inclusive teams and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and justice. Dr. Lambert-Woodard specializes in serving individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses, Addictions, Co-occurring, Habitual Offenders, Trauma and Veterans. She Provides Psychotherapy, Forensics, Coaching, Pastoral Counseling, Assisted Living Facilities, Assertive Community Treatment, and Homeless services. She has provided education at local and international universities, training and keynote presentations.

She is currently the President & CEO, Pathway Homes, Inc. Northern VA and DC, ranked by The NonProfit Times and Best Companies group as one of the best nonprofits to work for over the last 8 years! She is also President & CEO, Pathway Homes of Florida, Inc.; and President & CEO, Co-Founder, Alliance Therapy Center, LLC (Christian and Veteran Owned).

In 2014, Dr. 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. In 2018, she was showcased in the Washington “Profiles for Success” featuring area CEO’s that make a difference. And, DMV’s iheart radio’s selection as one of the CEO’s you should know in 2022.

Prior to joining Pathway Homes, Dr. Lambert-Woodard served in several capacities. She directly worked in and/or managed federal, multi-state and local programs and contracts with HUD, Department of Justice, Veterans Administration, Department of Corrections, SAMSHA, ACLU,
U.S. federal and state Probation and Parole, VASAP, Child Protective Services, Community Services Board (CSB), and psychiatric hospitals.

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), and EMDR trained.

In 2016, Dr. Lambert-Woodard successfully completed the Harvard University Business School Strategic Responsibilities in Non-Profit Management Executives training program. Dr. Lambert-Woodard most recently has served as:

- Board Member Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA) Leadership Council
- Member of the George Washington University Transformative Leadership in Disruptive Times Certificate Program Advisory Council
- Member of the Washington Regional Analysis and Impediments Advisory Committee
- Past Chair, Center for Non-Profit Advancement, Washington, D.C
- Past Board Chair, Virginia Association of Community Based Providers (VACBP)
- Past Chair, Fair Housing Committee Fairfax, VA
- Former Member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors- Chairman McKay’s Task Force on Equity and Opportunity.

Dr. Lambert-Woodard has recently authored her first book entitled “The Justice Blueprint: How to Develop an Antiracist Lens” scheduled for release spring of 2024!

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.