About ConcernCenter
Explore the vision, values, and people driving our mission to make support more accessible.
When Asking for Help Shouldn’t Be Hard
At ConcernCenter, we believe that when someone has made the brave decision to ask for help, they shouldn’t have to fight to find it. That’s why we’ve built a platform that flips the help-seeking process: instead of asking people to figure out who can help, we simply ask them what they’re concerned about.
Whether it’s a student struggling with depression, a parent worried about housing, or a veteran seeking trauma-informed care—ConcernCenter delivers a prioritized list of support options tailored to that individual’s concern, identity, and location. We make it easier, faster, and more equitable for people to get the support they deserve.
Our Vision
ConcernCenter wants to change the way the world finds support. Our goal is to become the go-to platform for anyone, anywhere, who needs help—and to make sure they can get it, fast, in a way that feels right for them.
Our Mission
ConcernCenter makes it easier for people to ask for help and actually get it. Our platform lets users say what they’re struggling with and quickly connects them to the best resources for their needs. We are simple, personal, and designed to meet people where they are.
Our "Why"
Let’s be honest: the people you care about—students, employees, community members—don’t always know where to turn when they’re struggling. But they usually do know what’s wrong. “I'm anxious.” “I'm drinking too much.” “I'm out of money.” The problem isn't their awareness—it's their access.
ConcernCenter was built on a simple but powerful idea: start with the concern. Make help easy to find. Make support feel human. Give people the tools to care for themselves and the people around them.
We’re not just building software. We’re building connection, dignity, and trust—one concern at a time.
From Our CEO and Founder: Dr. Erin Halligan-Avery
Hi, I’m Erin—founder of ConcernCenter and someone who has always had a heart for helping people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Before starting this company, I spent 18 years working in higher education, often supporting students in their most vulnerable moments. I worked in counseling, disability services, wellness, and behavioral intervention—and I kept noticing the same thing: the process of finding help was too complicated.
At one university, we experienced a 141% increase in student concern referrals in just two years. I knew we had to find a better way. That insight led to the first version of ConcernCenter—a simple idea that’s now supported over 3.5 million users worldwide.
I started this company because I believe that easy access to support is a human right, not a privilege. And I’m proud to lead a woman-owned business made up of passionate people who believe the same.
Let’s make help easier to find. Together.
— Erin
Our Team: The People Behind the Platform
ConcernCenter was built to help people get the support they need by starting with one simple question: What are you concerned about?
We decided to introduce our team the same way. Below, you’ll find the real people behind ConcernCenter, described not just by their titles, but by the concerns they’re best at solving—and a few of the concerns they’ve faced themselves.
Because even the people who support others need support sometimes.
Gage Castro
Senior Developer
Darnell Pierce
Business Development
Brian Halligan
Marketing Content Manager
Meet Gage
Gage is the technical architect behind the ConcernCenter platform. With a background in full-stack development, AWS infrastructure, and cybersecurity, he specializes in translating complex workflows into intuitive, reliable applications. From integrations to crisis response features, Gage builds the tools that make ConcernCenter work behind the scenes — so organizations can focus on helping people.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need help turning a complicated idea into a simple, functional system.”
Meet Darnell
Darnell Pierce is a former Assistant Dean of Students—and quite possibly the only person on the team who will try something completely new… every single week. He’s also a natural conversationalist, which makes him the perfect person to talk to about bringing ConcernCenter to your campus.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need help planning the best party and getting in great shape for said party!”
Meet Brian
Brian has promoted everything from Swiss watches to high tech HR systems to community-focused non-profits. He looks at problems from unique perspectives, loves learning, and brings a creative, “Let’s try it!” attitude to everything he does.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need tutoring for a subject I’m struggling to understand”
Mike Boucher
VRB Review Team
Eric Nagel
Technical Advisor
Zoe Black
Product Support Specialist
Meet Mike (he/him)
Mike is a social worker, counselor and community worker exploring the intersections of poverty, racism, privilege, oppression, resistance and resiliency in the community as well as in therapeutic practice. He has been engaged in clinical practice, supervision, teaching and community activism for more than 25 years.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do people heal from what they have gone through?”
Meet Eric
Eric transformed our prior hosted system into a SaaS (software as a service) model. He challenges the status quo and often asks, “Why are we doing this?” to ensure every project aligns with our mission. He brings strategic clarity, technical insight, and a get-it-done attitude to every conversation.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I have a problem, but I’m not sure if it needs a tool, a team, or a to-do list.”
Meet Zoe
Zoe is a lifelong customer service enthusiast. She works to make sure that your students, clients, or users are getting the best experience possible from the second they enter your ConcernCenter site.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need help making my ConcernCenter site the best that it can be for my users.”
Darlene Schmitt
VRB Review Team
Morgan Levy
Legal Counsel
Jeff Boob
Freelance Designer
Meet Darlene
Darlene Schmitt is a licensed mental health counselor in NYS where she has worked in a variety of settings. For the past 22 years, she has been the leader of the Counseling Center at SUNY Brockport where she has also been an adjunct instructor in the Counselor Education Dept.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I am anxious and can’t stop worrying about everything!”
Meet Morgan
Morgan is our attorney and a trusted advisor to organizations navigating complex legal, compliance, and inclusion challenges. She’s deeply committed to helping organizations operationalize their values of inclusion and belonging in ways that are both legally sound and mission-aligned.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I feel like something unjust has happened, and I don’t know where to turn. I need someone who will really listen, believe me, and help me understand my rights.”
Meet Jeff
Jeff can take the simplest of ideas and make something beautiful yet impactful. He is a jack of all trades and has a wide array of design and design related skills.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need [insert any kind of design here] made. Can you help me from start to finish with this project?”
Renee Kassem
Business Development
Olajiwon McCadney
VRB Review Team
Jaime Berthold
Operations Manager
Meet Renée
Renée is a proud mother of a 13-year-old son. She brings warmth and humor to stressful situations and is known for her practical, black-and-white thinking. Renée loves a good structure—especially a checklist she can tackle!
Concern I Can Help With:
“Who, at school, do I contact to get special education services in place?”
Meet Olajiwon
Olajiwon is an educator and equity-driven strategist, he’s helped transform campus cultures and led award-winning leadership programs across the country. He’s passionate about mentoring the next generation while reminding seasoned leaders that rest is revolutionary too.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do I balance being a strong leader while also taking care of myself?”
Meet Renée
Renée is a proud mother of a 13-year-old son. She brings warmth and humor to stressful situations and is known for her practical, black-and-white thinking. Renée loves a good structure—especially a checklist she can tackle!
Concern I Can Help With:
“Who, at school, do I contact to get special education services in place?”
Samantha Colson
VRB Review Team
Alex Robinson
Financial Advisor
Catherine Lewis
VRB Review Team
Meet Samantha
Renée is a proud mother of a 13-year-old son. She brings warmth and humor to stressful situations and is known for her practical, black-and-white thinking. Renée loves a good structure—especially a checklist she can tackle!
Concern I Can Help With:
“Who, at school, do I contact to get special education services in place?”
Meet Alex
Olajiwon is an educator and equity-driven strategist, he’s helped transform campus cultures and led award-winning leadership programs across the country. He’s passionate about mentoring the next generation while reminding seasoned leaders that rest is revolutionary too.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do I balance being a strong leader while also taking care of myself?”
Meet Catherine
Renée is a proud mother of a 13-year-old son. She brings warmth and humor to stressful situations and is known for her practical, black-and-white thinking. Renée loves a good structure—especially a checklist she can tackle!
Concern I Can Help With:
“Who, at school, do I contact to get special education services in place?”
