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
Meet Gage (he/him)
Gage leads the technical development of ConcernCenter’s platform, building tools that make crisis response smoother and access to help easier. A full-stack developer with expertise in infrastructure and security, he loves simplifying complexity and solving meaningful problems.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need help turning a complicated idea into a simple, functional system.”
Darnell Pierce
Business Development
Meet Darnell (he/him)
Darnell leads outreach efforts to help campuses discover how ConcernCenter can transform the way they support their communities. A former Assistant Dean of Students, he brings insight, warmth, and a spark of adventurous energy—especially since he’s known to try something totally new every single week.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need help planning the best party and getting in great shape for said party!”
Brian Halligan
Marketing Content Manager
Meet Brian (he/him)
Brian creates the content that tells ConcernCenter’s story—shaping how people connect with our platform, our mission, and the real humans we support. With a background in marketing, design, and storytelling, he brings curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning to everything he does.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need tutoring for a subject I’m struggling to understand”
Mike Boucher
VRB Review Committee
Meet Mike (he/him)
Mike supports the review of ConcernCenter’s virtual resources, helping ensure the selections honors people’s lived experiences with care. A longtime social worker and educator, Mike brings depth, humility, and a commitment to justice in all its forms.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do people heal from what they have gone through?”
Eric Nagel
Developer
Meet Eric (he/him)
Eric reimagined ConcernCenter’s platform architecture, transforming it into a SaaS model that supports scalability and mission alignment. He brings strategy and critical thinking to every project, often asking, “Is this the best way to serve people?”
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.”
Zoe Black
Product Support Specialist
Meet Zoe (she/her)
Zoe makes sure ConcernCenter sites work beautifully for the people who use them—from set-up and launch to long-term support. She brings a customer-first mindset and genuine joy to helping others feel confident and equipped.
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 Committee
Meet Darlene (she/her)
Darlene provides thoughtful, trauma-informed review of ConcernCenter’s virtual resources ensuring that our available anywhere options are inclusive, supportive, and safe. A licensed mental health counselor with decades of experience, she’s calm, wise, and deeply compassionate—especially when people feel overwhelmed.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I am anxious and can’t stop worrying about everything!”
Morgan Levy
Legal Counsel
Meet Morgan (she/her)
Morgan guides ConcernCenter in staying legally sound while advancing inclusion and accessibility. Her work ensures our platform, and the policies behind it, honor the rights and dignity of everyone involved. She’s a grounded, thoughtful partner in even the most complex moments.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need someone who will really listen, believe me, and help me understand my rights.”
Jeff Boob
Freelance Designer
Meet Jeff
Jeff is the creative force behind ConcernCenter’s visual design—from logos and site assets to product branding and marketing materials. He turns ideas into meaningful visuals, with a broad skillset and a talent for bringing clarity through design.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I need [insert any kind of design here] made!”
Renee Kassem
Business Development
Meet Renée (she/her)
Renée introduces organizations to the possibilities of ConcernCenter, helping them explore how the platform can meet their unique needs. She brings a structured, solutions-focused approach—along with humor and warmth that makes the journey feel manageable.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How can I be the best advocate for my child’s educational needs?”
Olajiwon McCadney
VRB Review Committee
Meet Olajiwon (he/him)
Olajiwon supports the review of ConcernCenter’s virtual resources helping ensure that the platform honors the identities and experiences of all users. An educator and strategist, he’s passionate about equity, leadership, and the power of rest in sustainable change.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do I balance being a strong leader while also taking care of myself?”
Jaime Berthold
Operations Manager
Meet Jaime (she/her)
Jaime keeps ConcernCenter running smoothly behind the scenes—managing finances, systems, and day-to-day operations with precision and care. She’s a numbers person through and through, but she also brings warmth, humor, and dog-loving energy to the team.
Concern I Can Help With:
“How can I successfully manage the many roles I juggle every day?”
Samantha Colson
VRB Review Committee
Meet Samantha (she/her)
Samantha brings her vast experience in mental health support to her work on ConcernCenter’s virtual resource review committee, helping shape content that’s supportive, respectful, and rooted in mental health awareness. She’s passionate about reducing stigma, elevating lived experiences, and making sure no one feels alone in what they’re going through.
Concern I Can Help With:
“I want to support someone who’s struggling with their mental health, but I’m not sure how.”
Alex Robinson
Financial Manager
Meet Alex (he/him)
Alex manages ConcernCenter’s finances with care and foresight—tracking expenses, creating long-term projections, and helping the team make smart decisions for sustainable growth. He’s a steady, thoughtful presence behind the scenes and a strong advocate for mental health and well-being. (He also keeps Erin grounded, which is no small feat.)
Concern I Can Help With:
“How do I make sure I’m planning ahead while still taking care of what’s right in front of me?”
Catherine Lewis
VRB Review Committee
Meet Catherine (she/her)
Catherine lends her strong advocacy skills to ConcernCenter’s virtual resource review committee, supporting content that resonates with underrepresented and underserved communities. As a financial services professional, she champions inclusion and helps people plan for life’s “what ifs.”
Concern I Can Help With:
“What happens if something unexpected changes my life or livelihood?”
Michael Houghton
Meet Michael (he/him)
Michael is our illustrator. He’s lived a lot of lives – an architectural draftsman, the owner/editor of an underground music magazine, live music show promoter, and designer and seller of his own merchandise. He helped design and animate our Mr. Brain, and looks forward to (illustratively) taking Mr. Brain on adventures!
Concern I Can Help With:
“How can we use infographics or visual storytelling to help people understand this difficult concept?”