Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors plays a pivotal role in guiding and shaping the strategic direction of our organization. Comprised of esteemed experts and thought leaders, they provide invaluable insights and expertise in the field of psilocybin-assisted therapy and mental health. As dedicated advocates, our Board members share a deep commitment to advancing the understanding and utilization of psilocybin for therapeutic purposes. With their diverse backgrounds and wealth of experience, they bring a multidimensional perspective to our organization's decision-making processes.
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Drawing upon their extensive knowledge, our advisors contribute to the development of evidence-based practices, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Their guidance helps us navigate the ever-evolving landscape of psilocybin-assisted therapy, ensuring that our organization remains at the forefront of innovation and best practices.
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Beyond their expertise, our Board members are passionate advocates for mental health, championing accessible and effective treatments. Through their influential networks, they foster collaborations and partnerships that amplify our collective impact, leading to transformative change in the field.
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We are privileged to have such a distinguished Board of Directors, whose guidance and leadership significantly contribute to our mission. Their unwavering commitment and dedication propel us forward as we strive to make psilocybin-assisted therapy an integral part of mainstream healthcare, bringing hope and healing to individuals worldwide.
Board President, Co-Founder, & Chief Business Officer
Jason Burdge, MNA
Jason is a professional non-profit consultant with 20 years of experience developing organizations focusing on alternative mental health. He has assisted several psychedelic mental health focused nonprofits including Psychedelics in Recovery, End-Of-Life Psychedelic Care, the Psilocybin Facilitators Association, The First Responders Collective, and several psychedelic societies.
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He is also a retired police officer who has used psilocybin through the state regulated programs to address PTSD and other traumas. As an advocate for mental health, he believes that psilocybin combined with appropriate mental health support can have a profound impact on community and personal healing.
Board Secretary, Co-Founder, and Chief Clinical Officer
Lisa Ritter, LPC, LMHC
Lisa has been working in the mental health field for 21 years and has been licensed in Oregon and Washington since 2015 and 2024 respectively. Soon after starting a successful solo practice in 2019, she co-founded PATA with the intent to promote mental health while protecting individuals seeking healing with psilocybin.
Lisa serves on the advisory board for End of Life Psychedelic Care (EOLPC), and as a professional and community educator and presenter on the appropriate use of psilocybin for mental health and recovery.
PATA board member
Charity Mills, MA, LIMHP, LPC
Charity brings over 15 years of executive experience in sales and management within the orthopedic, sports medicine, and rehabilitation sectors. In 2017, she transitioned to the mental health field, co-founding Colorado Teletherapy Services (CTS), and later launching its affiliate company, Grow Your Own Thoughts (GYOT), in 2022. CTS specializes in clinical mental health therapy while GYOT focuses on psilocybin microdosing and cultivation services, advancing the intersection of science and nature in mental health care.
As CEO of both companies, Charity leads strategic growth while remaining actively engaged with clinical and cultivation operations. A nationally recognized speaker and published author on psilocybin microdosing, she has worked directly with hundreds of microdosing clients and regularly educates clinicians, veterans' organizations, and public audiences. She also provides expert guidance on Colorado’s evolving legal framework for psilocybin therapy.
Charity’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to innovation in mental health, clinical excellence, and regulatory responsibility.
PATA board member
Greg Shanken
Greg Shanken is a speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur dedicated to advancing the psychedelic healing movement by promoting awareness, education, and the responsible use of psychedelics. After he stopped using SSRIs, he turned to psychedelic and plant medicines to help heal lifelong depression, anxiety, and childhood trauma, which led to his co-founding the Colorado Psychedelic Society and serving as an Ambassador for Proposition 122, Colorado’s landmark legalization measure.
Greg also leads nonprofit initiatives and business trainings for psychedelic practitioners and businesses that strengthen the psychedelic ecosystem, drawing on over a decade of experience as the founder of Gloss, a Boulder-based web development agency.
He also speaks about the convergence of psychedelics and business, exploring how psychedelics fit within a capitalistic framework and addressing critical issues such as accessibility, legalization, and education. His mission is to support healing, connection, and community driven by his passion to to serve the growing psychedelic healing ecosystem.
MS, Board Treasurer, founding board member
David Moore
As Treasurer of the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association, David combines a deep commitment to mental health innovation with strong financial expertise. With a Bachelor of Science in Management and Finance and a strong background in project management, David ensures the organization’s resources are handled with integrity, transparency, and strategic foresight.
Passionate about advancing safe, ethical, and accessible psychedelic therapies, David plays a key role in sustaining the association’s mission through sound budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance oversight.
PATA board member
Sandra Dreisbach
Dr. Sandra Dreisbach is an ethicist, educator, and thought leader dedicated to advancing ethical practices in the psychedelic field. Holding an M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy, she brings a rare blend of academic rigor and compassion to her work, supporting practitioners, organizations, and communities with guidance on ethics, integration, and accountability.
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Sandra taught bioethics at the University of California, Santa Cruz for a decade and previously worked in the tech industry, including at Apple, before shifting her focus fully to psychedelics. She is the Community Leader of the Ethical Psychedelic International Community (EPIC), Director of Ethics at Nectara, and Ethics Director for World Psychedelics Day (6/20), while also advising multiple organizations across the ecosystem.
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Her mentorship has supported over 100 psychedelic facilitators, and she is recognized for her thoughtful, integrative approach that combines clarity, care, and integrity. Through her role on PATA’s Board, she continues to champion ethical standards and community-centered evolution in psychedelic-assisted therapy.