Advisory Council + Founding Donors
“We need the MGH Clay Center to help integrate science and human behavior, empower youth, and train adults to recognize signs of mental illness so that we can strengthen young people’s resilience and help them cope in healthy ways with whatever challenges they may face.”
– Landon T. Clay
Clay Center Advisory Council
The Clay Center Advisory Council includes parents, grandparents, teachers, other professionals, and concerned individuals who are committed to bringing insight and openness about mental health to youth and families everywhere. Their invaluable insight has added dimension and experience to our thinking, helped us to refine our mission, and kept us focused on ensuring our long-term sustainability. We are most grateful to each of the following members:
Lauren Aguirre
Jim Braver
Debbie Fellman
Mary Herman
Vicki Milstein
Phil Neason, Co-chair, Development Team
Peggy Slasman
Richard Spurzem
Evan Welch, Co-chair, Development Team
If you are interested in learning more about The Clay Center’s Advisory Council, please contact Dr. Gene Beresin, Executive Director.
Founding Donors
In the summer of 2012, Mrs. Elizabeth Gail Hayden, an educator who had dedicated her life’s work to children and families, came forward with a generous gift that allowed The Center for Young Healthy Minds to begin taking shape. In addition to her philanthropy, Gail Hayden spent several years helping Dr. Gene Beresin and his team get the Center off the ground.
A year and a half later, a magical moment occurred when Mr. and Mrs. Landon and Lavinia Clay stepped forward with a transformational gift that made achievement of Dr. Beresin’s vision possible. In January 2013, the Clays’ exceptional generosity launched The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds.
Deeply concerned about the mental health and resilience of our society’s youngest citizens, Lavinia Clay believes fundamentally that “every individual deserves to be understood.” According to the late Landon Clay, “Although we’ve seen tremendous advances in the molecular science of mental health, I don’t think this is the full solution. We need The MGH Clay Center to help integrate science and human behavior, empower youth, and train adults to recognize signs of mental illness so that we can strengthen young people’s resilience, and help them cope in healthy ways with whatever challenges they may face.”
The Clay Center Team and Massachusetts General Hospital are deeply grateful to Landon and Lavinia Clay, to Gail Hayden, and to their families.
Landon T. and Lavinia D. Clay
