Jacqueline St. Germain, LCSW, MBA, ACHE is a therapist, mental health and substance use advocate, community volunteer, and educator who has devoted the past 30 years to passionately advocating for those struggling with mental health and substance use concerns.

 

With a passion for making change at all levels, Jacqueline has built an impressive career serving as a divisional director of community relations, chief operations officer of a psychiatric hospital, and chief executive officer of a psychiatric hospital. However, Jacqueline knew there were more ways she could serve her community if she had the freedom to reach out, talk with, and represent those struggling with mental health issues in our city.

 

To that end, Jacqueline joined UTHealth Behavioral Sciences Campus as their director of marketing and business development. Here, she meets with individuals and groups as an advocate, teacher, and supporter. It is not unusual to see Jacqueline answering her phone at all hours of the week, weekend, and holidays. Her willingness to take that call from someone desperately needing help for their loved one has resonated with many. She calmly helps them and works to provide resources and support – never indicating she stepped away from dinner, her family, or a vacation to do so.

 

Jacqueline is an energetic and passionate leader in mental health policy, advocacy, and education. She is committed to improving access to high quality care, reducing stigma, decriminalizing mental health, and driving systems change. She has worked hand-in-hand with fellow social workers, behavioral health providers, EAPs, advocacy organizations, state officials, and concerned individuals to create mental health change that is long-lasting and helps to bring change to the landscape of mental illness for all.

 

The relationships Jacqueline has developed with these individuals has proven critical in securing funding for those with medical illnesses and mental health concerns. Jacqueline’s work within the mental health industry has led to securing funding, assisting countless individuals both directly and indirectly through her support, education and advocacy, and due to this work.

 

With the goal of servicing more people and advocating for reform at all levels, Jacqueline is a much sought-after speaker and has spoken to many influential groups across the United States.

 

Jacqueline has served our community on a variety of boards and advisory boards, including as president and vice president of the Houston Employee Assistance Professionals Association; president of Houston Area Continuity of Care; board of directors member of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals – Houston Chapter; most recently, as board of directors member of Leadership Houston, of which she is a proud graduate; and served on advisory board of child advocates – Houston Chapter. Jacqueline continues to use the skills she learned in Leadership Houston while advocating and working with those struggling with mental health concerns in our community.

 

In acknowledgement of her achievements and service to her community, Jacqueline was named one of the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston for 2024. She also received the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Humanitarian award.

 

Jacqueline is a Certified Green Belt in Six Sigma, a set of methodologies and tools used to improve business processes by reducing defects and errors, minimizing variation, and increasing quality and efficiency. The goal of Six Sigma is to achieve a level of quality that is nearly perfect with only 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

 

When she is not working, serving our community on committees, or volunteering, Jacqueline loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and loving on her two “foster fail” pups.

 

It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Jacqueline St. Germain, LCSW, MBA, ACHE has been named a Star Impact Maker for 2025.