OUR BOARD

Kelli Unnerstall is an experienced advocate for change for youth with disabilities. She has spent much of her life focused on the transformation of ineffective health and education services that are failing to meet the needs of the children, youth, and young adults they serve. In addition to founding Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health, she co-founded Decoding Dyslexia-MO which led to systemic change for students with dyslexia in the state of Missouri.

Kelli’s passion for helping youth comes from her own personal experiences. Kelli struggled with significant trauma from her childhood and as a result, she nearly lost her life to substance use disorder as a teenager. She was convicted of drug possession and spent years in the juvenile justice system. She got sober when she was fifteen years old but continued to face challenges such as homelessness and depression. Thanks to the support and intervention of many individuals and agencies, Kelli was able to emerge as a college graduate with a degree in Chemistry and worked in Medical Sales for companies such as Johnson and Johnson until her children were born.

Like many individuals with substance use disorder and mental health conditions, Kelli’s medical conditions followed her into adulthood. Kelli was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 33 years old. She has had a front row seat to the challenges in the mental health system and, sadly, she realizes that her high quality of care depends on her having the resources to pay cash if needed. Aspire was founded by Kelli with the hopes of addressing disparities and shortcomings in the behavioral health system serving youth. Kelli embraces her recovery journey from bipolar disorder, and she is thrilled to have celebrated 39 years of sobriety on February 7, 2025.

Kelly Green became involved with Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health while earning her degree in Forensic Psychology from Maryville University. Since graduating, Kelly has continued her work with Aspire to reduce stigma and promote awareness surrounding mental health struggles.

Kelly has struggled with anxiety and depression since age 13. After experiencing a sexual assault at age 21, Kelly was hospitalized for a suicide attempt. Luckily, she received Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for her PTSD and suicidal behavior. After 16 months of treatment, her mental health, coping strategies, personal relationships, and overall wellbeing had greatly improved, a testament of the quality of care she received. Her goal is to ensure that others in similar situations have access to affordable, lifesaving treatment.

Kelly was drawn to Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health because of the organization’s commitment to improving mental health resources for youth in Missouri, and for their culture of acceptance. Aspire is an organization that values and respects each individual’s personal journey toward better mental health. Aspire celebrates recovery without judgment, while also acknowledging and accommodating the nonlinear, challenging nature of healing. Kelly is proud to be a part of Aspire’s Board of Directors and believes in the mission to make mental healthcare accessible for all Missourians.

Through his work with Aspire’s Youth Advisory Board, and now as a member of the Aspire Board of Directors, Walle has emerged as a strong advocate for youth recovery and mental health awareness. He shares his story at community events, tables at outreach activities, and connects with young people who are navigating similar challenges. His selfless commitment to giving back reminds others that recovery is not just about rebuilding a life, but about using that life to bring hope to others. His heartfelt testimony before the Missouri legislature helped inspire the passage of the state’s Recovery High School bill—an achievement that continues to change lives across the region.

Walle’s path to recovery has been one of courage, honesty, and transformation. Being sober was never a chapter he expected in his story—but it has turned the page to the man he is becoming today. What began as a personal struggle with addiction has evolved into a journey defined by purpose and service. Since finding sobriety on November 19, 2023, he has dedicated himself to helping others find hope and healing—turning what once felt like a setback into a story of resilience and redemption.

Walle is currently enrolled at Ranken Technical Institute, where he received the Next Step Scholarship to further his education and career goals. His journey continues to demonstrate that hope, accountability, and compassion can change not only one life—but many.

Chris Unnerstall is a financial services industry executive with over twenty-five years of expertise in tax law, accounting and financial reporting. He currently leads the global tax planning and compliance efforts of a Fortune 15 corporation and is responsible for the oversight and development of department policies, procedures, and process improvement initiatives. Chris has a proven track record in building collaborative teams to solve complex issues and achieving organizational goals.

Chris’s passion for working to empower families and young people dealing with mental health and substance use disorders comes from a lived experience of being a husband, father and friend to individuals suffering from these conditions. He has personally witnessed the unique challenges and silent struggles of young people working through the behavioral health, education, and medical systems and is dedicated to shaping policy and bringing improvements that will create an environment where every young person can reach their full potential.

Chris holds a Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Benediction College. He is a member of the Missouri Bar and has served as an advisor to numerous nonprofit organizations.

Elizabeth Peterson represents the next generation of leadership in youth mental health advocacy. Since joining Aspire Advocates for Behavioral Health in 2023, she has become a powerful voice for change—bringing compassion, courage, and conviction to every conversation about how we care for young people in crisis.

As Co-Leader of Aspire’s Youth Advisory Board, Elizabeth helps guide a growing movement of youth and young adults determined to rewrite the story of behavioral health in Missouri. Her leadership has inspired peers and policymakers alike, from organizing mental health awareness events to testifying before the Missouri legislature in support of equitable access to care.

Elizabeth’s advocacy extends beyond words—she has helped secure official proclamations in both St. Louis City and County honoring community mental health awareness, ensuring that young people struggling with substance use and mental health challenges feel seen, valued, and supported.

Professionally, Elizabeth works in Behavioral Health at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she witnesses daily the courage of young patients and families navigating the gaps in our mental health system. Her experiences fuel her mission: to build systems that respond to youth with understanding, not judgment.

Currently pursuing her Master of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, Elizabeth is dedicating her education and her life’s work to transforming the way communities respond to mental health and substance use disorders in youth—before a crisis occurs.

Jeff Brenneman has been in the field of treatment of mental health and substance use disorders for 25+ years. He has worked in various settings, including inpatient hospitals, in-home, and outpatient office settings. He has a Master of Social Work degree and is licensed as a clinical social worker in the State of Missouri. He is also nationally certified as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy therapist. He has previously been on the Board for CHADs Coalition for mental health, an organization focused on depression and suicide in young people. Jeff has also been very involved in efforts to expand provision of services to those who have difficulty accessing mental health and substance use services. Jeff currently is the owner of a private practice serving those with mental illnesses and substance use disorders. He also is a trainer with White Crane Training Collaborative and provides lost cost training to mental health professional in DBT. Jeff joined the Board of Aspire Advocates in 2023.

He is passionate about serving people with mental health issues and substance use disorders not just as a profession but also due to lived experience. Jeff has several family members diagnosed with mental illnesses and substance use disorders, and he has lived with depression and a substance use disorder himself. Jeff has been treated for depression for the past 20 years and has been sober for 5 years. He also has two children diagnosed and treated for mental illnesses. Jeff strives to serve a diverse population professionally and personally and has worked toward larger policy changes to help those most needing services that are unable to access them.