Elise Ressa is a manager for Manatt Health in the Firm’s Boston office. Elise brings extensive experience in state-level health care initiatives and specializes in developing and implementing behavioral health policies, particularly focusing on system reform and improving access to care.
Before joining Manatt, Elise served as deputy director at a prominent health consulting firm, where she oversaw a portfolio of behavioral health projects for California's Department of Health Care Services. In this role, she led policy development, stakeholder engagement and technical assistance for various "CalAIM" initiatives.
Previously, Elise held a senior policy management position at a state health care agency, where she was instrumental in implementing Massachusetts' Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. Her responsibilities included overseeing the creation of Community Behavioral Health Centers, managing regulatory changes, and developing new behavioral health benefits and programs.
Elise's background also includes experience as a behavioral health policy analyst at a mental health advocacy organization, where she managed a grant-funded project examining pediatric behavioral health urgent care. Elise has also worked on accountable care organization development at a major children's hospital and contributed to mental health policy initiatives at a national mental health alliance.