As the Chief of Crisis and Justice Initiatives with SAMHSA’s 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordination Office, Tiffany serves as an advisor to the 988 director and other members of SAMHSA’s senior leadership in planning and determining policy, programs, and activities that address complex challenges in coordination of 988 crisis centers with law enforcement, 911 call centers, and emergency medical service providers. She also develops, recommends, and implements programs and provisions of guidance related to improving crisis response and equitable access to services for individuals with behavioral health needs that minimize unnecessary law enforcement involvement and promotes diversion from the justice system. Before joining SAMHSA, Tiffany directed the Mental Health and Justice Project which focused on improving behavioral health crisis responses in state and local governments for Pew Charitable Trusts. Prior to Pew, Russell served as the Director of Strategic Planning and Research Development in the District Court Administration for the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, where she was responsible for building the court’s capacity by developing policies, programs, and processes to enhance the administration of justice and increase access to justice for all. Russell also held several positions in grant management, research, strategic
planning, public relations, and communications in nonprofit, government, and education organizations.

Russell holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and a Master of Business Administration in Innovation from Mercer University.