About New Directions

Our Approach

Good health is absolutely essential for every one of us. At New Directions, we believe that the physical, mental and emotional wellness of your colleagues contributes directly to your organization’s financial and business performance. Our members are individuals and families, just like you and yours.

Employers, health care providers and leading health care companies have partnered with us for more than two decades to help guide individuals toward balance in their careers and personal lives. We provide the compassionate care and innovative tools that enable members to overcome obstacles and challenges—so they can thrive and your business can flourish.

We are committed to serving our members, partners and providers with 24/7 support, reducing cost through active preventative solutions and delivering award-winning innovation through our unique clinical service infrastructure.

We offer a full range of behavioral health solutions. Our relationship with health plans enables us to integrate our services seamlessly with traditional medical support. Our managed behavioral health services include incisive analytics, the finest in quality assurance and customer service that goes beyond the extra mile in providing care.

We believe that together is the way forward. Through the power of partnerships, we can make a meaningful, lasting difference.

Learn more about the history, programs and services available to help members improve health through positive change by checking out the NDBH Welcome video.

Welcome to New Directions

The history, programs and services available to help members improve health through positive change.


Our Mission

Improving health through change.



URAC Accredited Case Management
URAC Accredited Health Utilization Management


Our Leadership Team

Lee Tuveson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Lee Tuveson
President and CEO

Lee Tuveson is president and chief executive officer of New Directions, a health care company that was founded in 1995. Today, New Directions is one of the fastest growing managed behavioral health organizations in the country, serving over 13 million people nationwide. more >

With more than 21 years of behavioral health care experience, Lee understands the current and emerging challenges that face the managed behavioral health industry. As CEO, he partners with clients to address these issues and create opportunities. Lee provides executive leadership of the company’s managed behavioral health care services, employee assistance program, student assistance program, organizational consulting and health coaching services.

Lee joined New Directions in 2014 as chief financial and administrative officer. Since that time, he transformed the company’s revenue and business model, which played a critical role in the company’s massive growth. Revenue in 2018 is expected to be almost four times the revenue of 2014.

Prior to joining New Directions, Lee was vice president of finance and contracts for Magellan Health Services. Before Magellan, he worked in finance at McDonnell Douglas Corporation for eight years.

In addition to his experience in the private sector, Lee served in the U.S. Army for six years as a tank commander. He holds a dual undergraduate degree in finance and economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.

Ann O'Grady, LCSW
Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer

Ann O'Grady is the chief clinical officer for New Directions Behavioral Health. In this role, Ann is responsible for the clinical, customer service and network operations departments. more >

Ann has two decades of experience managing risk business for large national customers. She has an organized, disciplined and data-driven approach with a focus on measurable outcomes. Ann sees working with providers to address member population health needs as one of her most rewarding roles.

Prior to joining New Directions in 2017, Ann worked for Beacon Health Options as the clinical director responsible for leading the clinical team where she developed and implemented strategic pilot programs and customer experience improvement initiatives.

Ann holds a master's degree in social work with a clinical concentration from the University of Maryland and a bachelor's degree from Loyola College. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean certifications.

Ann O'Grady, LCSW, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
Aron Halfin, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Aron Halfin, M.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

As chief medical officer, Dr. Halfin drives New Directions’ member-centric mission, working to ensure that all clinical program development and services improve the delivery of member care. more >

In his role, Dr. Halfin leads the clinical teams and provides oversight of the company’s medical and psychiatric services, as well as quality management.

Prior to joining New Directions in 2016, Dr. Halfin served as vice president and national medical, clinical and operations director of Behavioral Health Services for Anthem Wellpoint. His 30 years of experience in health care also includes leadership positions at Centene Corporation and Magellan Health Services, as well as 11 years in private practice. After earning his medical degree from the University of Costa Rica, School of Medicine, he completed his residency in psychiatry from Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons in New York, and his research fellowship in psychopharmacology from New York University.

Tim Hoffmann
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

As chief information officer, Tim is responsible for the information technology, reporting, data analytics and claims administration teams. He oversees the data warehouse, technology implementations, support services and claims processing for large regional health plans and corporate clients across the country. more >

With more than 20 years of experience in health care IT, Tim is a visionary, an innovator and an expert in leading systems, applications and data conversions. His ability to align client goals with appropriate technology solutions is instrumental in delivering value to New Directions’ clients.

Prior to joining New Directions in 2017, Tim spent 18 years at Magellan Health Services leading the claims and IT teams. Most recently, he served as vice president of IT. Tim has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in business administration from Maryville University of Saint Louis.

Tim Hoffmann, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Robin Jackson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Robin Jackson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

As chief financial and administrative officer, Robin has executive responsibility for all financial and business operations. She oversees and sets strategy for the company’s finance, project management, facilities, health care data analysis, and underwriting business units. more >

Since joining New Directions in 2009 as a finance manager, Robin has held various leadership roles and achieved several promotions within the financial business unit. She led the implementation of two payroll systems, created a standardized budgeting process across the company, and reorganized the compensation and bonus structure to better align with the market.

Prior to New Directions, Robin had extensive experience in the financial industry, including a variety of roles in finance and accounting at CBIZ, a national financial services and business consulting company, and at other private accounting firms.

Robin’s leadership and strategic thinking skills coupled with her deep knowledge of finance, auditing, accounting and tax preparation have been instrumental to New Directions’ rapid growth.

A certified public accountant, Robin has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Pittsburg State University.

Noreen Vergara
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Executive

As general counsel and chief human resources executive, Noreen is responsible for setting strategy and providing comprehensive legal advice to senior executives as well as the company's board of managers. Additionally, she provides oversight for the recruitment, retention, benefits and services of more than 700 employees. more >

Since joining New Directions in 2012 as General Counsel, New Directions workforce has grown over 300 percent, and revenue has more than tripled as well. With a strong pulse on health care law, Noreen is a board member for the Association of Behavioral Health and Wellness which develops policy proposals and advocates for improvements to mental health and substance use disorder access and treatment. She also is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and serves on its behavioral health task force.

Prior to joining New Directions, Noreen was Legal Counsel and Model Laws Coordinator for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. She previously worked for Health Capital Consultants, Magellan Health and Research Psychiatric Center.

Noreen graduated from Rockhurst University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She received her Juris Doctor and Certificate of Health Law from St. Louis University School of Law.

Noreen Vergara, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Executive
Dr. Andrea Auxier, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
Dr. Andrea Auxier, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer

Dr. Andrea Auxier is a licensed clinical psychologist and chief commercial officer for New Directions. She is responsible for developing growth strategies that align with the company’s mission to improve health through change. Her areas of oversight are product development, sales, and marketing and communications. more >

Dr. Auxier was formerly the national director of integration at Beacon Health Options. As a longtime advocate of the Community Health Center program, she has worked with Federally Qualified Health Centers in several capacities, including as the director of research at Colorado’s Health Center Controlled Network. As a clinical consultant for the Bureau of Primary Health Care, she conducted operational site visits for more than 30 FQHCs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Auxier holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. from New York University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed her postgraduate work at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

As a native Spanish speaker, she has worked primarily with underserved, multicultural populations, with an emphasis on those affected by posttraumatic stress. She has several publications in peer-reviewed journals and books and has lectured on integrated care in various forums throughout the country.