Pasadena Villa
Our Leadership Team
Our leadership team is composed of compassionate, experienced professionals who help make it possible for Pasadena Villa to provide life-changing treatment every day.
Angel Piper
Chief Executive Officer
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Angel Piper brings over 20 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, with a strong background in leadership roles, including program development, clinical oversight, business development, and assessment and referral.
For the past six years, she has served as CEO at various behavioral health hospitals, where she has made significant contributions to improving patient care. Angel holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from Virginia Commonwealth University and later pursued an MSW and LCSW.
She has worked with diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, active-duty service members, and veterans. Her passion for behavioral health drives her commitment to enhancing patient care systems and patient experience.
John Kupfner, MD
Medical Director
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Dr. John Kupfner is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director with extensive experience in the mental health field, including his current role as Department Chair at Peninsula Behavioral Health in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Dr. Kupfner earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and his Medical Doctorate from the University of New York State, Buffalo School of Medicine. He completed both his Psychiatry Residency and a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Virginia.
His leadership and expertise make him a key member of our dedicated team, ensuring the highest quality care for those we serve.
Brenda Keller, LPC
Chief Executive Officer
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Brenda Keller is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field.
Brenda holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Asbury University and a master’s in counseling from Kaplan University. In her career, she has worked in clinical services, intake, risk management, and leadership roles.
Brenda is passionate about all aspects of treatment. She uses solution-focused DBT, CBT, and other therapeutic modalities to help individuals heal from trauma and lead fulfilling lives.
As a certified RYT 500 yoga teacher, Brenda integrates the mind-body connection into therapy, supporting healing through breath and movement. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and teaching yoga.
Kirstin L. Whitely, DHA, CTRS
Chief Executive Officer
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Dr. Kirstin Whitely brings over a decade of experience in behavioral health, with a strong foundation in trauma-informed care and substance use treatment.
Dr. Whitely’s career includes roles as a recreational therapist, department manager, and director of military admissions. In addition to her clinical leadership, she has spent 10 years in higher education as an associate professor, where her research has focused on evidence-based interventions and innovative curriculum development.
Dr. Whitely earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in recreational therapy from Kent State University and a doctorate of health administration from Capella University. In addition to her clinical leadership, she has spent 10 years in higher education as an associate professor, where her research has focused on evidence-based interventions and innovative curriculum development.
She leads with a transformational leadership style and is deeply committed to continuous quality improvement through thoughtful, systems-based change.
Blaire Zielke, LMSW, CAADC
Chief Executive Officer
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Blaire Zielke brings over a decade of experience in behavioral health leadership, clinical practice, and program development across inpatient, residential, crisis, and community-based settings
Blaire holds a Master of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and she maintains a professional credential as a drug and alcohol counselor. Throughout her career, Blair has led multidisciplinary teams and implemented evidence-informed services that strengthen quality improvement, patient safety, and continuity of care.
She is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, with research interests focused on behavioral health policy, treatment systems, healthcare access and disparities, and the evaluation of service capacity and outcomes. Her work emphasizes data-informed decision making and interdisciplinary collaboration to support long-term recovery and community reintegration.
She leads with a transformational leadership approach and is deeply committed to holistic, person-centered care and the delivery of high-quality services across both mental health and substance use treatment systems.