Meet our team at Summit Malibu in beautiful Malibu, California where we have experience in treating drug and alcohol addictions, with great success. We’re with you every step in the process from before and after treatment. Get to know our team below.
Owners
William Oswald, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder
Summit Malibu was founded by William Oswald, who has over 40 years of experience in the field of substance use, addiction treatment, and mental health recovery.
As a hands-on owner in recovery himself, William has handcrafted the Summit Malibu treatment program by drawing upon his extensive experience with proven methods for long-term success. Read More
Steve Booth, Chief Financial Officer, and Founder
Steven earned his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Economics. Before helping to co-found Summit Malibu Steven worked in both private and public accounting. Like many others, Steven has seen first hand the destruction that addiction can inflict on family and friends. He has also witnessed the extraordinary changes that can be made when addicts receive the necessary treatment.
Medical Team
Lisa Benya, D.O.
Dr. Lisa Benya, D.O., is a 1995 graduate of the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is an internal medicine doctor that has served the Malibu community for over the past 10 years.
Her caring and compassionate approach combines both eastern and western medicine and has earned her a great reputation and a lot of respect in the local community. Read More
William Stanley, M.D.
Dr. William D. Stanley, M.D., received his Doctorate of Medicine degree from UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, NJ.
Dr. Stanley completed his Boards for ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) in 2000, and later for ABAM (American Board of Addiction Medicine) in 2010. Read More
Shahla Modir, M.D.
Dr. Shahla Modir, M.D., has over 20 years of experience in addiction, psychiatry, and integrative medicine.
Dr. Modir is dual board-certified in Addiction and Psychiatry, serving as a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and its Addiction Psychiatry certification. Read More
Kevin Simonson, Psychiatrist
Dr. Kevin is a psychiatrist with an integrative approach to mental health treatment. He completed his BS in Molecular Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology at Humboldt State University. He received his medical degree from UC Irvine and completed residency at UC Riverside and the Long Beach VA, where he worked in substance treatment and suboxone clinics.
Directors
Kristin Robert, Executive Director
Hailing from a background in business administration and customer service, Kristin Robert joined the team at Summit Malibu in January 2014.
As Executive Director, she oversees the clinical and support staff, as well as all aspects of our dual diagnosis addiction treatment program. Read More
Kam Walton, Director of Operations
Kam Walton brings her background in management to our team at Summit Malibu. Prior to joining Summit in 2022, she was a communications major at UCSD and SDSU.
Kam has worked in the field of addiction treatment for over six years and takes a personal interest in all Summit employees as well as clients. Read More
Clinical Team
Cherrie Phillips, LMFT, Clinical Director
Cherrie Phillips is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been practicing since 2014. She specializes in treating trauma, depression and anxiety and has experience working in a vast range of treatment settings at all levels of care; including detox, residential and intensive outpatient. Read More
Kelly Sweeney, Case Manager/Aftercare Coordinator
Kelly Sweeney has worked in all aspects of the addiction and mental health treatment field for more than 16 years and currently serves as Case Manager and Aftercare Coordinator for Summit Malibu.
She has had the exclusive opportunity of working alongside some of world’s very best clinicians, treatment centers, and doctors. Read More
Amaris Baker, LMFT, Primary Therapist
Amaris Baker is a graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology and minored in Sociology.
She obtained her master’s degree (MA) in Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University-Long Beach. Read More
Beth Farar, LMFT, Independently Affiliated Clinician
Beth Farar is a California State Licensed Marriage, Family and Child Psychotherapist (LMFT) who has been treating people for more than 22 years.
She specializes in working with individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and family therapy and is trained in Rapid Resolution Therapy. Read More
Charlene McPherson, CADC, ICADC, SAP, Independently Affiliated Clinician
Charlene has worked as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 1991. Her work experience has been in a variety of treatment levels in substance abuse programs. She has a BS degree in Psychology and an AA degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. My path in life has guided me to work in the field of addiction to guide others in healing and wellness. I believe everyone is unique with their counseling for their journey in life. I say “one shoe size, color, style will not fit everyone.”
Cyndle Rios, LMFT, Independently Affiliated Clinician
Cyndle Rios is passionate and devoted to empowering others and creating positive awareness within the mind, body and spirit.
As a therapist, she helps clients find inspiration and motivation in a life of healing and hope, and helping others create a life worth living. Read More
Gabriel Logan-Braun, Holistic Practitioner
Gabriel Logan-Braun has shared his knowledge and touched the lives of both our team and residents since arriving at Summit Malibu several years ago in 2018.
After going through a dark episode of depression in his late teens, he was led to his first yoga class at the age of 17, where he began his journey of healing and transformation. Read More
Natalie Riggs, Equine-Assisted & Yoga Therapist
Natalie Riggs provides a dual role as both an experienced Equine-Assisted Therapist and Yoga Therapist for our residents at Summit Malibu.
She facilitates therapeutic group and private sessions for our clients by navigating a myriad of life challenges including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Read More
Terry O’Rourke, CADC, Group Facilitator
After a successful career in film & tv production, Terry felt it was time to give back. He has been blessed in his life with many gifts and felt it was time to be of service to others. Terry’s mission statement is “I co-create a world of connection and discovery through supporting, facilitating, and loving myself and others.” He graduated from the UCLA Extension Addiction Studies Program In 2018. Terry then became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He is also a certified SMART Recovery Facilitator.
Support Staff
Amanda Grindstaff, Supervising Registered Nurse
Amanda is licensed as a registered nurse in the state of California. Among other degrees, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a degree in Psychology.
Amanda has previously worked in public health and critical care. Read More
Joanna Medina, Medication Room Supervisor
Joanna Medina earned her Bachelor’s Degree from California Lutheran University and she began working in field of addiction treatment immediately after she graduated.
Joanna’s personal experience with addiction provided the motivation for her to work in treatment, where she can provide support, compassion, and hope to others. Read More
Cortney Critser, Medical Assistant
Cortney was born and raised in Thousand Oaks, California. She is a great addition to the team as she is a certified medical assistant. When Cortney isn’t at Summit, she works as a professional hairstylist and loves to travel. She struggled with addiction herself and has been clean and sober since early 2017.
Donald Peake, Lead Clinician Assistant
Don Peake was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and moved to the Los Angeles area in the early ’70s with his wife Pam.
He draws from his own personal experience in recovery when sharing with clients and offering compassion and encouragement during their time in treatment and beyond. Read More
Scott Naslund, Lead Clinician Assistant
Scott is a graduate of UCLA and has been working at Summit Malibu since its inception. His experience in recovery has been both challenging and rewarding. The challenge has lied in helping people through the throes of addiction by being supportive. The reward from witnessing people heal through Summit’s therapeutic process and rekindle their fire for life. His passion for learning has helped him realize the importance of helping people and the value of sobriety.
Jesse Alldredge, Clinician Assistant
Jesse Alldredge is a wonderful addition to the Summit team and has worked in the field of recovery for two years. He is passionate about working with others while using his own personal experience to help guide them.
Rosalia Sandoval, Facility Manager
Rosalia Sandoval has been a member of the Summit Malibu Team from day 1 and excels as our Facility Manager.
She enjoys interacting with our clients and staff, and is present every day, welcoming Summit Malibu with a fresh breakfast and a warm smile. Read More
Mark Rabbene, Executive Chef
Chef Mark Rabbene attended the Culinary Institute of America and began his career in the food industry in 1983. He has held many titles such as Apprentice at Four Seasons Restaurant, Corporate Chef for AT&T, and has been the owner of two restaurants back in his hometown of New York. Read More
