Zaneta Artis-Wheeler, M.S., B.S., ADT
Zaneta Artis-Wheeler is an experienced human services and behavioral health professional with more than a decade of progressive leadership in nonprofit operations, crisis management, and client care services. She currently serves as a Client Care and Operations Director at a 200-bed men’s shelter in Maryland, where she oversees 24/7 shelter operations, emergency response coordination, and multidisciplinary staff supervision. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring safety, maintaining operational compliance, and fostering an environment grounded in honesty, dignity, and trust for individuals experiencing homelessness and complex life challenges.
Throughout her career, Zaneta has worked across a wide range of settings including school-based mental health programs, substance use treatment facilities, and community-based care coordination services. Her previous roles include clinical case management, addictions counseling, and director-level leadership positions within behavioral health and nonprofit organizations. She has extensive experience supporting individuals facing trauma, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and reentry challenges, while also developing staff training programs, crisis protocols, and client-centered care systems.
Zaneta holds a Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Health, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Professional Counseling. Her professional practice is further supported by certifications in Mental Health First Aid (Youth and Adults) and specialized de-escalation training. Inspired by her son’s ADHD diagnosis and her personal journey as a young mother, she is deeply committed to advancing mental health awareness, strengthening community-based support systems, and expanding access to compassionate, trauma-informed care.
• Mental Health First Aid Training (Youth and Adults)
• MED De-escalation Training
• Ryan Dowd De-escalation Training (Homeless Population)
• Maryland Alcohol and Drug Trainee Certification (ADT)
• Coppin State University — Post-Master’s Certificate, Professional Counseling
• University of Phoenix — Master of Science (M.S.), Psychology (Behavioral Health Concentration)
• University of Phoenix — Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Criminal Justice Administration and Management
• Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.), Criminal Justice
• Influential Women 2026
• American Psychological Association (APA)
• PsyChi Honor Society
• Tri-County Youth Services Incorporated
• Multiple nonprofit organizations throughout career
• Influential Women Network
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington — Youth Advocate (SHINE Program)
• Tower of Faith Worship Center International — Youth Ministry Coordinator
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first and foremost to my son. When I found out he was diagnosed with ADHD, they didn't explain it in a way I could understand, so I decided to go to school and get my master's in psychology to learn about it myself. As I was learning, I discovered how the human brain works and all the chemicals in the brain, and I loved it. But my main focus was to understand my son better. Having my son young also drove me because I felt I had no choice but to get up and do better to make sure he had what he needed. You always want your children to have better than what you had and do better than what you did. Beyond my son, I credit my grandmother, my grandfather (God rest his soul), a lot of my immediate family, and my uncle. Their words of wisdom and their prayers have always helped, even in the little things. And then my daughter came along, and she was very helpful too because she wanted me to get off the computer as soon as possible while I was in school. What I'm most proud of is that I am not part of the statistics that I was supposed to be in. I was pregnant at 17, had my son at 17, and was living in Southeast DC. The statistics basically said that I would live in poverty forever, that I wouldn't continue my education or get a college degree, and that I wouldn't make it to where I am now. So truthfully, that's what's notable to me - that I made it out of the bracket of statistics that I was put in.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women to set and maintain strong professional boundaries, especially in a field that can be emotionally demanding. It’s important to know when to step away from work, turn off your phone, and allow yourself time to rest. Self-care is essential because you cannot effectively support others if you are not taking care of yourself.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in human services is the shortage of staff, which often leads to burnout among professionals. The emotional weight of supporting vulnerable populations can be overwhelming without proper self-care and boundaries. However, a major opportunity lies in the ability to witness transformation—helping individuals rebuild their lives and seeing powerful stories of resilience and recovery.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, dignity, and trust are the most important values in both my professional and personal life. These principles guide how I engage with clients and staff, allowing me to meet people where they are and build meaningful, respectful relationships.