The Align & Embrace Leadership Team

RaQuel S. Neal, LCSW

RaQuel Neal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Education Specialist & Certified Coach at the University of California, Davis. She co-leads the Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support to transform organizational culture in Behavioral Health, Probation, Child Welfare, and other family-serving system of care partners. 

Her commitment to using data and research promotes the sustainable integration of equitable and inclusive policies and procedures to support healing in communities with multifaceted dimensions of diversity.  RaQuel works to aid organizations in fostering a learning community with a wellness-equipped workforce that has the skills to infuse trauma-informed and culturally responsive service delivery.


Cara Alexander, PhD, BCD, LCSW

Cara Alexander holds a PhD in International Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor where she majored in Social Welfare Administration and minored Interpersonal Practice. She has a Bachelor degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Additionally, she completed a Global Clinical Scholars Research Training postdoc program with an emphasis in epidemiology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Alexander is dually licensed is an independent Clinical Social Worker in Georgia and Maryland. She is a Board-Certified Diplomate (BCD) in Clinical Social Work. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of behavioral health, HIV/AIDS, co-occurring disorders, and executive management.  Her practice foundation is ingrained with extensive micro and macro practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in all types of integrated settings (including but not limited to private and public hospitals, federal/military treatment facilities, community health, substance abuse treatment, home health, school settings, juvenile court systems).  She was an adjunct lecturer in the School of Social Work Virtual Academic Center at University of Southern California for over eight years. Where she taught Advanced Theories and Clinical interventions for Children and Adolescents, Advanced Theories and Clinical Interventions for Children and Families and Integrated Care Models.


Shyla Bradley, MSW

Shyla Bradley is a member of the Leadership team at Align & Embrace as the Content Manager, Engagement Specialist, and Coordinator for our team of Emerging Culture Cultivators. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Northern Michigan University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, focusing on Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Use.  Her journey with Align & Embrace began during her MSW field placement.

Shyla has been working in the field of Mental Health and Wellness for 6 years and has experience with both micro and macro practice. Her employment in residential psychiatric care and outpatient mental health settings has fueled her passion for healthcare equity. At Align & Embrace, Shyla has cultivated a unique skill set including leveraging technology, population needs assessment, and project and team management- allowing her to remain steadfast in her commitment to dismantling systemic barriers to healthcare and fostering positive change within the industry.