Mercedes McWaters (Sadie)

Mercedes (Sadie) McWaters currently serves as the Integrated Primary Prevention Officer for the New Mexico National Guard since December 2022. Prior experience includes a role as a Senior Policy Analyst with The Bowen Group from November 2020 to November 2022, where advice and assistance were provided to the Defense Suicide Prevention Office on strategic planning and policy development. Prior to this, Mercedes held positions in academia, including Visiting Assistant Professor at Northern Illinois University and Strategic Communication Planner at the University of Mary Washington. Mercedes holds a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Behavioral Neuroscience from Northern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from the University of Mary Washington.