Meet Our Newest Board Member

Bringing a Heart for Public Service and a Passion for Community Mental Health

Comprehensive Healthcare is excited to welcome Carlee Nave as the newest member of our Board of Directors. With deep roots in Eastern Washington and a career in human resources, Carlee brings a unique blend of community insight, operational expertise, and heartfelt dedication to serving others.

Born and raised in Eastern Washington, Carlee ventured to the West Side to attend Western Washington University, earning her bachelor’s degree in music. After college, she returned to Eastern Washington, where she settled in the Tri-Cities. “I thought I’d be here about six months, and that was 23 years ago,” she laughed. “I ended up staying put, putting down roots, and raising my family.”

Carlee began her career in big-box retail, working in logistics and operations before discovering a love for human resources. Her journey eventually led her into county government, where she has spent the past decade supporting elected officials behind the scenes. “While I’m not in a visible decision-making role, the work I do is important in supporting those decisions,” she explained. “What I love most is helping build teams of engaged government employees to best serve the public.”

Her commitment to community service made her a natural fit for the Comprehensive Healthcare board, particularly as Benton County, where she works, prepares to open the new Columbia Valley Center for Recovery. “My boss, the Deputy County Administrator, recommended me for the board,” Carlee shared. “He knew I had a passion for ensuring the community has access to mental health resources.”

Though Carlee doesn’t claim direct lived experience with behavioral health challenges, she still feels a personal connection. “I come from a family that had a lot of undiagnosed mental health issues, and there’s still stigma talking about it,” she said. “It’s really important to me that we make a safe space for people to talk about mental health and substance use, and to get the help they need.”

Her work with law enforcement has deepened her understanding of the need for accessible services. “Working with the law enforcement community, I’ve seen how much of an impact either a lack of services or a lack of awareness of services has on the community,” Carlee shared. “We expect law enforcement to diagnose mental health situations on the fly without giving them the right tools or supports to do that. Developing the resources and places that people can go, as well as those partnerships and responses to get people to the right place instead of just incarcerating them, is key.”

Since joining the board, Carlee has already been impressed by the reach and impact of Comprehensive Healthcare. “I had heard of Comprehensive Healthcare before my start on the board, but now I can see the full reach and have learned about some of the new projects. I’m excited to learn more about what’s possible and be a part of facilitating that growth to serve the community.”

When Carlee’s not working, she enjoys crafting, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her cats. Most of all, she’s savoring every moment with her son, who is about to graduate from high school and head off to college at her alma mater, Western Washington University.

Carlee’s leadership and dedication to public service make her a valuable addition to the Comprehensive Healthcare board. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome!