The LGBTQ+ community often faces unique and nuanced challenges regarding addiction and mental health treatment. When looking for professional help, it is vital that you find a facility and staff that understands this. The Pride Institute staff of treatment specialists is ready to guide you on your recovery journey—all you have to do is reach out. Call 952.934.7554 or fill out our confidential online form today for more information about Pride Institute.
Meet the Pride Institute Staff
Al Updike (he/him/el)
CEO
l was previously the Director of Outpatient programs for Maple Grove and Chaska clinics with Hazelden Betty Ford and has worked with his former organization for 14 years.
After earning a degree from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School in 2009 he has worked in various roles, starting as a clinician in residential and outpatient settings before moving into Clinical Supervisor position, then became Program Manager and was most recently the Director of Outpatient Programs for both Maple Grove and Chaska locations.
Al worked with multiple departments to help launch the One counselor model of direct Intensive Outpatient Care, has been a champion for building a Spanish Virtual Intensive Outpatient program (launched in 2023) for the LatinX community, piloted and successfully launched the first PHP program, and championed Twin Cities PRIDE Festival events.
Div Mehta, MBBS, MBA, MHA
(he/him)
chief executive officer
Div Mehta is a highly skilled, motivated, compassionate and experienced healthcare executive who has held senior executive management positions in both private and public sectors, most recently as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of an esteemed behavioral health organization. Div is passionate about building strong cultures based on the strengths and empowerment of staff at all levels within an organization.
Div holds a bachelor’s degree in medicine (MBBS), an MBA and an MHA. He was awarded Executive Leadership and Healthcare Change Management certificates from Cornell University and is certified in Professional Patient Advocacy. He has served on several national and multi-state level committees advocating for behavioral health topics, co-authored chapters for state-level regulations, and provided consultations to the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) on behavioral health standards. He has also served as a behavioral health consultant with GLG, Inc. for national and international substance use disorder and behavioral health topics.
Patrick Zhao, md
(he/him)
Psychiatrist and Medical Director
Dr. Patrick Zhao has served as Pride Institute’s Medical Director since 2014 and sits on the Board of Directors. As the champion behind LGBTQ-affirming, comprehensive psychiatric consultation (ACPC) at Pride, Dr. Zhao has completed more than 1,000 sessions. Zhao emphasizes LGBTQ development history and its interweaving relationship with mental health and substance use disorder, drawing on knowledge and wisdom from psychiatry, psychology, philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Zhao has been a part of SAMHSA’s LGBTQ curriculum project, and he has recommended the broader adoption of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) screening tools and ACPC in clinical settings. Sandstrom graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a human resources management concentration.
Graham Waitt, LADC-S
Director of CLINICAL Services
Graham completed a Bachelor’s in Alcohol and Drug Studies with a double minor in Dance and Sexuality Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2019. He is a BBHT board-approved supervisor for licensed alcohol and drug counselors. Graham has been with Pride since 2019, when he started as an intern. While at Pride, Graham has held a variety of positions including primary counselor, LADC supervisor, and case manager. He was promoted to Director of Clinical Services in 2025. Graham is currently pursuing a Master’s in Co-Occurring Disorders from Metropolitan State University.
Meghan Bang, ladc-s
(she/her)
director of utilization management/compliance
Meghan Bang has been with Pride since 2016, when she started as an ADC-Intern. She has held several clinical roles over the years.
Bang graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Chemical Dependency and she is a BBHT board-approved supervisor for licensed alcohol and drug counselors.
Manuel Garcia
(he/him/el)
IOP Director
Manuel Garcia received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Anahuac University in Mexico City, where he is licensed as a Clinical Psychologist. Manuel received his Master’s in Addiction Counseling from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies and now works at The Pride Institute as Director of Clinical Services. He is also an adjunct professor for the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School. He is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. He has great passion for giving back to the world through his work in Substance Use Disorder recovery. Manuel also is a board member for Dissonance, an organization promoting Mental Health and well-being in the arts community. Garcia has a special interest in helping remove barriers and providing services to underrepresented communities.
Jessica Rice
(she/her)
Admissions supervisor
Before joining the Pride team in 2021, Jessica started as a chemical dependency tech in the substance use field. After starting in the admissions department with us, Jessica quickly worked her way into the admissions supervisor position by being attentive to client needs for the duration of the admissions process. She uses her understanding of the addiction treatment field to assist clients with starting or continuing their recovery journey. Jessica is a certified peer recovery specialist, which gives her the ability to support clients with aftercare plans and education on resources specific to the LGBTQ+ community. Jessica’s attention to detail and love for her work shines through, giving each client an individualized intake process.
Find Professional LGBTQ+ Addiction and Mental Health Treatment at Pride Institute
The Pride Institute staff of treatment professionals can help you break the cycle of addiction and address your mental health. Reach out today at 952.934.7554 or via our online form.
