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PRESIDENT & CEO

Alfonso Guida Jr., J.D.

Al is a nationally recognized advocate and strategist who provides valuable federal policy and regulatory solutions for health care clients in the provider, technology, and public health sectors.

Al has helped his clients realize measurable goals in mental health parity, biomedical research, child poverty, and child welfare. His legislative portfolio includes successful collaborations with major Congressional committees, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Working together, Al and our GCS team have established and secured funding for Mental Health First Aid, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and the 988 National Suicide Prevention Coordinating Office.

Prior to founding GCS over two decades ago, Al addressed mental health stigma through major advertising campaigns, including MTV. In the non-profit world, he served as Senior Vice President at Mental Health America to coordinate state and federal government affairs and to start their State Health Care Reform Department. During his tenure, Al championed Medicaid coverage expansions and the inclusion of mental health care in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Recognitions

500 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2024 Washingtonian

500 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2025 Washingtonian

TOP COALITION ENGAGEMENT Mental Health Liaison Group

Policy Associate

Aaron Sanchez

Aaron Sanchez is a policy associate at Guide Consulting Services, a DC-based consulting firm specializing in Medicaid financing solutions for behavioral health and social service providers.

Most recently, Aaron worked as an EMT for DC Fire/EMS 911-response operations through American Medical Response. Prior to that, Aaron worked as a health legislative aide for US Senator Butler (D-CA), where he managed all healthcare correspondence and legislative business for his home state of California. Before that, Aaron worked in the district office of Congressman DeSaulnier (D-CA) in the House of Representatives handling crisis casework in healthcare, Social Security, and disaster response efforts. Aaron holds a BA in Political Science and Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside, with a specialization in health and economic policy, and in his free time, he is a volunteer firefighter in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Aaron has a demonstrated understanding of all things health policy and hopes to one day work in the prescription drug affordability space.

Administrative Assistant

Catie Boehmer

Catie Boehmer is an Administrative Assistant at Guide Consulting Services with a background in government and public health. She holds a B.A. in Government from Georgetown University, with a minor in Science, Technology, and International Affairs focused on biotechnology and global health.

At Guide Consulting Services, Catie supports the firm’s behavioral health policy and advocacy work through policy research, client engagement support, and operational coordination.

At Guide, Catie supports the firm’s behavioral health policy and advocacy work through policy research, scheduling, and client coordination. Prior to joining the firm, she interned with the United Religions Initiative and at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at NIH, where she gained experience in public health initiatives and research.

Catie is committed to advancing mental health equity and expanding access to high-quality behavioral healthcare.