Leadership Team

Mike joined the Advocator Group in 2014, after several months of working with the company as a strategic leadership consultant through his advisory firm Shunney and Associates, LLC. Mike brings with him over 20 years of experience as a senior executive with Sun Life Financial, including roles as P&L leader of their Employee Benefits Group and Presi­dent of U.S. Distribution. His expertise includes business strategy, particularly knowledge in distribution & sales, profit building, mergers & acquisitions, and organizational development. He is known for recognizing and rewarding talent and instilling strong competitive drive in team members to achieve organizational success. Mike graduated from Merrimack College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance. He currently serves on advisory boards at Mobile Health Consumer (corporate health management technology) and Assist America (global emergency travel assistance provider), and on the Board of Directors for the Doug Flutie Jr. Autism Foundation. mshunney@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Shawn joined The Advocator Group in 2020 from The Arc of Volusia, where he most recently served as the Vice President of Operations. Shawn brings with him over twenty years of experience in leadership, sales, marketing, and operations. Community engagement is important to Shawn, currently serving on the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors and having previously Chaired the Leadership Daytona Alumni Council and Elevate Daytona Committee. Shawn spent several years in the hospitality industry after returning from the United States Air Force, where he performed security and law enforcement duties in the Desert Shield/Desert Storm operations. Among other responsibilities as Chief of Staff, Shawn is responsible for organizing and prioritizing critical initiatives, strategic plans, priories, and policies for The Advocator Group. sabbatessa@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Gina joined The Advocator Group in 2014 and leads multiple teams, serving various audiences within and outside of the organization. She drives her teams to execute for strong results while also working to continually increase customer performance. Gina joined us from Sun Life Financial, where she spent 15 years developing a deep understanding of the employee benefits industry through a variety of roles in Risk Management as well as Distribution. Gina’s expertise includes relationship management, leading high performing teams, and developing innovative strategies to drive growth. She is known for building strong relationships and for bringing people together to achieve results. gschreiber@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Courtney has 20 years of experience leading marketing, sales, and business development functions within rapidly growing companies. Her senior management experience includes leading organizations through periods of ambitious change to successful, measurable outcomes. She served as the Director of Marketing at both FirstGiving, a leading online fundraising platform, and Gentle Giant Moving Company, one of the largest residential moving company nationwide. Previously, she held several professional service and client-facing roles at MediaMap, a PR software and media consulting agency. She holds an Masters of Business Administration from the FW Olin School of Business at Babson College and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish language from Bates College. She serves on the board of Notre Dame Cristo Rey, providing college preparatory education enhanced by professional work experience for young men and women from families with limited income, and previously served on the boards of Creative Action Institute and Read to a Child Boston. cscott@advocator.com | LinkedIn | Twitter

Sean joined The Advocator Group in 2006 and currently serves in the role of Vice President of Operations and Performance. In this role, Sean oversees the entire operation from the moment a new client is onboarded through their SSDI award and reimbursement. He also manages company-wide data analytics, focusing heavily on metrics and forecasting. During his tenure with The Advocator Group, Sean has managed several departments and has spent a considerable amount of time working directly with corporate customers. Sean works to turn data into information that drives the business forward. He is able to build strong teams that push for results and execution. Sean graduated from Dartmouth College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Government, while participating as a member of multiple leadership tribunals. He also received a Juris Doctor from New England Law and acts as an Authorized SSDI Representative. spsullivan@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Nelson Acosta joined The Advocator Group in January 2011 from Agero, where he served as Team Manager and Principal Lead during several strategic IT implementation initiatives. As the Vice President of Information Technology, Nelson is responsible for technology development and information technology and infrastructure. During his time at the Advocator Group, his commitment to innovation has supported key business growth and operational optimization. Nelson graduated from Universidad Simon Bolivar in 2001, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering with concentrations in database design, operating systems, and software engineering. Nelson earned his Master’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Boston University in 2004, receiving the Distinction for Academic Excellence award upon graduation. His graduate work with the Information Security Lab enabled Boston University to be named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Nelson has been recognized twice as Brown & Brown Information Business Partner of the Year by peers, senior management and the executive leaders. nacosta@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Megan joined The Advocator Group in 2016 with the acquisition of Social Security Advocates for the Disabled (SSAD).  She currently serves in the role of Vice President, Legal & Compliance and SVP, Operations for SSAD. With 17 years of SSDI advocacy experience and an extensive background in SSDI and LTD benefit integration, Megan is responsible for leading our legal strategy and managing our internal compliance team.  Megan graduated from Stonehill College earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English. mreid@ssadreps.com | LinkedIn

Holli joined The Advocator Group in early 2017. As Vice President of Human Resources, Holli is instrumental in both engaging current teammates for retention and professional growth, as well as in attracting tremendous new talent to the team. Prior to joining The Advocator Group, Holli served in several senior HR roles during her long tenure at Bridgewater Associates in Westport, CT and she held recruiting roles for UBS Investment Bank and Staffwriters Plus, Inc. She has expertise in all aspects of HR, with depth of experience in HR operations, employee relations, training and development, recruiting, and technology systems that power highly effective HR functions. Holli is a graduate of Sacred Heart University. hsannito@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Stacy joined The Advocator Group in 2009, bringing more than twenty years of progressive accounting experience with emphasis on corporate accounting, financial planning, analysis and reporting. She has extensive knowledge in building the foundations of accounting operations in smaller, rapidly growing organizations. Her experience includes managing system implementations and analytical reporting tools, developing accounting operational efficiencies, Sarbanes Oxley and internal controls, SEC reporting, investor relations, international accounting, and financial statement consolidations. Prior to joining The Advocator Group, Stacy has held various positions with venture capital-backed, privately-held, and publicly-traded companies in the software, medical device, and advertising industries. Stacy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Nichols College and a Master of Business Administration from the FW Olin School of Business at Babson College. slwilliams@advocator.com | LinkedIn

Melissa Prudente joined the Advocator Group in 2003. In her years with the organization, she has served in a number of capacities prior to and alongside her current role on the Senior Leadership Team. As the Director of Adeo Solutions and Administrative Services, she leads a large team of administrative personnel, facilities management, client services teammates, and has responsibility of Adeo Solutions. Melissa graduated from Framingham State College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a concentration in Social Deviance. Melissa earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University in and has certificates in Project Management as well as Human Resources Management. mprudente@advocator.com | LinkedIn