Tequia Sier is the project director for behavioral health workforce at Healthy Minds, where she leads efforts to grow and strengthen Oklahoma's supply of treatment providers and implement best practices to support a thriving, culturally competent workforce that can meet Oklahomans’ increasing mental health needs.  

In her role, Tequia guides research to understand the needs of Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce, identifies and advocates for policy solutions to workforce challenges, and engages community partners to install innovative models statewide.  

Much of Tequia’s work centers on expanding training pathways for providers and integrating behavioral health services into primary care settings, which can extend providers’ reach and allow more people to access mental health care. Tequia also leads Healthy Minds' efforts to promote equity in the state's behavioral health workforce, exploring strategies to build a more diverse, representative workforce of clinicians.

Tequia was one of 20 leaders across the country chosen to participate in the 2023-2024 cohort of the Equity-Grounded Leadership Fellow Program through the College of Behavioral Health Leadership, designed to equip behavioral health leaders to build equitable mental health systems in their communities.

Tequia joined Healthy Minds in 2023, bringing nearly 20 years of clinical and systems experience. Most recently, she oversaw statewide prevention initiatives at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, focusing on the promotion of mental health and the prevention of substance use, suicide, and overdose.

Her clinical background includes direct care in outpatient and partial hospitalization settings, and she has experience in training and development, health equity promotion, strategic planning, and continuous quality improvement.

Tequia, a licensed clinical social worker, holds a master's degree in social work with a concentration in administration and community practice from the University of Oklahoma.