Neal Shifman, Fierce National Advocate for Human Potential and Marginalized Communities
Neal Shifman, President, CEO, and Founder of Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP), died at home of natural causes on August 28, 2023, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the fields of behavioral health and human services.
Neal believed deeply in each individual’s potential and dedicated his life, work, and company to help people reach their full potential. He maintained a lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and better health outcomes for all people, particularly those who were marginalized or neglected by society.
He was known for the phrase, “You can do well by doing good”—a saying that he truly embodied in his work and life.
A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Neal was born December 4, 1950, in Boston to Marjorie and Edward Shifman. Neal was passionate about music and sports growing up. He was part of a band and an active baseball and basketball player into his late 50s. He received a B.A. from the College of William and Mary, followed by an M.A. from the Goddard Graduate School. He lived in Marlborough and established AHP in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
After graduation, Neal led several nonprofit agencies and had a private practice as a family therapist. Intrigued by the idea of expanding individual treatment to communities, he began exploring the concept of effecting change—statewide, nationally, and internationally—using aspects of family therapy. He formed the first association of behavioral health (encompassing both mental health and substance use) providers in Massachusetts.
Never shy about accepting challenges and knowing that “big problems require big solutions,” Neal boldly founded AHP in 1986. For the next 37 years, he dedicated his life’s work to the mission of AHP: advocating for human potential by transforming systems of care. His personal and his company’s quest was to find solutions to the greatest social infrastructure challenges in the United States.
Neal was responsible for the overall direction, vision, and leadership of AHP, a company that nearly quadrupled in size over the last 3 years. He led with compassion, humor, and wisdom, and he truly worked to help each employee reach their fullest potential. He was beloved by those with whom he worked and took great pleasure in mentoring employees and interns as they expanded their talents and found their purpose.
Neal firmly believed change was possible when people worked together. He faced monumental societal issues head-on—such as the opioid epidemic, substance use disorders, homelessness, and criminal justice reform—and sought the most creative, innovative, and effective ways forward. He encouraged everyone at AHP to do the same, constantly advocating for the human connection so essential to AHP’s work across the country and abroad.
An active and involved parent, Neal cherished his time with his son, Noah. The two were inseparable on field and court, with Neal coaching his son’s baseball and basketball teams, and Noah cheering during his father’s own softball and basketball games. Neal sponsored the volunteers softball team for more than 10 years, during which he (and Noah) built lifelong friendships with team members.
Neal cherished his happy marriage to Deborah (Deb) Rau for 17 years. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting with friends, and spending time with family.
Neal’s passion for sports and relationship building found the perfect outlet in golf. He loved spending time on the golf course with Noah, Deb, and his friends. Out on the green, he reveled in spending uninterrupted time with loved ones—something he deeply treasured.
Neal will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues for his deep love, respect, generosity, and passion for improving behavioral health and human services; by generations of behavioral health professionals for his leadership, systems transformations, and collaboration nationally; and by countless people who benefited, unknowingly, from his unwavering dedication to bettering the world for all people.
Neal is survived by his wife, Deborah Rau; son, Noah Shifman (Lisette); and grandchildren, Mia and Austin; as well as Noah’s mother, Debra Ernst.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in his name to the charity of your choice. His family and AHP are planning a Celebration of Life for Neal at a later date. For more information and to leave comments for his family, go to Dignity Memorial at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/orleans-ma/neal-shifman11423829#remembering
Please view Neal’s memorial video to hear him describe his vision for a better world, at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=PKaJRUqk2do.