Ari Davis (he/him): Ari is a Violence and Community Health Epidemiologist at the Alameda County Public Health Department. He works to examine trends in violence and inform public health-based prevention strategies.

Stephanie Lewis, LMFT (she/her): Stephanie is the System of Care Director, Crisis Services, Alameda County Behavioral Health and responsible for the full spectrum of crisis services and multidisciplinary teams throughout Alameda County. She has 25 years of experience collaborating with direct service providers, including mental and physical health clinics, emergency medical services and law enforcement.

Sylvia Tang (she/her): Sylvia is a Community Health Planner with San Mateo County Heath. Her main areas of work include guiding efforts that reduce the stigma discrimination related to mental health and substance use. Sylvia also co-chairs the Suicide Prevention Committee.

Lan Nguyen (he/him): Lan is the Crisis and Suicide Services Division Manager for the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department. In this role, he oversees the County’s 988 crisis center operations as well as suicide and crisis services, a position he has held since 2012.

Kara Connors, MPH (she/her): Kara is the Senior Program Coordinator for Suicide Prevention at Marin County HHS. She believes in the power of partnerships and compassion in addressing the 9th leading cause of preventable death in the U.S.

Daniella Bermudez, LMFT, LPCC, PMH-C (she/her): As the Associate Director of Crisis Services at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, Daniella provides strategic leadership and oversight for the 988 Lifeline. She also works with the Alameda Family Services CARE Team to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and police involvement in mental health crises.

Lynn Gardner Lockett, MBA, MS (she/her): Lynn has worked in mental health for 25 years. She has worked in the Youth & Family Services Bureaus in Hayward, Fremont and Livermore providing direct therapy for children and adolescents dealing with anxiety, depression, truancy, anger management and substance abuse issues at multiple school sites.

Veronique Lee, PsyD. (she/her): Veronique is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care, play and family therapy, with a focus on supporting children, adolescents and their families.

Taina Libbey (she/her):  Taina Libbey is a former K-8 educator and shelter counselor for foster youth in San Joaquin County. Currently, Taina is studying Forensic Psychology and Counseling in a dual MA program at Saint Mary’s College. She wants to continue to meet the therapeutic needs and provide rehabilitative support for underserved and justice involved youth.

Ashley Thorp, RN (she/her): Ashley is a Registered Nurse with more than 14 years of experience in pediatrics, including 7.5 years in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. She works with children and adolescents in critical situations, including those experiencing suicidal ideation or recovering from suicide attempts, providing both life-saving interventions and compassionate support.

Jessica Kahklen (she/her): Jessica is an American Indian/Alaskan Native Care Coordinator II at the Native American Health Center. She has Tlingit and Filipino lineages and is from Juneau, Alaska.

Tami Mason, LMFT (she/her): Tami is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Youth Behavioral Health Program Manager at Southern Indian Health Council. She is a certified EMDR, Play and Expressive Arts Therapist.

Pineniece Joshua (she/her): Pineniece is a cultural anthropologist, community mental health educator, and teacher. As the Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center (SPC) Tribal Communities Outreach Program Manager, Pineniece fosters community-led capacity building initiatives with American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in urban and rural spaces, promotes 988 awareness, and provides culturally responsive mental health services and suicide prevention trainings. Pineniece is Cherokee Nation (Oklahoma, maternal lineage – non enrolled).

Kami Naylor (she/her): Kami Naylor, sAfEfE, is a descendant of the Yuchi and Seminole Tribes and an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma. She currently serves as the Tribal Community Outreach Coordinator for 988 Suicide Prevention at WellSpace Health, which aligns with her passion to improve policies and awareness surrounding health disparities in tribal communities. 

Amanda Gall, AMFT (they/them): Amanda is the Training Program Manager in the Crisis Services Department at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. They oversee all training for direct counseling services delivered via phone, text, and chat platforms.

Andrea Jasso (she/her): A first-generation Mexican American, Andrea is a Shift Supervisor on the Text Line at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. Her lived experience with mental health shapes how she shows up for others, and she is committed to expanding access to crisis services for underrepresented communities.

Evan Reeves, MA (he/him): A Quality Assurance Program Assistant at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County, Evan conducts reviews for all counselors who answer calls. As someone who lives with depression and anxiety, he is proud to be part of an organization that supports individuals facing multiple forms of social disadvantage.

Sofia Theodoras (she/her): Sofia is a Crisis Line Shift Coordinator at Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. She volunteers at the Trevor Project's text line and is passionate about suicidality through the lenses of youth, grief, and queerness.

LaUra Schmidt (she/her): LaUra is the founder​ of the Good Grief Network​. She is a truth seeker, community builder, program designer, and facilitator. LaUra’s book on Good Grief Network’s unique 10-Step program is called How to Live in a Chaotic Climate: 10 Steps to Reconnect with Ourselves, Our Communities, and Our Planet. 

Andrea Henderson, LCSW (she/her): Andrea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Clinical Director of Crisis Support Services of Alameda County. She has a background in crisis work, working with youth, and oversees the intern training program at CSS.

Wendy Schwartz, LCSW (she/her): A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Wendy has spent her career working in community-based case management with individuals experiencing homelessness. She currently serves as one of the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinators at VAPIHCS Suicide Prevention Program.

Christopher Lopa, LCSW, CSAC (he/him): Chris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience in addictions and mental health. He is currently one of the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinators for the VA PIHCS Suicide Prevention Program.

Amanda Lopez, LCSW (she/her): A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the San Francisco VA Healthcare System's Suicide Prevention Team, Amanda serves as a Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator. She provides suicide prevention education and training to community partners and helps develop community-based coalitions.

Jodie Geddes (she/her): Jodie serves as the Safe Outside the System Program Director at Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY), providing support for community members experiencing a crisis with mental wellness and other community resources.

Michael Muscadine (he/him): Michael is a Communities United for Youth Justice (CURYJ) co-founder and certified life coach that manages the Life Coaching/Community Healing Team for adults and for youth. He oversees the regranting program, coordinates with community stakeholders, and builds capacity for local organizers in the San Antonio and Fruitvale District.

Bishop Kelly Woods (he/him): A Bishop and Lead Pastor with over 30 years of pastoral and clinical counseling experience, he specializes in marriage, families, children, trauma-informed care, and grief support.

Melvin Escobar, LCSW (he/him/él): Melvin is a Core Teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, a Licensed Psychotherapist, and a Certified Yoga Instructor. He draws on his experiences as a queer man of color and uses body-centered contemplative practices for personal and social healing.

Rabbi Rory Katz (she/her): Rory is a spiritual leader, educator, and community builder. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Antisemitism Education Initiative at UC Berkeley.

Shereen Khan-Amrikani, LMFT (she/her): A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Shereen specializes in treating trauma, chronic illnesses, and neurodiversity. As a Muslim, person of color, and daughter of immigrants, she is committed to decolonizing mental health and creating affirming spaces for all clients.

Darlene DeRose (she/her): The founder of Shadow Power, Darlene is a teacher, public speaker, and producer. She views filmmaking as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and the lives of those around her.

Dylan Johnston (he/him): Also a founder of Shadow Power, Dylan is a filmmaker who brings his lived experience with addiction and homelessness to his work.

Ellen Perry, LCSW (they/them): Ellen is a Clinical Case Manager at Side by Side, which provides young people ages 5-26 and family members with critical services that span behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA+ support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education.