Our Judges

Statewide Judges

Angela Cohen is an established, award-winning writer/director and producer with films sold to MGM Orion & Shorts TV. She’s a 2024 Rising Director Fellow for her debut feature film, as announced in Variety, and was handpicked by Google to direct the thriller Abduction via Jumpstart VR. She qualified for the Oscars® with her short film Without Grace, which she also wrote and starred in, and has collaborated with Amazon’s Prime Video, PBS ,and MTV on multiple films on mental health. Angela founded Charley Bear Productions with a vision to affect change through cinema, telling unique and diverse stories through the female lens. Her suicide prevention film, There Can Be Light, will be released on Omeleto’s Youtube Channel on May 6th.

Angela Padilla is a passionate mental health advocate. Angela’s commitment is rooted in her personal experience with mental health. For nearly forty years, Angela’s mother has lived with bipolar and schizoaffective disorders. As a result, Angela became an avid consumer of mental health information at a young age, which motivated her to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public administration (MPA) with a focus on health administration. She learned that even in the age of the internet, accurate and reliable mental health information could be difficult for consumers to find.

As part of her advocacy, Angela publicly shares her unique perspectives and experiences with a diverse range of audiences by speaking at schools, to community organizations, and at special events. Before establishing FundaMental Change, Angela worked as an Assistant Vice President/LR Manager for Bank of America.

Angela was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She graduated from Canoga Park High School, earned an associate degree from Los Angeles Pierce College and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University Northridge. Angela lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband and their three children.

Bradley Buecker is executive producer of Fox’s shows 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star. He is also director and producer of the Golden Globe® nominated show Glee and has worked on numerous other projects including The New Normal. In 2015, Mr. Buecker received the award for “Program Supporter and Student Mentor of Directing Change” for his long-time support of the Directing Change Program.

Cary McQueen is the Executive Director of Art With Impact, a nonprofit organization that uses art and community dialogue to support mental wellness for young people and their advocates throughout the United States and Canada.

Celeste Lecesne (he/they) wrote the short film Trevor which won an Academy Award^® for Best Live Action Short and is co-founder of The Trevor Project, the only nationwide lifeline for LGBTQ youth. He has written three novels for young adults, and created The Letter Q, a collection of letters by queer writers written to their younger selves. An actor as well as a writer, Celeste is best known for his award-winning solo shows including The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, for which the NYTimes ranked him “among the most talented solo performers of his (or any) generation.” He is also the co-founder of The Future Perfect, a national arts initiative for LGBTQ+ youth (www.thefutureperfectproject.com).

Chantelle James is founder of the Austin-based production company Lady Alchemist Films and an award-winning screenwriter/director and producer.

Chris Gordon is a multiple Emmy® Award-winning and multiple Promax Gold Award-winning senior producer for the ABC station in Los Angeles. He’s produced numerous television campaigns for news, sports, and entertainment programming, including ABC’s “On the Red Carpet at the Oscars,” Los Angeles Rams pre-season and Monday Night Football games, along with ABC7’s number one “Eyewitness News” franchise.

Chris Hyde is a festival and film program associate for Voices With Impact, a yearly production grant and film festival platforming underrepresented stories on the topic of mental health. Chris is also an award-winning, queer, working-class writer, director, and performer. His work has been featured on TV after The Simpsons and on radio after The Archers.

Eileen Zeller, MPH, is past chair of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention, serves on the board of the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and spends most of her volunteer time working with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America on lethal means reduction. After a career in public health and suicide prevention, Eileen retired from the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2018, where she was Lead Public Health Advisor in the Suicide Prevention Branch. She provided national leadership in a variety of areas, including ensuring that SAMHSA’s suicide prevention efforts were integrated with those of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and serving on multiple advisory, policy, and implementation committees and workgroups.

Ellora Patnaik is an actor, dancer, and choreographer who studied dance at the renowned Odissi Research Centre in Orissa, India, in addition to attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her credits include roles in a diverse range of shows, three of which – Ginny & Georgia, Sort Of, and Spinning Out – have all been honored with Directing Change Messaging Awards for exceptional storytelling around mental health.

Jen Greenstreet is the CEO and Founder of Just Like You Films, a women-run, Oscar®-qualified, Webby’s Gold Anthem and Mid-American Emmy® Award-winning nonprofit production company. Jen began her professional career as a prosecuting attorney litigating 520 felony cases and representing the state in 46 jury trials. After serving 8 years as a prosecutor, Jen took her passion for advocacy and storytelling from the courtroom to the big screen and has led JLYF for the last 17 years.

Jennifer Engdahl  

Jim Jones is a licensed psychologist who works on Mayor Bass’s Crisis Response Team, working directly with the LAPD. He also works for the American Red Cross in its Services to the Armed Forces Program and Disaster Response Team. Jim is a filmmaker who produces, writes, and acts in his films, as well as acting in others. Three of his short films have earned over 20 international film awards from film festivals in cities that include London, Stockholm, Paris, Barcelona, Toronto, and Florence.

Dr. Jim Kooler has been supporting young people in finding their voice for many years through the CA Friday Night Live program and CalHOPE, and he finds the Directing Change Hope & Justice category to be an especially great vehicle for this work.

Justine Fischer is an ardent community advocate and has a background working with and for children and youth, especially those in under-served and vulnerable communities. She currently serves as the Community Director for the CalHOPE Schools Initiative Partnership to support schools, students, and communities with no-cost vital resources to support mental health and wellbeing. Justine also works with All It Takes to provide SEL programming to youth and those who serve them. Previously, she was the California State PTA President from 2015-2017 and a Partnership Specialist for the 2020 Census in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Kathy Lindboe is the co-founder and CEO of Battlecry Productions, a female-led and female-driven horror film company. She is also a film, stage, and commercial writer/director/producer and works with several LA-based nonprofit organizations to help support important community issues by directing and producing social impact videos and live events to raise money and awareness.

Katie Rotolo (she/they) is a storyteller and Co-Founder of the boutique production company Paper Ball Pictures, best known for female and LGBTQIA+ driven stories in comedy and realism on topics such as mental health and reproductive rights, as well as their work to make sets more sustainable. Katie is a mental health advocate and trauma- and social-justice-informed yoga teacher who specializes in peer groups and creative mindfulness practices for filmmakers and artists with Set Intentions.

Kelly Zirnhelt

Kiki Goshay is the producer/director of the film Not Alone, which uses intimate teen-to-teen conversations to engage the audience about depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicide, getting help, and treating mental illness. Film is a great tool for youth to bring issues they care about to a broad audience, and Kiki’s mission has been to give kids a voice.

Kim Kline is an award-winning singer-songwriter, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and fashionista. Best known for her single “Inside” which aired on MTV’s The Hill’s.  Her current single “Stand Tall” is a bullying prevention anthem from her sophomore album. Her music video for “Stand Tall” gives a universal message of hope, strength, and human connectedness.

Kristen Bell is an actor and singer with film and television credits including Bad Moms, Frozen, The Good Place, and Veronica Mars. Bell helps destigmatize mental health issues by openly speaking about her own experiences with depression and anxiety, regularly using her platform and visibility to advocate for more honest conversations around mental health and empower those who are struggling to get the help they need.

Laura Carson is an actress, producer, and writer with over 40 years of experience in the creative arts. Her credits range from the stage to film and TV. For several summers she has taught kids filmmaking at Idyllwild Arts. She is slated to co-direct the feature film Comfort Food this fall in Denver, CO.

Lia Bruce worked for a Hollywood film producer as a creative executive and worked in marketing at the University of San Diego, before leaving for the United Kingdom to get her master’s in marketing and corporate social responsibility. She is currently a digital marketing manager at a boutique digital marketing agency in the UK.

Linda Bergonzi-King, MPH, is a Producer/Director/Health Communication Expert with over 30 years of experience creating a wide range of video programs, educational tools, and communications with a particular emphasis on health, well-being, social justice, edutainment, and community development. She also teaches high school and undergraduate courses on multiple topics related to health communication, interpersonal communication, and media relations/literacy. Linda graduated from the Yale University School of Public Health with an emphasis on health communication and health policy.

Marie Dyak is an Emmy® Award-winning producer. She produces webcasts on all facets of substance use disorders, mental health, and related health issues such as suicide prevention, concussion, trauma, diabetes, HIV, and Hepatitis C; Marie is also Co-Creator and Executive Producer for EIC’s PRISM Awards Ceremony and TV Special.

Matt Walton is a screenwriter, whose credits include This is Me…Now starring Jennifer Lopez and Antisocial featuring Ed Sheeran and Travis Scott. Walton currently lives in the Hollywood Hills with his wife and kids, a Himalayan cat named Georgia, and the ghost of Mama Cass.

Melissa Margain is a US Army Veteran, was born and raised in Oakland, CA  worked to reduce recidivism amongst returning citizens across Contra Costa County, and now serves as the Public Defense Program Administrator for the City of Bellevue, WA. She is a returning judge who enjoys supporting students and the impact this program has on the community.

Monica Nepomuceno is a mental health advocate who is passionate about helping all school staff (including certified and classified personnel), parents, and community members increase their knowledge and awareness of student mental health and wellness.

Nagin Cox is a spacecraft operations engineer currently working as a tactical mission lead for the Mars Curiosity Rover and the Mars Perseverance Rover.

Pamela Luna, DrPH, MST is an innovative career educator who uses film to inspire learning and action. Dr. Luna served for seven years as the Chair and feature films sessions founder for the American Public Health Association’s “Global Public Health Film Festival.” Recently, Dr. Luna worked in training and research as adjunct faculty at the RAND, Corp. and is currently working in prevention education and early intervention programs to promote optimal health and well-being of youth.

Pepper Carlson-Humphrey, C.Ht. is an Emmy® Award nominee and 4-time Telly Award-winning producer (2 gold, 2 bronze) with a specialty in short-form and documentary live-action production and development. Carlson-Humphrey is also a published author and executive producer of Timing Dragons Content.

Pixie Monroe enjoys mentoring America’s youth and California’s passionate young filmmakers who are eager to make a difference in their communities through accurate messaging in film, television, and social media.

Riki Kucheck has been the Festival Director for the Newport Beach Film Festival – which screens over 300 films from around the world – for over 20 years. Riki regards film as a great way to express oneself and help others to better recognize and understand issues we all face.

Ruben Preuss is a producer/director with 25 years of experience in film production. For the last 9 years, Ruben has been a licensed psychotherapist working at Kaiser Permanente Behavioral Health.

Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas is a clinical psychologist, mental health advocate, faculty member, survivor of her brother’s suicide, and a person who has lived through depression; as such, she sees the issues of mental health promotion and suicide prevention through multiple lenses. Today, she uses her professional speaking platform to “elevate the conversation” and make resilience, healing, and suicide prevention health and safety priorities in our schools, workplaces, and communities. (www.SallySpencerThomas.com)

Trent Duncan is an award-winning independent filmmaker, Film Festival Director, and YouTuber. Trent has created a variety of narrative short and feature films in many genres that have entertained audiences around the world. He is most notably known for his YouTube channel featuring Epic Horror Battles.

Trish Glowacki is Executive Director of the glowmedia project, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that produces unique, free-of-charge, educational films addressing mental wellness and behavioral health issues facing teens today. The short films and corresponding educational guides for students, parents/guardians, and educators represent a new approach toward educating students about mental illness, addiction, and other stigmatized issues.

Regional Judges

Aaron Avila holds a bachelor’s in visual communication design and works as a marketing coordinator for a construction material company. Aaron has critiqued, advised, and led many artistic video projects and has a passion for art, design, and humanitarian causes.

Aditi Sonal

Alec Castellano is the founder and director of Turlock Video Productions and a graduate of San Jose State University’s radio, television, and film program. Alec is also the multimedia and theatre teacher at Linden High School, which is located outside of Stockton, CA.

Alejandra Valencia is a program manager with Idea Engineering and has been working with youth, county offices of education, and Ventura County Behavioral Health in providing support for young people and communities in reducing stigma and providing health equity education for marginalized populations.

Alexandra Yuan is a Stamps President’s Scholar at Georgia Tech, majoring in biomedical engineering on the pre-dental track. Art has long been an essential part of Alexandra’s life, with her work winning awards and being exhibited in the High Museum.

Ali Borowsky is the founder and CEO of Find Your Anchor –  a grassroots suicide prevention movement that inspires and supports individuals in a creative and engaging way, with the aim of growing a community of encouragement and hope.

Allie Mink is the president of NAMI San Bernardino Area. As the mother of a young adult who struggled with mental health during high school and college and a NAMI Ending the Silence lead presenter, Allie is acutely aware of the importance of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and normalizing the conversation around mental illness.

Alyana Samson has lived experienced of mental health challenges and seeking support. She is interested in providing youth a safe space to creatively express their thoughts and feelings.

Alyssa Hames participated in the Directing Change Film Contest when she was in high school, creating a video centered around the topic of self-worth.

Alyssa Yoon is a student at UC Irvine, majoring in social policy and public service. She strives to be an advocate in her job at Student Housing and as a fellow for College Corps.

Amagine Grant believes that the youth need outlets to express themselves, to explore creative ideas, and to have access activities that help with mental health issues.

Amanda Byrd has been a teacher for 14 years in numerous virtual and in-person positions teaching courses for grades 6-12. Amanda holds a master’s in education and another in counseling and has worked with youth through the court system, as well as around the topics of suicide prevention, gun safety, and mental health.

Amanda Fabus is a dedicated mental health advocate passionate about raising awareness and promoting mental wellness for everyone, especially children. She graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in political science and finance and is deeply committed to supporting others and advocating for accessible, compassionate care and resources for those in need.

Amanda Lance-Sexton is an administrator working in behavioral health services for the County of San Diego. She also has a small therapy practice where she supports teens and adults in finding balance in their lives, often through the use of art modality.

Amanda Lasik was previously one of the leaders of Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative.

Amanda Lipp has directed over 80 short documentary films about mental health, and her films have been utilized in stigma-reduction research papers and statewide awareness campaigns in New York City.

Amanda Rooney works as a paraprofessional and building substitute in a K-8 school and is in the process of applying to clinical mental health programs. Amanda’s experience and education have highlighted the struggles youth face in accessing adequate mental health care, fueling her desire to receive training as a counselor.

Amanda Yee is studying adolescent cognitive developmental psychology, where she focuses on understanding the unique challenges and needs of the youth. Amanda has a strong appreciation for creativity as a powerful form of expression and enjoys celebrating artists who convey their stories and emotions through their artwork.

Amber Dyson is a musical theatre and improv educator committed to helping students express themselves by finding their artistic voice.

Amy Dale is passionate about destigmatizing mental health and finds it encouraging that the next generation is already more comfortable talking about it and seeking treatment.

Andy Cu is a college student majoring in psychology who hopes to contribute to a future wherein all people – regardless of age, race, gender, etc. –  can receive the mental and emotional help that should be entitled to all.

Angelica Matsuno is an advocate for mental health and awareness among youth, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. Her experience includes producing a telenovela video and training series for immigrant women business owners, designing curriculum for an award-winning career planning telecourse distributed by PBS, launching an interactive distance learning initiative for a Fortune 500 software company, and leading television production workshops at a community access television station. She lives in Oakland, CA and currently works in the healthcare industry as an educational program manager.

Angelica Muñoz

Angelina Khodotova is a multilingual communications specialist with a master’s in journalism and mass communications from Korea University, focusing on independent film and media studies. She is also a dance, music, and film enthusiast who is a part of the colorful expat community in South Korea and has personal experience in youth counseling and overcoming mental health challenges.

Ann Truong-Ong Ta is a creative and mental health clinician who considers art a strong tool for healing. She is passionate about culture and mental health, has been working in the field of mental health for years, and is an advocate for equality and fighting mental health stigma.

Anna Nevmerzhytska is a storyteller and founder of Socially Produced, a platform that helps startup founders craft authentic narratives through short-form video content. With a background spanning marketing operations, business development, and AI governance across the US, South Korea, India, and the UK, she brings a global perspective to the intersection of technology, media, and social impact.

Arcadia is a research team at NYU that focuses on suicide prevention in adolescents, concentrating their work on the places where adolescents already are (such as in schools).

Arden Park is a crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line, supporting those who are experiencing loneliness or harmful thoughts through one-on-one conversation. Arden holds a bachelor’s in life science with an emphasis on narrative medicine and the way the arts can improve patient care and public awareness of mental health problems. She is also serving as a postgraduate leader for Global Medical Missions Alliance, supporting undergraduate and gap year students in their journeys to health occupations.

Areum Belle Lee is an award-winning illustrator for The Healing Tree story book and has worked with Coaniquem, a nonprofit pediatric burn treatment facility in Santiago by providing the story book to young patients. She is currently working as character artist for the LOL SURPRISE toy brand at MGA entertainment.

Arissa Tischman works in the mental health field and enjoys media presentations that help to convey messages regarding mental health awareness.

Armen Ter-Barsegyan is a health educator for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Armen coordinates outreach and education efforts in metro Los Angeles and has experience supporting homeless and foster adolescents in Hollywood.

Ashley Nkwocha is a public health professional at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, committed to advocating for mental health awareness and social justice. Ashley is passionate about supporting youth in using creative expression to share their experiences, foster resilience, and drive meaningful conversations around mental health and well-being.

Aurore Nkaka is an undergraduate who enjoys volunteering for a cause. She has volunteered as part of the screening committee for FilmFreeway and the global admissions committee for Millennium Campus Network.

Austin Geidt was an executive in the tech industry where she was public about her previous struggles with mental health and her battles with addiction. She is now 19 years sober and is passionate about destigmatizing mental health issues.

Autumn Gabin is a licensed professional counselor in San Diego with over a decade of experience supporting the mental health of youth and their families. Autumn is inspired by the creativity of adolescents and youth.

Avery Salyers is a mom of 2 daughters and aims to ensure they always have the confidence and voice to stand up for themselves, others, and any one in need –  regardless of their views, religion, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation. Avery wants to set an example for her children regarding how to give back and support others.

Aviana Garcia is a psychiatric social worker with LAUSD School Mental Health (SMH) who oversees their intern program. She is passionate about the opportunities to address inequities through school-based social work.

Bella Ho is a young author with an interest in anime art and animated film. Bella has been writing and drawing since childhood and sees volunteering as a way to help others while also learning more about art.

Bethany Bodenhamer is the dean of student engagement at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, CA where she supports the student body in mental health, attendance, and conduct. Her passion is that all students are seen and heard and have a safe, trusted adult while on campus; Bethany is also spearheading the foundation of the school’s first ever mental wellness center.

Beverly “BJ” Rouse

Bhuvana Rao oversees prevention programs for Orange County residents and has done so for over 10 years. She is passionate about shifting perceptions and negative stereotypes about mental health, supporting programs that reduce stigma and raise awareness for mental health topics in the community.

Bobby (Bojidar) Marinov learned to appreciate short films and motion pictures in college and has developed a passion for the artform. He also leads Recovery International, a self-help group centered on better mental health.

Branden Reyes is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Brenda Scott is executive director at a local NAMI affiliate and a mental health advocate. She is a two-time suicide loss survivor and cares deeply about a healing mental health system that is recovery-focused.

Brian Bishop is the communication coordinator for the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health. Brian coordinates communication efforts with local media and handles marketing around a number of mental health and substance use disorder campaigns.

Dr. Brittany Barber is a therapist serving adults and children. She is also a contributing faculty member and loves being an agent of social change.

Brook Price is a wife, mom, educator, and suicide loss survivor living in San Diego, CA. After losing her son to suicide, Brook has worked to educate herself, becoming an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention and serving as a support group facilitator for Survivors of Suicide Loss San Diego.

Brooklyn Nelson has been a professional artist for more than 8 years and has a special passion for stories about young women. Brooklyn had roles in Matilda the Musical on Broadway and Frozen the Musical on Broadway; she has numerous other film/TV credits as well, but Elsa and Matilda are near and dear to her heart.

Bryanna-Itzel Figueroa has completed certifications in early childhood education and behavioral health, is very familiar with PHQ questionnaires, has assisted DV programs, and majored in human services with a minor in psychology. As mother to a 10-year-old, she finds behavioral health to be an extremely important topic.

Candice Holdorf is an embodiment coach with a master’s in psychology, as well as an award-winning screenwriter, producer, director, and actor. She wrote, starred in, and directed the short film The Dance After the Last Dance, which played Dance on Camera at Lincoln Center, Sonoma Film Festival, and Cucalorus Film Festival and won Best Short Film (Dance) at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival. Her short screenplay Magdalena won Best Short Script at the Woods Hole Film Festival, and her current project, Leaving Bethlehem, is a quarterfinalist in the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition.

Candice Johnson enjoys helping people and making people smile and is especially passionate about causes centered around children.

Candice Robinson is a practice administrator, psychometrist, and case manager located in Durham, NC. She has specialized in leading thriving private behavioral wellness practices for more than 8 years.

Cardan Watson is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Carmela Lomonaco was the director of programs for an online suicide prevention/mental health intervention called Reach Out. As part of her position, Carmela worked with young people to create videos about their experience. This work was part of an Ad Council campaign (the videos can be found at www.youtube.com/@Reachoutfilms/videos, and the campaign PSA can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpfdMy3FgCs).

Carolyn L. Kaneko, LCSW is a mental health program manager with the Hollywood Mental Health Center. Carolyn is also an active member of the Los Angeles County Suicide Prevention Network (LASPN) and is a co-chair of the LASPN Youth Advisory Board.

Caryn Petty is a CA chief fire officer, serving as the CA Statewide Fire Fighter Academy coordinator and creator of the now-mandatory behavioral health and cancer awareness curriculum attended by all entry-level firefighters in California. Caryn has extensive experience in youth advocacy, having worked with LGBTQ young people via San Diego Pride, the Hillcrest Youth Center, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and GLAAD. Caryn also remains active in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongings efforts via youth fire camps and the Girl Scouts of America.

Cecilia Melgoza is a registered behavior technician with nearly 2 years of experience working with children and youth. She is passionate about mental health, education, and encouraging young people to express themselves through creative outlets.

Ceyda Basak Tekin organized and curated the Earth Expo Virtual Reality Exhibition 2023 featuring artworks she selected at Climatematch Academy (where she was the student coordinator). Ceyda has always enjoyed transforming her education in genetics, bioengineering, and neuroscience into art, and her works were finalists in the Stanford University Art of Science exhibition in 2021 and 2024. Ceyda believes in and has experienced the unifying and transformative power of art across languages and cultures.

Charity Rimel is a social worker with Blue Shield CA Health Plan with 25 years of prior experience working in health care, including 13 years working with youth mental health in California and Hawaii. Charity’s experience also includes working with children and adolescents in the private school and biopsychosocial rebab in-patient hospital setting, as a clinician working with Children and Family Services in Hawaii, and working as a residential counselor in Watsonville, CA.

Charlene Hofler is a college student with a passion for media production, especially filmmaking and writing. She has also seen the way health impacts people, and she believes in the importance of promoting mental health awareness and emotional support.

Chela Fielding is a behavioral health clinician and artist who works with youth in the foster system. Chela also has filmmaking experience and believes it is critical to use creative outlets to destigmatize mental health.

Cheryl Eskin is the senior director of Teen Line, a Program of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a teen-to-teen hotline where teens can call, text, or email about anything they are struggling with. (800-852-8336 6-10 PM PST or text “teen” to 839863; teenline.org)

Cheyenne Russo

Chidike Nwankwo is a youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Chloe Durant is passionate about youth empowerment and mental health advocacy. She volunteers with programs dedicated to educating and supporting young people through creative expression, social justice, and suicide prevention initiatives

Christina Dale

Christine Chai works in healthcare.

Claudia Avalos-Garcia has been working with adolescents ages 16 and older for the past 12+ years in a community-based setting. Claudia supports youth in overcoming obstacles as well as in gaining awareness of their own mental health by identifying triggers and implementing adaptive coping.

Cynthia Dela Pena has career experience in mental health, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, education, and support.

Danielle Santos is a clinical social worker with strong experience working with youth, as well as a major film buff (with a particular interest in works centered on social issues).

Danyte Mockus-Valenzuela is a health planning and program specialist with the Prevention and Support Services Unit at BHS and has over 10 years of experience in mental health prevention, early intervention, and SUD prevention.

Dave Jones is a suicide loss survivor who speaks to philanthropic and civic groups, using his compelling personal story to change how people look at mental health.

David Giammona strives to foster inclusion and belonging in tech to create new opportunities for all.

David Rogers has been supporting the destigmatization of mental health his whole life, starting with volunteering for a suicide hotline and continuing through his psychology training, actively encouraging openness and expression of emotions.

Deepti Bista is from Nepal. She used to raise voices against mental illness and women’s violence with paints and brushes but took a break from arts and writing after joining her master’s program. Her art and prose have appeared in “Beyond Words International Literary Magazine,” “Polemicalzine,” “Wearezanna,” “Journal of Expressive Writing,” “The Brooklyn Review” and the anthology “Who I Am Today.”

Denise Olivia

Desiree Perez is a film enthusiast and mental health advocate and has studied both video creation and photography.

Diana Porter is a strong believer in the impact and power of art to transcend barriers and help people make sense of the world.

Diane Ellis is a licensed professional counselor and worked over 30 years as a director of a college counseling center in Arkansas. She does not like labeling people or putting them in categories and is curious about life and learning new things. She, her husband, and their dog are now living in Minnesota.

Donna Cederlund does community outreach, education, and advocacy for mental health organizations like CHADD, NAMI, and The TLC Foundation in an ongoing effort to end stigma so more people can get the help they need.

Donna Thayer is a retired high school administrator, teacher, and journalist who cares deeply about the academic success and social-emotional health of our youth.

Doug Birnbaum has been a filmmaker for over 20 years, working on everything from branded content for the web to award-winning short films.

Duke Dela Rosa is a youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Elaine Auburn is a diverse, bilingual actor and was a board member of a nonprofit that offers educational filmmaking programs to bridge the gender gap in the entertainment industry. Most recently, Elaine lent her voice to a multi-award-winning animated film on challenges faced by the homeless. She also enjoys collaborating with creatives to tell meaningful, underserved stories and has been a NAMI supporter for over a decade.

Elizabeth Arellano

Elyana Locatelli is a biological sciences graduate and clinical research associate working in a care area that often services patients battling mental health challenges and is deeply committed to advancing awareness and education in this critical area. Her professional experience has provided her with insights into the profound impact mental health struggles have on individuals and their families. Growing up in a household shaped by loved ones dealing with mental health issues, Elyana has witnessed the importance of fostering understanding, building bridges, and spreading hope.

Erin Weaver is from the Bay Area and her career spans mental health, film, and social impact. She is the business development manager for Daybreak Health, a school-based mental health resource with a mission to make mental health care accessible to all youth, has managed impact campaigns for independent documentary films, and volunteers weekly at her local independent movie theater.

Esther Jando is a registered nurse who works in population health management, with a 10-year background working with the Medicaid population. Her experience focuses on specific special interests related to healthcare access for the LGBTQIA population, under-represented populations experiencing transitions of care and frequent emergency admissions, and medically high-risk children in conjunction with California Children’s Services.

Ethan Dumper is an award-winning youth filmmaker from the Los Angeles area. Ethan also sits on the Giving Spirit Youth Council, which serves the homeless population of Los Angeles and creates change.

Floyd Strayer is a filmmaker, suicide prevention advocate, and group facilitator for Survivors of Suicide Loss San Diego.

Frank Navarro is a highly experienced law enforcement professional with over 34 years of dedicated service. He currently serves as a Police Sergeant with the Val Verde Unified School District Police Department and is a retired detective from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Frank has been deeply committed to mentoring and supporting youth, (particularly in his role as a School Resource Officer and beyond) and has focused on assisting students facing mental health challenges, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to their well-being.

Frankie Campisano is a writer and comedian whose work focuses on women and queer leads. Their calling card pilot, Drop Dead, is a dark comedy satirizing the intersection of mental health, suicide awareness, and the entertainment industry.

Gabrielle Porter is currently working on a business venture for the development and enhancement of emotional wellness.

Geneva Amas is a mental health clinician working with the challenges surrounding suicidality every day. Geneva hopes to help make mental health more inclusive and part of overall wellness for the generations to come.

Golden Shao is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Grace Park is a social worker (MSW) by training, with an undergraduate degree in film studies. Grace has a keen eye for storytelling using the medium of film, and believes art has the power to educate, inform, and change lives.

Gracie Robles serves as a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and suicide prevention. With extensive experience working with incarcerated youth, she possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing this population. Gracie works with the Riverside County Office of Education, driving positive change and support for vulnerable communities.

Graham Wiseman co-founded BeingwellCA, a nonprofit dedicated to improving student mental health, after the loss of his son to suicide.

Gurneet Kaur is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Gus Johnson works for Blue Shield of California, has a passion to help others and see them succeed, and believes that age is just a number. To Gus, there are those who are wise beyond their years and those who just continue to figure things out. She believes in simple rules and has found that change is inevitable.

Hali Trainor is pursuing a master’s degree to become a licensed mental health therapist and is currently working as a care coordinator in community mental health. Hali is a huge advocate for youth and families navigating mental health challenges and wellness and understands the importance of improving multiple factors to decrease the rise in youth mental health challenges. With suicide being more common among this population and mental health stigma still being a concern among her community, Hali is committed to contributing to this cause as much as she can.

Heather Hale enjoys giving back to her community and has studied instructional design, business, and organizational leadership.

Héctor Manuel Ramírez is a lifelong disability rights advocate who is autistic, hard of hearing, and has lived experience with a psychiatric disability. Héctor advances disability rights through inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility

Helen Han is an avid participant in the arts.

Ilene Mireles is a Youth Creating Change Youth Council member.

Ina Jung is a seasoned design and creative services leader with a background managing creative operations for the Los Angeles Chargers and Thrill One Sports & Entertainment. Ina is also a strong advocate for mental health awareness.

Isla Scott

Jackie Ungarino is passionate about mental health and empathetic toward those facing mental health challenges. After navigating her own struggles, she has gained a profound understanding of the importance of mental health and is dedicated to raising awareness and offering support to promote mental health advocacy and reduce stigma.

James Cameron is passionate about storytelling and creative expression in film.

Jamie Moran, LCSW, CGP, is in private practice in San Francisco focusing on group therapy and group training for mental health clinicians. Working with adults, Jamie witnesses the many ruptures of childhood experiences and the desire to be part of community efforts to rectify such injuries.

Janet Borrus has cowritten and coproduced a feature film about teen parenthood called Bellyfruit and has recently returned to acting. Previously, she was also a high school theatre teacher.

Jasmine Rankin

Jason Fricano

Javier Blas is a licensed clinical social worker, provides direct services to youth in a high school setting, and is part of CHOC Children’s School mental health program team.

Jayda Raymond is a singer-songwriter and actor with goals to inspire youth to pursue their artistic passions. Her personal goal in music and art is to invoke change.

Jayden Mendoza is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Jayne Reinhardt is recently retired from San Diego County’s Health and Human Services agency where she held various health education and community organizing positions for nearly 30 years.

Jeanette Cruz is a senior outreach community manager for Blue Shield Promise.

Jen Gherardi is a committed mother of teens and an advocate for social justice with over 25 years of experience in education, cross-cultural exchange, and human rights. She has held leadership roles on the boards of Global Youth Connect, Starr King Parent-Child Workshop, and the Coalition for Global Dialogue, focusing on empowering youth voices, promoting experiential learning, and fostering dialogue on crucial social issues. Jen is also an accomplished songwriter, performer, and producer.

Jen Krutsch is a dedicated wife, proud mother, and suicide loss survivor based in Riverside, CA. Following the loss of her brother-in-law to suicide, Jen has advocated for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She celebrates both of her kid’s incredible accomplishments – including the success of her daughter in the 2019 Directing Change Annual Film Contest – and is a strong supporter of the arts and youth.

Jenna A. Reedy is a seasoned communications professional with over 20 years of experience, having previously worked in independent public television. An emerging artist with a focus on photography, Jenna is also a mother whose teenage son served on the national Hope Squad, a suicide prevention support group. She is personally connected to the cause as a grieving friend who lost a loved one to suicide and aims to help raise awareness and support prevention efforts.

Jennifer Chan is a freelance production assistant specializing in live television and events and has contributed to production on the Oscars®, interned with GBH on Antiques Road Show, and participated in the Television Academy Foundation Internship Program with Herizon Productions. Jennifer serves as an executive producer for Enchanted Blade Films, an independent film production and consultancy company based in Carmel, NY. She is also an advocate for inclusive and accessible education about mental health in the entertainment industry.

Jennifer Guhl is the MHSA agency program manager for the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Department in Sonora, CA. She has been supporting various mental health awareness and suicide prevention efforts in Tuolumne County for more than 5 years.

Jereen Hoss

Jessica Desai is an English language and literature graduate and has been editor and contributor for a college magazine for 2 years. Jessica is also an avid reader and movie-lover.

Jessica Donald has worked as an editor and technical assistant with the Riverside Film Festival and is a previous Youth Creating Change participant. She is passionate about mental health, film production, and criticism.

Jessica Sanders is passionate about advocating for mental health and is specifically focused on breaking down barriers for underprivileged communities. Through her volunteer work in health clinics across LA, Jessica hopes to make a difference in people’s mental health journeys. She believes in the power of art and storytelling to connect and inspire and is currently collaborating on a children’s book to help kids understand and cope with anxiety.

Jessie Bucci is the California program associate for Bring Change to Mind (BC2M). She works with high schools in California to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and discuss topics pertaining to mental health while creating empathetic environments.

Jesus Jimenez has BAs in criminology and psychology and is an advocate for mental health. His work involves assisting low socio-economic individuals in obtaining health care in LA county, through which he introduces the concept of mental health and the importance of self-care to community members.

Jiaxu (Lydia) Chen is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

John Dent has been advising in media for the past 15 years at Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, CA, where his teams have won regional and national awards for their videos and publications. John loves to help students become journalists and storytellers using a visual medium.

Jordan Calleja is passionate about raising awareness for mental health as well as empowering the creativity of fellow youth.

Jose Luis Aguirre is the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office CARON program manager, supporting efforts to build trust between the community and law enforcement through educational activities, including academies and workshops focused on well-being, mental health, and drug prevention. Jose is also a journalist and a professional photographer.

Jose Murillo has been working in the mental health field for over 10 years, utilizing his expertise to assist future peers in the community. He also volunteers his time with the board of directors for his local NAMI affiliate, with a focus on the local Spanish-speaking community.

Jose Ortiz Patraca

Joshua Roberson has a background in information technology and is passionate about giving back to his community and making a meaningful impact through both work and volunteer efforts. Joshua actively participates in philanthropy initiatives with End Overdose, helping spread awareness and resources for harm reduction. Beyond volunteering, he also helps manage a wedding venue and an Airbnb business, while also running his own brand.

Juan Garcia is a US VETS peer outreach suicide awareness and mental health advocate, whose background as a young Latino migrant worker informs his approach to art and advocacy. Juan regards the arts as an invaluable resource for safeguarding his own mental health.

Judith Miller Thomas cherishes the opportunity to support mental health education and awareness, valuing efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Julia Giolzetti is a professional film/theater performer who has worked on many student films through NYU, Columbia, and the Teen Producer’s Project at UCSD. As an actor, her experience ranges from national commercials and off-Broadway immersive shows to public performance art and Shakespeare, and she has also been a teaching artist for almost 20 years. Julia believes in the power of art to heal and is a fierce advocate for both mental health support and the arts for students everywhere.

Kacey Herring is a television professional, most recently working in the Showtime original series department. Kacey has also judged many short film and script competitions and plans to pursue a master’s in psychology.

Karla Quinones looks forward to bringing about change where mental health is no longer stigmatized and there can be open discussion related to mental health. Karla also seeks to bring social awareness about suicides and cyberbullying, as well as how to effectively manage social media.

Katelyn Gooneratne is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Kathleen Derby is a patients’ rights advocate at Jewish Family Service, with 40 years of lived experience, who advocates for the rights of people in mental health facilities throughout San Diego County.

Kathleen Green-Martins has been coordinating the Central Valley Film Festival for over 10 years.

Kathy Cromwell, LCSW is an executive director at Hinds Hospice and oversees Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss and the Local Outreach to Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) team.

Kathy Kelly is the parent of an artistic son and has witnessed the positive impact acting, music, and art have had on his mental health.

Kayla Wardle combines her background in PTSD research and health science engagement with a deep passion for mental health advocacy. She loves using art as a powerful medium to promote awareness and understanding of mental health.

Kehinde Adebayo

Kelley Nolan is parent to an adult child facing mental health challenges and works at her local community college in the disabled student programs and services department as an instructional support specialist II.

Kevin Hannahoe

Kiki Goshay is the producer/director of Not Alone, with a mission to give kids a voice. She also believes video is a great tool for young people to bring issues they care about to a broad audience.

Kim Yaged is a writer with a background in TV, film, theater, and animation. She has also had work featured in film festivals.

Kirstin Bach has served as an arts administrator for museums and nonprofits for over 25 years, including over 10 years at the Exploratorium. Kirstin’s area of specialty is contemporary visual arts, and she is currently the program director for the Bay Area Creative Foundation, which celebrates the accomplishments of creative youth through their annual awards program, the Creative Youth Awards.

Kong Vang is a versatile freelancer and filmmaker from the Central Valley. With a knack for storytelling, he’s excelled in numerous film festivals as a winner and top competitor. Kong is dedicated to using art to improve well-being and connect people through narrative storytelling.

Kristen Tran has personal experience working with the different shades of mental health and believes artistic expression is an important outlet for the struggles each person goes through, allowing them to free themselves in ways that sometimes cannot be communicated by simple words.

Kristie Wickwire is a creative leader and educator with a background in both mental health advocacy and art. Founder, editor-in-chief, and creative director of the now-defunct multimedia arts and literary publication Please Hold Magazine, Kristie judged and curated film submissions and other artforms for the publication. She helped develop and teach the business of the arts course at Washington University in St. Louis (working with students to make their art career viable), served on the young professionals board of NAMI St. Louis, and currently serves as chair of the “Abilities Connection Group” at Enterprise Bank & Trust, where she is also senior creative manager.

Kyle Banta spent his younger years afraid to be open and vulnerable with his emotions and is excited to see the stigma changed through art and open communication.

Kyle Golding is a mental health advocate and has always regarded youth as the leaders of the next generation to come. Kyle works in the entertainment and understands how art can captivate, change narratives, bring positivity, and support much-needed change.

Kylie Reynolds is an attorney in Los Angeles and a former journalist.

Lan Tang is trained in suicide prevention through nonprofit work and holds a strong passion for supporting mental health initiatives that promote healing through personal expression and creative endeavors.

Lauren Levine is an experienced TV producer and filmmaker. Lauren has also worked for a large California school district for over 7 years, making story-driven professional development content around bullying, DEI, MTSS, PBIS, FACE, and foster youth.

Laurie Slater is a visual and 3D artist originally hailing from Michigan, currently living in Evanston, IL. Laurie works with cognitively challenged kids as a paraprofessional at a local arts elementary school.

Leah Brooks is a licensed clinical social worker with over 10 years’ experience working with adolescents. In addition to hiking with her dog, she also enjoys spending time helping her community.

Leslie Kennedy has spent her career as a creative in advertising and is currently in a counseling psychology program. Ultimately,  Leslie hopes to work with and contribute to the lives of our youth.

Lilia Mekri is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Linda Glass-Frederick has experience as a longtime high school teacher and counselor. She also believes that student art projects are an impactful way to make a difference around suicide prevention and mental health.

Linda Kelson is an artist specializing in oil painting and has tried to use her art to address social and environmental issues all her life.

Lisa Schoyer has over 60 art exhibitions under her belt, with 12 of those being solo exhibitions. Lisa also holds an MFA from CalArts and has 6 years of studio art teaching experience at UCI and Occidental in subjects including visual culture, drawing, sculpture, and installations.

Liz Irons currently serves on the City of Elk Grove CA Art Commission. As a member of the Art Commission, Liz reviews art proposals and initiates public art projects, creating community musical or literary events at an affordable price or free to public and nurturing up-and-coming artists. Liz believes that music, painting, writing, and filmmaking help people lead healthier lives.

Dr. Lorry Leigh Belhumeur is a licensed psychologist and has served as the CEO of Western Youth Services for over 20 years. She believes that the foundation of positive mental health in children and youth is having a caring dependable adult who believes in them, uncovering their strengths, and helping them become their most confident and resilient selves.

Louisa Burrus loves the arts and seeing children invested in helping their peers. She has also experienced suicide loss and believes that spreading awareness of how to help those who are struggling is of vital importance.

Lynn Marsh is a published author and a creative writer. Lynn sheds light on mental health and social issues through writing and art while working with non-governmental organizations to help make a difference.

Madalyn Brion-Reed has been a school counselor in Cajon Valley Union School District since 2006 and is passionate about students being agents of change in their communities.

Magdalena Garcia looks forward to the day when youth mental health is truly recognized as a public health issue. As a survivor of suicide loss, Magdalena works tirelessly to destigmatize mental health issues in young people.

Magdalena Victoria Leon-Bianchi is a 30-year dental healthcare provider, as well as a CEO of a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. She finds working with youth and supporting their creativity to be one of life’s most rewarding experiences.

Manuela-Lidia Grindei is a software developer with a keen interest in mental health issues and a certified mental health first aider.

Marcelle Pratt is a psychotherapist actively engaged in and supportive of the Fresno art community, where she advocates for and encourages individuals to explore creativity as a powerful means of self-expression and emotional well-being.

Marcia Robertson is in the film music industry and reads, writes, and plays music. She is also a 2-time felon, as well as a certified engineer using Pro Tools and Logic. Marcia has been in several plays and also teaches music to young adults, in addition to tutoring them in their academics.

Margaret Grier has over 20 years of experience in storytelling around the lived experiences of those closest to health inequities. Every day, Margaret uses her influence and privilege to access funds and resources to advance strategies that center community voice and power to advance health equity and racial justice.

María Elizalde has been working with youth for the past 10 years providing mental health services.

Marissa McGilllick has a bachelor’s in psychology and is currently working on a master’s in mental health and wellness with an emphasis on grief and bereavement. She has been working with children with behavioral and mental health issues over the past year and looks forward to when mental health is no longer stigmatized.

Maritza Ramirez is a film major whose goal is to create stories that will have a positive impact within her community. Maritza also believes in the importance of making those with mental health issues feel supported and heard.

Marleen Juarez is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Marlowe Stone is the co-owner and co-founder of 336 Productions, an Orange County video production company specializing in producing client-branded video content for marketing and advertising purposes.

Mary Dominguez has a background in and a passion for psychology and also pursues creative writing as a hobby. Having recently changed career paths, Mary is now working with youth both professionally and as a volunteer.

Matthew Leonoudakis has over 7 years of experience facilitating over 4,000 hours of youth and corporate team-building programs and has guided diverse groups through activities that encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional expression. Matthew has experience working with organizations such as Ernst & Young, GitHub, and All It Takes, as well as a passion for empowering youth. He is dedicated to supporting initiatives that amplify youth voices around critical topics.

Matthew Lynch is deeply committed to well-being and mental health, has experience working with youth, and understands the importance of addressing critical issues like suicide prevention.

Maya Yatsko has always been interested in mental health issues since many members of her family are neurodivergent and also volunteers with programs that help kids with special needs. Maya feels that mental health is an essential topic for both students and adults to engage with in their day-to-day lives.

Melissa Soo Hoo is a licensed adult clinical and health psychologist in private practice. In her spare time, she enjoys supporting leadership and community program development as a volunteer with Enhearten Unseen Leaders, a nonprofit organization.

Michael Gates is an avid life-long learner with degrees in numerous fields who enjoys giving back to others.

Michelle Carlson is passionate about supporting California youth and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health challenges.

Dr. Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, DSW, LCSW, PPS is a Filipino-American social worker in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works part-time as a school social worker and as an adjunct instructor/lecturer at San Francisco State University and SUNY University at Buffalo. She has extensive experience working in non-profit and educational settings, and her areas of interest and expertise include youth suicidality, crisis intervention in schools, clinical supervision, program and policy development, and implementation in educational settings.

Michelle Soto-Melgar has focused  her career on supporting and empowering urban youth and underrepresented populations through advocacy work in community and educational settings.

Michelle Wright is father to a son who died by suicide, as well as co-founder of Choose2LiveUnlimited, an organization building bridges of communication between government agencies, mental health workers and organizations, faith-based organization, and those in need of their services.

Minda Harts is the bestselling, award-winning author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, Right Within: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace, and her first YA book, You Are More Than Magic. Minda is a highly sought-after speaker and thought-leader, frequently presenting on the topics of advancing women of color, leadership, diversity, and management, as well as the founder of The Memo LLC, a career development company.

Mindy Pomper Johnson is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with credits on the History Channel, PBS, and Discovery. In addition, she has over 15 years of experience as a coordinator on feature films and television series in the entertainment industry. She also holds a master’s in teaching (to teach English, theater, and film and video production in middle school and high school) and is now a studio teacher in the entertainment industry.

Molly Touse is the assistant director of training and education for Suicide Prevention of the Central Coast. Molly trains new responders to the 988 Suicide Crisis Line of the Central Coast and coordinates community outreach and education for the tri-county area.

Monica Pena holds a bachelor’s degree in film and media arts and has produced numerous student films, in addition to interning with local production companies and film festivals. With more than 7 years of professional experience as a producer and project manager in the media and advertising industry, Monica has contributed to the creation of bilingual TV and radio ads, as well as digital content for YouTube and social media platforms. Monica is passionate about mental health advocacy and dedicated to empowering youth through mentorship.

My-Kieu Kim has a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on health promotion. She is interested in raising awareness about mental health, especially among youth.

Nana Sarkodee-Adoo

Nanci Carol Ruby is a college professor in theatre and screen arts; as such, Nanci works to empower students to tell impactful stories.

Nicolas Tristan St. Alexandre Windsor-Bernadotte is a hapa Japanese trans filmmaker whose work explores queer and Jewish identities. He is an honorary member of the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, and SAG-AFTRA and works as a hip-hop artist under the title Nicolas, The Prince Imperial.

Nisha D. Brahmbhatt is a successful leader in her profession and a working parent of two, who wholeheartedly believes that proper mentorship and education for youth today will lead to a brighter tomorrow for all.

Nohelia Villareal-Fong has been a school counselor for over 18 years in public education for grades K-12 and has seen adolescents suffer from stress, mental health issues, and other social peer pressure challenges in their environments. Nohelia helps students find motivation to change for the better and offers other support resources.

Olena Mazur is a psychology student and a volunteer working with military personnel and veterans and is interested in supporting creative projects with social significance.

Olga Jurado has been supporting suicide prevention and awareness policies in her district by educating and training staff and students on knowing the signs. Olga believes we all play an important role in the lives of others and is passionate about the work she does to serve others, especially those in need.

Olleanna Stahler is an artist who works primarily with mental health themes. It is extremely important to Olleanna that these subjects are approached with the care and nuance they deserve.

Omar Carrillo is venturing into the exciting realm of combining the craft beverages industry, inclusivity, and mental health awareness. Omar also holds a certification in mental health and is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Orbal Farhad is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Otto Wahl has been working toward improved public understanding of mental health conditions for several decades.

Pamela Meza is a San Diego State University graduate and social worker whose career has allowed her to serve youth in community-based settings for over 10 years. Through this work, she’s been able to witness the restorative power that art holds for youth experiencing mental health issues.

Pamela Morris is a professor of applied psychology at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and an affiliated professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health. An interdisciplinary scholar, Morris conducts research at the intersection of developmental psychology, suicidology, education, and policy.

Pascale Hendricks lives between Europe and Los Angeles while working in the tech industry and has a passion for art, community, and justice. She holds a BA in indigenous studies and social work, as well as an MS in international projects and policy, and her work is centered around crisis response, relationship management, disaster intervention, and suicide intervention.

Patricia Saldana is a psychiatric social worker in the department of Crisis Counseling and Intervention Services at Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Patricia has worked with youth for over 15 years, addressing various mental health issues and providing support and resources to students and families in need.

Patrick Navas is a youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Paula Ambrose has a heart for (and is committed to) ensuring that young people have a voice in expressing their ideas and needs related to mental health.

Peggy Geier is a health technician in a high school health office, where she encounters mental health issues daily.

Peggy Xu

Precious Smith has lived experience of mental health challenges and has been writing poetry, lyrics, and short stories for over 20 years.

Priyanka Purkayastha is a storyteller working in tech with a background in film studies and advertising. She has written poems, worked on television commercials, and made documentary films, and is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling as a way of healing and self-care.

Qianli Wang is an advertising director and has also produced numerous public service advertisements. Qianli hopes to use her professional expertise to help prevent suicide and other mental health issues among teenagers.

Rebecca Bray is a high school counselor with a master’s in educational counseling. She also holds a degree in film and television and was formerly a casting director, completing projects with Warner Bros, HBO, CBS, and many others.

Rebecca Eberle is an EMT working at a stroke and STEMI hospital. Shel also holds a bachelor’s in sociology, along with three associates degrees. Seeing a family member struggle with mental health and substance abuse motivated Rebecca to become an advocate for individuals experiencing similar issues. As a first responder working during the pandemic, she also encountered many patients and colleagues struggling with mental health, giving her an even deeper understanding of the complexities of mental wellness.

Rhiannon Shires has been practicing as a clinical and educational psychologist for over 30 years working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Rhiannon is presently a Contra Costa County mental health commissioner and serves on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board. She has also served on the SRVUSD Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee and has worked in hospitals, schools, and various social service agencies.

Rick Newmyer is a senior lecturer with the USC Suzanne-Dworak Peck School of Social Work. Prior to joining USC, he spent two decades developing and administering programs for children, youth, and families.

Robert Mansfield

Robyn Gantsweg is the peer self-advocacy program manager at Disability Rights California. As a person with lived experience, she is always on the lookout for creative ways to eliminate mental health stigma and discrimination.

Robynleigh Olson has assisted many organizations for years and has also judged for an adolescent writing contest.

Rocky Pagliarulo is a psychology major at CSU Channel Islands and works for the Oak Park Unified School District after school program with elementary aged children. Rocky has a passion for helping individuals with mental health challenges and bringing awareness to the subject, as well as working with children and providing the necessary support and guidance for them to grow.

Rosa C. Lopez is a Southern California creative who has illustrated children’s books, and designed journals, and now makes art to express her thoughts for her small business. Rosa finds inspiration in life’s daily moments and has a deep admiration for the film industry. Rosa finds that we are all living out our stories, so being able to relate through art forms (such as film) allows us to connect in a unique way.

Rose Loyola is part of the Mental Health Worker Program at Cerritos College and has had many experiences as a volunteer – such as helping food banks, educating youth in STEM, being a poll worker for LA County primaries, and working with both the American Red Cross and CERT.

Roseanna Lively

Ruby Schultz is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Ruhi Saldanha is a pre-medical student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who has done extensive research on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Ruhi is also a voice for her peers as a contributing writer on KevinMD, recently speaking about the importance of teenage mental health on the KevinMD podcast.

Ruslan Ali Zade is a computer expert interested in software applications that can be used for the analysis or prevention of mental illness.

Ruth Cañas has been working in the field of mental health for over 25 years and is now the director of a community mental health agency. Her focus is on children and adolescents.

Sandra Rodriguez is a youth programs instructor for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, San Fernando Valley chapter. Sandra teaches youth mental health first aid and QPR (suicide prevention) courses to local communities to help reduce stigma when it comes to supporting individuals who are experiencing issues with their mental health.

Sanjai Chandrasekaran is a filmmaker and director working in the Tamil film industry.

Sarah Hoeven is one of the creators of Bunny King Productions, home of Zoom’s Fairy Tales and Group Chat, where she contributes as a writer, actor, video editor, and producer. The focus of Sarah’s work is to bring artistic visions to life on stage and screen. She also creates instructional videos for oncology massage education.

Saundra Schmidt is a housing navigation generalist with NAMI San Diego, with lived experience surrounding family and friends diagnosed with mental health conditions. She is committed to fighting stigma and educating the public about mental health issues, including suicide and suicidal ideation. Saundra believes people are connected on a level that cannot be described with the words but is evidenced in the emotional response art.

Sean Maulding is pursuing a PhD, has personal experience with mental health challenges, and supports efforts to reduce stigma.

Shannon Rice has been affected by personal mental health issues and by suicide in family and friends. Shannon’s husband is a photographer and taught high school for 10 years, and she believes it is critical to support young people – especially through these traumatic times. Shannon also regards art as a great healer with the ability to express every emotion and feeling.

Sharmeen Mahmud has been supporting and empowering youth for 20 years as a school counselor and psychotherapist. She is currently a regional mental health coordinator for the Orange County Department of Education.

Shelley Singleton is a brand strategist and copywriter who spent more than a decade working in the entertainment industry – from production to post-production to film marketing. She also served as membership director for The American Pavilion, a hospitality center on the Cote d’Azur at the Cannes International Film Festival.

Shendreda Franklin always promotes youth in their journey of change. Shendreda also has family members that battle with mental health, enjoys helping people, likes figuring out outlets to decrease stress.

Sheri Hanni has worked with Butte County Office of Education for over 30 years serving multiple roles related to student attendance, mental wellness, supportive student discipline, engagement integration, and multi-tiered system of support implementation. She is dedicated to supporting students in a positive, compassionate manner that enhances meaningful engagement and capacity for lifelong learning.

Sheriza Khan is a passionate nonprofit professional and strong advocate for the arts and community empowerment. She is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities and breaking the stigma around mental health, especially in underrepresented communities. Through her work, she strives to create a more inclusive and supportive future for all.

Sherri L. Reyes also volunteers for Stand Up Placer, which provides community support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Sherri has teens of her own and knows the challenges of making positive change in schools.

Skylar Alksnis is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Soheil Mojtahedian has been a volunteer at the Victory Wellness Center for several years.

Sophia Lee is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Staci Schultz worked in the early childhood education sector for over 5 years. Staci is extremely passionate about forming community partnerships and engaging and advocating in the community. She is always looking for new opportunities to help support the needs of the those she works with daily.

Stephanie Loscko is a program specialist for the Student Advocates for Mental Health (SAMH) program at the Orange County Department of Education. (The SAMH program supports youth-led mental health awareness campaigns and activities on school campuses across Orange County).

Stephon Litwinczuk began his filmmaking journey in high school in rural New Hampshire, later studying documentary filmmaking and moving to Los Angeles. Now decades into his career, Stephon is a longstanding member of the Producers Guild of America and is deeply motivated by the transformative power of nonfiction storytelling to empower, engage, inform, and entertain.

Steven Cathy is a college graduate and legal videographer with lived experience of mental illness.

Susan Herman works as a technical writer for Blue Shield of California and is mom to two young adults. She actively seeks opportunities to help children and teens practice self-compassion and build help-seeking skills.

Susan Klos is a mother to 2 adult children living with severe mental illness.  

Susan Light is a pediatrician and parent who knows how important supporting youth through mental health challenges can be in helping them achieve a positive outcome.

Suzanne Prescott is an award-winning screenwriter from Southern California who has spent the past 28+ years traveling the world for numerous feature films with her family. A full-time mother and President of Operations for Team Prescott, Suzanne penned her first screenplay in 2016, later adapting it into her first published novel, Lariat Girl.

Suzanne Skees  has dedicated her career to equal opportunity for all in education and jobs to end poverty worldwide; her life-dream to be a mother has been impacted by mental health challenges and suicide loss. Suzanne wants to put her empathy, experience, and strength into supporting youth as they are – unique and beautiful individuals who deserve to thrive and realize their dreams.

Tallya Lutfak  is a young professional who has lived experience with mental health and is a survivor of suicide loss.

Tamra Johnson has personal experience with mental health issues and a passion for fighting stigma to break unhealthy cycles.

Tanner Woodley is the creative director at AIT, striving to recognize the genius within youth and empower them to use their unique voices in positive, impactful ways. Tanner wrote, directed, and edited a statewide PSA that achieved over $3 million in broadcast ad-value over 3 months, with an audience of over 60 million.

Tauna and Dewayne Carson are award-winning production designers in the film industry, typically working and leading all aspects of the art department on films, commercials, music videos, and more. They also recently started a nonprofit focused on sustainability education for the entertainment industry called Planet in Mind (www.planetinmind.earth).

Tawny Crane is a senior social services supervisor for the Orange County Social Services Agency, Children and Family Services and has worked for over 25 years advocating for the mental health needs of children and youth at-risk of abuse and/or neglect.

Taylor Parker is a former foster youth passionate about mental health advocacy. He is also a software engineer at Atticus, a mission-oriented start-up that helps people in crisis get life-changing aid.

Teresa Deely is a dynamic marketing strategist specializing in creative copywriting and brand storytelling with meaningful applied experience in both in-house and freelance environments within the beauty, wellness, and apparel sectors, including at Odacité Skincare, Good Dye Young, and Nordstrom. She graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s in English literature and creative writing (nonfiction).

Teri Vaziri has 20 years of human resources experience, with 10 of them in healthcare. Teri also has a background in theatre and looks forward to the day when mental health issues are no longer stigmatized and when the system can support the demand.

Tess Veronda is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Thomas Birbeck is a former middle school social studies teacher.

Thomas Kline also served as a judge for several years in a previous role at NBCUniversal.

Tia Shipman is a yoga instructor who focuses primarily on mental health awareness. Additionally, LA City College’s newspaper, Collegian, recently featured Tia’s op-ed article centered on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Tiffany Starkey has lived experience around suicide and believes art can aid in prevention.

Tina Ryder is senior programmer for the Newport Beach Film Festival and has been reviewing short and feature films for the festival for 12 years. Tina also served as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) in Orange County, which included holding education rights for a CASA child from the ages of 13-18. As the mother of 4 grown children, she has a strong interest in supporting youth as individuals, meeting them where they are, and encouraging their passions and interests

Tina Song worked as a volunteer judge for Odyssey of the Mind at regional and state levels for two years. She enjoys seeing creative works and is interested in learning how young people think since her own kids are now in their teens.

Traci Barker-Ball retired after working as a high school teacher and counselor for 35 years. In her work, she created the Student Services Office, which helped teens deal with mental health issues.

Vanessa Hernandez is an LMFT, currently working in emergency services providing immediate support to those experiencing a mental health emergency. Vanessa’s background also includes working with children and adults on the autism spectrum, co-occurring treatment for justice involved adults, moderate to severe mental health in a children’s program, experience in an urgent care clinic for emergency psychiatric medication, and other roles within the mental health community.

Vanessa Jacobo wants children and young people to feel empowered to express themselves creatively with confidence.

Vanessa Macias is a healthcare professional and advocate with over 15 years of experience working with community within health plans and the healthcare system to bring about change. Vanessa holds a degree in psychology from UCLA and Master of Public Health from Columbia University and is passionate about public health messaging and improving access to health for all. She is currently working on her doctoral degree in Public Health and works on health policy advocacy in her free time.

Vianca Terriquez is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.

Vicki N. has been a clinical social worker for over 30 years, working with families to improve their mental health. She is inspired by the creative ways young people communicate and connect with each other.

Vickie Merk

Victoria Smith is a community health advocate helping people get connected to mental health services and empowering them to advocate for themselves.

Virginia Salinas is a mental health advocate and future art teacher with a background in psychology, behavioral science, and photography.

Wenbo Zhang is a student at Foothill College studying applied math. He is deeply committed to mental health advocacy and the well-being of young people, finding inspiration in efforts to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide creative outlets for expression and healing.

Wendy Woodhall is a mental health and wellness advocate and executive director of the Los Angeles Post Production Group, a leading industry organization for professionals who work in the field. She is also co-owner of Allied Post Audio, an award-winning audio post-production company for film and television specializing in sound for documentaries.

Whitney Wilson is a patient rights advocate in San Diego County.

William Johnson

Yaeline Contreras is an undergraduate psychology major with an art minor who is interested in becoming an art therapist and counseling psychologist. She loves both art and psychology/mental health and believes there is a strong connection between them.

Yasaman Kazerooni is a mom of two and USC School of Cinematic Arts alum who studied film and TV production. In addition to directing a few shorts, she has worked as a sound designer for 8 years, with credits including The Other Side of Home. Yasaman also plans to pursue a master’s in psychology.

Ylberina Cuni is a mental health advocate, executive assistant, and the owner of GoToRecruiter. She is dedicated to promoting mental wellness in schools and beyond; has a passion for supporting students, faculty, and staff; and works tirelessly to raise awareness about mental health and provide resources to those in need.

Yvette Paez is a Youth Creating Change Youth Advisory Council member.