About NAMI California
NAMI California is the leading organization of individuals working with mutual respect to provide help, hope and health for those affected by serious mental illness.
NAMI California is a grassroots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. We advocate for lives of quality and respect, without discrimination and stigma, for all our constituents. We provide leadership in advocacy, legislation, policy development, education and support throughout California to create a brighter tomorrow.
NAMI California is dedicated to strengthening grassroots organizations by providing information and support to local affiliates. With 56 local affiliates representing nearly 20,000 people to the California Legislature and Governor, NAMI California remains dedicated to advocating for solutions related to mental illness. Through educating families, professionals and the public, we work to eliminate stigma and provide a coherent behavioral health system that offers a continuum of care for the persistent, long-term needs of people with mental illness.
What Drives Us
NAMI CA 2024-28 Strategic Plan
NAMI California History
The organization that we know today as NAMI California is the result of the efforts of a few courageous parent leaders, families, thousands of individuals, friends and professionals that worked together in in the 1970s and 1980s to give birth to an organization to inform and educate the country about mental illness and advocate for the rights and care of mentally ill family members. Together, their collective efforts have changed the way we think about, treat and care for mental illness forever.
Staff
Leadership
Jessica
Wilson (Cruz), MPA/HS
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Steven
Kite
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Kris
Amezcua
Vice President of Contracts & Compliance
Eugenia Cervantes
Vice President of Affiliate Relations
Tory
Martinez
Vice President of Programs
Marshea
Pratt
Vice President of Workforce and Community Engagement
Nancy
Eldred
Vice President of Public Affairs and Advocacy
Program & Operations Management
Zainab
Apalara
DSH Program Manager
Monica
Rodriguez
Program Manager
Egle
Cisneros
Senior Programs and Services Manager
Andrea
Salcedo
Operations Manager
Marielle
Luhdorff
Programs and Services Manager
Sasha
Levin-Guracar
Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager
Regional Leads
Matilda
Grace
Regional Lead, Superior
Brenda
Scott
Regional Lead, Southern California
Jeanette
Villanueva
Regional Lead, Los Angeles
Joanna
Prabhu
Regional Lead, Bay Area
Engagement & Specialized Programs
Cithlaly
Lopez
Community Engagement Coordinator
Leandra
Molina
CalHOPE Pod Supervisor
Nicholas
Rodriguez
Workforce and Community Engagement Manager
Finance & Administration
Beatrix
Koev
Controller
Chandana
Vunnam
Accounting Manager
NAMI California Board of Directors
Apply to be
on the Board
The Board application cycle for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 has closed. Information regarding the next round of applications will be shared at a later time.
If you have any questions, email Board@namica.org
Our Partners
