2022 Board Elections
Andrew Bertagnolli
Andrew Bertagnolli is a licensed clinical psychologist and national director of virtual behavioral health services at One Medical, where he is responsible for designing and developing new virtual programs and services to support members achieving and sustaining their mental health and wellness. In addition, Dr. Bertagnolli is an Associate Professor at Alliant International University, where he provides instruction in cognitive-behavioral therapy on both basic and advanced topics and clinical and ethical issues in an integrated health practice. He has more than 25 years of health care experience and a strong background in healthcare operations, quality measurement and process improvement in the areas of behavioral health, suicide prevention, peer support, digital behavioral health, social determinants of health, evidence based psychotherapy practice and pain management Dr. Bertagnolli is currently on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – California, the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Academic Training & Education Standards Committee of the Association of Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies.
Chief Joseph Farrow
Joseph A. Farrow serves as the Chief of Police at the University of California, Davis since August 2017. Chief Farrow joined UCD from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) rising to the rank of Commissioner, where he led more than 11,000 employees who are part of one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies. In his long career with the CHP, he held every rank since graduating from the CHP Academy in 1979. His distinguished career began as a police officer in the small California city of Pacific Grove. He is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and National Executive Institute. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and has served as the chair of its Officer Safety and Highway Safety Committees. Farrow was appointed by former California Attorney General Kamala Harris to the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board. He was appointed by the governor to be California’s representative to the National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics.
Lupe Alonzo-Diaz
Lupe Alonzo-Diaz serves as the President & CEO of Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) and the Vice President of Continuing Medical Education for the California Medical Association. Ms. Alonzo-Diaz has over 25 years in the healthcare field with a demonstrated record of building complex, healthcare related delivery systems achieving mission and financial goals. At the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), she led the state’s efforts on health workforce development overseeing various programs and grants increasing access to care in underserved areas. Other leadership positions have included those at Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Children’s Advocacy Institute and Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
Veronica Kelly
Veronica is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of California. She currently serves as the Chief of Mental Health & Recovery Services for the Orange County Health Care Agency, overseeing the public behavioral health system. Prior to that she served for 13 years with San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, the most recent assignment was her appointment as the Behavioral Health Director from 2006-2021. Past President of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association and current Co Chair of the Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Committee. Veronica is an Associate Member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and holds numerous positions on Statewide committees.
How To Vote
This year, four candidates will be elected to serve for a three year-term. Your online ballot has your membership ID and ballot link to vote. If you did not receive an online ballot email, please contact Eugenia Cervantes at eugenia@namica.org
About Our Board of Directors
NAMI California’s Board of Directors is an all-inclusive board that seeks highly qualified California leaders to serve, embrace and enhance NAMI California’s mission and long-term strategic direction. Service on the NAMI California Board requires experience, knowledge, commitment and time to help all those families and individuals impacted by mental illness in our state.
NAMI California and our members are fortunate to have a wonderful Board full of state leaders on a variety of issues such as health care, law enforcement, affiliate leadership, education, diversity, and research, amongst many other valuable skills. They also share the personal perspective of having a family member or being an individual impacted by mental illness. This stable, thoughtful leadership gives us the critical knowledge, connections, and experience to move NAMI forward in California.
Beyond their wonderful passion for the NAMI California mission, Board members should have some high-level decision-making experience and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- Statewide experience, Individuals who understand the way statewide mechanisms, legislation, and organizations work to help us make and enhance connections that move our mission forward
- Public Policy and Grassroots Advocacy, to shape critical systems that affect those whose lives are affected by mental illness
- Large Nonprofit and Change Management, to steward NAMI California in a rapidly changing environment
- Fundraising and Donor Cultivation, to ensure NAMI California’s future and ongoing viability
- New Media and Technologies, especially in service of education and peer support
- Marketing, Outreach, and Communications, to grow the organization and increase visibility
- Financial Management and Investments, to ensure sound fiscal health for a large organization such as ours
- Membership Development and Volunteerism, to cultivate and honor the backbone of the NAMI California movement, as well as the skills necessary to be an effective Board member