Meet Our Chapter Board Of Directors

Jeanette Zollinger- Board Chair & Ventura Walk Co-Chair

Jeanette (she/her) has volunteered with AFSP for over a decade in honor of her brother Jason, who died by suicide in 1985. Chairing numerous Community Walks, she finds connection and meaning in the event's energy. Proud partner to Brent and mother to three adult children, she's continually impressed by their contributions to bettering the world.

With a degree in English from BYU (1999) and a recent California teaching credential from CLU (May 2022), Jeanette now specializes in supporting high school students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Drawing inspiration from her brother, she strives to create a safe and nurturing classroom environment, integrating self-care practices and coping strategies alongside the curriculum.

For Jeanette, AFSP holds a special place, offering hope, understanding, and healing over the years since her brother's passing. She's grateful to be part of an organization dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health challenges.

Donna Stokley- Board Member

Donna's (she/her) decade-long service as a volunteer to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) reflects her passion for making a difference in suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. Beginning as a dedicated "day of" volunteer for the inaugural Pasadena, CA Out of the Darkness walk, she witnessed the importance for suicide prevention in the community. Inspired by the hope the event instilled in participants, Donna escalated her involvement, assuming roles such as co-Chair for the Pasadena walk and Chair of the Chapter’s Public Policy committee. 

In her capacity as the Public Policy committee Chair, Donna played a pivotal role in representing her Chapter at numerous State Capital Days in Sacramento, CA, and in Washington, DC, where she participated in AFSP's Advocacy Forum. Her efforts focused on championing mental health and suicide prevention legislation with local, state and national lawmakers. Donna most recently served as co-Chair for the Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter Board of Directors.

Beyond her dedicated volunteer work, Donna is an accomplished sales professional and works in sales for the cybersecurity division at Thales. She has extensive experience in sales, management, strategy setting and developing teams.

Donna is a steadfast ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly the youth. Her advocacy seeks to dismantle the societal barriers that contribute to elevated rates of suicidality within this community and underscore her unwavering dedication to fostering mental health awareness, suicide prevention and inclusivity.

Robert K. Stohr, M.S., L.M.F.T. - Board President 

Robert (he/him) is currently serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  He has been a licensed clinician for over 25 years, with 8 years of specific experience in the field of suicide prevention.  He currently serves as the Executive Director of U.S.VETS - Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, the largest nonprofit in the country working with homeless veterans.  He has been implementing suicide prevention in this national organization, training both staff and executives. Robert’s clinical and training skills in suicide prevention and mental health issues have been developed and applied in specific populations including but not limited to veterans, seniors, LGBTQ, and TAY communities.  He has extensive experience in the development and implementation of innovative programing including, peer programing & case management, working in community mental healthcare with veterans, suicide attempt survivors, suicide loss survivors, and clinicians.

Beth Flax- Treasurer & Social Media Committee Chair 

Beth (she/her) is a seasoned production manager in the film and television industry. Currently, she lends her expertise to Mercury Studios, a division of Universal Music Group, where her focus lies in producing compelling music documentaries. Beth holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, showcasing her multifaceted approach to storytelling and adeptness at dealing with diverse personalities. Beyond her professional endeavors, Beth is a dedicated advocate for mental health, serving on the board of directors for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast chapter. Her commitment to this cause stems from her personal experience as a multiple suicide loss survivor, having lost both her mother and stepmother in June 2008. When she’s not immersed in her work or her advocacy, Beth finds solace in staying physically active, relishing the theatre, and cherishing moments with her two tabby cats.

Dr. Natalya Bogopolskaya- Prevention Education Chair

Dr. Natalya (she/her) is passionate about using her personal experiences at age seven, immigrating from Ukraine to San Francisco, to support young people experiencing adjustment challenges. A trilingual, nationally certified school psychologist with mastery of English, Russian, and French, Dr. Bogopolskaya employs a scientist-practitioner model, bridging research to practice in planning mental health coping strategies for stressors and adverse life events and resilience and growth after trauma. Her expertise also includes promoting protective factors and strengths for students, families, schools, communities, and faith-based organizations in New York City’s Harlem and South Bronx, North and Southwest Philadelphia, Baltimore, and in current residence, Los Angeles. 

Dr. Bogopolskaya earned a master’s from the Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate in school psychology from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Her doctoral dissertation examined the relationship between resilience traits, posttraumatic stress disorder, and posttraumatic growth in suicide loss survivors. Natalya is a frequently featured consultant with L.A. Parent Magazine and a founding member of Youth SPRING Collaborative, using her expertise to provide information for families and educators through digital media seminars.

Dorothy Goulah -  Healing Conversations Coordinator & Solace Facilitator 

Dorothy (she/her) became the first person in her extended family to graduate college at the age of 62, earning her BA in Sociology from California State University at Northridge in 2016. She continued her study of Sociology earning her MA at CSUN in 2020. Her thesis, “Suicide Loss Survivors: Navigating Social Stigma”, won her top honors in the Distinguished Thesis/Graduate Project Competition. It was in published in 2021 as “Suicide Loss Survivors: Navigating Social Stigma and Threats to Social Bonds” in peer-reviewed journal OMEGA: Journal of Death and Dying. Dorothy’s auto-ethnographic essay, “Suicide: Years in the Making”, was published in peer-reviewed journal Qualitative Inquiry in 2020.

Dorothy is a facilitator at Solace, a peer-led support group for survivors of suicide loss in the Los Angeles area. She sits on the board of the Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast chapter of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention coordinating the Healing Conversation program, providing one-on-one support to suicide loss survivors. Dorothy is also a certified crisis responder for the City of LA Mayor’s Office, responding to sudden and traumatic death scenes to support survivors, is a certified grief educator, and until recently was a certified mediator with the Centinela Youth Services restorative justice team.

Kate Vogel- Sponsorship Chair

Kate (she/her) is an inspiring singer-songwriter renowned for her viral hit "Reasons to Stay." This poignant song chronicles her own journey with lived experience of suicidal thoughts and attempts, touching countless hearts with its raw honesty. She has lent her voice to numerous Out of the Darkness Walks, leveraging her platform to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention resources.

Beyond her musical talent, Kate is a dedicated advocate for mental health and LGBTQIA+ rights. She has taken her message to legislators, advocating in both California's State Capitol and Washington DC for crucial causes such as mental health services for students, the implementation and sustainability of the 988 Crisis Line, and equitable access to care for all.

At the core of Kate's mission is a profound belief in the power of hope and healing. Through her own journey, she embodies the resilience that can emerge from the darkest of moments. Her greatest aspiration is to offer solace to those in despair, showing them through her story that recovery is possible and that life's beauty can outweigh the pain. Kate Vogel stands as a champion of hope, reminding us all that no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, there is always a reason to stay and a path to brighter days ahead.

Bridget McCarthy- Advocacy Chair, Santa Monica Walk Co-Chair

Bridget (she/her), a dedicated Project Manager by day, found herself thrust into the world of mental health advocacy following the tragic loss of her son Riley in 2020. Riley was a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a talented artist.

Determined to honor Riley's memory and make a difference, Bridget took action, organizing a march, raising money and awareness and quickly becoming a passionate advocate for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Now a board member for AFSP’s Greater Los Angeles and Central Coast Chapter, the co-chair of the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk, and chair of the chapter’s Advocacy Committee, Bridget's efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was recently honored with the 'Outstanding Hero of the Year Award for Advocacy' by the Department of Mental Health & Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Network.

In her roles, Bridget tirelessly works to ensure schools have the necessary resources to support students, parents, and faculty. She passionately shares her story, offering solace and connection to those who have experienced similar losses.

For Bridget, this work isn't just about honoring Riley's memory; it's about providing purpose and hope to those struggling with mental health challenges. As she continues to walk alongside others on their journey to healing, Bridget remains steadfast in her commitment to making a difference, one step at a time.

Matthew Magaña- Nominations Committee

Matthew (he/him) began his journey with AFSP in 2014 when the loss of two friends to suicide propelled him to action. He discovered Team AFSP while preparing for his first LA Marathon, a pivotal moment that sparked his dedication to the cause. Since then, Matthew has not only run the Marathon for Team AFSP every year through 2023 but also served as co-captain and initiated impactful projects like the Hero Award.

In addition to his marathon endeavors, Matthew has played key roles within AFSP, including serving on the Board of Directors since 2016 and leading the Social Media efforts from 2016 to 2022. His passion for healing extends beyond organizational duties; as a certified Breathwork & Reiki practitioner, he guides transformative sessions, drawing from his AFSP experience to support others on their healing journeys.

Looking forward, Matthew aims to continue building community and empowering individuals to harness their pain into power. His journey exemplifies AFSP's mission of resilience and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on all he encounters.

Jessie Stegner- Board Member

Since discovering the organization in 2023, Jessie (she/her) has been a passionate member of the AFSP community. She has traveled to both Sacramento and D.C. to advocate for bills benefiting 988, sat on mental health panels and has written a featured post for the AFSP blog. Jessie lost her mother in 2013 and hopes sharing her experiences will benefit others who struggle with their own feelings with grief and loss. 

Beyond AFSP, Jessie is a writer, reader and all-around creative person. She has an MFA degree in screenwriting from UCLA and has spent the past several years in television writers' rooms across LA. Jessie is passionate about artistic self-expression, self care and her three cats George, Louis and Jennifer.