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Meet the NCAC Leadership

October 13, 2020 – 7 min read

2024 NCAC Board Retreat

AFSP NCAC Board of Directors

Alex
Alex

Alex Kula, Board Chair

Alex is a communications professional in the Washington, D.C. metro area. She started volunteering with AFSP NCAC’s Out of the Darkness Walk and Public Policy committees in December 2018 before starting as the chapter’s Public Relations Chair in February 2021. In this role, Alex assisted in the development of the organization’s communication strategies, drafting media materials, establishing relationships with targeted media, and serving as a direct liaison between AFSP and the public. In January 2023, Alex was appointed as the Board Chair, providing guidance and support to the Board of Directors. Alex holds a bachelor’s degree in public communication from American University. 

Email: [email protected]

Larita Goodwin
Larita Goodwin

Larita Goodwin, Secretary

Witnessing the impact of mental illness and suicidal ideation on a loved one in 2018-2019 ignited a fire in Larita, propelling her to volunteer at the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter's Out of the Darkness Community Walks. In 2020, she became more involved and had a specific interest in raising awareness and reducing stigma in communities of color. Today, Larita not only continues to support our Walks, but she is also a member of our chapter’s DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility) Committee as well as our Education Committee, and is a trained presenter of AFSP’s “More Than Sad” program for teens, parents, and educators.

Professionally, Larita is a corporate trainer for a regional staffing agency headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metro erea. In her spare time, she is pursuing an advanced degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and enjoys swimming, yoga, attending shows/concerts, and trying new restaurants.

Email: [email protected]

AB
Ally

Ally Bullian, Treasurer

Ally is a fundraising consultant at O'Brien Garrett in Washington, D.C. where she raises money for large, national non-profit organizations. Suicide prevention and education have been a passion for Ally for over a decade, first training as a volunteer hotline listener for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and now as an AFSP-NCAC Board Member. As a suicide loss survivor, losing her younger brother in 2021, Ally is excited to do her part to help educate about suicide prevention and support other loss survivors. In her free time, Ally loves going to live theater, is an avid reader, and is a huge fan of the WVU Mountaineers, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dave Matthews Band.

Email: [email protected]

john sener
john sener

John Sener, Volunteer Chair

For almost 20 years, John ran an educational consulting practice focused on co-creating knowledge leading to positive change in education, learning, and society. He is committed to applying his experience, knowledge, and skills toward promoting more meaningful societal awareness and understanding of mental health and suicide. John discovered AFSP as part of his grief journey after losing his son Chris to suicide in 2017. He started his activities with AFSP as a participant/fundraiser in the DC Out of the Darkness Walk in 2018 and the National Out of the Darkness walk in Boston in 2019. John joined the AFSP NCAC board in November 2020, and he has also worked as a volunteer with NCAC’s Marketing and Loss & Healing Committees. In addition to his various volunteer activities, John enjoys spending time training for triathlons and other fitness pursuits, performing improv on a local indie team, dabbling with comedy sketch writing, and who knows what will come up next.

Email: [email protected]

Darlene
Darlene

Darlene Tzou, Education Chair

Darlene is a Pittsburgh native who has a B.S. in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University, a M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and a J.D. from American University Washington College of Law. As a result of her own experience with mental health issues, having lost friends to suicide, and learning about the high risk of suicide within the legal profession, Darlene became invested in learning more about mental health. Through her own journey and understanding these issues are so prevalent, she developed a passion in reaching out to others and ensuring people know they are not alone and that they have a safe space. Once she learned about AFSP, Darlene wanted to volunteer right away to help those affected by suicide, especially by educating others about mental health and suicide so that more people can get the help they deserve. In her free time you will find her rock climbing or dragon boating out on the Anacostia!

Email: [email protected]

Deb
Deb

Deb Steinberg, Public Policy Chair

Deb Steinberg is a Health Policy Attorney at the Legal Action Center, where she advocates for state and federal policies to expand access to comprehensive and equitable mental health and substance use disorder care. She received her B.A. in psychology from Vassar College and earned her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Deb has also been a crisis counselor for 12 years at various suicide prevention helplines and she volunteers in multiple capacities as an advocate for mental health access, disability rights, and health equity. Deb first became involved with AFSP when she interned as a Public Policy Associate in 2013, which sparked her passion for policy advocacy. As chair of of the Public Policy Committee, Deb works alongside elected officials on the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for suicide prevention - changing laws and changing minds. In her free time, she loves supporting local breweries and going on long walks playing pokemon go with her partner.

Email: [email protected]

Aileen
Aileen

Aileen Andres, Loss & Healing Chair

Aileen Andres is a Vice President at Fenton Communications, a social change agency, where she leads a portfolio of work championing global health initiatives, health equity, and other key progressive issues. She received her B.A. in International Relations from American University. Aileen first became involved with AFSP when she participated in an Out of the Darkness Walk alongside members of her suicide loss support group. Since then, she has worked on crisis support lines and has been a volunteer with AFSP's Healing Conversations team since 2019. Aileen lives in Washington, D.C. with her partner and their two rambunctious cats. A born-and-raised Pacific Northwester, she enjoys spending time outside as often as she possibly can, harvesting peppers from her garden, taking in comedy shows, and traveling.

Email: [email protected]

Ericka Llerena
Ericka Llerena

Ericka Llerena, PR Ambassador

Ericka volunteers to support our chapter’s lifesaving work in countless ways. Not only does she serve on our Paws for Prevention fundraising-event planning committee, but she also supports our prevention Education efforts as a tabling volunteer and trained “Talk Saves Lives: Latinx and Hispanic Communities” program presenter, and serves as the leader of our Communications Committee. Additionally, Ericka advocates for AFSP’s public policy priorities at events like Washington, D.C. Advocacy Day and is the captain of team Cosmic Hope for the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk!

Email: [email protected]

meredith

Meredith Glaze, Youth Engagement Chair

Meredith's passion for suicide prevention stems from her love for so many friends who have struggled with mental illness, thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempts. Meredith previously served as the chapter's Loss & Healing Chair, focused on supporting fellow survivors of suicide loss throughout the healing process. She now leads our Youth Engagement team, helping to connect AFSP programs and resources with local youth. Prior to joining the board, Meredith got involved with AFSP as a volunteer for the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk and as a site lead for the International Survivors of Suicide Loss (ISOSL) Day event in D.C.  By day, Meredith is an Elementary School Counselor for Prince William County Schools where she seeks to make mental health and suicide prevention a priority.  In her spare time, you can find Meredith decompressing through yoga, rock climbing, playing piano, or reading a good book.

Email: [email protected]

AFSP-NCAC Leadership (Non-Board Positions)

Carolyn Mooney
Carolyn Mooney

Carolyn Mooney, Talk Saves Lives Program Lead

Carolyn Mooney is the subcommittee lead for AFSP's Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention (TSL) program. She has a passion for education and a desire to help destigmatize mental health, starting with changing the way we talk about mental health. Educating people about what we have learned from research and what each of us can do to help those who may be struggling provides Carolyn with a sense of purpose and community. For Carolyn, it is being able to create an environment where people feel safe to share and do not feel alone that makes volunteering with AFSP so powerful and fulfilling.

Email: [email protected]

Marina Barbosa, It's Real Program Lead
Marina Barbosa, It's Real Program Lead

Marina Barbosa, It's Real Program Lead

As a fervent advocate for mental health awareness and a former psychiatric patient, Marina wholeheartedly believes in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. She endeavors to dismantle the barriers of stigma and shame associated with mental illness, channeling her passion into tangible action by educating and advocating for those who still suffer in silence. Marina's journey in mental health advocacy began in 2014 when she joined the AFSP's Orange County chapter. Transitioning to the East Coast in 2017, she extended her support to the National Capital Area Chapter. Marina holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from Chapman University and an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from NYU. She is a licensed professional counselor specializing in providing mental health support for stress, anxiety, and relational trauma in Washington, D.C. 

Email: [email protected]

Peter C. Keefe, More Than Sad Program Lead
Peter C. Keefe, More Than Sad Program Lead

Peter C. Keefe, More Than Sad Program Lead

Peter C. Keefe has managed client portfolios at Avenir since 1991. Before joining Avenir, Mr. Keefe worked with Johnston, Lemon & Company, a New York Stock Exchange Member Firm, where he served in several capacities, including Director of Research. Mr. Keefe received a B.A. from Washington & Lee University in 1978, and formerly sat on its Board of Trustees. He is a CFA Charterholder, a former Director of the Washington Society of Investment Analysts, and a member of the CFA Society of Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Debbie, are parents of four children. Mr. Keefe also sits on the Board of Governors of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, and is a trustee for the Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia.   

Email: [email protected]

Regina Ham, Paws for Prevention Chair
Regina Ham, Paws for Prevention Chair

Regina Ham, Paws for Prevention Chair

Regina is a global business show producer for an international television station and a sports writer at Philly Sports Network. She first got involved with AFSP-NCAC in October 2021, volunteering at the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk.  Since then, Regina has channeled her passion for animals and suicide prevention by taking the reins as the first-ever chair for the Paws for Prevention fundraising event in June 2022. Through AFSP-NCAC, Regina hopes to save lives and grow  Paws for Prevention to be one of the foremost events to raise awareness and funds in support of mental health and suicide prevention. 

Email: [email protected]