Meet the NCAC Leadership
11 min read
AFSP NCAC Board of Directors
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, 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 area. 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]
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, 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 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]
Dr. Chelsea Van Thof, Public Policy Chair
Originally from New Hampshire, Chelsea earned a BS in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst before going on to Tufts University to become a veterinarian. After working in mixed animal practice, Chelsea and her family moved to Washington, DC in 2020 so she could pursue a career in policy. Mental health advocacy in the veterinary field is a cause near and dear to her heart. In 2022, the death by suicide of her late partner, Dr. Peter Tripp, spurred her to successfully advocate for improved public safety measures in Washington, DC and she has been active in advocating for suicide prevention ever since. Chelsea enjoys singing, taking long walks with her Dalmatian, Hugo, and tending to her large collection of houseplants.
Email: [email protected]
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, 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 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)
Ali Walker, DHSc, PA-C, Bold Goal Chair
Ali Walker is a long-time volunteer and former Chair of the National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), a practicing Physician Assistant in Washington, D.C. in adult critical care medicine and clinical quality, and an adjunct instructor at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences Physician Assistant program.
She has been actively engaged in community suicide prevention efforts for the past 14 years following the loss of a friend to suicide. Her early engagement focused on suicide prevention among college students at The Ohio State University, securing annual funding for the ongoing campus-wide suicide prevention event, “RUOK? Day”. In 2017, she joined the NCAC board and served as Chair from 2018-2022. In that time, she has overseen grassroots suicide prevention efforts across Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia encompassing public education, engagement with local and federal elected officials, peer support for loss survivors, and fundraising for suicide-focused research.
Her current role is focused on bridging system-level gaps in healthcare systems, corrections facilities, and the firearms community through relationship-building and collaboration. Ali also serves on AFSP’s National Chapter Leadership Council and the Leadership Council for the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and spending time with friends and family. She lives in Alexandria with her husband Chris and their very spoiled dog Otie and cat Louie.
Email: [email protected]
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
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 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]
Sarah Kurtz, Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk Chair
Sarah has been participating in the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walks since 2012 as a way to honor and remember her dad who she lost to suicide. Since 2018, she has helped lead the National Capital Area Chapter's Hike for Hope, Loudoun Out of the Darkness Walk, and Loudoun International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Survivor Day) event. This year, Sarah is excited to serve as the Chair of the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Professionally, Sarah works as an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter and volunteers as an ASL interpreter for many AFSP programs and events, improving our accessibility and helping us to better serve deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and communities.
Email: [email protected]
Linda Bell, Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk Chair
Since 1998, Linda has worked professionally to support individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions. She has also worked in the child welfare system where she was an investigator for 25 years. After receiving her Master's degree in 2021, she obtained her LMHP-R, QMHP, and is currently completing the requirements for her LPC, while working for Fairfax County CSB as a senior clinician.
After losing her daughter and only child to suicide, Linda began volunteering with AFSP’s Out of the Darkness Walks in 2014. Today, she currently resides in Woodbridge, VA and is passionate about serving individuals who are traditionally underrepresented. She believes there is a "Place and Space for Everyone," and is committed to making the 2024 Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk the most successful and impactful Walk to date!
Email: [email protected]
David Dooley, Prince William Out of the Darkness Walk Chair
Dave is an Oregonian native who served as a veteran in the United States Army and adopted Virginia as his new home in 2000. Dave raised two wonderful kids in Prince William County, is grandfather to a wonderful little girl, and met his husband in Virginia. Dave's passion is to support and uplift others in all ways possible. This inspires his volunteer leadership of the AFSP's Prince William Out of the Darkness Community Walk and Equality Prince William. As both a veteran and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Dave understands the importance of supporting Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention as well as LGBTQIA+ Mental Health & Suicide Prevention. He spends his time supporting AFSP's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide to help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and to share lifesaving resources for those with lived experience, loved ones and caregivers of those with lived experience, and survivors of suicide loss.
Email: [email protected]
Greg Merritt, Loudoun Out of the Darkness Walk Chair
Greg is a product manager at CARFAX and a passionate Virginia Tech alumnus who served on the Alumni Association National Board of Directors and was President of the local National Capital Region Chapter. He strives to apply his many years of volunteer leadership experience now as Chair for the Loudoun Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Greg stumbled on the Loudoun Walk event in 2021 and, as a loss survivor and someone who's had friends and family members who've struggled with thoughts of suicide, had an immediate connection to the AFSP's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. He joined as an AFSP-NCAC volunteer for the Loudoun Walk in 2022 and began serving as Chair in 2023. Through his efforts, Greg hopes to raise awareness and support for suicide prevention across Loudoun County.
Email: [email protected]
Randi Reinish, Loudoun Out of the Darkness Walk Deputy Chair
Randi has been in the Northern VA area for 25 years and lives in Ashburn with her family. She first became involved with AFSP through their Loudoun County Out of Darkness walks back in 2018. Since then, she has participated in many Out of the Darkness Walks, assisted with International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (aka "Survivor Day"), and now volunteers as Deputy Chair for the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter's Loudoun Walk. Randi currently works as a Renewals Rep at Carahsoft in Reston and continues to help others who have lost a loved one and/or have experienced a mental health condition. She is very much looking forward to an impactful Walk this year and hopes you'll join us by registering now at afsp.org/Loudoun.
Email: [email protected]
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]
Colin Jarratt, Paws for Prevention Deputy Chair
Colin is a current junior at Syracuse University, studying neuroscience and psychology. He began volunteering for the AFSP on the planning committee for the National Capital Area Chapter's 2023 Paws for Prevention fundraising event. This year, he is the Deputy Chair for Paws for Prevention. Along with volunteering for the AFSP, he also volunteers as a crisis hotline worker and works as an undergraduate researcher preparing his senior thesis on the intersection between suicidal ideation, chronic pain, and substance use. In his free time, he enjoys taking his dog, Sosa, for hikes and playing guitar.
Email: [email protected]