Meet the AFSP National Capital Area Chapter Leadership

AFSP National Capital Area Chapter Board of Directors

Alex Kula, Board Chair | PR Ambassador

pronouns: she/her

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, Board Secretary | Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

pronouns: she/her

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, serving as the Fairfax Out of the Darkness Walk Chair, 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 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, Board Treasurer

pronouns: she/her

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, Board Member | Volunteer Chair

pronouns: he/him

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]

Dr. Chelsea Van Thof, Board Member | Public Policy Chair

pronouns: she/her

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.

Take action and learn more about how you can advocate for suicide prevention!

Email: [email protected]

Aileen Andres, Board Member | Loss & Healing Chair

pronouns: she/her

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]

Gladys Stocks, Board Member | L.E.T.S. Save Lives Program Lead

pronouns: she/her

After losing someone close to her to suicide, Gladys struggled with grief, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. However, she quickly realized that to heal, she needed to channel her pain into something productive and meaningful.

This realization led Gladys to become involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Through her volunteer work with AFSP’s National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC), Gladys provides hope to others through prevention education, helping others navigate their pain, and supporting families and communities impacted by suicide. Whether through fundraising events, awareness campaigns, or providing resources, Gladys is deeply passionate about mental health and committed to breaking the silence surrounding suicide.

Having experienced the devastating impact of suicide, Gladys found it to be a powerful catalyst for change and growth. Volunteering with AFSP has given her a sense of purpose and the opportunity to honor the memory of those she’s lost, all while helping to create a world where fewer lives are lost to suicide.

Learn more about L.E.T.S. Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities.

Email: [email protected] 

Julie Jubeir, Board Member | Strategic Relations

pronouns: she/her

Julie’s journey with AFSP began in 2018 when she participated in an Out of the Darkness walk to honor a close friend’s daughter. This led to her role as a Strategic Advisor for Camp Jojo, a camp for teens who have lost someone to suicide. Julie’s mission to bring suicide prevention training to youth groups and communities was inspired by a lack of such resources in her nephew's activities. AFSP became her ideal partner for this work. In 2025, she joined the AFSP Board as the lead for Strategic Partnerships, expanding the reach of AFSP’s programs.

Julie holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Her career includes consulting, nonprofit work focused on environmental integration, and extensive experience in private equity. She also serves as a Spouse Officer for the Washington/Baltimore Gold chapter of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

Email: [email protected] 

Sarah Bayliff, Board Member | Healing Conversations Coordinator | Construction Hike for Hope Chair

pronouns: she/her

Sarah is a seasoned product manager and agile coach and has spent over a decade leading cross-functional teams and driving end-to-end software development, from ideation and design to deployment and continuous improvement. Beyond the corporate world, Sarah is a passionate AFSP volunteer, loves to travel, and is a dedicated yoga instructor (RYT 500) with extensive training in Rocket Vinyasa, Yin, Myofascial Release, and Yoga Nidra.

Over the years, Sarah has participated in many Out of the Darkness Community Walks and been a site lead for the Fairfax International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Today, she serves on the AFSP-NCAC Board of Directors as Healing Conversations Coordinator and Chairs the National Capital Area Construction Hike for Hope.

Learn more about AFSP’s Loss & Healing Program: Healing Conversations.

Support the National Capital Area Construction Hike for Hope.

Healing Conversations Email: [email protected]

Construction Hike for Hope Email: [email protected]

AFSP National Capital Area Chapter Volunteer Leadership (Non-Board Positions)

Ali Walker, DHSc, PA-C, Bold Goal Chair

pronouns: she/her

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]

Sarah Kurtz, 2025 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

pronouns: she/her

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.

Support the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Email: [email protected]

Hillary Phillips, 2025 Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk Deputy Chair

pronouns: she/her

Hillary found AFSP years after experiencing suicide loss. She lost her brother, Travis, to suicide in 2006, as well as friends during college. Hillary went looking for a community that understood this type of loss. Her first Out of the Darkness Walk was in 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, she has participated in over 10 Out of the Darkness Walks and 6 Overnight Walks.

Hillary is passionate about the feeling of community and support that exists at AFSP events. They are places where everyone just gets it. And nobody goes alone.

Hillary is a digital marketing and user experience professional. She has an MBA from George Washington University.

Support the Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Email: [email protected]

Greg Merritt, 2025 Loudoun Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

pronouns: he/him

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. 

Support the Loudoun Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Email: [email protected]

Scott McDonough, 2025 Loudoun Out of the Darkness Walk Deputy Chair

pronouns: he/him

Scott grew up in Fairfax County and always felt a calling to help others. He received a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Wake Forest University and an MA in Industrial Psychology from UNC-Charlotte and has spent the last 20+ years managing teams and projects supporting recruiting/staffing, human resources, and business operations. He has lived in Loudoun County since 2001 where he was heavily involved in the community as a mentor for at-risk youths, a youth sports coach for a dozen years, and a Scout leader. Scott started volunteering for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter (NCAC) in 2024 after losing a close friend to suicide. Today, he helps lead the Loudoun Out of the Darkness Community Walk as Deputy Chair.

For self-care, Scott enjoys hiking and biking; going to concerts, dinner, and events; and is a big D.C. sports fan!

Support the Loudoun Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Email: [email protected]

Healther Anderson, 2025 Prince William Out of the Darkness Walk Chair

pronouns: she/her

Support the Prince William Out of the Darkness Community Walk.

Email: [email protected]

Regina Ham, 2025 Paws for Prevention Chair

pronouns: she/her

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]

Carolyn Mooney, Talk Saves Lives Program Lead

pronouns: she/her

Carolyn 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.

Learn more about AFSP's Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention programs. 

Email: [email protected]

Marina Barbosa, It's Real Program Lead

pronouns: she/her

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. 

Learn more about AFSP's "It's Real" programs for middle school, teens, and college students.

Email: [email protected]

Peter C. Keefe, More Than Sad Program Lead

pronouns: he/him

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.   

Learn more about AFSP's "More Than Sad" programs for parents and educators. 

Email: [email protected]

Stacey Vasquez, Finding Hope Program Lead

pronouns: she/her

Stacey is currently pursuing her Master’s (MEd) in Counseling, after graduating with a B.S in Psychology in 2024. She first learned about the AFSP through her school, where she then participated in American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter’s Out of the Darkness Walk in 2023. Stacey later joined the AFSP-NCAC as a tabling volunteer in May 2024 and became a trained presenter for AFSP's Talk Saves Lives: Latinx & Hispanic Communities and Finding Hope: Guidance for Supporting Those At Risk educational programs.

As someone who survived a suicide attempt and struggled with suicidal ideation during her youth, Stacey became passionate about advocating for mental health and raising awareness. She hopes to help destigmatize mental health, encourage open discussions, and offer support to others in the community. It was her interest in suicide prevention and education that initially drew her to become a volunteer with the AFSP, and influenced her to become involved with AFSP’s “Finding Hope” educational program. During the past year, Stacey fell in love with the sense of community fostered by the AFSP and finds the interactions and support at AFSP events to be fulfilling and healing.

Learn more about AFSP's Finding Hope: Guidance for Supporting Those At Risk lived experience program. 

Email: [email protected]