Staff & Board of Directors
Board of Directors: Officers
Angelica Lopez, Esq. – President
Angelica “Angie” Lopez, Esq. is a faith-based, driven, and dedicated family law attorney serving the Bay Area, with a passion for justice and mental health advocacy. Having personally faced the challenges of mental illness, she works every day to help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health—especially in underserved and marginalized BIPOC communities. Angie also serves as a City Councilwoman for the City of Pittsburg, CA, where she champions initiatives that foster a more compassionate and resource-rich community for individuals struggling in silence. Her public service extends to her roles on the boards of Tri Delta Transit, Pittsburg Police Activities League, and MCE.
Michael Pierson, Esq. – 1st Vice President
Michael Pierson, Esq. is a partner at Key Counsel, P.C. and the President-Elect of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. An accomplished trial attorney and former law professor, he also serves as court-appointed counsel in conservatorships, representing individuals with cognitive and mental health challenges. Beyond his legal work, Michael is an AI consultant and lecturer who helps organizations integrate emerging technologies responsibly and ethically. A graduate of UC Berkeley and JFKU School of Law, he brings to NAMI CC’s Board of Directors a unique blend of legal expertise, technological insight, and compassion. He believes that lasting justice begins with compassion and a steadfast respect for human dignity.
Daryl Graves – 2nd Vice President
Daryl Graves is a respected thought leader in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), recognized for his commitment to fostering psychological safety and promoting inclusive cultures. With over 20 years of engineering experience in the technology sector – including roles with Silicon Graphics, Verizon, and Workday – Daryl transitioned mid-career to focus on DEIB, bringing a strategic and systems-oriented perspective to the work.
He currently works as a DEIB professional with AssetMark and has previously led impactful initiatives with Dialpad and Workday. Deeply committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable world, Daryl believes that each of us has the power to make a lasting impact.
Stephanie Taddeo – Secretary
Retired middle school Social Studies teacher from Los Angeles, advocating for students transitioning from elementary to high school. She volunteered with Vitas Hospice and at A Baby’s Breath in the Philadelphia area, and for 2 years was a full-time caregiver to a family member battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia who received a bone marrow transplant. She became acquainted with NAMI after Tyrell Wilson was killed by a Danville police officer while experiencing a mental health episode. She co-organized an organ donor drive in Tyrell’s name and later joined the 40 Voices Campaign for the AAHWRC in CCC.
(831) 521-9785
Youling (Vickie) Zou – Treasurer
Driven by her personal journey supporting her son through his Autism and ADHD diagnoses, Youling (Vickie) is a dedicated advocate for mental health. Her lived experience navigating education, social understanding, and emotional regulation strengthens her commitment to fostering acceptance, empathy, and better support for families across the community.
Youling (Vickie) brings over a decade of experience in the high-tech industry. She holds an MS from the University of San Francisco and an MBA from UC Berkeley (Haas). She has also completed certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid, NAMI Basics Teacher Training, and NAMI Family-to-Family Teacher Training.
Board of Directors: Members
Al Farmer – Director
Retired Chevron: Graduate Stanford, BS Petroleum Engineering; Northwestern University, MBA. Past President NAMI-CC, NAMI-CC Warm Line.
Phone: (925) 942-0767
Marissa Velasco Castillo – Director
Criminal Justice Advisory Board Representative
Marissa Velasco Castillo brings more than 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and clinical trials field, with a career dedicated to advancing research that improves lives. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from San José State University and has built extensive expertise supporting clinical development across a range of biotech organizations. Most recently, she contributed to the development of an FDA-approved treatment for ATTR while working with BridgeBio.
Marissa is also deeply passionate about mental health advocacy and increasing awareness around the challenges individuals and families face when supporting loved ones living with mental health conditions. She believes in the importance of compassion, education, and community-based support, and is honored to serve on the NAMI Contra Costa Board of Directors in furtherance of that mission.
Staff Members
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
English
Gigi Crowder
(510) 990-2670
gro.atsocartnociman@igig
Office Manager & Lead Volunteer Coordinator (Mandarin-Chinese Language)
Mandarin 中文
Shelly Ji
(925) 765-8232
gro.atsocartnociman@yllehs
Administrative Executive Assistant
English
Antonia Guzman
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@namzug.ainotna
Human Resources
English
Christy Facchetti
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@ytsirhc
Webmaster
English, Cantonese 粵語
Ashley Lowe
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@ewol.yelhsa
Support Group Facilitator
English
Greg Beckner
(925)588-9281
gro.atsocartnociman@renkceb.gerg
Publications Coordinator
English
Ashley Ciullo
(925) 765-9406
gro.atsocartnociman@yelhsa
On-Call Volunteer Coordinator
English
Michele O’Keefe
(707) 410-0296
gro.atsocartnociman@elehcim
Media Creator
English
Pablo Stone
gro.atsocartnociman@enots.olbap
AAPI Team Member
English
Isabella Maya Collins
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@snilloCQ.alleB
Support Group Facilitator
English
Naomi Gashaw
(925) 765-9268
gro.atsocartnociman@wahsag.imoan
Support Group Facilitator
English
LaWanna Bradford
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@b.annawal
Veterans Support Group Facilitator
English
Phil Arnold
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@dlonra.pilihp
Spanish
Isabella Pacho
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@p.allebasi
English
Donovan Tucker
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@navonod
Support Group Facilitator
Spanish
Sheila Alarcon
(925) 765-9268
gro.atsocartnociman@a.aliehs
AAPI Faith Liaison
Mandarin 中文
Lotus Zhao
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@oahz.uhzeux
In Our Own Voice Coordinator
English
Beth Bartels
(925) 872-6272
gro.atsocartnociman@sletrab.hteb
In Our Own Voice Member
English
Christina De La Rosa
(925) 942-0767
English
David Bragen
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@negarb.divad
In Our Own Voice Team Member
English
Joel Herskovich
(925) 942-0767
Support Group Facilitator
English
Carla Pirie
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@alrac
Peer-to-Peer Facilitator
English
Havonya Johnson
(510) 978-0025
gro.atsocartnociman@aynovah
Latinx Lead
Spanish
Uriel Cardoza
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@azodrac.leiru
Latinx Signature Program Presenter
English
Alejandra Pardo
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@ardnajela
TAY Support Group Facilitator
English
Yiwen (Yvonne) Wu
(925) 765-8232
gro.atsocartnociman@uw.newiy
TAY Coordinator
English, Mandarin 中文
Daisong (Leo) Li
(925) 765-8232
gro.atsocartnociman@il.oel
Support Group Facilitator, Latinx Team Member
Spanish
Luis Marroquin
(925) 318-1404
gro.atsocartnociman@niuqorram.siul
Support Group Facilitator
English
(Elder) Desiree Rushing
(510) 206-1281
gro.atsocartnociman@gnihsur.eerised
Leave No One Behind Team Member
English
Maureen McSweeney
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@yeneewscm.neeruam
Leave No One Behind Team Member, Support Group Facilitator
English
Brendon Falk
(925) 942-0767
gro.atsocartnociman@nodnerb
HR, IT, Leave No One Behind Team Member
English, Spanish
Cristal Gutierrez
(925) 765-8206
gro.atsocartnociman@g.latsirc