Kathy Forward, Executive Director, is a family member with several family members who have been diagnosed with mental illness. In 1997, she was fortunate to be in the first Family to Family, the Keys to Understanding, class for families in Santa Clara County dealing with mental illness…
Alexia Worsham, Deputy Director, is a family member who found information and support at NAMI meetings in San Francisco and the East Bay area in the 1990s before moving to the South Bay area…Alexia is an active volunteer with local non-profits and political groups…
Stacy Badgis, Administrative Manager, grew up in the Bay Area and graduated from San Diego State University. She has more than 15 years of experience in marketing including, branding, advertising, promotions, media relations, strategic planning, event production, and team leadership…
Shanna Webb has 20 years of experience in private, government and nonprofit sectors. She brings enthusiasm, leadership, and lived experience to NAMI Santa Clara County. She is responsible for NAMIWalks Silicon Valley, outreach communications, social media management, and grants research…
Rita Girman was inspired to volunteer for the NAMI Warmline Help Desk after taking the amazing Family-to-Family course. Now, as the NAMI Warmline Help Desk Manager, her responsibilities include supporting Warmline volunteers and working to make Warmline even more beneficial to people seeking support and information…
Barbara and her team are responsible for organizing and mentoring the Peer-to-Peer Recovery Education classes. She also participates in the In Our Own Voice Program, Consumer Advisory Council, and is a NAMIWalks Team Captain. Barbara strives to provide people with mental health challenges access to services and empowers them to manage their illnesses…
Barb St. Clair became a NAMI volunteer in 2012 after attending the Family to Family class. It had such a positive, significant impact on her and her family that she knew she wanted to help educate and support other families. She joined the NAMI SCC staff in 2017.
Greg Osborn grew up in Santa Clara County. He worked at several high tech companies including IBM and Intel Corporation in technical customer marketing. At the age of 35, he had his first psychotic break and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I. Greg has been the Provider Course Coordinator (and part of the teaching team) for the past seven years…
Eugenio Vargas coordinates the NAMI Santa Clara County Spanish-language programs, which include Persona a Persona, Familia a Familia, and the Spanish Support Group. His lived experience, bilingual ability and communication skills allow him to support individuals & families..
Jemerson Diaz was born and raised in San Jose, CA. After high school he joined the US Marines where after 2½ years he developed symptoms of Bipolar and PTSD. He loves speaking about his story as well as his recovery and he enjoys working with NAMI now as the In Our Own Voice Coordinator…
Lourdes became a NAMI volunteer for the Spanish classes in 2015, and continues supporting in the Spanish Support Group. Diagnosed in 2001 with depression and anxiety, she found that as a volunteer in the Latino community, she would help others in understanding mental illness while supporting their loved ones. She has a B.A. in Psychology…
David DeTata has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from San Jose State University and an MBA from Golden Gate University. After many years in an accounting career, David has found his best direction and passion in employment in the Mental Health field, because of his first-hand lived experience with the illness…
Laura Paulson is the Peer PALS Advisor at NAMI SCC. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a small private practice in Sunnyvale. After taking the NAMI Provider Education Course, she knew immediately that she wanted to be part of an organization that helps so many people in the community…