EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As the first Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Contractors’ Association (BHCA), Elisa Koff-Ginsborg (she/her) leverages her national policy and local organizing experience, extensive professional training and deep passion to create a strong safety net to support people affected by mental illness and substance use so that they have the same opportunities to fully participate in life as others in our community.  With more than 25 years of non-profit and government experience that encompass policy analysis, advocacy, organizing, nonprofit management and direct service as a social worker, Elisa works collaboratively with nonprofit and government leaders.

Previously, Elisa served as Interim Director of the Interfaith Council on Economics and Justice and Associate Director of Community Education at Working Partnerships USA. She has a BA from Syracuse University, an MA from the Eagleton Institute at Rutgers University and an MSW from Catholic University of America.

She has also served on the Board of Directors of the Community Housing Developers, Willow Glen Performing Arts Boosters, Willow Glen Community Extended Day Enrichment Program and the Willow Glen Elementary PTA, as auditor of the Willow Glen Middle School PTA, on the Valley Health Plan Advisory Board and as chair of the City of San Jose Parks and Recreation Commission. 

POLICY ASSISTANT 

Krystle Shield (she/her) has nearly two decades of experience working in healthcare, getting her start in skilled nursing and assisted living communities. Krystle was born and raised in the South Bay Area, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from San Jose State University. Krystle is passionate about holistic living and wellness. She has practiced yoga for over twenty years and earned her yoga teaching certification in 2021. Krystle enjoys travel, warm climates, photography and dance. 

President 

Anna Fernandez, Director of Behavioral Health at Hope Services Inc. (San Jose, CA) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in the State of California. She holds a BA in Religious Science from the Pontificia Università Lateranense (Rome, Italy) and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She has 22 years of experience in the field of public mental health.

Anna manages and supervises the operations of outpatient services that serve clients with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. She has been giving talks on the treatment of mental illness in individuals with intellectual disability at national and international conferences in Canada, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and USA.

Vice President 

As the Bay Area Executive Director for Uplift Family Services, Don Taylor oversees the operations of services in Santa Clara and neighboring counties. Don joined Uplift Family Services in 1998 as a Family Specialist in Wraparound and began his leadership in clinical management in 2002.

Don has been in the mental health field since 1993, and prior to Uplift Family Services, he worked in residential, school, and community settings in Chicago and Rhode Island. Don is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and is involved in numerous advocacy and leadership groups on behalf of the region’s most vulnerable.

Treasurer 

Drishti Verma joined Caminar’s Family and Children Services of Silicon Valley (FCS) division Substance Use Treatment Services in 2012. Drishti brings over 15 years of experience in Substance Use programs, which offer a full continuum of outpatient services. Drishti has achieved her Master’s in counseling psychology from University of Notre Dame, Perth, Australia and is certified as a Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC). As Executive Director, she is a strategic visionary, fostering collaboration across the Substance Use Treatment Services, and ensuring the delivery of comprehensive and effective services. Drishti’s leadership has made a significant impact on clients and communities served by Caminar, resulting in improved outcomes, and expanded services.  

Immediate Past President 

Steve Eckert, LCSW, is the Alum Rock Counseling Center Chief Executive Officer. Steve has served on the ARCC Board since his hire as ARCC CEO in 2017. Steve has served as CEO at two previous nonprofits (Buckelew Programs and East Bay Agency for Children), and currently serves on the board of the California Coast Music Camp.  Steve has a Master’s degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lynchburg College.  

Committee Member

Sarita Kohli is the President & CEO of AACI, Asian Americans for Community Involvement. Throughout her career, Sarita has worked to expand access to linguistically and culturally sensitive health, behavioral health and wellness services for low income, vulnerable communities. Sarita is passionate about equity in healthcare and access to resources, particularly for those impacted by trauma, poverty, gender-based violence and mental illness.

Sarita strongly believes in the resilience, creativity and indomitable spirit of immigrant communities and is passionate about fostering empathy among communities through meaningful dialog.  

Sarita holds an MBA and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has served on the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for eight years.

Committee Member

Matt Cammann (he/him), M. Ed, is the Regional Executive Director for Seneca Family of Agencies in Santa Clara County, where he oversees a range of vital services designed to support youth and families during their most challenging times.

 Since joining Seneca in 2008 as a counselor in an intensive residential facility, Matt has amassed extensive experience serving youth and leading teams in residential, community-based, and educational programs across three Bay Area counties. His leadership is deeply informed by his early firsthand experiences with youth and families, driving a commitment to honoring their perspective and voice as central to the organization's approach. 

Since 2020, Matt has been instrumental in leading innovation efforts with County partners, including child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile probation, ensuring that Seneca’s services in Santa Clara County meet the evolving needs of the local community.  

Committee Member

Razelle Buenavista is the Managing Director for Asian American Recovery Services, a program of HealthRIGHT 360, where she oversees operations for the Santa Clara County and Alameda County regions. Razelle is an active member of the BHCA of Santa Clara County, the Behavioral Health Collaborative of Alameda County, Silicon Valley Council for Non-Profits Policy Team, San Jose City College ADS Advisory Committee, LEAD Filipino Board of Directors, and has dedicated countless hours to volunteering at several Bay Area programs. 

Razelle attended San Jose State University and College of San Mateo in which she studied Dance, Social Work and Addiction Studies.  For over two decades, Razelle has served the Asian American, Pacific Islander and Latinx communities as a social worker and youth advocate.

Committee Member

Erin O’Brien, LCSW, President & CEO of Community Solutions, has dedicated the past 20 years to creating positive and lasting changes in the human services arena in Santa Clara County and beyond. She is a passionate and tireless champion for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault, as well as children, families and individuals who face mental health and substance abuse challenges.

Erin is an active member of the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Coalition, the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, the Intimate Partner Violence Task Force, the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies, the Re-Entry Network,  and the Jail Diversion and Behavioral Health Sub-Committee, acting as a voice for the children, families and adults they serve. 

Committee Member

Gary L. Montrezza, MA, has 27 years of senior leadership experience innovating programs to meet a multitude of social challenges. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Pathway Society, Inc. As the former COO for Hospice of the Valley, and past Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Clara County,

Prior to his tenure at BBBS, Gary created the first curriculum-integrated school mentoring program for at-risk youth in San Jose. He is a graduate of the City of Santa Clara’s Leadership 2000 Program; past Chairman of the BBBS State Association; a former appointee of First Lady Sharon Davis to the Governor’s Mentoring Partnership Steering Committee, and was an early and long-standing member of the San Jose Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force.