About Us

Mission Statement

NAMI Tri-Valley, in collaboration with other community agencies and organizations, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for those whose lives are affected by mental illness, by providing support, resource information, education programs, and advocacy.

History

In 2005, five thoughtful people gathered together to develop NAMI Tri-Valley as an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Early on, this new affiliate was providing support groups. Incorporated in 2007, the affiliate grew to over 30 members by the end of that year. NAMI Tri-Valley was also able to provide their first NAMI National Signature Program in 2007: Family-to-Family Educational Classes.

NAMI Tri-Valley is a grassroots organization comprised of families, consumers, and mental health professionals who offer support, resources, and education to the Tri-Valley area of Livermore, Pleasanton, and Dublin, CA.

Board Members

Marsha McInnis, President

Marsha McInnis, President of NAMI Tri-Valley founded NAMI Tri-Valley in 2005. She is a family member who advocates for her loved ones living with psychiatric disorders. Marsha is retired and devotes her time helping others who are seeking mental health education, resources, support, and advocacy skills.

Rosemarie Thorne, Vice President

Rosemarie Thorne, 1st Vice President, has been on the NAMI Tri-Valley Board since 2007 and has served in most every office throughout that time. She is a family member who advocates for her loved one living with mood disorders and Asperger's Syndrome. Rosemarie is a retired Social Worker and Appeals Officer who continues to give back to the community through this important non-profit organization.

Armine Matentsian, VP & Treasurer

Armine Matentsian, 2nd Vice President & Treasurer (temp), joined the NAMI Tri-Valley board in 2014. She is a family member, advocating for her loved one living with mental illness. Armine is a Program Manager in High Tech industry who always finds time to help others in need and gives back to the community just as she herself received unconditional education and support from NAMI Tri-Valley.

Becky Armstrong, Secretary

Becky Armstrong is NAMI Tri-Valley's Secretary and a Family-to-Family teacher. She is a family caregiver who advocated for a loved one from 2007-2021 diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Becky is retired and continues to support NAMI Tri-Valley in memory of her son.

Joyce Lombardo, Member-at-Large

Joyce Lombardo, Member-At-Large, is NAMI Tri-Valley's Family-to-Family Coordinator and Leader. She is a family member who helps her loved one through supporting others who have loved ones with mental illness. Joyce is retired and spends her time involved with NAMI functions, and volunteering in education.

Cyndi Hackett, Member-at-Large

Cyndi Hackett is a Member-at-Large and currently is the Program Coordinator for the Connection Recovery Group. She also has been Secretary and a Family-to-Family teacher. She is a family member advocating for her loved one suffering from a mental illness.

Laura Danielson, Member-at-Large

Laura Danielson, Member-at-Large, serves on the NAMI Tri-Valley Board as the Membership Chairperson. Laura is a retired registered nurse with years of experience caring for people affected by mental illness and hopes to continue serving families and individuals in the Livermore Valley through NAMI Tri-Valley.

Julie Testa, Member-at-Large

Julie Testa has served on the NAMI Tri-Valley Board since 2017. She has lived experience with the difficult journey of her father’s diagnosis of schizophrenia. Julie has a lengthy history of civic participation, having been elected to the Pleasanton City Council since 2018. Julie is a passionate advocate of vulnerable populations, currently serving on multiple city, state, and regional boards and committees.

Edwin Henriquez, Member-at-Large

Edwin Henriquez, Member-at-Large, joined NAMI Tri Valley in 2021 and became a trained NAMI support group facilitator. His passion has always been customer service and helping people in general. He recently retired after working in the computer industry.

Advisory Board Members

Gwen Lewis, Advisor

Gwen Lewis is currently an advisor to the NAMI Tri-Valley Board, after having been an active Board Member from 2007-2021. She held the office of President, Vice President, and chaired several committees including Grant Writing, Connections and Fund Raising. Gwen is a retired teacher who continues to support NAMI Tri-Valley and advocate for the mentally ill.

Art Tenbrink, Advisor

In 2005, Art Tenbrink, while on the Las Positas College Counseling-Psychology faculty and a practicing MFT, acted as one of the original five people gathered to bring into being NAMI Tri-Valley. Art has since continued to advise and nurture the growth of our Tri-Valley NAMI affiliate into one of the strongest voices advocating for persons with mental illness and their families.
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