Our Staff

Our Staff is led by individuals who have survived maternal mental health conditions and who have channeled their experience into advocacy with the goal of improving maternal mental health care in our country.

 
 
 

  • agriffen@mmhla.org

    Adrienne is an advocate and subject-matter expert in maternal mental health.

    Prior to joining MMHLA, Adrienne founded Postpartum Support Virginia and served as executive director for 10 years, establishing a statewide network of peer-led support groups, creating educational programs for mental health providers and maternal-child healthcare professionals, and helping pass legislation requiring information about postpartum depression and anxiety be provided to new mothers.

    Adrienne graduated from the United States Naval Academy and has a master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

    Adrienne and her family live in Arlington VA.

 
 

  • abalogun@mmhla.org

    Aminat assists senior staff with managing a variety of programs and initiatives, including supporting the Board of Advisors and the Screening Project.

    She joined MMHLA in October 2020 as a graduate school intern when she was studying for her Masters in Public Health at the George Washington University, specializing in Maternal & Child Health.

    Aminat’s professional interests include patient-centered reproductive health care, community-based perinatal care, and improving pregnancy and childbirth experiences for Black women in the United States.

    Aminat lives in Fairfax, VA.

 
 

  • jbelsito@mmhla.org

    Jamie founded MMHLA in 2019 to keep a focus on national policy around maternal mental health, and she currently is Director of Policy and Partnerships. Jamie has been a key advocate in passing two pieces of federal legislation to address the nation’s maternal mental health crisis. Her grassroots advocacy efforts helped establish the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline and garnered funding for federal grants to create state programs addressing maternal mental health.

    Jamie was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in December 2021 in a special election, representing the 4th Essex District. A Boston native, Jamie previously served as a Trustee of Salem State University, as a Commissioner on the (MA) Ellen Story Special Commission on Postpartum Depression, and as a Board member of the Massachusetts March of Dimes. Jamie is a former candidate for the United States Congress, campaigning on a platform to improve the lives of mothers and families.

 
 

  • mchild@mmhla.org

    Mara supports the MMHLA team and Board of Directors to implement new strategic initiatives and development efforts.

    As a connector and communicator by trade and by heart, she is passionate about working on new or rapidly expanding initiatives, with a focus on creating engaged teams and practical strategies to support organizational and systems change.

    Mara’s own experience becoming a parent and navigating the preconception to postpartum period fuels her deep commitment to increasing access to just, equitable, and quality mental health care for all parents.

    Mara has nearly twenty years of experience working with various global health organizations, networks and academic institutions, both in the United States and also while living in Kenya and Zambia for six years.

    She earned her BA in Public Policy and Comparative Area Studies from Duke University and holds an MPA and MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington. Mara and her family live in Vermont.

 
 

  • selliot@mmhla.org

    Suzanne supports MMHLA’s projects as a research associate.

    Previously, she provided administrative support to Postpartum Support Virginia, assisting the executive director in consolidating information and providing resources to maternal mental health professionals.

    Given her first-hand experience working with children and families, Suzanne understands that optimal child outcomes stem from maternal wellbeing.

    She holds a BA from Georgetown University in Arabic Studies and Psychology and is a passionate advocate for mental health.

    Suzanne lives in Arlington VA.

 
 

  • mhemstad@mmhla.org

    Mia has worked in digital marketing and communications since 2016 in the corporate, small business, and nonprofit sectors.

    She brings a breadth of experience to MMHLA, including her expertise in policy advocacy-specific communications.

    Mia is also a mom of two children with lived experience with postpartum depression and anxiety.

    She brings both her professional and personal experiences to expand MMHLA’s communications portfolio and develop and implement our communications strategy across multiple platforms and assets.

 
 

  • amiessler@mmhla.org

    Allison holds a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on public policy and administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and has worked at the local and state level in Virginia in public policy and constituent services.

    At MMHLA, Allison uses her research and legislative knowledge to collect information about state initiatives addressing maternal mental health. Her lived experience with maternal mental health conditions has fueled her desire to help other new mothers get the care they need.

    Allison and her family live in Richmond, VA.

 
 

  • twright@mmhla.org

    Dr. Wright joins MMHLA to focus on racial and health equity and organizational development. She describes herself as a racial and health equity strategist who is dedicated to improving maternal-child health at all levels.

    Dr. Wright is a founding member of MMHLA’s Board of Advisors, having served as a Board member since 2020. In her role on the Board, Dr. Wright led a year-long effort to engage a diverse multi-disciplinary Board of Advisors, which provided recommendations to MMHLA focused on inclusivity and racial equity. She also launched MMHLA’s graduate school intern program, mentoring seven young public health students over the last three academic years.

    Dr. Wright holds a PhD from the University of Michigan. While studying for her advanced degree, she also served as program director for health policy with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Prior to that she served in the Michigan Department of Public Health as Maternal and Child Health Director. Dr. Wright has held positions in philanthropy and the non-profit sector as Director of the Center for Public Health Policy and the Center of School, Health & Education at the American Public Health Association.