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.

    What’s Your Why?

    When I experienced postpartum depression when my son was born in 2001, it took me 6 months to get the help that I needed. I vowed during that dark time in my life that I would do something so other women did not suffer needlessly as I did. For the last 20 years, I have been supporting new mothers and advocating for policies, programs, and funding for maternal mental health. 

 
 

  • pbriones@mmhla.org

    Priscilla supports MMHLA's Corporate and Technology Councils and provides scheduling and administrative support.

    With a passion for small, mission-driven organizations, associations, and coalitions, Priscilla's professional background is in strategic operations, accounting, development, communications, board governance, and event management.

    Priscilla's lived experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis has shaped how she parents and influenced her to support and educate parents on maternal mental health matters.

    She holds a BA in Public Relations and English and lives in Northern Virginia with her partner, two children, and three cats.

    What’s Your Why?

    My lived experience with postpartum depression, and later, postpartum psychosis, drives my desire to ensure every parent has the resources they need readily available during the intense pre- and post-delivery period. 

 
 

  • jbelsito@mmhla.org

    Jamie founded MMHLA in 2019 to prioritize national policy on maternal mental health and currently serves as Director of Policy and Partnerships.

    A key advocate for maternal mental health, she has helped: pass three federal laws, establish the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, secure funding for state programs, and create the first maternal mental health program for the U.S. military.

    Jamie represented the 4th Essex District in the Massachusetts general court and is currently the Town Moderator for the Town of Topsfield. She served as: a Trustee of Salem State University, a Commissioner on the Ellen Story Special Commission on Postpartum Depression, and a Board member of the Massachusetts March of Dimes. She is also a former U.S. Congressional candidate, advocating for mothers and families.

    What’s Your Why?

    I was shocked and scared by my experience with maternal mental health conditions during the pregnancies and postpartum period of both of my girls. I saw how disconnected support systems for new mothers and families are, even with the advantages that I had. I felt I needed to try to make a change for all mothers, because what I went through was unacceptable.  After the shooting death of Marion Carey by the United States Capitol Police, I called my State Senator. When women die from maternal mental health complications, we are failing as a society.

 
 

  • 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.

    What’s Your Why?

    My journey to parenthood has shaped how I understand the emotional complexity of the preconception through the postpartum period. My own experiences with secondary infertility and pregnancy loss deepened my awareness of how isolating this path can feel — and how important it is to know support is available. It’s what fuels my commitment to expanding access to equitable, compassionate, and high-quality mental health care so all parents can get the help they need.

 
 

  • 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.

    What’s Your Why?

    Most of my earliest work experiences involved engaging with children and families, which inspired me to study early childhood development and psychology to better understand the factors influencing childhood and mental well-being. I believe that optimizing childhood outcomes requires a holistic approach, including investing in and supporting expectant parents — particularly by addressing mental health concerns proactively and providing timely assistance when needed. By offering parents the necessary care and resources, we can help them nurture their children more effectively, leading to positive impacts on families and society as a whole.

 
 

  • 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.

    What’s Your Why?

    I do this work for my grandmother, my mother, myself, and for the many mothers I know who have suffered from maternal mental health conditions without any support and sometimes without awareness of what we were going through.

 
 

  • djames@mmhla.org

    Daria joined MMHLA as a Communications Intern in 2023, bringing over four years of experience in social media marketing and community engagement. Now, she assists senior staff as a Communications Associate.

    Daria holds a BHS in Health Administration from Florida Atlantic University and an MPH in Epidemiology from Florida International University.

    Her passions include mental health in underserved communities, public health in the Caribbean, and the intersection of nutrition and mental health.

    What’s Your Why?

    Growing up in the Caribbean, I witnessed firsthand the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly for mothers. When I moved to America and began pursuing my academic and career goals, I committed to centering my work on those early experiences. Today, I am privileged to be part of an organization like MMHLA, which aligns with my purpose to improve mental health for all mothers.

 
 

  • 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.

    What’s Your Why?

    My "why" is deeply rooted in my personal experience with maternal mental health, driving my commitment to improving access to the care that all birthing people need and deserve. At MMHLA, I leverage my expertise in public policy to advocate for state and federal legislation that addresses the critical gaps in support and education surrounding maternal mental health. I am dedicated to shaping policies that enhance and create robust support systems, ensuring no individual faces these challenges without the necessary resources and care.

 
 

  • 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.

    What’s Your Why?

    My deep concern for maternal health drives my commitment to this work. I strongly believe that advocacy can drive change and that is what MMHLA is all about, so I’m all in for birthing moms today and for the future generations of birthing moms.