Dr. Jean Greaves is TalentSmart’s CEO, author, executive sessions speaker, assessment expert, and C-suite executive coach. She advises leaders on emotional intelligence as an integral component of leadership development and talent management in organizations across industries, government, education, and nonprofit institutions.

Dr. Greaves is the award-winning co-author of the #1 best-selling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book, translated into 25 languages and available across 150 countries. An expert in topics ranging from emotional intelligence, to leadership development, talent acquisition, parenting, and executive coaching, Dr. Greaves’ has been cited in major media, including Newsweek, Harvard Business Review, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, Elle, Success Magazine, and Women’s World. Dr. Greaves lectures graduate-level seminars in adult development and strategic staffing before launching TalentSmart and supervised doctoral research studies including a recent study on emotional intelligence and personality as relative predictors of burnout. Her survey and assessment development expertise remains grounded in a philosophy of simple, applied approaches to measurement. Dr. Greaves earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in industrial/organizational psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and a B.A. in psychology from Stanford University.

Mr. Josephson has 34 years of experience in structural engineering. He is the Principal Structural Engineer for Josephson-Werdowatz and Associates. He received is BSCE from San Diego State University. Mr. Josephson has served as Survivors of Torture, International’s Board of Directors since January 2016.

Loren Tarmo is a Certified Public Accountant with 20 years’ experience. He earned his B.A. is Social Sciences from University of California, Irvine and a Master’s in Accountancy from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.  Loren started his career in public accounting and is proud to have been able to steer his career into the health services arena.  He currently is Vice President of Finance for PatientSafe Solutions in San Diego, CA.  Loren resides in Carlsbad with his two teenage kids.  He began serving on the board of Survivor of Torture, International 2017.

Ms. Lopez is the Executive Director and founder of the Southern California Immigration Project which is dedicated to providing pro bono and low bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations and educating the public about Female Genital Mutilation, a global health issue which can have devastating physical, psychological and social consequences for women and girls. She was Pro Bono Director and Asylum Director of Casa Cornelia Law Center. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Southern California and her J.D. from the Western School of Law. She was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1989. Ms. Lopez joined Survivors of Torture, International’s Board of Directors in January 2016.

Dee (Dianne Lee) Aker, PhD is a psychological anthropologist and conflict resolution professional with over 40 years of experience working in peacebuilding and conflict transformation in international settings. As part of the leadership of the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) at the University of San Diego from its inception in 2000 through mid 2017, Aker created the Women PeaceMakers Program (WPM), which documents the stories of women who build peace in conflict or post conflict; the WorldLink Program, which connected high school youth from Mexico and the United States to global affairs for 20 years; and the 15-year Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative, which worked to support local Nepal people in ending conflict and building peace in post-civil-war challenges (2001-17).

Aker has extensive experience in international higher education — including senior administration, curriculum development and teaching — in Kenya, England and the U.S. In her work with world-renowned psychologist Carl Rogers she joined conflict transformation efforts in Europe and Central America. As a media and print journalist, Aker produced and hosted a television series (consisting of more than 230 programs over six years) interviewing women leaders and survivors of injustice from around the world, had a monthly column, on rights and gender concerns in the Women’s Times, and free-lanced for papers such as the Chicago Tribune.  Participation as press and NGO delegate to the Fourth World Conference on Women inspired Aker to promote ten major women’s conferences at the University of San Diego in conjunction with the WPM Program, including a Global Court of Accountability in 2005.

Aker was a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia in the Corps’ early years, which she credits as the impetus to be ever involved in efforts to secure human rights and justice and, especially, encourage and acknowledge the role women have in peacebuilding that is so often ignored or over-looked.  She has since worked across the globe to support the inclusion of the voices of women, youth and other marginalized communities, in discussions and decisions related to conflict resolution and sustainable peace — including designing and leading participatory trainings/workshops in communications, negotiations, skills-building and leadership. She believes strongly in participatory methodologies and a “whole community” approach to conflict transformation and strategic peacebuilding.

Aker’s more recent honors include the 2015 Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award, from the San Diego Chapter of the United Nations Association, and 2014 induction into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame as a “Trailblazer.” She has received numerous recognitions from the University of San Diego for her service, including the 2015 International Impact Award for expanding global assess for students and a 2017 “Million Dollar Club” award for fundraising for the IPJ. In 2016 Aker was inducted into the United States International University-Africa’s Hall of History for service on the faculty and Vice-Chancellor between 1979 and 1984. She was the first Phillip Brooks House Fellow at Harvard University in 2007 where she was invited to “share (her) distinguished public service career” with students and the university’s Center for Public Interest. Most recently in 2017, Aker received the second Women of the Peace Corps Legacy Award for her 50-year post-volunteer work with women and youth globally.

Paula Herring has over 16 years of professional experience in the field of adult education. She is a Faculty Chair and Professor at DeVry University, where she leads faculty, teaches international business, marketing, management and leadership on the graduate and undergraduate level. She has led four study abroad trips for DeVry and Keller students to Europe and advises students in the National Society for Leadership and Success. She has been adjunct faculty for many local universities and in addition to serving on Survivors of Torture board, serves on the board of TKF (Tariq Khamisa Foundation) in San Diego, a non-profit providing education for non-violence and reconciliation to sixth graders in the San Diego County. She sits on San Diego’s  Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and is a member of the Academic of International Business and the African Studies Association.

 

Her doctorate research covered qualitative studies of business women of Kigali, Rwanda, and how they are changing the economic climate in Sub-Sahara Africa. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, a Master in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Public Communications.  She has spoken at global conferences regarding her research and has 15 years of international business experience.

Michael J. McKay, S.T.D., presently serves full-time as a lecturer at Rady School of Management at the University of California, San Diego. He formerly served for 14½ years as Director of the Department of Refugee Services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of San Diego. Michael McKay has a doctorate in Theology from the Catholic University of America and has lived, studied and traveled abroad giving him a strong multicultural perspective. He has served professionally managing and directing refugee services and acting as the associate project director for the Wilson/Fish Comprehensive Resettlement Collaborative, a multi-agency refugee resettlement program in the County of San Diego. He was particularly involved with building a multi-dimensional and multicultural program environment. Mr. McKay joined Survivors of Torture, International’s Board of Directors in January 2016.

Mr. Reeder is the Senior Licensing Manager of Audio Technologies at Technicolor S.A.  He previously worked as the Regional Manager/Partnership in Sales for Delta Airlines. Mr. Reeder is fluent in six languages including Russian, Japanese and Spanish. He received his BA in International Business Administration from the University of the Pacific. Mr. Reeder joined Survivors of Torture, International’s Board of Directors in January 2016.

• Jeanette Barrack, RPT
• Cheri Attix, Esq
• Rev. George Falk
• Mel Kieschnick, PhD
• Elizabeth Michel, MD
• Rev. Bill Radatz
• Darryl Solberg, Esq.

From Mahvash: “I joined SURVIVORS to provide care to newcomers who have limited access to services.  Being raised in Iran and experiencing the challenges of adapting to western culture first-hand, I relate to our clients who come from different parts of the world, especially from Middle Eastern countries. I am moved by the great resilience I have seen from clients who have gone through severe trauma yet continue to show motivation towards achieving their goals and creating a new, safe home for themselves and their families, despite limited resources.”

Dr. Mahvash Alami joined Survivors of Torture, International in May 2011 to oversee the holistic, strength-based, recovery-oriented service program. She leads all ongoing development, expansion, and enhancement of client service programs and provides agency leadership with other members of SURVIVORS’ management team. She received her Ph.D. in psychology from Alliant International University and obtained her license as a psychologist in July 2004. She completed her domestic violence certificate in 2004 and has been providing treatment to survivors of torture for the past 20 years. She has experience working in crisis environments, in-patient psychiatric hospitals, and outpatient programs. She also has over 8 years experience overseas working as academic staff at a medical school teaching psychology to medical students and nursing students.  In addition, she obtained her certification in Psycho-Social Rehabilitation (PSR) in 2002 and holds a certificate in LGBTQ and geriatric mental health.  She has completed TF-CB (Trauma focus cognitive behavioral therapy) training, a conjoint child and parent psychotherapy approach for children and adolescents who are experiencing significant emotional and behavioral difficulties related to traumatic life events.  She has private practice experience working with survivors of torture. She is bilingual and speaks Farsi (Persian). She has been a member of the San Diego Psychological Association.

From Kathi: “After considerable reflection, I approached George Falk and Bill Radatz about the idea of starting Survivors of Torture, International (SURVIVORS). I knew that such an organization was needed in San Diego, in part, because no other agency was intentionally serving torture survivors even though San Diego is home to the busiest border crossing in the world and has a large number of immigrants. Others had tried to start a similar organization but had been unsuccessful. Fortunately, many believed in the SURVIVORS dream, mentored and partnered with us. I began as SURVIVORS’ first board chair and after three years became the first executive director. Every day, I am reminded that it is not only an honor to work with dedicated professionals in this field but also rewarding how much of a difference we are making in the lives of our clients and in our greater community.”

In 1997, Kathi co-founded Survivors of Torture, International. She holds an M.A. in Counseling from San Jose State University and a B.A. in International Relations from the University of the Pacific. Her previous employment includes: Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, Evaluator at Grossmont Hospital, Adjunct Faculty Member at the College of Idaho’s Graduate Program, Director of Elks Hospital’s Occupational and Rehabilitation Department and Refugee Resettlement Case Worker for the International Rescue Committee. Kathi is the elected North American representative and Executive Committee member of the Denmark-based International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims; co-founder and Executive Committee member of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs and immediate past chair of the San Diego Refugee Forum. As a volunteer, she currently serves on the advisory boards of University of the Pacific’s School of International Studies and San Diego State University’s School of Social Work. Previously, she served on the board of directors for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service as well as Amnesty International USA.

Alicia DeLeon-Torres has 21 years of public service specializing in youth and family services including 14 years as the Youth and Elder Adult Services Division Manager for the Union of Pan Asian Communities, where she developed the first culturally specific youth suicide prevention curriculum in the state of California. She is also a certified national trainer in gang prevention and intervention, and substance abuse prevention. As a grants manager, Ms. DeLeon-Torres has raised over $10 million for various programs focused on culturally competent and accessible services. Ms. DeLeon-Torres has served on many boards and committees including the City of San Diego Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention (current), San Diego Police Department’s Chief’s Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Board, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Art Committee, and the California State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Commission on Hate Crimes. She also served on the Substance Abuse Mental Health Administrations ad hoc committee for Racial and Ethnic Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination Project; this became the basis for the current guidelines for measuring cultural competency. She is a recipient of the USC Annenberg School of Journalism California Endowment National Fellow for Public Health Journalism, California Wellness Foundation Violence Prevention Initiative Fellowship and the Woman of the Year Award from (then) California State Assemblywomen Susan Davis 76th District for her work with youth and families. Ms. DeLeon Torres studied Sociology and English at San Diego State University.

Nance Lovell joined Survivors of Torture, International as Clinical Case Manager in September 2018. Nance brings decades of experience and wisdom to the SURVIVORS team.  She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from San Diego State University specializing in clinical work with Children, Youth and Families and holds B.A.s in Behavioral Science and Psychology from Concordia University Irvine.  Her previous employment includes: Founder and Social Worker for Going Home, an end-of-life program for homeless men and women who were terminally ill with the Third Avenue Charitable Organization; Therapist, Group Specialist, Student Advocate and Community Advocate at O’Farrell Community School with SAY, San Diego; Pastoral Assistant at Holy Cross Lutheran Church; Therapist at Family Service Association; and Protective Services Worker for the Children’s Services Bureau.

From Rachel: “Every day I feel a deep gratitude and privilege to serve the most phenomenally resilient and gracious people I’ve ever known. Being a force for healing, empowerment, and hope for survivors of torture is the quintessence of Frederick Buechner’s definition of vocation as the intersection where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.”

Rachel Mahoney feels privileged to serve as SURVIVORS’ Senior Mental Health Clinician. Before her current role, Rachel served as SURVIVORS’ Clinical Case Manager starting in 2017, and as Mental Health Contractor with the Refugee School Impact Grant (RSIG) program in 2016. Rachel first connected with SURVIVORS in 2015 as a Clinical Intern during her graduate studies. Before coming to SURVIVORS, Rachel provided family support and behavior therapy for children with developmental delays, completed a clinical counseling internship with Jewish Family Service of San Diego, and served in various roles in the global public health field in San Diego and Los Angeles. Rachel received her Master of Social Work from San Diego State University in 2017, where she tailored her degree to focus on refugee/newcomer mental health, trauma treatment, immigration policy, gender equity, and human rights promotion. She earned her BA in Anthropology and Middle Eastern and North African studies from UCLA, and has been fortunate to live, study, and travel all over the world. She is a member of the American Civil Liberties Union, the International Federation of Social Workers, the National Association of Social Workers, the United Nations Association of San Diego, and the San Diego Rapid Response Network – a community based 24-hour hotline that supports families affected by immigration raids and detentions.

Sasha’s biography coming soon!

From Tara: “I was one of many throughout our community that was unaware of this client population existing in San Diego and across the nation.  It’s unimaginable what they have gone through to survive.  I’m so amazed by what our staff does on a daily basis and how deeply they care about our clients.  I feel very fortunate to be part of this organization and to be able to support it in any way I can.”

 Tara Osier joined SURVIVORS at the end of March 2018.  She has 25 years of accounting experience in the federal government, non-profit and private sector environments.  Her nonprofit experience includes eight years as a Controller at Regional Task Force on the Homeless in San Diego and as an Accounting Manager at La Clinica Tepeyac in Denver, CO. Her diverse professional experience includes budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, audit preparation, payroll processing, contracts / grants management, purchasing, human resources, and information technology.  Tara received a BS degree at the University of Maryland University College with a concentration in Accounting.

From Katrina: “After attending a Journey to Healing Tour at SURVIVORS I was floored by my lack of knowledge on the international crisis and trauma facing torture survivors. I strongly believe all people deserve to occupy a safe, supportive and welcoming world. SURVIVORS is a place where I can help create that world. It is a privilege to help survivors of torture and to create a platform where they can share their stories with our community in an effort to build awareness and facilitate healing.”

Katrina has served as SURVIVORS Community Relations Manager since July 2018. She first connected with SURVIVORS in July 2017 when she served as a Graduate Fellow for the Board of Directors. She received her Master’s in Social Work at San Diego State University specializing in Administration and Community Development. Prior to joining the SURVIVORS team Katrina has worked in public mental health, policy development, curriculum design, sexual assault advocacy, nonprofit communications and management in both Northern and Southern California.  Katrina earned a BA in Psychology and a BA in Women’s & Gender Studies at Sonoma State University where she also spent a year studying and living abroad in Florence, Italy.  Her diverse educational and professional experience has continued to increase her passion and devotion to human services.

Valerie’s biography is coming soon!

Brittney Willis is currently on maternity leave and will return to SURVIVORS in early 2019.

From Brittney: “Despite my background in refugee resettlement and insurance for low-income San Diegans, I was still surprised to see the vast healthcare disparities for San Diego refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers. There are so many additional barriers to health care including language, transportation, cultural concepts of health and wellness, and income limitations. I’m so excited to join the Survivors family and look forward to continuing to assist clients in removing barriers to care and improving health outcomes.”

Brittney Willis joined Survivors of Torture, International as Medical Case Manager in August 2017. Brittney received her BA in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University where she also completed two study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica. She continued on to earn a Master’s degree in Human Services with a specialization in Not-for-Profit Management from University of the Rockies. Brittney has most recently worked as a refugee resettlement case manager with a local resettlement agency and as a medical case manager with a managed healthcare plan.

From Angela: “It is a privilege to be an intern at an organization that empowers torture survivors to reclaim their lives.”

Angela has served as an intern at SURVIVORS since August 2018.  She is currently earning her MSW at San Diego State University.  Angela originally began her career as a Research Psychologist after earning her Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from Southern Illinois University in 2005. Her prior work includes mixed-methods research, program evaluation, performance measurement, survey development, focus groups, and data analysis in both the public and nonprofit sectors.  Through her qualitative research with marginalized groups, she was inspired to earn her MSW to develop clinical skills and further her background in social justice issues.  She enjoyed her first-year MSW internship working with older adults in San Diego County living with severe mental illness.  She also had the opportunity to participate in a summer internship in Thailand through her MSW program, where she gained experience at a residential center for elders.  Angela is looking forward to all she will learn and the people she will meet during her internship here at SURVIVORS.

From Karen: “Resilience is a trait that I’ve always admired in others. I am deeply humbled to be a part of the SURVIVORS team where I can interact with some of the most resilient people I have ever encountered. I look forward to serving and supporting the most vulnerable populations, and to do so with love and compassion.”

Karen first joined SURVIVORS in August of 2018 as a Masters of Social Work Administration intern. She received a Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from San Diego State University in May of 2017. She is a Mexican immigrant and first-generation college graduate. Her background allows for her to feel deeply connected to the experiences shared by clients and their families. She has experience in community organizing and activism as well as prior experience working in a community development agency.  Her life experience, education, training, and work give her a deep understanding of the complexities involved when empowering communities.