Board of Directors

Susan Gordon Bird
Co-Founder
"I saw the suffering of several family members and young friends who at a time in their lives when everything should have been possible, just sat on the sidelines with depression."

Liesl Pike Moldow
Co-Founder
“I experienced depression as a 15-year-old so I know what it’s like to feel that sadness that doesn’t go away —the dark emptiness that something is wrong.”

Annie Kim
Managing Director
"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."
Nido Qubein

Chris Tanti
Founding Advisor
“I've seen the looks of hopelessness on the faces of youth at risk of harm. They don’t have the energy to do anything about it. They feel shame, guilt, anger, and even rage.”

Lesley Martin
Board Member, Former Managing Director
Lesley started as a volunteer developing the SafeSpace Youth Board, then she became the first Managing Director who played a major role in putting SafeSpace on the map. She retired in February 2020 and moved to the Board working on special projects.

Stephanie Brown, PhD
Board Member, Mental Health Addiction
"Stephanie Brown, Ph.D. is a pioneering theorist, clinician, researcher, author, teacher and consultant in the addiction field. As a psychologist, she directs the Addictions Institute, Menlo Park, California, an outpatient psychotherapy clinic."

Brad Robertson
Director of Finance
“I have family experience with drug addiction, suicide and other mental health issues such as bi-polar disorder.”

John Bautista
Board Member, Legal
“John Bautista, a member of Orrick's Board of Directors and Technology Companies Group, leads Orrick's international Technology Companies practice connecting Silicon Valley with Europe and Asia. Orrick is recognized for its work in the community and pro bono efforts and John is particularly interested in youth mental health issue. SafeSpace is a pro bono client of Orrick.”

Dina Jackson
Director of Technology
“After experiencing depression as a teen and seeing the suffering of friends and family, I want be part of the solution...ensure teens feel heard, families feel supported and create an community of hope.”

Kristina Cullinane
Board Member
“We all have mental health, and the more we talk to each other about it, the more we learn about our own. Mental health does not have one answer or vaccine that will cure-all. It's an ongoing battle, but it's one that we can fight and overcome together. ”
Our Partners
Thoughtful coordination of services is critical.
At SafeSpace, we believe that youth benefit greatly from a cohesive continuum of care that spans from early intervention and prevention to acute inpatient services. While more than $120 billion is spent annually on mental health disorders, much of this care is disjointed and not focused on early intervention and prevention or just not accessible. For this reason, we are teaming up with partners to assist us in providing quality clinical care.
We believe these alliances will ensure that any clients who walk through our door will have access to the appropriate level of care.

Want to become a partner?
SafeSpace chooses its clinical partners and non-clinical partners carefully. We require that they both have a focus on youth between the ages of 12 to 26 and the ability to provide programs for all socio-economic backgrounds, and offer hours of operation that are convenient for the community they serve. Here are some other specific requirements:
If you’re interested in becoming a SafeSpace partner, reach out to our Managing Director, Annie Kim, annie@safespace.org.
Non-Clinical Partners
- A minimum of three years of experience working with teens and young adults
- Will offer best practices in its category, and several communication options to meet the needs of the age group it serves. i.e. (text, email, phone, a bi-lingual option)
Clinical Partners
- A sliding scale payment option and variety of insurance options.
- Provide evidence-based therapy, and option of off-site therapy, and emergency service option
- Mandates continual education programs for its employees to keep them up to date on scientific advances.
- Works with SafeSpace to ensure the clinical environment is warm and friendly· Offers therapeutic programs that are suitable for the community it serves.
- Offers a bilingual option based on the needs of the community.
- Has a long-term vision to work with SafeSpace to service multiple communities throughout the U.S., and expand services beyond the current moderate continuum of care.