Board of Directors

Our Board

Aaron Truby

Board Member
What do you do outside MHAAO?

I enjoy working as a Peer Wellness Specialist at Tigard Respite. I write / read poetry, workout at the gym, watch documentaries that reveal truth, spend quality time with my lovely family, play computer games (grew up with them), and travel to interesting places from time to time.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
Peer work is my passion, my calling, my authentic vocation. Serving on the board ties in with this. My actual day-to-day job is the direct way of doing this work. My board service functions as an indirect way to participate in this work (still so valuable). Also, Peerpocalypse always motivates me because I feel like a part of a larger movement, a larger community. It has been a pleasure to see MHAAO flourish and thrive over the years.

Melanie Payne (she/her)

Secretary
What do you do outside MHAAO?
What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?

Nick Chaiyachakorn (he/him)

Board Member

What do you do outside MHAAO?
I garden! Count how many other people here garden, too… but I’m growing a banana tree in my apartment because I like experimenting. I’m otherwise an overworked MSW student at Portland State and an itinerant research student who’s worked on various Portland-area “human services” (ugh) projects.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
There are plenty of agencies in the Portland metro area that hire peers. MHAAO is one of the most dynamic ones that actually put lived experience in management, from top to bottom. And I think that’s the most significant part of being a peer: doing it yourself and for your friends in lived experience.

Dave Otte (he/him)

Chair

What do you do outside MHAAO?
I am an architect at Holst focused on social impact through housing, health, and education. I am also a devoted husband and father and love spending time with my family.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
MHAAO’s peer-supported service model is inspiring to me. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience in the built environment and business world to assist MHAAO as they continue to grow and take on new challenges.

Kevin Bowers

Board Member

What do you do outside MHAAO?
I am a member of, a supporter, and a participant in 3 non-profit organizations that work to be catalysts for racial and social justice. Each one strives / works to partner with communities to help dismantle all systemic discrimination, build inclusion, and advance and strengthen the human rights of ALL people. I am also an avid gardener and collector of vinyl records.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
I am a proud founding member of MHAAO. My motivation to serve on the board is based on my personal mission to be a strong advocate for human rights and the fair treatment of all people. I believe MHAAO’s mission to advance the knowledge and development of peer support aligns with the notion of human rights and fair treatment, and I want to help advance that mission.

Steve Sanden

Board Member

What do you do outside MHAAO?
I’m the Executive Director of Bay Area First Step (BAFS), a peer-run organization providing peer support, housing, treatment, and other recovery support services in Coos and Curry County. I love hiking and spending time on the beach.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
I met Janie Gullickson at the 2017 Peerpocalypse event in Seaside. I was super excited about MHAAO and joined the board soon after.

Ryan Austin

Treasurer
What do you do outside MHAAO?
I own and operate a website development agency and a small christmas tree farm. I also coach football in my small town. I spend as much time as possible with my 3 boys enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities.

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?
Having received peer services myself in the past I have gotten to a place in my life where I am always looking for new ways to give back what was so freely given to me. When I was asked about joining the board at MHAAO i immediately said yes. I look forward to becoming more involved with the organization that gives back so much to my community and my peers.

Sera Jordan

Co-Chair

What do you do outside MHAAO?
I work as a Process Improvement Consultant for the Kaiser Permanente Program Office. My team provides Utilization Management for KP insurance plans across multiple regions. I am engaged to my wonderful life partner and have 5 children ranging from 10-20 yrs. I am an advocate for families with children on the Autism Spectrum (two of my five have ASD) both within KP and the community. I am an avid stand-up paddle boarder and am always looking for a body of water on the weekend!

What motivated you to serve on the MHAAO board?

Part of my previous role with Kaiser was supporting the MHAAO Peer Support Specialist who provide peer services to KP NW members. The Peer team is like family to me, so when the opportunity to become a board member presented itself, there was no doubt in my mind MHAAO was where I wanted to volunteer my time. The mission and purpose of this incredible organization aligns with both my professional career and my personal life experiences. Peer support in recovery truly works!

Boards & Committees We serve on

ACHP Research Framework Workgroup 
Blanchet House
Clackamas County Mental Health and Addiction Council
Clackamas County Service Mall Pilot Program
Columbia Willamette Intergroup
Crim-Anon
Folktime
Governor’s Behavioral Health Advisor Council 
Homeless Alcohol and Drug Intervention Network (HADIN)
Homeless Solutions Coalition of Clackamas County
IMPACTS Grant Review Committee (Improving People’s Access to Community-based Treatment, Supports, and Services) 
Multnomah County Peer Action Council
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
Opioid Youth Task Force
Oregon Consumer Advisory Council
Portland Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous
Portland Police Bureau Behavioral Health Unit Advisory Council (BHUAC)
Social Justice Fund
SUD Waiver Advisory Committee
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Clackamas County
Traditional Health Worker Commission 
Tri-County Opioid Safety Coalition
Unity Center Advisory Council
UW Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Advisory Board
Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery
Yes On IP44