Honorees from Last Year
Christie Danner
Christie is the Assistant Principal at Scotts Valley High School, where she previously served for over a decade as a school counselor. With a background in sociology, education, and counseling, she brings a deep commitment to student well-being and has championed programs like Hope Squad to support mental health and peer connection.
Dr. Simone Lundquist
Dr. Simone Lundquist is the Founder and Executive Director of Open Doors to Future Possibilities, a nonprofit providing low-cost counseling and free services for veterans, law enforcement, and their families. A licensed clinical psychologist and professor at San Jose State University, she has spent decades supporting trauma survivors and training the next generation of counselors through her innovative Narrative Therapy program.
Dr. Berra Yazar-Klosinski
Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D., is the Chief Scientific Officer of Lykos Therapeutics, where she leads global research and development efforts to advance psychedelic therapies, including MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. She has worked in the field since 2009 and brings a strong track record with regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA.
Dr. Nirmaljit Dhami
Dr. Nirmaljit Dhami is the Medical Director of the Inpatient Perinatal Psychiatry Unit at El Camino Health and a nationally recognized leader in maternal mental health, previously directing the MOMS Program from 2008 to 2020. She serves as Vice Chair of the Psychiatry Department at El Camino, President of Bay Area Maternal Mental Health, and holds several leadership and advisory roles in perinatal mental health organizations.
HeartMath
Founded in 1991 in District 28 by Doc Childre, HeartMath has revolutionized the way we understand mental health by highlighting the heart’s role in emotional and physiological well-being. With over 300 peer-reviewed studies and a global network of certified professionals, HeartMath’s scientifically backed tools help individuals manage stress, anxiety, PTSD, and more through the practice of heart coherence. Their groundbreaking work is now used in schools, clinics, VA centers, and homes around the world.
Misty Hartung
Misty has served the Los Gatos Union School District for 26 years, including 17 years as a special education teacher at Fisher Middle School before becoming Director of Student Services. She leads with a student-first approach across special education, counseling, health services, and restorative practices, and is a dedicated advocate for wellness and self-care in both her personal and professional life.
Brian Pors
Brian has been a proud member of UA Local 393 for 12 years, serving as a delegate to both the South Bay Labor Council and the Santa Clara & San Benito Building and Construction Trades Council. He has been a strong advocate for mental health resources, especially for working-class communities in the Morgan Hill area, and has helped connect union members to vital mental health services.
Dr. Clyde Horn
Dr. Clyde R. Horn is a combat Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade from 1967 to 1968. A licensed psychotherapist with advanced degrees in theology, education, and psychology, Clyde has spent decades supporting children with disabilities and fellow veterans, including leading weekly support groups for disabled Silicon Valley vets.