Chair: Mei Zhao
Mei Zhao is a public health professional and educator with over 15 years of experience in research, teaching, and program development in maternal and child health, perinatal mental health, and community-based public health initiatives. She serves as Clinical Specialist Faculty in the Department of Public Health at The College of New Jersey, where she teaches and mentors graduate and undergraduate students in public health. Mei has led and co-authored multiple funded projects addressing maternal mental health and has presented her work nationally at the American Public Health Association and contributed to peer-reviewed publications on maternal health, stigma, and health promotion interventions.
Passionate about advancing perinatal mental health, Mei brings both academic expertise and community engagement experience to her role as Chair of PSI-NJ, where she is dedicated to expanding awareness, advocacy, and support for families across New Jersey.
Vice Chair: Emily Reach
Emily brings over 15 years of experience in creative direction and communications to her work as Vice Chair of Postpartum Support International New Jersey. With a background leading digital and social strategy for brands such as L’Oreal, Victoria’s Secret, and Ralph Lauren, she has built a career focused on crafting messages that educate, inspire, and connect with women.
Her own postpartum journey—including birth trauma, perinatal anxiety, insomnia, and
depression—fuels her dedication to PSI’s mission. As Vice Chair, Emily channels both her professional expertise and lived experience into advocacy, outreach, and community-building efforts that expand awareness and support for perinatal mental health.
Beyond her work with PSI, Emily is a proud wife and mother who finds balance and renewal in time spent outdoors.
CLC: Ashley Perry 
Ashley Perry, LPC, NCC, PMH-C is a licensed therapist in NJ and founder of Goodnow Counseling. Many of her own personal and professional experiences have been the inspiration for obtaining additional training and certification in supporting the perinatal population. Along with providing therapy to those who are postpartum, she specializes in supporting those with infertility, pregnancy after loss, pregnancy loss, infant loss and birth trauma. Ashley is passionate about creating space for those going through challenges in their journey to become parents and helping them navigate their unique emotional experiences.
Advocacy Chair: Shanita Alvarez-Crawley
Shanita Alvarez-Crawley is a licensed clinical social worker and certified mental health provider from New Jersey. She currently serves as the Director for Postpartum Support International’s Alliance for People of Color. She holds a Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University and has had a rewarding career that spans over 22 years working in various helping professions supporting vulnerable women, children and families in New Jersey holding positions within government, nonprofit, higher education, and healthcare organizations. Shanita’s passion for advocacy and support for vulnerable communities continues to guide her journey and she continues to be a champion for maternal and infant health equity. In response to the alarming rates of black and brown birthing persons and infants experiencing high rates of mortality and morbidity in New Jersey, she served as a leader in the development of a multi-disciplinary hospital-based team designed to combat maternal health inequities for black and brown families in her community and has worked tirelessly with local, state, and national coalitions to amplify the voice and needs of the community. As a clinical social worker and maternal mental health advocate, she champions the importance of accessibility for mental health services and resources for communities and the important role that mental health plays in relation to maternal and infant health outcomes. She is known for her passion, commitment, strategic planning and relationship building to support initiatives. Shanita continues to volunteer as a member of the Postpartum Support International NJ Chapter and has served as a volunteer in multiple capacities within the Alliance for People of Color. Shanita is a dedicated educator and mentor for the next generation of social workers and helping professionals, teaching courses and serving as a Field Instructor for Stockton University and Rowan College. When she is not working or dreaming up ways to save the world, Shanita enjoys travel, reading a good fiction book, and spending time with her husband and children.
Community Outreach and Engagement Chair: Yessenia Mercedes
Yessenia Mercedes, MSW, PMH-Candidate, is a Clinical Education Coordinator with the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ. She leads trainings and support initiatives for professionals and families navigating the perinatal period. With over a decade of experience, Yessenia’s background is rooted in school-based social work, where she helped the School Counselor bring Special Olympics Play Unified to her students, which promoted inclusion and community. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University and is currently pursuing certification in perinatal mental health. Yessenia is also the voice behind Rooted Courage, a platform dedicated to sharing stories of motherhood, fertility challenges, and healing. A proud mother of two boys and advocate for maternal mental health and birth equity, she is passionate about creating spaces where no parent feels alone.
Fundraising and Development Committee Chair: 
Yaranil Ferrer
Yaranil Ferrer, LCSW, PMH-C is a bilingual licensed clinical social worker and certified perinatal mental health professional. She is the founder of Calma Counseling, a New Jersey-based practice dedicated to culturally attuned, trauma-informed care for women navigating fertility challenges, high-risk pregnancies, and postpartum mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and trauma. As an EMDR therapist fluent in English and Spanish, Yaranil centers cultural humility, compassion, and community in every aspect of her work. In addition to her clinical practice, Yaranil facilitates support groups and wellness workshops and is committed to accessibility, advocacy, and systemic change. She honors the power of shared stories, visible truths, and communal care as pathways to healing and hope.
Membership Chair: Stephanie Swasey
Stephanie is a dedicated student midwife and full-spectrum doula who is committed to supporting individuals through their reproductive journey, regardless of the path or outcome. She is actively pursuing her Certification in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) to deepen her understanding of perinatal mental health. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Rutgers University, which led her to a career in pharmaceutical research and development.
In her role as Membership Chair, Stephanie warmly welcomes prospective and new members. She organizes and hosts special events, providing opportunities for connection and mutual support. Through her efforts, Stephanie showcases how the chapter effectively assists families throughout New Jersey.
Social Media: Urvi Shah, ICF
Urvi Shah, ICF certified coach and certified mindfulness teacher brings over 15 years of experience in the consulting marketing and market research industry – working with companies globally to enhance their marketing strategies. She also has experience in leadership coaching, team coaching and change management. Currently, Urvi runs her own practice supporting women through their motherhood journey by teaching principles of mindfulness and spirituality. Through her own postpartum mental health journey, she has self published a book to talk about the challenges she went through – providing guidance and inspiration to other parents. She focuses her work on conscious parenting and runs many workshops to support families.
She is an advocate for maternal mental health within her own community, partnering with local businesses to provide support families need.
Communications: Saanvi Rao 
Saanvi Rao is a current college student in an accelerated Bachelor’s to Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program. She is passionate about advocating for the health and well-being of mothers and families and helping build healthier communities where everyone has access to the care and support they deserve. Through her role as Communications Chair, she hopes to raise awareness of perinatal mental health by sharing meaningful educational materials and resources, and ensure that every parent knows they have a place to turn for support.
Secretary: Erin Smith
Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Certified Therapist (PMH-C) at A Work of Heart Counseling in Bergen County NJ where she provides therapy to women experiencing PMADs, Postpartum OCD, Birth trauma, still birth, infant and neonatal loss and couples navigating their relationship as new parents. Erin’s own experience with PMADS sparked her interest and desire to give back and help women struggling in the perinatal period which led her to PSI. Erin received her PMH-C in February 2021 and has been passionate about helping parents navigate all that the perinatal and postpartum period entail. Erin is very excited to be involved with PSI NJ Board and is grateful to be able to continue to support new moms, parents and families.
Treasurer: Steven Brunwasser
Steve is a prevention science researcher trained as a clinical psychologist with focused training in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Currently, he is an associate professor in the Psychology Department at Rowan University. Much of Steve’s work looks at how stress and adversity during pregnancy can affect children’s longterm health, and how early support for parents can reduce these risks across generations. His lab also studies ways to make preventive mental health services easier to access for New Jersey parents who are at higher risk for depression and anxiety during the perinatal period.
Steve is honored to serve on the PSINJ Board and to support the chapter’s important work helping families navigate the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood.
PMHA-POC Chair: Kayla Ogletree
Kayla Ogletree, MSW, LCSW currently owns and operates her private practice full time. Kayla’s
professional career spans over a decade, with majority of her experience supporting families and
children. In 2014- 2019, She was a Senior Service Coordinator in the New Jersey Early Intervention System, where she learned about her passion of supporting moms who are pregnant and postpartum. After giving birth to her own daughter in 2018, Kayla’s passion for Maternal Mental Health grew even more. Kayla loves to educate others to help them make more informed decisions and become knowledgeable about resources to help them live a better life, especially in the perinatal period. Kayla currently specializes in working with the Perinatal population. Kayla works with individual clients and couples that are pregnant, postpartum, clients grieving after child loss, and those experiencing infertility challenges. Additionally, Kayla is working towards obtaining her PMH-C. It is particularly important to her to support Perinatal Clients and Clients experiencing infertility in the BIPOC community. Kayla believes the more informed and educated a person is, it helps individuals make better choices for their care and assists them with advocating for themselves. This also contributes to breaking down certain barriers for the BIPOC community.
Education & Training Chair: Shambhavi Thakur
Shambhavi is a pediatric sleep researcher and clinical data analyst with a strong focus on how sleep impacts early childhood development, caregiver well-being, and perinatal mental health. Holding dual master’s degrees in Life Sciences and Healthcare Informatics, her work explores the link between sleep, social support, and parental stress, especially during the critical postpartum period. Her research has been presented at leading international sleep research conferences like the European Sleep Research Society (ESRS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (SLEEP), World Sleep, and the International Pediatric Sleep Association (IPSA). Her data analysis has also contributed to publications in reputable journals such as Sleep Medicine and Nature. She is dedicated to translating complex findings into clear, culturally sensitive educational tools that support families and professionals. Her dedication to perinatal mental health is both personal and academic. After experiencing postpartum challenges such as sleep deprivation, emotional overload, and identity shifts as a new parent, she became even more passionate about creating resources that validate parents’ experiences. As Chair of Education and Training at PSI-NJ, she will make research more accessible, inclusive, and emotionally resonant. She is especially excited about developing and expanding provider education, as well as amplifying the voices of immigrant families. Outside her professional work, she is a mother to twin toddlers and values quiet moments, community connection, and helping other parents feel less alone.
Communications Chair: Jill Chasse 
Jill Chasse, DrPH, PhD, MPA, MSpsy, IMD, CCTS-P is an experienced and accomplished Doctor of Public Health in the maternal/infant population with clinical concentrations in perinatal and psychiatric epidemiology. Dr. Chasse works with Empowering Midwifery Education and at Flor da Vida Women’s Wellness Center in Verona. She has also been an adjunct Professor at William Paterson University in the Public Health Department since 2019, teaching multiple classes including Women’s Health, Reproductive Rights, LGBTQ Health, and Health Disparities. She has also worked as an Advanced Clinical Health Educator, Certified Functional Medicine and Trauma Specialist and Maternal/Reproductive Health Specialist and Certified Lactation Counselor through her organization Hygeia Public Health. .She has over 20 years of experience providing evidence-based and trauma informed support to her students and patients. Jill is dedicated to outreach and education, having managed health training programs at CDC, NIH and Walter Reed as well as teaching maternal health providers and leading workshops such as “Understanding Perinatal; Mood and Anxiety Disorders for Doulas” and “Trauma Informed Care in Birth.” . She has published multiple books and educational materials including a birth trauma processing program and a maternal/ infant attachment course. She is passionate about volunteer and humanitarian work and has been a volunteer PSI Coordinator, Global Midwifery Instructor, Medical Reserve Corps field epidemiologist, Red Cross Duty Officer and EMT. Dr Chasse enjoys writing, scuba diving, shell collecting and horses as well as being a mother of three teenagers.
