vocal Staff

Brian Parrish is a mental health activist and the Executive Director of VOCAL. Brian is also a member of the Virginia Mental Health Planning Council and the System Leadership Council. Previously, he worked as the Program Director for the VOCAL CO-OP, a collective of peer-run mental health programs, and as a Peer Supporter at On Our Own of Charlottesville, a mental health recovery center.
Brian Parrish, Executive Director, Brian@VocalVirginia.org
(434)243-7878 (888)771-2030

Malaina Poore works as the Firewalkers Project Manager. Before this she was a diner waitress, a forklift driver, a mentor and a pre-school teacher. She is also a student and a mama.
Malaina Poore, Firewalkers Program Director, Malaina@VocalVirginia.org
(434)243-7878 ext 22 (888)771-2030

Cassandra Nudel is a writer, educator, social justice advocate, and nonprofit consultant. Her work in mental health and disability rights began after her own experience of being homebound for 5 years, while living in solitude in a rural area. She is the project leader for the Firewalkers book and co-creator of several nonprofit grassroots mental health programs. Cassandra lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she enjoys sufi dancing, shamanism, organic cooking, dreamwork, sleeping, and playing with her cats, her sweetheart, and other loved ones. Cassandra Nudel, Consultant to the Executive Office, Cassandra@VocalVirginia.org

Heather Peck is CO-OP Program Director. The VOCAL CO-OP is Virginia's collective of Peer Run Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery and Wellness programs. Heather serves our leaders with training and consulting in nonprofit management and leadership development. Heather has nineteen years of experience designing and leading team building and management development programming for health care, business, and social justice groups. Heather is expert in communication skills education, program evaluation, funds development, and moving as gracefully as possible through leadership challenges with managers, staff, and boards of directors.
Heather Peck - Co-op Director
(434)243-7878 ext 18 (888)771-2030
Heather@VocalVirginia.org

Bonnie Neighbour is an Advocacy Coordinator and mentor for advocates. She trains, organizes, and supports people with mental illness to have a voice in policymaking. She serves on numerous mental health policymaking boards, and she is a trainer and group leader for Consumer Empowerment Leadership Trainings, Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, and Wellness Recovery Action Plan. She has also served as a Hope in the Cities Facilitator – bringing together business and community leaders to address the issues of racial healing.
Bonnie Neighbour, Advocacy Coordinator
(804)343-1777 (877) 862-5638 (VOCLNET)
Bonnie@VocalVirginia.org

Yolande Long holds a Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and works for the VOCAL Network as the Communications and Events Coordinator. She is happily married with three children - most of whom are fully grown but still keep her on her toes! - and a beautiful granddaughter who continually teaches her what life and love is really all about.
Yolande Long
Events/Communications/Volunteer Coordinator
(877) 862-5638 (VOCLNET)
Yolande@VocalVirginia.org

Ann Benner is the Founding Program Director of the VOCAL Network, a program that trains, mentors and supports people with mental illness to advocate for themselves and others and to become leaders in improving the mental health system. The Network also builds connection and community among peers across Virginia. Ann has had a thirty-year career in social work and she previously served as Director of the nonprofit program ABIDE (Awareness of Body Image and Disordered Eating). Ann has worked as an art therapist. Some of her greatest loves are her two sons, the cello, abstract art, and swimming.
Ann Benner, Network Director
Ann@VocalVirginia.org
Richmond: (804)343-1777 (877) 862-5638 (VOCLNET)
Charlottesville: (434)243-7878 ext 10 (888)771-2030

Anna Mendez is the REACH program director, and in this role she has the privilege of educating people about the power, promise, and possibility of mental health recovery. Recovered from anorexia and bulimia she is an ardent proponent of intuitive eating and mindful movement. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia she currently lives in the Shenandoah Valley among the most wonderful community of friends she could ask for. When not busy in her capacity at VOCAL or in her neurobiology lab at James Madison University she is likely to be found practicing yoga, dancing Nia, reading, or running... usually while drinking coffee.
Anna Clay Mendez
REACH Program Director
Anna@VocalVirginia.org, (540) 908-6392

For general inquiries contact network@vocalvirginia.org