Our Staff

Amy  Zulich

TA Center Director

Amy worked for four years in Oregon’s brokerage system for adults with developmental disabilities helping individuals hire and supervise providers to meet their needs and achieve their goals. Most recently, she developed and coordinated programs at Empowerment Initiatives, a peer-run agency that provides mental health recovery brokerages and peer mentor services. She uses her personal and professional experiences with wellness and mental health recovery to power her service and advocacy efforts. Amy serves on Disability Rights Oregon’s PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with mental Illness) Council and Multnomah County’s Adult Mental Health and Substance Abuse Advisory Council. Amy is also on the board of directors of the Oregon Consumer/Survivor Coalition.

Beckie  Child

Executive Director

Mental Health America of Oregon 

Beckie has developed and operated a number of peer-run programs and organizations. She has served on a number of advisory boards at the local, state, and national levels. Currently she serves on the Oregon State Hospital’s Advisory Board but has also been a member and co-chair of the Oregon Planning and Management Advisory Council and Disability Rights Oregon’s PAIMI Council and Board of Directors. She recently served as the President of Mental Health America of Oregon’s (MHAO) Board of Directors for four years and is now the executive director for MHAO.

D. Camille Hayes

Special Projects Manager

D. is trained in community outreach in minority communities. Currently she hosts an on-line radio show discussing health issues in the African American community. She has over 15 years of experience working with non-profits and community groups. Her skills also include creating and disseminating media in addition to project and program logistics.

Donita Diamata

Project Coordinator

Donita Diamata began her career in advocacy in 1992 at The Mind Empowered, Inc., a peer-run non-profit, where she worked in their drop-in program. When the organization lost its funding in 1997, Donita collaborated with Beckie Child to start a new drop-in program, continuing The Mind Empowered’s philosophy that all would be welcome, regardless of their current status in mental health or addiction services, their ability to pay for services, or their history with other services. Her work continued through Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare as Director of Consumer Affairs until 2006. Donita continues to advocate for improved services, empowered clients, and dramatic changes within the system.

Nicole Currier

Administrative Coordinator

Nicole studied Sociology with an emphasis in Gender, Crime and Deviance and minored in Publishing & Printing arts as an undergraduate. She has volunteered at Legacy Emanuel Children’s Hospital, Oregon Food Bank, tutored at transitional housing facilities, and researched at women’s correctional facilities. Nicole has formerly worked on special projects and medical records at Central City Concern, was a resource broker at Empowerment Initiatives, and as an administrative support at recovery and health/wellness organizations. She completed training as a Peer Support Specialist in 2010. Nicole is also involved with local pit bull advocacy.