Board of Directors

Maritza Herrera, President

Maritza is a first-generation Latina immigrant from El Estado de México. She has lived, worked and played in Lane County since moving here in 2001 to pursue her education in Anthropology and Business Administration at the University of Oregon.  She has diverse experience working with unions, public transportation, and radio, and currently works for the Oregon Department of Human Services focusing in the areas of domestic violence, equity and inclusion, and trauma informed care. In 2010, Maritza was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Credit Union Association of Oregon for her work in serving under-banked communities. In 2014, she worked to open a Spanish radio station in Lane County and later served as an advisor to launch a second station. She is currently a member of the Lane Equity Coalition, and of the 90by30 Steering Committee.  Maritza loves dogs, enjoys cooking, hiking, warm beaches, and spending time with friends and family.

Ariel has more than 20 years experience as a community leader. He has been an executive director of a municipal agency for community culture and recreation services, and is a life-long team development professional. In addition to serving on the Trauma Healing Project board of directors he coaches leaders in local government and private sector around growth mindset. He is the founder and leader of Spirit City, an organization dedicated to helping leaders in the community and recreation industry to grow their impact. He is happily married and is raising three beautiful girls in Eugene, Oregon.

“Trauma healing is about enhancing the light and not fighting the darkness.”

Annette Marcus, Secretary

Annette Marcus is proud to be a social worker and confesses to laughing too loudly at really bad puns. She staffs the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide  and is in an advisory role to the Oregon Health Authority. Before that she was the regional director of Oregon Family Support Network in Lane County where she learned about the struggles and strength of parents who advocate daily for their children who have behavioral and developmental health challenges.  In California, Annette was a director in the statewide Strategies project which provided cutting edge training and technical assistance and was instrumental in the development of the California Strengthening Families Round-table working to promote cross-system collaboration to build protective factors. She lives in Eugene with her wife Sarah, cat and four chickens. She and Sarah met in 1986 walking across the United States on the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament. This wonderful adventure gave her a sense of optimism about human resilience and the power of meaningful community.

“THP has been there for me and my family as we have been healing from a traumatic event that led to our move to Oregon. I love THP’s  warm and welcoming atmosphere, openness to multiple modalities for healing and understanding of the impact of trauma paired with hope and a belief in all people’s resilience. I want the Trauma Healing Project to thrive and hope that my participation on the board can contribute to that.”

Britni has worked in local social service and behavioral health care efforts for the past 15 years. Her experience ranges from providing direct therapy for individuals with chronic behavioral health conditions to enhancing system coordination at the macro level. She is trained to conduct Trauma Informed Care 101 level trainings and does so regularly with her current role at Lane County Health and Human Services. Britni is passionate about the Lane County community and is committed to supporting folks on their pursuits of wellness and thriving. In partnership with her husband, Mike, she is raising two incredible kiddos and constantly seeking out opportunities to enjoy the beautiful PNW outdoor scene in between sips of a tea latte.

“I have found the work of coming alongside individuals on their path to healing to be sacred and precious. I hope to be able to contribute to the systems and infrastructure surrounding our community to ensure that more individuals have access to their healing path without the risk of further harm.”

Blythe Utz, Member

Blythe has been exploring communication as a tool for healing and connection for two decades. She holds a master’s degree in couples and family therapy from the University of Oregon and studied interpersonal communication at Portland State University. For several years, Blythe served as a volunteer mediator where she witnessed the transformative power of empathic and compassionate communication. She comes to the Trauma Healing Project with a background in non-profit mental health, conservation, board and fund development, and friend-raising. Between 2016 and 2018, Blythe traveled through South America, learning about healing modalities that honored the interconnection of all life.

“The Trauma Healing Project’s embodied and interconnected approach is not merely about recovery from trauma; it is about integration, reconnection, and regeneration — which has a rippling positive and sustaining healing impact on individuals and our shared community.”

Ruth Acheinegeh, Member

Bio coming soon!

Susan Walters, Member

Susan studied nursing at Chapman University and has worked as a Registered Nurse since 1989. Initially caring for mothers, babies and young families she transitioned into public and community health in 2006.  She has managed home health, hospice and home infusion services in Florence and Eugene and currently serves as the assistant manager of Home Health services at Peace Health.  Providing community-based care, Susan has become profoundly aware of the effects of trauma on physical health and the need for a holistic approach addressing trauma as part of any individualized plan of care. She is most passionate about promoting health literacy across the lifespan. Susan also serves as a TIPS volunteer and on the legislative committee for Oregon Association of Home Care. She is happiest spending time with family and moving dirt around in the garden.

Ilisa Rooke-Ley, Advisor-Member at Large

Ilisa fist became a lawyer in Florida in 1989 working for the Dade County Public Defender’s Office. She then took a few years off to parents her three children. She and her family moved to Eugene and she worked as a private lawyer representing indigent people and then with Public Defender’s Services of Lane County for thirteen years. She then worked as a Lane County Circuit Court judge for eleven years. She presided over Lane County’s Treatment Courts for four years and then Juvenile Treatment Court for two years.
Her passion is empowering others without judging the circumstances that brought the litigants before her.

“I have seen how trauma impacts people and their choices and I support the healing that everyone deserves to live their best life.”

Ana Maria Dudley, Member
(On temporary leave)

Full bio coming soon!!

Current Opportunities