Community Impact Committee Members

Rochelle Davis is a person in recovery who is deeply passionate about supporting others on their journey to healing. She believes that substance use does not discriminate—and neither should we. Rochelle does not view it as the role of medical professionals to label or diagnose someone’s experience. Instead, she believes individuals must come to their own understanding and make the choice to seek change when they’re ready. As professionals, she believes our responsibility is to ensure that resources are accessible and that compassionate support is always available. Feeling isolated or alone is never the answer. While each of our stories may look different, Rochelle believes the pathways to recovery often share the same foundation: connection, choice, and community.

Allison (she/her) specializes in substance use prevention and education, and is passionate about supporting others in meaningful, compassionate ways. She believes it is always the right time to do the right thing, and that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Outside of her work, Allison enjoys gardening, swimming, spending time with animals, and being surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Andi Gernaey is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Cal Poly Humboldt, where they are deepening their commitment to social justice and community care. Since 2017, Andi has worked in public health and harm reduction services, gaining hands-on experience in supporting individuals impacted by substance use and systemic barriers. They are currently focused on overdose prevention education with systems-impacted youth, a role that aligns closely with their passion for advocacy and education. Andi is especially driven to combat the stigma surrounding both sexual health and drug use, believing that everyone deserves access to nonjudgmental support and resources. Outside of their work and studies, Andi enjoys painting, hiking, reading, and spending time with their two beloved cats.

Eva Hernandez is a public health professional with experience in medical operations under the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS), project management, and oversight of federal, county, and local grant-funded programs. She currently serves as the Project Director of Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) Services at L.A. CADA, where she leads initiatives to expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment, including naloxone distribution and on-site MAT in residential settings. Trained as a physician in Guatemala, Eva brings cultural fluency and a deep commitment to ensure health equity to her work. Her focus includes reducing stigma around substance use, addressing social determinants of health, advancing harm reduction strategies, and strengthening systems of care through collaborative leadership and policy advocacy.

A graduate from Northern Arizona University, Aaron has committed the last 10 years to serving rural communities, focusing on the unique challenges they face. Aaron’s program at NAU worked to promote human rights and socioeconomic justice within rural and Indigenous populations.
Aaron loves the sense of community and shared purpose within his team, as well as the collaborative environment dedicated to the wellbeing of the tribal community they serve. In addition to his clinical work, Aaron facilitates talking circles and plays a key role in planning and executing the Rez Runner opioid awareness run, a prevention-focused event aimed at raising awareness and promoting healing from the opioid epidemic. He states that the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the positive outcomes he and his team achieve for their community.
In his spare time, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, golfing, and playing basketball.

Monica Lewis is a Registered Nurse with 15 years of experience working alongside a team in a medication assisted treatment program, walk in/same day appointment clinic, labor and delivery department, and Veterans Affairs office. Monica has been a grant project manager for 5 years and leader of the Red Feather Opioid Coalition. She developed staff training for MAT program orientation, and community training and outreach for Narcan education and Fentanyl awareness. Monica collaborates with multidisciplinary team to provide services and ensure patients have the resources they need. Monica lives in the mountains of California with her family, 3 dogs, a cat and too many chickens to count.

Misty Mejia is a Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor SUDCCIII, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration on children and families. Misty has worked in the alcohol and drug counseling profession for the past 17 years in many capacities and currently serves as a Compliance Director for Muir Wood. Her experience and specializations include working with justice involved individuals, as well as women and children and her professional roles have involved auditing, administration, clinical counseling, contract monitoring, and training. She has held many positions in the field including Program Director and Career Developer. She is a skilled trainer for residential and outpatient modalities on assessments, treatment planning, progress notes, CalOMS collection, and discharge processes. She is adept in the requirements of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria. She is also a CARF Surveyor.

Her passion is to end the stigma surrounding substance use disorder treatment.

Mother. Mourner. Survivor. Servant. Warrior.

Perla has dedicated over 20 years of her life to serving her community in various roles, including street outreach, crisis counseling, education, disaster relief, and as a mental health specialist. However, her most important mission in life was to nurture and guide her beautiful son, Elijah. That goal was ripped from her on September 16, 2020, when her only child was given a pharmaceutically disguised pain pill made of pure fentanyl. He was deceived by someone he trusted. As his mother, Perla has since dedicated herself to saving lives, sharing her son's story, and providing educational services, community resources, and support to families impacted by the fentanyl crisis. Her most successful approach to community work has focused on drug prevention, education, and early intervention.

Melissa is a proud wife and mother of three beautiful children. With nearly 30 years of lived experience, she brings deep insight, compassion, and strength to her work. Melissa has seen the worst of the worst—including in herself—and has come out the other side with a powerful message: people really can change. She is honored to be part of a community where her journey is celebrated and where individuals are seen for more than their struggles. Melissa believes that while no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and create a brand-new ending.

For nearly five years, Klark Swan has worked on opioid awareness in rural Humboldt County—one of the regions with the highest ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores in the nation and home to six tribal communities deeply impacted by the opioid crisis. As the School Safety Director for the Humboldt County Office of Education, Klark trains educators in Narcan administration and opioid prevention strategies. This work is deeply personal: a close family member has struggled with the long-term effects of a prescription opioid dependency that began in 2001. Her goal is simple—to save lives and remind others that opioid use disorder can affect anyone.