BOARD MEMBERS
Mara James
Founder & CEO
Originally from New York, Mara James relocated to California with her husband and her three children in 2007. They established Dr. James’s OBGYN practice, and for seven years, Mara managed the busy office. Then, in 2014, Mara unexpectedly experienced a manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Through her battle with mental health, many wellness professionals helped Mara heal and transform her life. Mara’s experience—in addition to the experience of some of her close family members—has kindled in her a passion for forwarding the cause of children’s mental health.
She established the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and created Piggie Bear to promote mental health awareness and provide both children and their parents with the resources they need to pursue holistic wellness in any and all avenues available. Mara lives with her family in Orange County, California.
Through her battle with mental health, many wellness professionals helped Mara heal and transform her life. Mara’s experience—in addition to the experience of some of her close family members—has kindled in her a passion for forwarding the cause of children’s mental health.
She established the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and created Piggie Bear to promote mental health awareness and provide both children and their parents with the resources they need to pursue holistic wellness in any and all avenues available. Mara lives with her family in Orange County, California.
Rachel Popplewell
Vice Chairman
Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree in graphic and communication design, a Masters in packaging and over 30 years branding experience, mainly in the fashion accessories sector. Rachel is passionate about using her skills to propel ELF to the forefront of a movement to redefine mental health and bring greater understanding to some of today’s most misunderstood diseases.
The mother of three children, Rachel’s oldest child has struggled with depression and anxiety. Her oldest brother is schizophrenic and her youngest brother died at age 30 after self medicating with heroin to escape his own mental health issues. Rachel is committed to ELF’s mission to find better solutions while children are still young, before they turn to drugs and alcohol.
The mother of three children, Rachel’s oldest child has struggled with depression and anxiety. Her oldest brother is schizophrenic and her youngest brother died at age 30 after self medicating with heroin to escape his own mental health issues. Rachel is committed to ELF’s mission to find better solutions while children are still young, before they turn to drugs and alcohol.
Martha Bowers
Secretary
In working through my personal life trauma, it has become my desire to help others work through theirs. For the last five years, I've been supporting Veterans as I know the toll this life had on my dad and my family. It is now my desire to expand my focus and step into helping the children. Children are resilient and do not need to wait until they are in their thirties to be heard. The vision is that children will be able to work through their trauma, regardless how big or small, and this will forever change their lives trajectory.
Dan Zinn
Treasurer
Dan and his family have lived in Laguna Niguel since 2002. He brings a high level of financial experience and knowledge to the Treasurer role. Dan worked in the commercial banking industry for over 25 years, with emphasis in financial analysis, operations management and treasury management solutions. Most recently, he served as a Managing Director at Bank of the West. Dan is a proud military veteran, having served his country in the U. S. Naval Reserve. He retired as a Commander, Supply Corps. Dan holds an MBA in Finance from University of Florida and previously served as Treasurer for a cooperative preschool in Walnut Creek, CA.
As a husband and father of four daughters, Dan is excited to be joining and supporting ELF. The health and well being of children is very important to him. As a board member of ELF, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to give back and contribute meaningfully to this important mission.
As a husband and father of four daughters, Dan is excited to be joining and supporting ELF. The health and well being of children is very important to him. As a board member of ELF, he is thrilled to have the opportunity to give back and contribute meaningfully to this important mission.
Amy Betonte
Board Member
Amy is a retired attorney and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Case Western University School of Law. Amy spent many years utilizing her trial advocacy skills in Ohio courtrooms working to improve the lives of children and families in crisis before ultimately relocating to California. She was one of the original contributing members to Teen Court in Canton, Ohio which provides first time youth offenders with a restorative justice alternative to court in order to remove the stigma of conviction through early intervention and creative sentencing for first time offenders. Amy has one son, Jake and two foster sons, Jack and Evan and although Amy no longer actively practices law, she has continued her efforts working with children to enrich their lives and has spent the past 20 years volunteering in our local Laguna Niguel and Dana Point Schools and Communities. Amy has been volunteering with the Extraordinary Lives Foundation for nearly three years and is grateful to have been given the opportunity to take on a greater role with the Board. She looks forward to being part of ELF’s future.
Dr. Kevin Alexander DBH, LPCC
Doctor of Behavior Health & Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Kevin Alexander is a Doctor of Behavioral Health program and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with more than two decades of experience in the treatment of behavioral health concerns. He has worked in diverse clinical settings, providing care for individuals and families presenting with mild to severe emotional and psychological distress. Dr. Alexander is an expert in the assessment and treatment of acute and chronic behavioral health and addiction concerns, and specializes in managing an integrated, holistic approach to patient care.
Dr. Alexander has developed and managed several successful community-based treatment programs, served as Chief Clinical Officer for one of Arizona’s largest crisis response agencies, and developed innovative treatment protocols to better meet the needs of patients managing addiction and behavioral health issues. In his roles as a director, clinical manager, supervisor and professor, Dr. Alexander has mentored, supervised, taught and trained hundreds of behavioral health clinicians. Dr. Alexander currently works as a Service Chief with the Orange County Health Care Agency, overseeing programs that support the behavioral health needs of Orange County Veterans and their families.
Kevin is a driven and caring clinician, passionate about his work, and is recognized as a highly skilled and innovative therapist, helping to support the needs of individuals and families struggling with emotional distress and behavioral health concerns.
Dr. Alexander has developed and managed several successful community-based treatment programs, served as Chief Clinical Officer for one of Arizona’s largest crisis response agencies, and developed innovative treatment protocols to better meet the needs of patients managing addiction and behavioral health issues. In his roles as a director, clinical manager, supervisor and professor, Dr. Alexander has mentored, supervised, taught and trained hundreds of behavioral health clinicians. Dr. Alexander currently works as a Service Chief with the Orange County Health Care Agency, overseeing programs that support the behavioral health needs of Orange County Veterans and their families.
Kevin is a driven and caring clinician, passionate about his work, and is recognized as a highly skilled and innovative therapist, helping to support the needs of individuals and families struggling with emotional distress and behavioral health concerns.
Damion Young
Attorney & Advocate
Damion is an Orange County native who was born in Anaheim and raised in Aliso Viejo. He is passionate about service and giving back to the community. Damion credits his social worker wife (who is a walking DSM) for instilling in him a profound interest in mental health awareness. In his professional life, Damion is an attorney at Buchalter law firm who practices in the area of products liability litigation. Damion received his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Chapman University Fowler School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with distinction from San Diego State University. Prior to his legal career, Damion served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist in the United States Army. He was responsible for executing vital missions in support of U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protection (TSD), Civil Support, and various law enforcement agencies. He is a graduate of the elite Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Damion strives to use his experience as a litigator, service member, and human to further ELF’s mission to create awareness about childhood mental health.
Lauren Perry McVicker
Board Member
Lauren is an experienced event and conferences manager, having had the opportunity to lead events, marketing and conferences as a Freelancer and for the Americas region of an International Bank. Her ability to visualize and analyze each project’s needs has supported her in important successes and resulted in significant revenues with key clients. She has a strong understanding of how to provide dedicated personable relationships. Lauren feels very passionately about the Extraordinary Lives Foundation and its vision. She was raised by a family of therapists; a psychiatrist and a clinical social worker. Along her journey of performing, working for television and the commercial industry, she found a program that fulfilled her soul as a Brennan Healing Science Practitioner. Brennan Healing Science® (BHS) is a gentle yet powerful holistic method of balancing and restoring health to your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. It combines hands-on energy healing techniques with spiritual and psychological awareness to deepen your self-discovery process. After completion of this four year training program, Lauren decided to focus on helping clients with mental health healing. In addition to her private practice, she is currently assisting her husband in their Lido Marina Village insurance office with their boat show events, conferences and customer relationships.
Jennifer Annes
Business Executive
Jennifer currently serves as the Board Chair for 100 Women Orange County and as an executive at Enterprise Data Solutions. Her career has included non-profit work in management, community outreach, employee and donor engagement, and event planning. She volunteers in many capacities in both her personal and professional life. Her passion lies in supporting children and teens. Her history includes being a foster parent to eight children- including some with special needs, proctor parent to fourteen juvenile youth, director for hundreds of teens attending the U.S. as exchange students, and director of a crisis line.
Jennifer has a strong skill for building relationships. She also has a demonstrated history in earning a high level of trust amongst her friends, peers, and co-workers. She states that being a part of the advisory board to support the Extraordinary Lives Foundation is both an honor and a privilege.
Jennifer has a strong skill for building relationships. She also has a demonstrated history in earning a high level of trust amongst her friends, peers, and co-workers. She states that being a part of the advisory board to support the Extraordinary Lives Foundation is both an honor and a privilege.
Albert Ramos
Business Executive
Albert is a business executive leader who suddenly experienced the pain and suffering of anxiety, panic attacks and phobias 2 years ago. Sadly, it got to the point of disrupting his work, marriage, and family life. After 2 years of trying to "snap out of it" or "think positive", and rely on pharmaceuticals alone, Albert decided to invite the path of holistic healing. With the help of a HUGS Healer, spiritual guidance and the correct nutritional plan, Albert has been able to eliminate most of his anxiety and is currently thriving both professionally and personally. Albert attributes holistic healing and God to getting his life back.
Albert has held leadership positions for the last 10 years in the Health and Fitness industry and currently works at Life Time Athletic - The Healthy Way of Life Company.
Albert is part of the Laguna Niguel Rotary, and is an active leader in the community. Albert is passionate about helping business leaders as well as children combat the pain and suffering of anxiety and panic attacks. He also has made it his mission to speak up and out on anxiety in the workplace, eliminate the stigma and taboo, and give leaders a safe place to discuss their challenges.
Albert enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Danielle, of 5 years, and both of his sons, Jameon (3), and Henry (9 months).
Albert has a Bachelors in Economics and an M.B.A in Finance.
Albert has held leadership positions for the last 10 years in the Health and Fitness industry and currently works at Life Time Athletic - The Healthy Way of Life Company.
Albert is part of the Laguna Niguel Rotary, and is an active leader in the community. Albert is passionate about helping business leaders as well as children combat the pain and suffering of anxiety and panic attacks. He also has made it his mission to speak up and out on anxiety in the workplace, eliminate the stigma and taboo, and give leaders a safe place to discuss their challenges.
Albert enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Danielle, of 5 years, and both of his sons, Jameon (3), and Henry (9 months).
Albert has a Bachelors in Economics and an M.B.A in Finance.
