About the Board
Our Board of Directors is accepting applications for volunteers! Click here to read a full job description.
Dr. Rachel Smith, President
Rachel is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Training Director of Agave Studio for Psychotherapy, and an Adjunct Professor at several graduate programs in psychology. Much of her career has focused on providing therapy to people who might not otherwise be able to access it, including working in community settings and always holding pro bono spots on her own caseload. Still, she saw people falling through the cracks every day, unable to access the mental health care they so desperately want and need. In 2020, with unprecedented numbers of people seeking (and unable to access) therapy, Rachel had the idea for Agave Center for Justice in Mental Health. The goal from its inception has been to help increase appropriate, affordable, and accessible care for people who have been historically unable to access mental health treatment. She believes that every human should be able to participate in therapy regardless of their financial situation, and vows to continue working to make high quality, culturally responsive, relationally based therapy accessible to anyone who wants it.
Danae Kovac, Vice President
Danae Kovac is the Deputy Director at HANA Center, a community-based non-profit providing critical social services to meet the needs of immigrant communities and organizing for systemic social change. She is a Korean adoptee and active in the Korean adoptee community as an Advisory Board member of Korean Adoptees of Chicago (KAtCH). She is experienced in non-profit operations, finance, fundraising, and program management and is passionate about using her skills to advocate for justice and equity.
Carli Taylor, Treasurer
Carli Taylor is a passionate advocate for community development, justice reform, and mental health support and services. With 15 years of experience in case management and social impact strategy, she is dedicated to creating opportunities and providing resources for individuals in underserved communities. As the Managing Director of the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center, she leads the development and oversight of the model, an alternative to incarceration, ensuring emerging adult males ages 18-25 receive the support needed to transform their lives.
Carli holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has led case management teams, developed housing initiatives, and worked to bridge gaps in mental health and restorative justice. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants, believing that food and culture are powerful ways to connect with others. Through Agave Center’s For Justice in Mental Health, she hopes to continue fostering healing, empowerment, and equity.
Cristina Law Merriman, secretary
Cristina Law Merriman is an attorney at the Office of the State Appellate Defender, where she represents indigent clients in criminal appeals in the Illinois Appellate Court. Cristina previously worked as a staff attorney at a community-based legal center in Chicago, representing indigent youth in juvenile and criminal courts. In working with clients with mental health needs, she recognizes the importance of appropriate mental health services and the barriers people face in trying to access those services.
Dr. Jayeti Newbold
Jayeti has over 15 years of experience both in Chicago and internationally working on strengthening cross cultural partnerships, conducting research, designing evaluative protocols and implementing intervention strategies across diverse group of stakeholders. She has experience working in program development, strategic organizational development, fiscal and financial management of large community organizations, and creating and aligning program expectations with deliverables. Jayeti is a trained circle keeper, has facilitated trauma informed and ACEs trainings and is a certified domestic violence advocate. She has a Master’s in Public Policy and Human Rights Advocacy, a Master’s in Counseling and Organizational Psychology, and a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Jayeti is currently serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at READI Chicago where she helps design and launch a broad range of strategic initiatives, evaluate impact and manage alliances across the partnership.
Dr. Aneesha Perkins
Dr. Aneesha Perkins is a resident psychologist at Campbell Integrative Psychological Services, seeking licensure in Virginia. Aneesha obtained her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) in Washington, D.C. She also obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Christian College and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology degree from TCSPP. Aneesha also serves as the content creator for InnoPsych Incorporated, writing articles that focus on the needs and challenges that impact the BIPOC community. She is a freelance writer, speaker, and presenter who enjoys helping clients find wholeness and healing while catering to the individual’s specific needs and cultural identity. Aneesha’s research focuses on parent-child dynamics, specifically, the transmission of generational patterns in Black women. Her clinical interests include women’s matters, generational patterns, stress-reduction management, trauma, self-care, and children’s emotional wellness.
