Monica Waldman

CHAIR

Monica grew up in Southern California where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from California State University Northridge.  After 20 years in high tech, she decided to take some time off to become a certified yoga instructor, to continue her work on wheel and hand built ceramics, complete a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Saint Mary’s College of California, be appointed a member of the Los Altos Public Arts Commission and spend more time raising her daughter.

Monica’s interest in eating disorders was sparked by a family member’s diagnosis.  She has filled in as a facilitator for the bi-monthly EDRC  Family & Loved Ones Support Group in Mountain View and hopes to help other families through her work with the EDRC.

Tami Lee

VICE CHAIR

Tami grew up in Hong Kong, came to the US to attend college as a teenager. She has over 20 years of experience in the software industry in Silicon Valley. Currently, she is the Chief Architect and co-founder of Elementary IP, a startup in legal tech.

Tami was first introduced to EDRC by her daughter when she started as a student volunteer during her high school years. After raising two teenagers in the valley and seeing a steady rise in mental issues among teens, Tami devotes her time to promote mental health education and help those who are in need.

Amy Hsieh

Amy has over 20 years of experience in fund development for nonprofits and currently serves as the Director of Institutional Partnerships at the GLIDE Foundation. Amy has worked for several nonprofits in the Bay Area and New York City. She first started volunteering for EDRC in 2007 because of her compassion for those suffering from eating disorders. Amy has a background in Fine Arts, enjoys hiking and healthy living, and is committed to helping EDRC impact more individuals throughout the Bay Area who suffer from or care for loved ones with eating disorders.

Amir Alem

Amir has lived in two different countries and lived in Southern and Northern California. Amir has been a practicing attorney since 1997 and a prosecutor since 1999. Additionally, he is a part-time instructor at De Anza College in the Administration of Justice Program where he teaches Criminal Law, Evidence, Criminology and Report Writing in Law Enforcement.

Amir was introduced to EDRC approximately 15 years ago when a loved one utilized EDRC’s services. Amir’s passion and interest in eating disorders has continued since that time.

Dr. Amia Nash

DrPH, MS

Dr. Amia Nash is a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Berkeley, School of Public Health with a specialty area in Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health. She was first introduced to the EDRC in 2014 when she worked as an Administrative Assistant connecting youth and adults in the community to resources and organizing educational workshops at schools and workplaces. Since then, she has served as a long-time advocacy volunteer of the EDRC. Amia’s advocacy continued when she served as a local titleholder in the Miss America Organization. As Miss Silicon Valley 2018, her personal platform was mental health advocacy and she partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the EDRC.

Amia attended Santa Clara University for undergrad and then earned her Master of Science in Community Health and Prevention Research from Stanford University School of Medicine. Her past research was at the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Well-being where she conducted qualitative research focused on the mental health needs and concerns of Asian-American adolescents and parents in Palo Alto. In 2019, Amia was nominated by the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department for a Community Hero Award for her policy and advocacy work focused on adolescent mental health.

Kathy Konjuh

Kathy is currently a Quality Consultant at Kaiser Permanente. Her background includes extensive experience in healthcare quality including project management, accreditation, and regulation. She is honored to be a part of the EDRC’s rich history of providing support services around eating disorders after having struggles both personally and with close friends.

Vaishali “Shali” Sirkay

Born and raised in New York City, Vaishali “Shali” Sirkay is a proud product of the NYC K-12 public school system! She attended Barnard College at Columbia University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. A chance conversation with her college professor led her to completing a Master of Public Health degree in Health Communication and Education from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. As an advocate for children and families, Shali has done community development work in New Orleans, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area for a variety of target populations. Her perspective includes addressing issues of social justice, racism, classism, and social determinants of health.

Shali’s focus on eating disorders has come full circle with her involvement with EDRC. Her first foray into mental wellness came in college where as a Resident Assistant, she supervised and guided several of her residents who were on the eating disorders – disordered eating behavior spectrum. Since then, she has been a passionate champion of mental health and wellness, particularly as a school board member on the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees and as a commissioner on the Santa Clara County Juvenile Justice Commission.