Clarissa Doutherd
Executive Director
Clarissa Doutherd is the Executive Director of Parent Voices Oakland, an East Bay chapter of Parent Voices California. Clarissa has been a strong advocate for mothers with young children, who like herself, were caught in the crosshairs of ineffective public policy. As a collaborative movement builder, and advocate for strong equitable public systems, Clarissa has forged deep partnerships with community based direct service providers, labor unions, and large local government agencies including the Alameda County Social Services Agency, Public Health, and Behavioral Health Services. After stepping into leadership as the Co-Chair on the Alameda County Early Childhood Policy Committee with First 5 of Alameda County, Clarissa led efforts to refocus the group to become a cross sector collaborative which brings together community based Page 5 of 8 organizations, parents and service providers to advance innovative strategies for County-wide systems change; and works to elevate parent leadership in municipal policy making. Clarissa was a key leader in the coalition to organize the historic Measure C win. Measure C is a County-wide ballot initiative, which will bring $150mi annually in new dedicated revenue for child care and pediatric health care in Alameda County for 20 years. The community centered campaign was captured in the documentary “Clarissa’s Battle”, which has been screened across the US and in several festivals abroad. Clarissa currently serves on the Alameda County First 5 Commission, as a co-chair with SEIU 1021 on the Oakland Progressive Alliance; and sat for 6 years as a steering committee member on the Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council. Clarissa has received the following honors: Gloria Steinem “Woman of Vision” award; East Bay Women’s Political Alliance’s “Advocate of the Year”; First 5 of Alameda County “Parent of the Year” award, the excellence in Human Relations Award from the Alameda County Human Relations Commission, the Martin Luther King “In the Name of Love” civic honoree by the Living Jazz Project, and was a Sólis Policy Institute Fellow for the California Women’s Foundation, and Ascend at Aspen Institute Fellow. Clarissa resides in Oakland, California with her son Xavier who is now in high school.
Alia Phelps
Director of Organizing
Alia Phelps is a lifelong Oakland resident, mother, and activist. She started her organizing experience at the early age of 13 by joining a youth group on Castlemont High School’s campus, called Y.A.C.I.N., Youth Against Community Injustices Nia (which means purpose in Swahili). Through the time spent in this group she learned about speaking up against injustices and the meaning of power in numbers. This was just the beginning of her lifelong community advocacy work. She later became a part of ACCE, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment where she stayed for 10 years fighting for better bus service, building bridges between schools and surrounding community, fighting for tenant rights and more! Alia then went on to further her education in Business at Mills College, organizing as a student. Alia is excited to work with PVO’s organizers helping them to gain a different perspective on organizing and guiding them toward their fullest potential as organizers. Alia is an artist, poet, an aspiring plant mom, and the corniest comedian.
Bry’Ana Wallace
Community Organizer
I, Bry’Ana Wallace, am a resident of the Bay Area and a mother to a 3-year-old son. With a professional background in the nail industry! Aside from that I have dedicated myself to advocating for housing rights since 2021 through my involvement with Moms 4 Housing. Since September 2023, I have actively engaged in community outreach by personally visiting households in various neighborhoods alongside PVO. The matter of child care reform holds great significance to me, as it provides an opportunity to advocate for the well-being of my own child and inspire others to do the same for their children.
Marcela Munoz
Community Organizer
Marcela Munoz is a proud mother, survivor, warrior, and fighter for justice. Marcela has been a member and leader in Parent Voices since the beginning of the fight to end Maximum Family Grant. She was active in the Parent Voices Hayward and has participated in PV activities for over a decade.
Amber Ackerman
Director of Operations
Amber Ackerman has been with the organization since 2015. A southern California native, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of California Los Angeles and moved to the Bay Area in 2012. Having brought her administrative talents to both educational and nonprofit organizations for the last 15 years, Amber appreciates the variety and spontaneity in her scope of work at PVO. She values the opportunity to build relationships with both parents and their children alike. Amber also volunteers with the Bay Area Childcare Collective, providing free volunteer child care to social justice organizations primarily lead by women of color. In her free time she enjoys live music, gardening, long walks with friends, and playing with her cats.
Noni Galloway
Parent Advocacy Coordinator
Hi! I am a proud 3rd generation Oakland native and lived in Alameda County my whole life. I am parent of a 7 year old, HR professional and a member of the Alameda County ECE Planning Committee. I started my advocacy work with Parent Voices of Oakland in November 2019 to support Measure C campaign. During my time with Parent Voices of Oakland I have participated in many conversations, committee meetings, and outreach to support the families of Alameda County and to be voice for all parents who deserve quality and accessible child care.
Tiesha Allen
Voices for Health Justice Fellow
Tiesha is a devoted Parent Voices Fellow and champion for families. She has raised 4 remarkable children and pursued her passion for creating positive change as a Certified Nursing Assistant with 20 years of experience at US Veterans Affairs Medical Center, UCSF, and CA Department of Child Support Services. Tiesha also has a personal expertise in elder care inspired by her grandmother’s courageous battle with breast cancer. She began her journey as an advocate in 2012 when her then 9 year old daughter spoke out against the closure of her school Lakeview elementary which sparked a fire within her to join the fight. Over the past decade she has been a leader of Parent Voices statewide and locally, by participating in the People’s Taskforce, CPAC, ACECPC, Measure A and Measure C! Tiesha is also an ambassador with Oakland Promise and Oakland Reach to advocate for champion policies supporting Oakland families and students in marginalized communities. As a fellow she remains committed to advocate for families, healthcare, and education fueled by her community and their support. She looks forward to continuing this vital work making a difference in the lives around her.
Tamika Williams
Voices for Health Justice Fellow
Tamika is a proud mother of 9 who loves helping people and advocating for the community around any issues that may arise. Tamika had the pleasure of providing care for her grandfather who had a stroke in 2001 that led to her training to become a Registered Home Health Aide which she continued for ten years. She has participated in phone banking and doorking for ACCE Action in Oakland during the election season. Tamika’s passion is to help those in need with a goal of healing Black and Brown communities. By being a Voices for Health Justice Fellow she is determined to help amplify the voices of Black and Brown mothers discriminated against in the healthcare field and empower them to bring solutions to those in power to make the change.