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 like herself who were caught in the crosshairs of ineffective public policy. As a collaborative movement builder, Clarissa has forged deep partnerships with 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 organizations, parents and service providers to advance innovative strategies for County-wide systems change; and works to elevate parent leadership in public policy. 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, an award for excellence in Human Relations from the Alameda County Human Relations Commission. Clarissa resides in Oakland, California with her son Xavier.
Alia Phelps
Lead Organizer
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 childcare 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 a proud mother, survivor, warrior and a fighter for injustice. Marcela has been a member and leader in Parent Voices since the beginning off 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 decade, 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.