Stephanie McMurtrie, President

Stephanie holds an Adjunct Faculty position at California State University, Monterey Bay in the Health, Human Services and Public Policy Department. Additionally, she provides consulting services with a focus on improving health outcomes through program management, data analysis and community engagement. Stephanie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Magna Cum Laude), and a Master of Health Science Degree, with a concentration in Reproductive, Perinatal and Women’s Health, from the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland. Stephanie is the mother of two elementary age children.  The support she received after the birth of her second child was instrumental in helping her through postpartum depression and anxiety.

Lisa Stewart

Lisa Stewart is a professor of social work who has worked in the behavioral health sector for over 25 years. Her research is funded by the CDC/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and is focused on the health, equity, and inclusion of vulnerable workers. She currently heads up the myChoice Project, which aims to develop a workplace disclosure decision aid, resources, and action plan for parents of children with mental health disabilities. She is a mother of two beautiful daughters and has been raising her daughters in Salinas. Lisa finds joy in long walks along the beaches and in the hills that surround her. She can also be found riding her bike or walking her dog Georgie along the dirt trails in Ford Ord.

Melissa Lopez Schwartz

When asked to describe Melissa by multiple people, there was a vast variety of answers that boiled down to “caring”. Melissa started her maternal journey at a young age that pushed her into the powerful woman that she is today. Her motherhood has created a young, adult daughter who is aware and open to her mental health and a son who is able to express his emotions at a young age of 4. Her kind hearted and soothing personality welcomes all who struggle. Melissa is aware of her own mental health struggles and perseveres through the help of others and is continually learning strategies to share with others. Even though mental health needs to be addressed, Melissa is more complex. Melissa is an adult with the heart of a child. She expresses her love for nature and all that Earth has to offer. Her family is her comfort and fantasy and science fiction are her escape. Her background in psychology, environmental science, child development, and social justice has been utilized to support families and children from infancy through adulthood.

Melissa chose to serve on the PCMC board after having been a recipient of the compassionate support provided by the awesome postpartum group facilitators at Parent’s Place. She knows first hand the importance of Maternal Mental Health Services and believes in the power that family support systems provide.

Hope Griffin-Ortiz

Hope Griffin-Ortiz has worked with pregnant and parenting families of birth-to-five-year-olds for over 30 years, in direct practice, mental health consultation to preschools, facilitating parent-infant play groups, and currently supervises a team through Monterey County Children’s Behavioral Health who serve this same population. This is her first experience being on a board and it is with great pleasure and motivation that she joins this amazing group of dedicated staff to support the work of PCMC. The mission and vision of PCMC is essential toward growing a healthy, thriving, de-stigmatized community where all pregnant and parenting people know they are not alone and have places and people to turn to during this vulnerable time in their development.

Rebeca Zuniga 

Rebeca is deeply committed to supporting children and families on the Central Coast. She believes that building a thriving community starts with ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.

As the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for First 5 Monterey County, Rebeca feels privileged to witness the powerful journey of parents growing alongside their children—a truly rewarding aspect of her work. She takes pride in capturing and sharing inspiring stories that uplift families and foster community connection.

Born and raised in Salinas, Rebeca’s passion for serving children and families began at a young age. Now a proud mother to an adventurous elementary-aged son, she cherishes their time exploring and traveling together.

Rebeca’s dedication to maternal mental health stems from her own experience navigating postpartum depression. Her journey fuels her advocacy and reminds her of the resilience and strength within every parent.