The Board of Trustees for the Anxiety & Depression Initiative is made up of professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.
Looking to contribute? We are actively seeking governance Board members, along with members of our Advisory Board. Contact us about joining the board, and contribute in a big way to The Anxiety & Depression Initiative mission!
Please send your professional resume and a letter of interest to:
Dr. Samar Alselehdar – President
Samar earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Neuroscience from Rutgers University. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at New Jersey Medical School. Her research focuses on understanding the biological basis of nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and using that knowledge to screen new therapeutics using experimental models of the disease. Samar also holds a position as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Rider University. She first joined The ADI as a volunteer with a strong interest in advocating for the mental health community. Samar is enthusiastic about staying active through various fitness classes, yoga, walking, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors all year round.
Matthew S. Miller – Treasurer/Co-founder
Matthew Miller has earned both his bachelor’s and master’s level degrees in the area of Psychology. He has devoted much of his professional career working in world of nonprofits and finds great pleasure in working to positively contribute to the community while earning a paycheck. Matthew worked for many years in the human services arena before moving on to higher education for more than a decade. He is an avid volunteer that actively contributes to a variety of causes in his spare time. When Matthew is not working and volunteering his time, he also enjoys a variety of activities that include rock climbing, hiking, biking, running, kayaking, snowboarding, camping and pretty much anything else done outdoors breathing in the fresh air.
Elsa C. Alves – Trustee
Elsa Alves has spent much of her professional career at Rutgers University. In her most recent appointment, she works at the University’s Institute of Jazz Studies. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology. Elsa’s enthusiasm for nature began as a small child in Portugal, where she enjoyed hiking in the mountains with her grandfather. As an adult, she finds that returning to the outdoors is an important way to help her to become more relaxed and restored. She also finds outdoor activities as a great experience to share with others. Always active, when she isn’t working or hiking, she can be found at her local boxing gym sharpening her skills.
Jamie Matthew – Trustee
Jamie is a Licensed Practical Nurse, with licenses in multiple states. She is currently working as a Full-Time nurse for the Department of the Army while pursuing her Registered Nursing license with a Micro-Computer Application certification. Since its inception, Jamie has been a dedicated volunteer with The Anxiety & Depression Initiative and is committed to its important mission. She was a dancer for twenty-five years before hanging up her ballet slippers in 2011 and also enjoys hiking, biking, snowboarding, skiing, or just being outside in the fresh air.
Scott A. Hendrickson - Trustee Emeritus/Co-founder
Scott Hendrickson has over two decades of experience building and managing IT consulting organizations. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. Since childhood, Scott has been fascinated with the natural world and living things, with a particular affinity for turtles and tortoises. He is an active member of an international wildlife conservation nonprofit organization (Turtle Survival Alliance). In his free time Scott participates in vinyasa yoga, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and appreciates a catchy tune.
Joshua J. Rothman - Trustee Emeritus/Co-founder
Joshua Rothman is an avid adventurer and active lifestyle enthusiast. He holds a bachelor’s level degree in Business Information Systems from Lehigh University, and an Master's in Business Administration in Marketing from Montclair State University. He has spent time at both marketing agencies, and within the marketing departments of several technology companies. He has recently turned his attention to volunteer work, contributing his time to serving meals to the homeless, as well as fundraising to support the families affected by cancer. In his spare time, he likes to stay active by engaging in rock climbing, hiking, Tae Kwon Do, cross training, parkour, mud runs, and traveling to new and interesting places around the globe. Josh also enjoys relaxing with a good comic book, video game, or movie, and discussing them with friends and family.