Co-Founder & Executive Director
Sarah Ornst Bloomquist
Sarah Ornst Bloomquist, CFLE is MMHI’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. She has been advocating for perinatal mental health since she experienced her own postpartum depression and anxiety after the birth of her first son. Sarah brings over 20 years of professional experience including her work as child advocacy program coordinator, life coach, family support specialist for perinatal couples and crisis pregnancy counselor. Sarah is a Certified Family Life Educator, advocate and speaker. She is committed to helping moms break down the obstacles to effective treatment and find hope in the process. Born and raised in the greater Milwaukee area, Sarah is a cheesehead at heart but spent many treasured years as a Hoosier. She currently lives in Ozaukee County and is a proud mom of two. She enjoys playing soccer, being active, hanging out with friends and neighbors, and taking her rescue dogs for hikes.
Board Of Directors
Alissa Begin, Board President, is a Premier Practice Consultant, Senior Manager, Field Marketing at Northwestern Mutual. She started with Northwestern Mutual in the fall of 2020, providing strategic marketing consulting to Private Client Group firm’s through out the country. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual she was a Director of Client Services for GMR Marketing for 9+ years. Alissa moved to Milwaukee from Minneapolis, MN where she started her career as a Human Resources professional. She received her Master of Arts, in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. Alissa is an active member in the Mental Health Community of Southeastern Wisconsin, serving on the Board of Directors as Co-Chair of Moms Mental Health Initiative, Milwaukee.
Kersten Larson, Board Vice President, is passionate about elevating women so they can reach their potential. She brings 20 years of experience analyzing publicly traded equities for inclusion in Allspring Global Investment’s mutual funds and separately managed accounts. Kersten’s advocacy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders started after she shared her experience following the birth of her daughter in a holiday letter to friends and family. Recognizing the impact transparency had on reducing shame and stigma for those who suffered PMADs, including her own, Kersten was driven to be more fearless in telling her story in order to shine a light on common and treatable disorders. Kersten is excited to bring her previous non-profit board experience and desire to supporting women in becoming their best selves to MMHI by continuing to drive MMHI’s mission of helping moms. She is a proud alumna of Ripon College with a degree in economics. Kersten enjoys driving her two children to hockey, going on walking dates with her husband, bringing people together around her kitchen table, and is an unapologetic bookworm.
Ashley Mueller, Board Treasurer, is an Assistant Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer at First Midwest Bank, a division of Old National Bank. She joined First Midwest Bank through the acquisition of Milwaukee-based Park Bank in June of 2020. Through her role at First Midwest, Ashley commercial loans and treasury management services to privately held companies in the metro Milwaukee area. Ashley moved to Milwaukee from eastern Iowa where her career in the banking industry began. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Ashley serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of Moms Mental Health Initiative, Milwaukee.
Megan Nazaret, Board Member-at-Large, is a fierce advocate for perinatal mental health. She lives in Mequon with her husband, her two sons, Adrian (8) and Wilbur (4), and her bearded dragon, Orangie. Megan takes care of her mental health through medication, therapy, Pilates, volunteering, and reading. She is passionate about reducing the stigma that surrounds mental illness and helping people feel less alone in their struggles. Megan chairs the MMHI Friends & Family Picnic Committee. Contact: [email protected].
Kristi Rapp, Board Member-at-Large, works for Advocate Aurora in the Midwifery and Wellness Center.
Staff
Bailey Huffman joined Moms Mental Health Initiative as the Resource Brokering Program Manager. Originally from Wisconsin, Bailey attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She recently moved back to Milwaukee after living in the Chicagoland area for the past several years. Bailey brings a decade of experience in nonprofit and social services administration, and has her Masters in Social Work from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Bailey and her husband, Phil, have one son and two rescue dogs. She loves to cook and has been enjoying showing her son all of her favorite Milwaukee restaurants and spots since moving back to the area.
Casey White loves to help moms- as a member of their village, an advocate for the issues that impact them and as Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Moms Mental Health Initiative. Prior to joining the staff, Casey utilized Moms Mental Health Initiative’s resources as she navigated her own perinatal mental health journey in 2019. It’s an honor to serve moms walking a similar path. In a past life, Casey worked as a news reporter. She’s a proud Northwestern University Wildcat. Casey and her husband Drew made Milwaukee home in 2015, and have since welcomed their two sons into the family. Email marketing inquiries to [email protected].
