The Institute Team
Meet our team of experts — social justice advocates, researchers and community leaders — working to transform lives and communities by leading and innovating trauma-informed care.
Marissa La Brecque
Vice President of Hanna Institute
Marissa leads the Hanna Institute at Hanna Center, overseeing programs that address trauma through research, training, and community partnerships.
Previously, she served as president of Sonoma Direct, promoting ethical sourcing and sustainability, and co-founded The Butcher’s Guild, a national trade organization. Marissa is also an accomplished author and journalist, with works featured in The New York Times and Bon Appétit. She has helped many organizations thrive with her expertise in brand strategy and marketing. As a fifth-generation Sonoma County resident, she is deeply invested in the long-term sustainability and diversity of our community.
Marissa holds a BA in English from Seattle University.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking complicated meals while jazz is playing and exploring the incredible beauty of our northern California with her family.
Dr. Sita-Marie Pillay, Psy.D.
Psychologist and Trauma-Informed Program Developer
Dr. Pillay joins the Hanna Institute with over seven years of experience as a mental health professional, including at the Mental Health Hub and Hanna Academy. She oversees trauma-informed programs that integrate research, training, and community partnerships to foster resilience and healing.
Her diverse background in entrepreneurial and management roles reflects her passion for connecting with people from all walks of life.
Dr. Pillay specializes in trauma, multiethnic identity, AAPI populations, LGBTQIA+ communities, and suicide intervention, and is a strong advocate for Geek Therapy. Her dissertation, Bibliotherapy as Support for Post-Traumatic Growth in Multiethnic Adolescents, explored the power of storytelling to support trauma recovery in adolescents aged 11-14.
In her free time, Dr. Pillay enjoys creating art and recording her podcast.
Raul Arzate
Program Coordinator
Originally from Mexico, Raul immigrated to the United States at age eight, an experience that shaped his resilience and dedication to creating spaces where youth feel valued and empowered.
At Santa Rosa Junior College, Raul studied Musical Theater, Art, and Psychology, building a creative, compassionate approach to working with youth. These studies enhanced his understanding of human connection and the power of empathy central to his work.
With experience engaging diverse communities through customer service, Raul developed a passion for advocacy and building meaningful relationships. Growing up in a Hispanic community, he witnessed challenges young people face, particularly in accessing mental health resources, fueling his commitment to breaking barriers for youth facing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
At Hanna, Raul supports youth and families, guiding their first steps toward healing with care and encouragement. He focuses on fostering resilience, building self-confidence, and challenging mental health stigma. Raul believes small, compassionate actions spark change and is inspired by the potential of the next generation to overcome adversity and thrive.
Institute Partners
The Hanna Institute partners with community members, advocates and organizations to design programs that address the root causes of trauma and mitigate its impacts and effects. Our approach is expansive: we bring together evidence-based frameworks with place-based community practices to create innovative and equity-centered interventions to build healing, shift power, and break cycles of trauma and oppression.
Dr. Daniela Domínguez
Dr. Daniela Domínguez is an Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco and the Chief Executive Officer at On the Margins, LLC. She is a licensed psychologist and professional clinical counselor with a special interest in liberation psychology, anti-racism, migrant justice, and gender and sexuality matters. She works with Hanna Institute as a consultant.
Her program of research has focused on understanding how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) cope with stress and use specific strategies to draw upon resiliencies to achieve positive health. In 2020, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Early Career Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Counseling Psychology.” In 2021, the Society of Counseling Psychologists honored her with the “Social Justice Award” for her demonstrated evidence of achieving community change that supports disenfranchised or oppressed groups.
Thanks to Our Community Partners
If you are interested in partnering with us on a program, please contact Marissa La Brecque at [email protected]