Board of Directors

Community Solutions is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors who live in and represent the communities we serve.

Executive Leadership Team

Erin O’Brien, LCSW - Chief Executive Officer

Erin O’Brien has been a dedicated leader at Community Solutions since 1996, beginning her journey as a social work intern and quickly stepping into leadership roles. She was named President & CEO in 2003. Under her leadership, Community Solutions has grown significantly, expanding its reach across Santa Clara and San Benito counties and deepening its impact in behavioral health, housing, and family support services. Erin will retire on December 31, 2025, at which time Rachel Montoya will assume the role of President & CEO.

Erin is a recognized leader at both the state and local levels. She serves on the board of the California Alliance for Child and Family Services and previously chaired the board of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies. Locally, she is a member and past chair of the Executive Committee of the Behavioral Health Community Association of Santa Clara County, a board member for the Continuum of Care of Santa Clara County, a policy council member of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, a governance team member of the Santa Clara County Reentry Network, and a commissioner for the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Commission. Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities and a Master of Social Work (MSW).

Erin practices self-care by connecting with family and friends, unplugging, listening to music, and enjoying travel, both real and vicarious. Erin can be reached at 408.497.5056 or erin.obrien@communitysolutions.org.

Rachel Montoya, CPA - President

Rachel Montoya, CPA, was named President of Community Solutions in early 2025. Rachel joined Community Solutions as Chief Financial Officer in 2019. As CFO, she played a key leadership role at both the state and local levels, guiding Community Solutions, and the broader human services sector, through major challenges such as the COVID-19 epidemic and significant statewide behavioral health system transformations. She will assume to role of President & CEO when Erin O’Brien retires in December 2025.

Rachel is chair of the Finance Committee of the Behavioral Health Community Association of Santa Clara County. She is on the Steering Committee for CFO Leadership Council, Silicon Valley Chapter, and the Membership Committee for California Alliance for Child and Family Services. She also serves on the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Advisory Board. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in business with emphasis in accounting and is currently pursuing a juris doctor and master’s degree in legal studies with anticipated completion in May 2027.

Rachel practices self-care with regular movement, time outside, and scheduling time for deep, concentrated work each week. Her self-care crisis plan includes low-barrier self-care practices such as comfortable shoes and warm water on her hands and/or feet. Rachel can be reached at rachel.montoya@communitysolutions.org.

Vanessa Shieh, MBA - Chief Financial Officer

Vanessa Shieh, MBA, joined Community Solutions in 2025 as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, she is responsible for all accounting and financial management decisions, investments, and information technology. A strategic and analytical leader with over two decades of expertise, Vanessa combines deep financial acumen with visionary leadership to create lasting institutional change.

Vanessa previously served as Co-Executive Director of the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, Director of Finance at Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, and as a founding member of the Si Se Puede Collective. She currently provides mentorship to emerging finance leaders in the nonprofit sector. Vanessa holds an MBA with a concentration in Accounting from Golden Gate University and completed the Executive Program for Women Leaders at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Vanessa has a robust meditation practice and prefers to go analog in the company of friends and family (this means that she usually lets better photographers take the pictures). In addition, she considers writing, painting, and being in her garden as supportive and creative practices. Vanessa can be reached at vanessa.shieh@communitysolutions.org.

Elias Ehrheart - Chief People and Culture Officer

Elias Ehrheart is Chief People and Culture Officer at Community Solutions. In this capacity, they lead the organization’s strategy for human resources, employee experience, workforce development, and training. Elias is a people-centered HR leader dedicated to building resilient, connected, and thriving workplace cultures. They specialize in modernizing human resources by prioritizing positive employee experiences and fostering inclusive, people-first workplace cultures.

Before joining Community Solutions in 2021, Elias spent a decade as a human resources and program leader at Ecology Action of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit advancing innovative climate solutions. They previously served on the boards of HR West and Northern CA HR Association and Bike Santa Cruz County. Elias is SHRM certified and holds a Master of Education and Non-profit Administration from Western Washington University.

Elias practices self-care by playing with their two dogs, taking time off to connect with family and loved ones, and spending time in nature. Elias can be reached at elias.ehrheart@communitysolutions.org.

Sarah Bravo, LCSW - Chief Clinical Officer

Sarah Bravo, LCSW, is Chief Clinical Officer at Community Solutions. In this capacity, she oversees all of the agency’s behavioral health programs across the full continuum of Youth, Adult, Forensic, and Housing divisions. She is responsible for program implementation, clinical excellence, quality assurance, and compliance.

Sarah joined Community Solutions in 2019, supporting the agency as a Director and Senior Clinical Director prior to her current role. With 15+ years of experience in the behavioral health field, her career has included time as a bilingual therapist and experience in wraparound and residential settings. Sarah leads with compassion, expertise, and a sense of humor (as well as excellent snacks). She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified in Healthcare Compliance.

Sarah finds joy in colorful things, whether it be art, too many nail polishes, or the plants she makes valiant efforts to keep alive. She loves traveling and spending time with family and friends. Sarah can be reached at sarah.bravo@communitysolutions.org.

Lisa DeSilva - Chief Development Officer

Lisa DeSilva is Chief Development Officer, where she leads the organization’s fundraising initiatives and donor/community relations. Lisa was a founding member of the agency’s Sexual Assault Services in 1981, serving as a volunteer sexual assault advocate before joining the staff in 1982. She has since held numerous direct service and management positions, becoming Chief Development Officer in 1999.

Lisa serves on the South County Advisory Board for Pinnacle Bank and is active member and previous board member of Rotary Club of Morgan Hill. She also served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Silicon Valley Chapter and Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. She was honored with the 2017 Leadership Excellence Award from Leadership Morgan Hill. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from State University of New York at Geneseo and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from University of San Francisco.

Lisa practices self-care by reading, hiking, and listening/dancing to live music. She can be reached at 408.846.4717 or lisa.desilva@communitysolutions.org

Melissa Santos - Vice President of Workforce and Business Development

Melissa Santos joined Community Solutions in 2012 and currently serves as the Vice President of Workforce and Business Development. With over 25 years of experience, she is a seasoned leader in the behavioral health field, focusing on the intersections of mental health, addiction recovery, and community development. A trained social worker and a dedicated change maker, Melissa has held various roles within the field, including direct service, program design, systems development, and organizational change.

Melissa is passionate about breaking stigma and advancing equity. Her expertise lies in organizational leadership, trauma-informed care, and strategic communication and staff development. She was a founding board member of the Edward Boss Prado Foundation and a program developer and national trainer for the Celebrating Families program for families impacted by substance use. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Rhode Island College.

Melissa practices self-care through mindfulness, spending time in the garden and with loved ones, and digging her toes in the sand at the beach. Melissa can be reached at Melissa.Santos@communitysolutions.org.

“ At Community Solutions I met some wonderful women who helped me with my fears and helped me understand that I did not deserve to be abused by anyone. ”

Luz, age 50, Solutions to Violence

“ [Community Solutions] helped me with my problems and were there when I was having hard times. They have helped my family with a place to live and helped us pay some bills and buy some food when we needed it. ”

Serena, age 15, Child & Youth Behavioral Health

“ I cannot describe very well but all I know is that each day is getting better. Your program helps. ”

Jin, age 62, Adult Behavioral Health

“ Thanks to the program, I left the ugly house I was living in that had two small windows for the 8 of us, dirt floors, broken windows, no door, and the toilet always clogging. Now my children and I have a nice apartment where we have more space, privacy, and carpet where we can be barefoot. ”

Teresa, age 38, Solutions to Violence Supportive Housing Program