Be the Change Collective

• Theme: Women Leading Change – Fierce Futures: Rising Together
• Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Registration opens 8:30 AM)
• Location: San José State University, Student Union (1 Washington Sq, San José, CA 95192)
• Hosted by: Supervisor Betty Dương, San José State University & Valley Health Foundation
• RSVP Here: valleyhealthfoundation.org/wlps2025

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Hosted by Meredith Curry
Speakers: Kat Da Silva, Peggy Cho, Marissa Martinez

DESCRIPTION:
In the face of heavy workloads, community trauma, and never-ending responsibilities, burnout can feel inevitable—especially for women who lead, care, and organize. This interactive and restorative workshop will explore how joy, wellness, and intentional boundaries can serve as protective tools for long-term impact and sustainable leadership.

In the face of community trauma and overwork, burnout is real—especially for women leaders. This restorative session explores how joy, community, and boundaries can protect and sustain your energy and purpose.

ABOUT THE HOST & SPEAKERS:

Meredith “Mer” Curry Nuñez is a long-time social justice advocate working at the intersection of operations, college access, and workforce development. She has worked for local and state nonprofits, is a product of CA’s three public higher education institutions, and is passionate about advancing systems change, education equity, and economic mobility. She joined the Northern California College Promise Coalition (NCCPC) in 2020. As the Executive Director, Mer partners with organizations and leaders that are members of NCCPC, and those around the state, for collective impact to increase outcomes for multiply-marginalized underserved (MMU) students in college access, success, and career launch.

Kat Da Silva is the Executive Director of Be the Change Collective, where she helps leaders, teams, and communities reclaim joy and well-being as everyday essentials—not afterthoughts. With a background in psychology and years of experience in yoga, somatic practices, mindfulness, and spiritual connection, she blends body, mind, and heart-centered tools to help individuals and communities find resilience, ease, and connection. Kat’s classes are warm, grounding, and accessible - guiding people back to themselves through breath, movement, and self-compassion.
She believes joy isn’t always loud or flashy—sometimes it’s a quiet sense of enoughness, a moment of stillness, or the simple act of feeling your own presence. Her work bridges science and soul to prevent burnout and build the kind of resilience that lasts.

Peggy Cho is a Mental Health Peer Support Worker respectively for Cultural Communities Wellness Program and Sunnyvale Behavioral Health Clinic of the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department since August 2017. Prior to joining the County, she worked for Prestige Adult Day Health Care, a California State funded community-based adult services program, for 7 years starting as a Social Worker Assistant and then promoted to be a Program Director. Peggy has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in theological studies from Gateway Seminary. She is also a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist by the State of California. Peggy has been providing training related to mental health, trauma, and self-care through her work. Peggy immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong around 30 years ago who speaks proficiently in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

Marissa Martinez is a playwright, arts advocate, and nonprofit communicator born and raised in East San José. With over ten years of experience in event coordination, youth workshops, fundraising, and communications, she is committed to sharing stories and uplifting underserved youth and communities. Inspired by her experience as a second generation Latina-Filipina, she writes about identity, mental health, friendship, and fruit. She writes plays and poetry and makes zines to express herself and share the importance of social justice. During the day, Marissa works at Happy Hollow Foundation and volunteers at genARTS Silicon Valley and the KQED Community Advisory Panel. Marissa earned a B.A. in English and Theatre Arts from Santa Clara University and has been featured by local arts organizations such as Contemporary Asian Theatre Scene, EASTSIDE Magazine, La Raíz Magazine, and Bindlestiff Studio.

tags: women leadership, leadership wellness, burnout prevention, sustainable leadership, resilience workshop, San Jose, women’s summit, embodied leadership

Important RSVP information
Please RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount. We recommend arriving early to secure your place.

About the instructor:
Kat is the Executive Director of Be the Change Collective and a wellness guide with a background in psychology, yoga, meditation, and somatic practices. She blends body, mind, and heart-centered tools to help individuals and communities find resilience, ease, and connection. Kat’s classes are warm, grounding, and accessible — inviting participants to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves.

About Wellness Wednesdays @ Google Visitor Experience "The Huddle":
This event is part of their weekly Wellness Wednesdays series with nonprofit Mosaic America and us, Be the Change. Mosaic America builds cohesive communities through intercultural arts and dialogue.

tags: gentle yoga, gratitude, mindful movement, lunch yoga, yoga for all levels, Mountain View, reset practice, seasonal reflection