Mara Madrigal-Weiss Selected as Chair of State’s Mental Health Commission

On Nov. 16, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission selected Mara Madrigal-Weiss, executive director of student wellness and school culture for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), as its chair for the third consecutive year. This is an unprecedented third term in office that makes Madrigal-Weiss the longest serving Latina chair in the 20-year history of the commission. The new term begins in January 2024 and will be effective for one year.

Chair Madrigal-Weiss has served as the designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on the commission since 2017. She also is the chair of the Prevention and Early Intervention Subcommittee, vice chair of the Workplace Mental Health Committee, and previously served as commission vice chair after her election in 2019. 

Earlier this fall, Madrigal-Weiss received the first Wellness Together Mental Health Innovator Award for her innovation and commitment to student mental health. Her team maintains SDCOE’s virtual wellness center and compiles mental health support resources for students, families, and schools to keep health and wellness top of mind. Madrigal-Weiss regularly contributes to SDCOE’s resource guide library including guides for educators, resources for the holidays, and how to facilitate dialogue with compassion.