Education

B.A. in Management, DeSales University

Professional Roots

21 Years Management & Operations
Lehigh University

Policy Leadership

Pennsylvania Co-Policy Director

Core Expertise

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)
Systemic Barrier Advocacy
HIPAA Restriction Reform

Perspective

Legacy Lived Experience Advocate
(Since 2009)

MARCIE SOHARA

VICE PRESIDENT

Marcie Sohara became an advocate in 2009 when her 19-year-old son was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Early in their journey, a physician told her family not to hold expectations for his future — a statement that fueled her determination. Through research and lived experience, Marcie learned that with proper, timely, and sustained treatment, individuals living with schizophrenia can lead meaningful and functional lives.
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Legacy & Policy Leadership
Marcie was one of the original members of the National Shattering Silence Coalition (NSSC) when it was founded in 2017, helping to shape the organization’s mission to end the neglect, discrimination, and criminalization of severe mental illness. Today, she serves as Vice President and Pennsylvania Co-Policy Director, advancing evidence-based policies that improve access to care and empower families.
Professional Expertise
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from DeSales University and spent 21 years at Lehigh University in management and operations. This experience strengthens her ability to navigate complex systems and advocate for addressing systemic barriers, including obstacles to involuntary hospitalization and HIPAA restrictions. A strong proponent of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT), Marcie works to ensure that families are recognized as essential partners in care.