
Columbia River Mental Health Services is pleased to announce the appointment of a new board member, Jasmine Rucker Tolbert.
Jasmine, who earned a BA in social science with a concentration in personnel psychology/human resources from Washington State University Vancouver, currently serves as Vice President of People and Culture at YWCA Clark County.
She recently concluded a five year tenure with NAACP Vancouver Branch 1139, serving first as vice president and then as the organization’s president.
In 2016, she began her professional career as a Portland Public Schools human resources intern. Since then, Jasmine has served in various HR capacities with businesses, including the insurance company The Standard
and The Vancouver Clinic. She has extensive experience creating and implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs, as well as managing all aspects of human resources activities.
Jasmine has been recognized in numerous ways for her commitment to social justice and DEI, including awards such as the 2022 Clark College Rising Star Alumni Award; 2021 Marshall Public Leadership Award; 2021 WSU Vancouver Real Hero Award; and 2017 President’s Leadership Award.
Extensive community involvement is at the top of Jasmine’s list of experiences. She is a past board member of YWCA Clark County and serves on the board of SW WA Equity Coalition, Workforce SW Washington and the WSU Equity Diversity Advisory Board. Jasmine is also a council member of the WSU Advisory Council.
Jasmine’s experience with NAACP informed her commitment to be a leader in Clark County in more fully integrating healthcare — particularly mental health and treatment services — in the quest for equity and social justice for all community members. When offered a position on the Columbia River Mental Health Services Board, she was motivated to accept it.
“Serving in the president’s role at NAACP, especially through the pandemic, helped me to understand the importance of equity and inclusion in healthcare,” she said. “Mental health is part of your health; everything is connected. You can’t treat physical well-being without paying attention to your mental health, the same way you can’t help a community without improving access for all members.”
Jasmine expressed her desire to help provide a voice at the table for BIPOC and their mental health needs in the community.
“I could see the trauma and knew important conversations needed to be had,” she said, “I joined Columbia River’s board to be a part of those conversations, fill any gaps, and assist in growing mental health services in Clark County.”
We are proud to welcome Jasmine to the
Columbia River family!