Vivian Loh Nahmias

Treasurer and Co Founder

Vivian, our Treasurer, was a founder of Banyan Tree Women’s Collective.  Her interest in Banyan Tree stems from her desire to equip women from all social and demographic backgrounds to adopt healthy behaviors and to create a supportive community.

Vivian has been a financial professional since 1985 and is currently a partner at Glynn Capital Management, where she has worked since 1987. Vivian received her bachelor’s degree from Scripps College in Claremont and her MBA degree from Santa Clara University. 

“Favorite Quote: “When given the choice between right or being kind, choose kind”

— Wayne Dyer

Rohan Tyagi

circle headshots-14.png

IT Advisor

Rohan, personally believes in healthy eating & healthy lifestyle to build immunity and self-healing capabilities of the body. He is a certified yoga instructor and regular practitioner. Rohan believes in holistic wellness and hence attached to the mission of this organization.

Rohan works as a product leader in one of the cloud software companies. He received his Master’s degree in computer science from the University of Houston. He lives in San Jose with his twin kids and wife.

Laura Frischer (She/Her)

Social Media

Laura has over 15 years of experience as a social media manager and strategist for Bay Area tech, education, and healthcare companies.

In 2020, she started on her own personal recovery journey—first, leaving behind years of alcohol and substance abuse, and now, discovering how to heal her body, mind, and spirit and where feels safest to do so.

Having experienced both abuse and trauma as a child and a lack of access to the right resources, she understands the importance of expanding access to spaces and tools for healing and well-being. She’s very excited to be part of the Banyan community and support their mission.

In her personal time, she enjoys slow mornings, cuddling with her three cats, reading, dancing, and supporting others in their recovery journeys.

Peter Minowitz

circle headshots-05.png

Communications Director

Peter received his PhD in political science from Harvard. Since 1985, he has taught political philosophy at Santa Clara University, where he co-founded the Environmental Studies Program. His publications have discussed authors (e.g., Adam Smith, Marx, Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Leo Strauss, and Frank Herbert) along with topics such as religion, ethics, and diversity. His wife is a psychotherapist, he moonlights as a jazz pianist, and he relishes the holistic approach BTWC takes to wellness.

Ashlee Beggs

circle headshots-13.png

Designer

Ashlee is a web and print designer with 10 years of experience in top tech, fashion, and entertainment companies.. Graduating with a BFA in Communication design from Parsons the New School for Design she has experience with a wide variety of design specialties. She believes in the power of food and how it relates to a healthy mind a body and loves to dance as a form of expression.

Melissa Y. Charpied

melissa-C.png

Development

Melissa Charpied comes to BTWC with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in fundraising, development, and program administration. Her work has focused on minority populations in higher education, the military, and the federal government. A victim of cancer, Melissa’s mother passed away when Melissa was 12, which has fueled her passion to encourage everyone to treat each day as gift. As a single mom and domestic violence survivor, she is a fighter and advocate for women around her who experience similar hardships and challenges. 

Melissa has an Associate’s Degree from Pasadena City College and Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law from USC. Both of her degrees were achieved while she was working full-time and raising a child. If she can do it, anyone can! 

Melissa hopes to use her experiences to help BTWC reach new heights in impact and growth. She currently spends splits her time between Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

I believe BTWC is the platform of support that is missing from most women’s lives, especially those who are faced with multi-faceted challenges. It allows them opportunities—for self-care, self-growth, and self-education—to improve their personal wellness, but also to thrive as the matriarchs of their families. 


“So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure -- That you really are strong.” Excerpted from “You Learn” by Jorge Luis Borges.