Mara James

Mara James is the founder and driving force behind the Extraordinary Lives Foundation. A native of New York, she moved to California with her husband, Kenneth, and their three children in 2007, where they started Kenneth’s OBGYN practice. For seven years, Mara managed the bustling office.

In 2014, at the age of 48, Mara experienced a manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. By this time, she and her husband had already been navigating mental health challenges in their family, including having a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Mara sought help from various sources, and she is deeply thankful to the psychiatrist and skilled holistic practitioners who helped her heal and transform her life.

Mara’s personal experiences, along with those of a few close family members, sparked an inspiration to be an advocate for children’s mental health and emotional wellness.

In 2015, Mara founded the Extraordinary Lives Foundation. Soon after, she created the character Piggie Bear, to promote ELF’s mission of raising awareness and providing resources for children’s mental health and emotional wellness. 

Today, ELF has grown to reach children worldwide through their child-focused programs and resources. Mara is just as excited as she was when it all began. She recognizes there’s still much work to be done, but with the support of the incredible ELF community and supporters, she is confident that the mission will continue to thrive.