Alia Zaidi
Alia Zaidi is a Spokane-based nonprofit founder and mental health advocate committed to building innovative, accessible spaces that foster connection, creativity, and healing. She is the founder of Up and Atom Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the creator of its flagship initiative, Spokane Inner Peace Park (SIPP).
Spokane Inner Peace Park is a STEAM-based indoor park concept developed through Up and Atom Foundation to address social isolation, seasonal mental health challenges, and limited access to affordable wellness and educational spaces. The project integrates science, imagination, and play to create inclusive environments where children, teens, and families can engage, learn, and connect year-round.
Alia’s work is informed by a lifelong understanding of trauma and mental health, shaped by complex and cumulative experiences rather than a single defining event. This perspective guides her emphasis on trauma-informed, preventive, and community-centered approaches that support mental well-being before crises arise. She is particularly focused on challenging common misconceptions about PTSD and advocating for broader awareness of how prolonged or layered trauma impacts individuals and communities.
Drawing on more than 20 years of professional experience in leadership, operations, and organizational growth at national companies, Alia brings a strategic, systems-level mindset to nonprofit development. Through Up and Atom Foundation and Spokane Inner Peace Park, she has led STEAM and wellness programming, cultivated partnerships with local organizations, and advanced initiatives that blend science, creativity, and human connection.
Alia continues to expand Spokane Inner Peace Park through collaboration, sponsorship, and shared-use spaces, while advocating for equitable access to mental health–supportive environments. Her work reflects a commitment to practical, scalable solutions that help people of all ages feel supported, inspired, and connected—especially in regions where seasonal and economic barriers limit access to wellness resources.
IN SUPPORT OF UP AND ATOM FOUNDATION AND ITS FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE, SPOKANE INNER PEACE PARK, ALIA IS UNDERTAKING AN OFFICIAL GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ATTEMPT AS A STRUCTURED ENDURANCE-BASED ADVOCACY AND FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE.
• 501(c)(3)
• WA Non-Profit Association
• University of Phoenix- Bachelor's
• University Of Phoenix-Associates
• Top Producer of the Year
• Winner Circle
• Top Sales Leader
• The Washington State Non Profit Association; SIMBA
• Holidays For Kids
• District Treasuerer-Alanon
• Dishman Hills Conservancy
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence paired with purpose. Years of leadership experience taught me how to execute and adapt, while my lived experience with mental health challenges gave me clarity about the kind of impact I wanted to create. By combining structure with empathy, and strategy with creativity, I’ve been able to build initiatives that respond to real community needs.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stop waiting for permission to build what I know is needed. If a solution doesn’t exist, that’s often the invitation to create it.
Impact matters more than perfection. Progress, learning, and adaptability are what move meaningful work forward.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this space is to choose work you genuinely believe in, and then commit to learning how to build it well. Don’t rely on passion alone. Credibility, follow-through, and collaboration are what earn trust and create lasting impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is meeting the growing demand for accessible, trauma-informed mental health and community-based wellness resources in an increasingly constrained economic environment. Funding has become more competitive, risk tolerance has narrowed, and both grant-makers and private partners are often hesitant to invest in innovative or nontraditional models—particularly those that require physical space, long-term commitment, or cross-sector collaboration. Even in-kind support, such as reduced-rate leases or shared-use spaces, has become more difficult to secure.
At the same time, this challenge highlights a significant opportunity. As traditional systems struggle to meet rising needs, there is increasing momentum for creative, preventative, and community-driven solutions that bridge education, wellness, and connection. Integrating STEAM-based programming with mental health–supportive environments offers a scalable, inclusive approach that resonates across sectors. I see a growing opportunity for partnerships that rethink how resources are shared, how impact is measured, and how communities invest in spaces that support well-being before crisis intervention is needed.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are creativity, connection, and presence. In both my work and personal life, I prioritize creating space for curiosity, time in nature, and meaningful relationships—especially with my children. These values also show up through practices that keep me grounded and engaged, such as artistic swimming, gardening, and music, which reinforce the importance of balance, creativity, and intentional living.