Our Team

Erin comes to JED from the Gary Sinise Foundation, where she supported military, veteran, and first responder communities, and has built a career working alongside everyone from astronauts to WWII veterans. Drawn to JED’s mission through her own personal experience with mental health and suicide, she focuses on building transformative partnerships and securing major investments to advance youth mental health.

Andie is JED’s Associate, Donor Database, supporting donor stewardship efforts and overseeing donor database maintenance. Her previous work experience includes supporting council members at the International Council at the Museum of Modern Art, working in development at The Frick Collection, and managing databases at DOROT, a non-profit striving to create intergenerational social connection. Andie holds a bachelor’s degree in art history.

Maria Barnes is the Senior Director of School Partnerships at JED. She works with colleges and universities, districts, and high schools interested in JED programs, partnering with institutions nationwide to reduce suicide risk and strengthen student mental health systems.

Before joining JED, Maria spent 10 years in higher education, social impact, and education technology organizations focused on career development, substance misuse prevention, sexual assault prevention, and mental health and wellness. Her work is grounded in building strong relationships and advancing sustainable mental health awareness and prevention efforts.

Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English literature from Nazareth University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University at Albany.

Nuhamin Eyassu is a Senior Associate, Development Operations at The Jed Foundation, where she supports fundraising efforts through donor communications, data management, and operational coordination. With a background in nonprofit development and advocacy, she is passionate about building systems that support mental health and equity for young people. Nuhamin combines strategic thinking with a people-centered approach, driven by a deep commitment to creating lasting impact through thoughtful storytelling and community connection. She is excited to contribute to JED’s mission by helping ensure every young person has the support they need to thrive emotionally and mentally.

Chrysten joined The Jed Foundation in July 2022, following 15 years of experience in higher education and partnership-building. From outreach to scheduling, she guides secondary schools and districts through the initial steps of becoming a JED High School. Prior to JED, she worked as an Assistant Director for new program development, where she not only helped students through the admissions process, but also built agreements and developed educational programs that directly impacted the local community. Chrysten also volunteers as a youth soccer coach, and she loves to play the game herself on weekends.

Katie joined The Jed Foundation in 2023. Before joining JED, Katie was a Managing Partner at an Omnicom health and wellness advertising agency, where she oversaw a 30+ person account management team, ensuring the success of client relationships and the growth and culture of the organization. During her 20-year career in healthcare marketing, Katie has worked alongside organizations such as Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, and Genentech and in a wide range of therapeutic areas such as mental health, opioid dependency, and women’s health.

Kelly Laker is the Sr. Manager of Partnerships, Higher Education at JED. She works with colleges and universities to align with their needs in supporting students on campus to reduce suicide and improve mental heath nationwide. Prior to joining JED, Kelly spent 7 years working in education technology within higher education with a focus on improving educational resources for topics like substance misuse prevention, sexual assault prevention and mental health awareness.

As a senior member of JED’s Advancement and Community Engagement team, Kamla crafts compelling narratives, including high-impact case statements, grant proposals, and reports. This essential work communicates JED’s mission, initiatives, and funding needs effectively to a diverse audience of partners and donors, supporting the organization’s goals to promote mental health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults.

Kamla brings two decades of experience in research, evaluation, and dissemination for various national youth nonprofits, community-based organizations, and academic institutions. Previously, as a senior leader on JED’s Design and Impact team, she developed and led the program evaluation and research function, executing and disseminating numerous original research projects, reports, and peer-reviewed publications. Prior to JED, she directed studies centered on girls’ health and wellness at the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Kamla holds a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from Fordham University, and is a former collegiate gymnast and high school coach.

Kate Douglass Nguyen is the Vice President of Development Operations at JED, where she leads operational strategy and strengthens systems to advance the organization’s full spectrum of fundraising efforts.

In this role, Kate translates fundraising vision into scalable infrastructure: driving data-informed decision-making and cross-functional coordination to maximize donor engagement and long-term revenue growth. Kate partners with leadership to identify areas for expansion, implement processes that enable meaningful donor relationships, and ensure sustained philanthropy for JED’s mission.

Kate has over fifteen years of experience helping to raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations of all sizes, including the Parkinson’s Foundation, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She holds a BA in Art History and Museum Studies and a MA in Arts Administration from Florida State University, as well as earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.

Dr. Nance Roy is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience who has dedicated her career to protecting mental health and reducing suicide among teens and young adults. Dr. Roy serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at The Jed Foundation (JED) and assistant clinical professor in the Yale School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. She consults with high schools, boarding schools, colleges, and workplace and professional organizations across the country on effecting systems change, strategic planning, and implementing practices that promote positive mental health. 

Prior to her role at JED, Dr. Roy was the Assistant Dean of Health and Wellness at Sarah Lawrence College and Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Rhode Island School of Design, where she developed, implemented, and evaluated policies, programs, and systems that enhance and support well-being. She has been actively involved in initiatives that focus on a holistic approach to mental health and crisis management and a public-health model for delivering care. 

Dr. Roy has also served as senior adviser to the National College Depression Partnership and worked on mental health initiatives with the U.S. Surgeon General, Higher Education Mental Health Alliance, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Milken Institute, Clinton Health Matters Initiative, Aspen Institute, and educational and workplace systems nationwide. She currently serves on the Mental Health Task Force for the Ruderman Family Foundation and is a member of the International Women’s Forum.  

Her publications have focused on effective strategies for promoting emotional well-being among teens and young adults and treatment and management of at-risk youth. Dr. Roy is a nationally known speaker who has been featured in numerous publications and broadcasts.

Dr. Roy earned her doctorate from Harvard University, master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina and Harvard University, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Richa Sadana serves as Director of Operations, leading the strategy, governance, and execution of ACE’s development operations and CRM infrastructure. She brings over 10 years of experience in development operations, grant writing, and nonprofit database management. In her current role, she oversees Salesforce architecture and processes related to prospect and revenue tracking, grant allocation, donor relationship management, and gift coding — ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and operational scalability for the fundraising team.

Richa manages and mentors a growing development operations team, leads department-wide training and documentation standards, and drives cross-functional collaboration to align systems and processes with broader organizational goals.

Prior to JED, she worked as a grant writer and operations manager at an educational nonprofit and previously as a journalist in India. She holds an MS in Global Affairs from New York University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from SACAC in New Delhi.

Adee brings more than 20 years of experience in development, community organization, programming and board development to JED. Most recently, she served as the Northeast Director of Community Engagement for BBYO, the leading teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. Adee has also served as Director of Annual Giving at Yeshiva University, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations at Weill Cornell Medical College and Chief Development Officer at the Jewish Community Center of MetroWest. Adee attended Clark University.

Brecklynn Williams is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Growth Officer at JED. On top of assisting the CGO, she assists the Advancement & Community Engagement team in development and recruitment efforts. Brecklynn comes to JED with a background in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on administrative and internal process work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Thea Zunick is a passionate leader in community and individual philanthropy, focused on building partnerships that expand mental health support for young people. She brings over 14 years of experience in higher education and more than six years in nonprofit fundraising.

As Senior Director of Individual and Community Philanthropy at The Jed Foundation (JED),she leads the strategy, execution, and growth of a comprehensive fundraising portfolio that includes community giving, peer-to-peer initiatives, and middle-tier individual donors. She serves as a senior frontline fundraiser and strategic leader, driving innovative engagement strategies that expand JED’s donor pipeline and deepen philanthropic investment. Dr. Zunick also oversees the JED Leadership Council and leads signature initiatives like Neon Nights and fraternity and sorority fundraising efforts that inspire grassroots fundraising and community engagement.

Dr. Zunick is certified in coaching and facilitation for emotional intelligence and change management. Dr. Zunick holds degrees from The College of New Jersey, a master degree from the University of Florida, and a doctorate from Rutgers University.

Mahua brings a career of mission-driven fundraising spanning healthcare, global health, peace and security, and women’s political participation, most recently supporting Alzheimer’s research. At JED, she focuses on growing philanthropic support by partnering with individual donors and family foundations.

Alondra joins The Jed Foundation following her experience at DonorsChoose, where she partnered with HBCU educators and worked alongside LGBTQ+ youth navigating mental health challenges. These experiences deepened her commitment to breaking down barriers to support. She now coordinates logistics for trainings, focus groups, and stakeholder convenings with community organizations and municipal partners nationwide.

Kristia is a Research Coordinator at the Jed Foundation. She received her MPA from Baruch College and has over 5 years of combined experience in administrative support, project coordination and communications.

Kayla is JED’s Senior Director of Research & Evaluation. She oversees research and evaluation efforts to ensure JED’s programs have their intended impact, supporting JED staff and partners to use data and science to implement, evaluate, and adapt programs to improve youth mental health and reduce suicide. Prior to joining JED, she was the senior advisor for adverse childhood experiences and mental health in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She served in multiple scientific roles at CDC related to maternal, child, and youth health from 2016-2025. She received her PhD from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the behavioral sciences and completed postdoctoral training in applied epidemiology as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer. Her scientific passions include using data to drive impact to ensure young people thrive.

Whitney is a Research Scientist at JED. She informs the design of JED’s programs and develops tools to evaluate them. Whitney joins JED with experience in the education, policy, and research sectors. She taught elementary school for six years prior to pursuing a PhD in psychology, where she gained skills in implementation science and worked on multiple projects investigating ways to improve adolescent mental health and reduce stigma around mental health and substance misuse. During this time, she also gained experience in bridging the gap between research and policy through an internship with the Research-to-Policy Collaboration.

Dr. Kristen A. Clark serves as Director of Research & Evaluation at JED. A social entrepreneur and researcher, she is driven by deep questions about the social world and a commitment to justice. Guided by Audre Lorde’s words, “When I dare to be powerful — to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid,” Kristen dedicates her work to dismantling barriers that limit access and opportunity for marginalized communities.

For more than 15 years, she has focused on educational leadership, social inequities, meaningful engagement experiences, and Social-Emotional Learning. She also teaches higher education courses including Rebel Girls: How Girls Do Activism and Social Problems in Education.

Dr. Clark earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University, an MPA from Rutgers University with a specialization in nonprofit resource management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Leadership from The College of New Jersey. She resides in Camden County, New Jersey.

Cameron joins JED with 7 years of data science experience. He specializes in statistical modeling, machine learning, and creating and delivering data visualizations and scientific writing. He was most recently a Data Scientist at Indiana University’s School of Medicine, where he advised medical researchers and solved complex research problems using statistical analyses and machine learning techniques. In 2019 he earned an MS in Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology from Ball State University. As JED’s Senior Data Scientist, he owns day-to-day data management on complex research programs supported by the Design and Impact Department (DesImp). Key responsibilities include data architecture, cleaning, modeling complex research problems as well as utilizing statistical, algorithmic, mining, and visualization applications/techniques

Nikolaus joined JED in May 2018 after serving with City Year New York for nearly 3 years. He first joined City Year as an AmeriCorps volunteer in East Harlem, then transitioned to their staff after completing his year of service. As an Evaluation Analyst at City Year New York, he gained experience in data management, analytics and systems integration. Nikolaus holds a B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Clark University.

Vincent joins JED with years of experience as an analyst and manager who has spent his career making institutions nimbler and more effective. Most recently he served as Internship Services Manager at Year Up. For years he worked as Pace University’s Manager of Student Assignments, where he developed Pace’s first web-based system for assigning rooms to thousands of students, resulting in a more stream-lined process and improved efficiencies which greatly contributed to a small staff’s ability to provide time and expertise to special student needs and situations. As a School Programs Data Specialist, Vincent serves as the primary liaison to the schools partnered with JED high school to support the data impact that informs services, assistance and strategic planning of JED and the high school partnership.

Grant joined JED in Decemer 2022. Originally from Alabama, Grant has lived in New York City since 2012. His administrative experience began as Assistant Office Manager at Barkley Kalpak Agency (now known as FIRST Global Events). After working various jobs in the service and hospitality industry, he worked for almost 4 years at MPL Communications, fulfilling the roles of Administrative Assistant for the office and Personal Assistant to the CEO. Grant is also a professional actor, playwright, and live storyteller who has self-produced his own projects in various festivals.

Kiana serves as the Senior Director, Community Initiatives at The Jed Foundation (JED), where she supports youth-serving nonprofits, cities, and municipalities in strengthening their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention efforts. She partners with community leaders to implement sustainable strategies rooted in JED’s Comprehensive Approach to mental health promotion. Previously, Kiana oversaw JED’s workshop and training offerings and managed the Brave Talk program in collaboration with Maybelline New York. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist with a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College.

Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth is the Chief Medical Officer at The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading national nonprofit dedicated to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults. In this role, Dr. Erickson-Schroth leads JED’s clinical strategy, ensuring that all programming, tools, and partnerships reflect the highest standards in mental health care and suicide prevention. She plays a critical role in translating evidence-based research into practical resources for schools, families, communities, and young people, and serves as a key clinical voice in JED’s public education, policy, and media work.

A practicing psychiatrist with over 15 years of experience, Dr. Erickson-Schroth has worked in more than ten emergency rooms across New York City, where she provided crisis intervention and acute psychiatric care to thousands of individuals. She continues to see clients at the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQIA+ Youth, bringing frontline insight into the evolving mental health needs of young people.

Dr. Erickson-Schroth is also a nationally recognized educator and commentator on mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis care. Her clinical guidance has informed public conversation through major outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, USA Today, TIME, and the Associated Press, and she regularly consults with media, technology, and community organizations to influence the content, platforms, and policies that shape these environments, making them safer and more supportive. She is the editor of Trans Bodies, Trans Selves and has contributed to numerous medical and public-facing publications focused on expanding access to effective care and reducing mental health disparities.

She currently serves in an advisory role for the NCAA Mental Health Advisory Group, Surgo Youth Mental Health Tracker, and Parents in Action and as a member of the National Council on Suicide Prevention and Youth Suicide Research Consortium, amongst others, where she contributes clinical expertise to help shape mental health and suicide prevention strategies in high-impact youth environments.

Dr. Katie Hurley (she/her) is Vice President of Community Initiatives at The Jed Foundation. A child and adolescent psychotherapist and youth mental health expert, she is committed to improving youth mental health through clinical practice, community programming, and education.

Dr. Hurley speaks nationwide to parents, educators, and community organizations about promoting belonging, empathy, and help-seeking. She began her career providing school-based services at The HELP Group’s Summit View School, a nonpublic school dedicated to students with learning differences, where she was later promoted to Clinical Director.

She is the author of five books on youth mental health, including Breaking the Boy Code: The New Playbook for Raising Resilient Boys and the award-winning No More Mean Girls, and has contributed to outlets such as The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC NewsThink. She continues to practice in the South Bay area of Los Angeles and serves as an Adjunct Professor for the MSW program at Simmons University.

Dr. Hurley earned her BA from Boston College, her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Doctorate of Social Work from Simmons University. She lives in El Segundo, CA and Groton Long Point, CT.

ShirDonna Lawrence, Ph.D. is a seasoned higher education professional with more than a decade of experience advancing student development, equity, and well-being. She most recently served as Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Michigan State University, where she led a community of 5,000+ students and championed policies and programs that strengthened safety, inclusion, and academic success. At JED, she is excited to bring her expertise in strategic leadership and equity-driven change to help create healthier, more supportive fraternity and sorority environments.

Dr. Deb Stone is a behavioral scientist with more than 25 years of experience in suicide prevention, including, most recently, 15 years at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She co-led the development of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and has authored or co-authored more than 70 scientific articles, book chapters, and reports focused on suicide and suicide prevention. Dr. Stone holds a BA in Psychology, an MSW in Interpersonal Practice, an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education, and an ScD in Society, Human Development, and Health.

Michael serves as a Community Mental Health Specialist at The Jed Foundation, where he supports community-based organizations in the work of deepening the positive impact of their policies, programs, and procedures on youth mental health. Through his work, Michael partners with each organization to develop a strategic plan for mental health and suicide prevention and to implement tangible steps toward progress. Previously, Michael served as a JED Campus Advisor with colleges and universities across the United States. Michael is presently enrolled in a Ph.D. program for Global Leadership at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Maya is a Licensed Professional Counselor whose career has centered on supporting students in high school and higher education settings through personal, emotional, and academic challenges.

Meera is a nationally recognized Mental Health Activist and TEDx speaker with over 10 years of experience across federal, private, and nonprofit sectors, holding an MPH, MSW, and B.A. in Psychology from UCLA. She has collaborated with national leaders on youth mental health and suicide prevention and brings deep expertise in policy change and community-level impact to her role at JED.

Scott received his B.A. from the State University of New York College at Cortland and his M.B.A. from Hofstra University. Scott is a CPA with over 25 years of experience in Finance and Accounting. He began his career with the Big 4 Accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche working his way up the Manager level. After spending years in Controller roles at for profit companies Scott transitioned to roles in the Not For Profit arena. Scott spent 8 years as as the Controller at The Union for Reform Judaism and 3 and a half years as a Consultant working in the Non Profit Space. In his free time Scott enjoys watching, playing and umpiring baseball.

Valerie brings to JED over 15 years of logical, analytical, and finance experience. She joined JED after over 3 years as Finance Manager at the Quad Preparatory School, a not-for-profit K-12 school for twice-exceptional students. Before then, she worked in finance in the architectural distribution industry for interior design products. She holds a Master’s Degree in Child Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Aleksander Xhuvani University, in Albania.

Hanna is a technical administrator at The Jed Foundation (JED). She brings over a decade of project management experience to her role, with a strong focus on delivering transformative technology solutions to support organizational efficiencies. She began her career planning high-end corporate, social, and nonprofit events in Silicon Valley. Passionate about social justice and making a meaningful impact on the lives of future generations, Hanna joined Summit Public Schools in 2017, overseeing event logistics and marketing for their K–12 learning program’s quarterly teacher training conferences across America. Upon the program becoming a standalone nonprofit in 2019, Hanna moved into a role leading high-impact operations, technology, and data initiatives.

This work led her to deepen her expertise in technical project management, particularly in Salesforce. In 2022, Hanna transitioned to a full-time Salesforce Administrator role with a global food service company, where she honed her technical skills by streamlining sales, service, and marketing processes, improving data management, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance organizational performance. Hanna has her B.S. in business administration from the University of San Francisco.

Zach is a senior software engineer at The Jed Foundation, working to build and expand technology platforms to scale the reach and impact of the foundation’s mission. He joins JED with 17 years of experience as a technologist. He began his career as a help desk support technician, working his way up to a server administrator before switching his focus to web development. Before joining JED, Zach spent the last eight years as a senior fullstack software developer at B Lab, the nonprofit behind Certified B Corporations. There, he helped build out a free customer-facing assessment tool used by over 300,000 companies to measure and manage their social and environmental impacts.

Sijoe Kurian is the Senior Manager of Finance at JED. Born in India and raised in Philadelphia, Sijoe received his MBA in business intelligence, analytics, and finance from St. Joseph’s University. He has cultivated a passion for music, Philadelphia sports, and travel. When he’s not crunching numbers or cheering on his favorite teams, you can find Sijoe learning new instruments or embarking on travel adventures.

John brings 25 years of leadership and management experience from the business and not-for-profit settings to his role at JED. Passionate about supporting young adults in their transition to adulthood, John advises several organizations including the S. Jay Levy Fellowship for Future Leaders at City College, Trek Medics, Crisis Text Line, the Health Policy and Management Department at the Mailman School of Public Health, and HIV Hero.

Earlier in his career, he served in executive positions for Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, where he oversaw functions such as business development, alliance management, clinical development, regulatory affairs, sales and marketing.

In 2016, John received The Allan Rosenfield Alumni Award for Excellence in the field of public health from the Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. He earned a BA from Columbia College, an MBA from New York University and an MPH from Columbia University.

Irrum is an experienced Executive Assistant with five years of experience supporting C-level executives. Highly organized and detail-oriented, Irrum thrives in fast-paced environments. Known for her bubbly personality, she gets along well with others and works effectively as part of a team. In her free time, she enjoys baking and spending time with friends and family.

Olivia brings over five years of experience in the administrative field, with the last three focused in the nonprofit sector. Known for her organization, reliability, and willingness to help, she currently supports our Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO) and serves as the Office Manager, overseeing day-to-day operations in our New York office. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys traveling, attending Broadway shows, and going to concerts.

Maria Ribeiro is Manager of People Experience at JED, bringing over a decade of experience in human resources. She leads key employee experience programs across the full lifecycle — including onboarding, internal communications, engagement initiatives, recognition, and performance process coordination — helping to create a consistent, values-aligned, and supportive workplace environment where staff can do their best work.

Originally from Brazil and now based in Brooklyn, Maria has spent much of her career in corporate environments and is excited to apply her expertise within JED’s mission-driven nonprofit space. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Portuguese Linguistics and Literature from Universidade de São Paulo.

Lisa Risi is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at JED. She oversees the organization’s finance, information technology, human resources, and legal functions. Lisa previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and held various financial and operational roles at the National MS Society. Lisa joined the nonprofit sector after 15 years in public accounting, commercial banking, and real estate management and development industries. She holds a bachelor’s in accounting from the City University of New York and is a certified public accountant in New York.

Patty is driven by a passion for helping others and making a measurable impact. Throughout her career, she has focused on increasing access and improving outcomes in K–12 education and workforce development. By equipping teams with cohesive tools and strategies, she empowers them to amplify their impact. Patty brings a unique blend of experience across strategic partnerships, technical project management, and systems administration — including Salesforce — allowing her to connect big-picture vision with practical implementation.

Donna brings nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, most recently serving as Director, President’s Office at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She holds a BS in Finance and an MBA in Finance, demonstrating her strong foundation in financial management and strategic planning. Her background includes organizational leadership and supporting mission-driven initiatives that create meaningful impact. At JED, Donna helps guide financial strategy, budgeting, and forecasting to support the organization’s important mission.

John joins JED with decades of experience that revolve around technology. He started out as a software engineer within tech startups and grew into chief technology officer roles. He has hired, assembled, and managed highly effective product delivery teams and has been in leadership roles throughout his career. His last eight years were spent as the CTO at B Lab, the company behind Certified B Corporations. He helped build and scale their technology team and product offerings as well as directly impacted the way in which work got done within the organization. As Chief Technology Officer, John works with senior leadership team members to create, develop and execute, and guide support for IT support, data management, platform development, and data warehousing, in support of JED’s goals.

Mariel brings a unique, non-traditional background to the tech world, blending a deep passion for mission-driven work with a love for technology. The first half of her career was spent in volunteer recruitment and social work on a college campus, where she also launched a food pantry to support students in need. After experiencing burnout, she followed a long-standing curiosity about coding — taking classes, discovering a true passion for technology, and making the leap into the tech field.

Over the past several years, she has been building and improving platforms that help connect resources with nonprofits and communities in need. With a career rooted in purpose and a drive to create meaningful impact, she is excited to continue integrating mission-driven work with innovative technology solutions.

As a Senior Talent Acquisition professional, Wendy specializes in identifying and recruiting top talent, as well as leading teams across various industries — including SaaS, Telecommunications, Capital Equipment, Engineering, Solar/Renewables, MarTech, Software, MedTech, and Non-Profit. With extensive experience in strategic hiring and people operations, she is dedicated to aligning recruitment practices with JED’s goals and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Andrew joins JED with over 7 years of experience in social impact technology. His roots are at the intersection of human centered design and behavioral health. Having led the product team at Grit Digital Health since the company’s inception, Andrew brings a user-focused strategy to scale for an organization that partners with over 250 college campuses to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students, staff and faculty. His experience leading teams and developing strategic product roadmaps will help JED grow the reach and impact of its digital ecosystem. As VP of Digital Products, Andrew guides JED’s product design lifecycle and unify the organization’s core user experience across audiences. In addition, Andrew works across teams to implement and scale new measurement structures and inform a data-driven product strategy. Andrew is deeply passionate about suicide prevention and eager to dive in with his new JED teammates.

Jordan brings a dynamic and diverse background with over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology, nonprofits, and product management. Having worked for and collaborated with a range of nonprofits, from building the Technical Program Management and Product Operations teams at The Trevor Project to serving as Board President of Mountain Counseling & Training — a mental health nonprofit focused on serving youth — Jordan’s passion lies in supporting those who make a difference. As JED’s Product Manager, they guide the development of products from idea to launch, working with cross-functional teams to ensure we’re building something people need and love. Their role involves setting priorities, making decisions, and aligning everyone to deliver successful JED products. Their experience building remote-first teams and developing comprehensive product operations will help JED grow the reach and impact of its digital ecosystem. As JED’s first Product Manager, Jordan will oversee and manage JED’s digital product portfolio and work across the organization to introduce product-led growth. Beyond JED, Jordan is an enthusiastic volunteer, Serving as a publicly elected school board member, on nonprofit boards, and advising nonprofits committed to positive impact causes. Residing in the scenic San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California with their spouse, three cats, and a dog, Jordan is committed to making a meaningful impact professionally at JED and within their community

Brit Tucker is a digital product leader who has traversed the worlds of agency, software, and eCommerce, with a unique focus on health and wellness. She has helped growing brands build their digital product teams and processes, and guided them through digital transformations both small and large.

At JED, Brit will help translate business challenges into technical solutions for our primary users. In other words, she will define what gets built on our website and the Mental Health Resource Center.

Katherine joined JED in September 2018 after working as a consultant to nonprofits on donor and volunteer engagement strategies. Before focusing on nonprofit work, Katherine held marketing and project management positions at Security Capital Group, New York City’s Economic Development Corporation and Random House. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Macalester College and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Zainab Okolo is a seasoned expert in higher education policy and mental health, dedicating her career to breaking down barriers for students, enabling them to thrive academically and lead fulfilling lives. 

As Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations at The Jed  Foundation (JED), she leverages her extensive experience to strengthen JED’s national and state-level presence. Dr. Okolo collaborates with external networks to advocate for increased federal, state, and local support for a comprehensive approach to mental health and suicide prevention.

As a trauma-informed, licensed mental health clinician, Dr. Okolo has provided crucial support to individuals, families, and institutions, emphasizing strategies to overcome stress and anxiety. With over a decade of professional experience in higher education research and student services, she remains a staunch advocate for increased access to high-quality mental health services for all youth.

Dr. Okolo holds a doctorate in education from The George Washington University, a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, and a bachelor’s degree in Family Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. A native of Washington, D.C., her work continues to contribute to advancing effective, scalable mental health policy and practices.

JED’s policy and advocacy efforts support policies and legislation that advance a comprehensive public health approach to promoting mental health and preventing suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Therefore, JED’s advocacy efforts seek to improve mental health and suicide prevention knowledge, programs, and environments, with a particular emphasis on secondary and higher-education institutions and the students they serve.

Chaniqua “Nikki” Peace is a passionate executive assistant with over a decade of experience providing senior-level executive support across military, medical, government and private sectors. She leverages a unique extensive background of multitasking, strategic problem-solving, and relationship-building. As a resourceful and adaptable professional, Nikki excels in fast-paced environments where attention to detail, confidentiality and high-level decision making is critical.

Along with her expertise in executive support, she also has certifications such as Notary Specialist for Maryland, SCRUM Master Certification, Project Management and Data Analyst. Nikki has obtained her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, her master’s degree from George Washington University along with being a PhD Candidate also from George Washington University. Outside of work and school, you can find her spending time with her four children, coaching an AAU Track and Field team, traveling and on a local trail hiking.

Jessie is the Senior Manager, Content at The Jed Foundation, responsible for managing, creating, and editing content that supports JED’s mission and programs. Jessie comes to JED with 15 years of experience in digital media. She started her career in editorial for online publications before shifting to video production and social media management for daytime TV and the healthtech company Sharecare where she was the Director of Audience Development. Jessie holds a B.S. in Magazine Journalism from Syracuse University.

Justin joined The Jed Foundation in June 2022 after nearly 20 years of working in journalism, media/public relations, and health care communications. As the Public Relations Director, Justin leads earned media strategies that elevate JED’s public image, positions JED as an expert resource, and builds broad awareness of its programs through the media landscape. As the father to two amazing kids, Justin is excited to be part of a team that works to create a community of caring for everyone. 

Julia brings more than 20 years of experience in adolescent health and sex education, supporting young people in building healthy relationships, body image and self-esteem, identity exploration, and more. Prior to joining JED, she spent 13 years at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she oversaw health and education content across digital products, social media, communications, and patient materials.

As Senior Director of Editorial at JED, Julia develops and guides content and editorial strategy, including how the organization communicates with young people, caring adults, and donors. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MPH in Sexuality and Health.

Vanessa Bertone is the Director of Social Media at JED, where she spearheads cross-platform strategy and day-to-day operations to foster meaningful digital engagement. With a focus on building safe, supportive online spaces, she translates JED’s mission into actionable community growth.

Previously, Vanessa worked at Understood, where she launched and scaled six private Facebook communities to support parents navigating learning and thinking differences during the pandemic. She also helped establish YouTube’s first dedicated parent-facing presence on Instagram, YouTube for Families.

Liza is a marketing leader with over 25 years of experience delivering results in brand marketing, strategic planning, and operations across a wide range of industries, including health and wellness, personal care, food, and pharmaceuticals. She has successfully led initiatives at organizations of all sizes—from early-stage startups to global enterprises—and is driven by a passion for developing high-performing teams and building businesses that make a meaningful impact in consumers’ lives. Liza holds a BA in History from Yale University and an MBA in Marketing and Management from Columbia Business School.

Shani joins JED with over 15 years of experience in the Marketing & Communications field after having worked in the music, telecom, and nonprofit industries, as well as the public sector. Shani’s passion is to elevate and amplify the voices of marginalized communities and uplift the work of those pushing towards true social change. She is deeply and personally connected to ensuring the mental health and wellness of these communities, as they strive towards equity and justice. Shani is an Atlanta-native who received her B.A. in English from Spelman College and her M.S. in Marketing from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. As Senior Director of Marketing & Campaigns, she develops and implements marketing strategies, campaigns, and initiatives to increase awareness of JED, drive programmatic growth, help to meet our impact goals, and support overall revenue growth.

Carmen served as a Health Communication Specialist at the CDC for nearly 7 years, focusing on suicide prevention and mental health promotion. She holds a B.A., M.A., and a Ph.D. in Communication.

At JED, Carmen oversees content from strategy to publication, ensuring it meets organizational goals and best practices, and coordinates with teams and partners to deliver engaging, accessible, and impactful materials.

Meghan joined The Jed Foundation in July 2022, combining her two passions in writing and mental health advocacy. As PR Manager, she works on building and distributing  press releases, media pitches, op-eds, and other elements of public relations campaigns to amplify the organization’s mission. Before JED, Meghan interned with Active Minds to coordinate their suicide prevention display: Send Silence Packing. She also worked as a freelance writer for various organizations. Outside of work, Meghan loves Taylor Swift, her three dogs, and writing poetry on Instagram. 

Leticia joined The Jed Foundation in September 2022, bringing over a decade of marketing, communications, and brand management experience to the role. To promote JED as a trusted source in youth mental health and suicide prevention, she creates and manages digital communications while implementing and enforcing JED’s Brand Guidelines. Her previous position as the creative marketing director at a virtual care company ignited a passion for mental health, and she has since immersed herself in learning about the social determinants of health. In leading rebranding efforts at her previous company, she increased brand awareness and social media following significantly by elevating the look, feel, and message of the brand. Leticia has also received recognition for her photography work.

Rena Abrams received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. and Ed.M. from Teachers College, Columbia University. She currently resides in Cleveland, OH and is the Director, NYC Implementation at The Jed Foundation. Previously, Rena worked as a consultant for Org-Ology and also worked for the City of New York for 6 years at the Department of Education, and at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In her work as a civil servant, Rena focused on increasing access to mental health and educational services for children, youth, and families. She enjoys cooking, furniture refurbishment and volunteering.

Dr. Jeni Beckman serves as a Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, Higher Education Programs, where she partners with colleges and universities across the Southeast to strengthen campus mental health systems and prevent suicide through technical assistance and strategic planning. She brings over a decade of experience across higher education, school mental health, and clinical practice, including roles as a clinical supervisor, college counselor, adjunct faculty member, and manager of a school-based mental health counseling program. Her research interests include trauma-informed systems, counselor development, and building institutional capacity to promote student well-being. Jeni holds a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate in Counselor Education from Mercer University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Jeni serves on the board of the American College Counseling Association (ACCA) as Member at Large for Professional Advocacy, and was named an Emerging Leader by the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES).

Liz joined The Jed Foundation as a Campus Advisor  and works with northeast campuses to review their current mental and emotional health services and programming. Using her experience in crisis management, student leader development, and student conduct, Liz helps create strategic plans for improvement and expansion of offerings. Prior to JED, Liz worked in student affairs, most recently as the Director of Residence Life at SUNY Adirondack. She earned a master’s degree in higher education administration with a focus on student advising and counseling from Stony Brook University. Outside of work, she’s an outdoor adventurer who enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Ryan Bunts is the Senior Director of High School Programs at The Jed Foundation (JED), where he leads strategy, delivery, and partnership engagement across JED’s high school initiatives to strengthen mental health systems and supports for students nationwide. Since joining JED in 2020, Ryan has also held roles as a Senior Campus Advisor working directly with our colleges and Universities, and a Senior Evaluation Analyst helping design our K-12 survey and assessment tools and collect and analyze school data. He brings more than a decade of experience in education leadership and student success operations, with a collaborative approach rooted in equity, continuous improvement, and the belief that every school community can build a culture of care. Ryan holds a Master of Science in Education Administration and Policy Studies from the University at Albany and is currently pursuing his MBA at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

Melinda Evans is the Director of Digital Learning at JED, where she leads the design, development, and maintenance of digital trainings and course content for JED and its partners. She brings more than 20 years of experience designing and delivering learning experiences for K–12 and adult audiences.

Prior to JED, Melinda served as Executive Director of Learning Experiences at Understood, Director of Leadership Curriculum Design at Relay Graduate School of Education, Director of Education at Scenarios USA, and Senior Associate Director of Organizational Learning at Uncommon Schools. Her early contributions at Uncommon helped inform the influential teaching guide Teach Like a Champion.

Melinda began her career as a Pre-K teacher at KIPP SHINE Prep in Houston and as a research assistant in the Mood Disorders Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, where she developed a lasting commitment to supporting youth mental health.

Aisha joined JED in October 2022. Her love for students and educational environments began through participating in extracurricular activities outside the classroom and was strengthened through her service as a City Year AmeriCorps member and her career in student affairs, specifically residence life. She brings experience in higher education best practices, relationship management, equity-focused approaches, and nonprofit communications. At JED, Aisha serves as Director of Strategic Education Initiatives, where she leads cross-functional and special projects—including school cohorts, convenings, and partnerships—that expand JED’s reach and impact across K–12 and higher education. Originally from central New Jersey, Aisha earned her bachelor’s degree in strategic communication from Temple University and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of Connecticut.

Maggie Forness is the executive assistant, School Programs & Consulting at JED. In this key departmental role, Maggie supports executive leadership and contributes to the organization’s growth by enhancing operational efficiency and coordination. She holds a BA in Sociology. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys crafting, hosting events, watching sports, and playing softball.

Emilia joined The Jed Foundation in July 2022, serving as an advisor for colleges and universities across the United States. In this role, she works to utilize a multifaceted approach to supporting student mental health on college campuses. Before JED, Emilia worked at the University of California, Davis as a specialist in mental health promotion, suicide prevention, and student wellness. She has over nine years of experience managing and executing public health initiatives in the higher education, nonprofit, and government sectors.

Diana joined The Jed Foundation with over 10 years of experience working in higher education. She oversees the JED Campus programs and the campus advisors’ work with schools. Previously, she has built out a counseling center, supervised clinical academic staff, taught psychology classes, and created a behavioral intervention team. Diana is also passionate about all things well-being and holds meditation/yoga/mindfulness certifications, believing it’s important to be a  lifelong learner of all things. Diana loves to bake, create new cookie recipes, and spend time with her 5-year-old dog, Ralphie. She loves hiking and being in nature any chance she gets.

Eddy brings to JED a background in residence life; training and development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. At JED, Eddy works with institutions of higher education to assess their emotional wellness efforts, create a strategic plan to enhance those efforts, and implement that strategic plan. Originally from Miami, FL, Eddy has held positions at Florida International University, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Kansas State University. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree in counseling and student development from Kansas State.

Jahi is a dedicated social work professional with extensive experience in child welfare, family services, and abuse prevention. As a Mental Health Educator at JED, Jahi provides education and training to support young people’s mental health, equipping schools, communities, and individuals with tools to foster emotional well-being and prevent mental health crises.

Previously, Jahi led comprehensive training programs and developed strategic initiatives to improve service delivery in child protection and family support systems. His work has involved conducting home visits, collaborating with stakeholders, and providing therapeutic support to families in need. Jahi holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and child and youth studies and a master’s degree in clinical social work.

Laura joins JED with years of experience in nonprofit program management and implementation. Passionate about reducing barriers to help-seeking and impacting systems change, she is honored to serve as JED’s Project Manager, School Programs & Consulting (SPC). Before joining JED, Laura spent 13 years at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, most recently as Director of the Interactive Screening Program, leading efforts to scale the program which has connected over 280,000 young people and adults to mental health support nationwide. She lives in New York City and practices writing, yoga, and meditation.

Joanna joined The Jed Foundation (JED) in June 2022 and currently serves as Project Manager, School Programs and Consulting. Her multidisciplinary perspective is rooted in her background as a professional choral musician. She began her career in higher education enrollment management, leading performing arts admissions to cultivate the next generation of artists. From there she transitioned into student affairs, where her work centered on student mental health and well-being, including overseeing the implementation of JED Campus at her institution. Prior to joining JED, she led strategic partnerships for a national higher education professional association. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Joanna holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music (Voice) from Westminster Choir College. She is also a certified Spiritual Director through Still Harbor and a certified Working Genius facilitator through The Table Group.

Kapi’olani joined The Jed Foundation to help colleges and universities identify best practices for supporting the mental health and well-being of their students and campus community. She has over 18 years of experience supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as policies centered on college student success. Her services have focused on supporting traditionally underserved and low-income college and pre-college students in their academic, social, and cultural well-being. She is also very interested in fitness and has competed in three USAPL Powerlifting competitions and eight USPA Bodybuilding & Fitness Contests. Kapi’olani has paddled outrigger canoes in two long-distance, eight-hour women’s races in Hawaii.

Renia is a passionate and hands-on leader in learning and development, specializing in learning strategy, program design, and driving impactful change. She thrives on collaboration, working across teams to create transformative training experiences and support forward-thinking teams.

Renia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Queens University, and certifications in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Rutgers University and as a Scrum Master. She has previously served as Director of Learning & Development at Teach for America NC, and in various roles at other organizations, including Instructional Coach, Program Manager, and COO.

Renia is known for her warm, authentic approach, building meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, partners, and stakeholders. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. Renia is excited to contribute to the transformative work at JED.

Sheril joins JED with over 20 years of educational experience from a teacher, to a counselor to an administrator, and then five years of school culture consulting as the National Director of Schools with character.org. Her lifelong passion for becoming her best self while helping schools become their best version comes to life as she provides technical assistance in the JED High School program as a Senior Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, District Programs. Sheril has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Northeastern State University and is pursuing her educational leadership doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. She is certified in early education, elementary education, school counseling, and secondary administration. You can find her on her best days hosting family dinners with her 3 biological sons, Kort, Dylan, and Taylor, and her 2 bonus kiddos, Salah and Elijah, and spending every day with her husband, Dante. As Senior Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, District Programs, Sheril implements JED’s PK-12 programs, including both JED High School and District programs, supporting high schools and school districts in systems-wide school mental health transformation through a guided process of strategic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Dr. Kurt Michael is Vice President, Prevention & Crisis Response Consulting at JED. Kurt is a clinical psychologist and suicidologist with deep expertise in research, meta-analytic designs, K-12, college, and rural mental health, and tertiary intervention, including postvention.

He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado – Boulder, his MS and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Utah State University and completed his resident internship in Child Clinical Psychology at Duke University Medical Center. Kurt works with universities, K-12 schools, districts, and communities to evaluate their suicide prevention systems and adopt flexible and effective postvention protocols and practices.

Before joining The Jed Foundation, Kurt was the Stanley R. Aeschleman Distinguished Professor and Assistant Chair of Psychology at Appalachian State University (now Emeritus), where he established a nationally recognized program of funded research, workforce development and clinical practice in school and college mental health, including the assessment and treatment of suicidality, postvention, lethal means safety protocols, and rural healthcare.

Kurt is also a subject matter expert on reducing the risk of firearm suicides. He has published over 85 peer-reviewed scientific articles and book chapters on assessing and treating anxiety, depression, and suicidality, especially within schools and higher education systems. Kurt serves on several editorial review boards for scientific journals and maintains two faculty appointments: Adjunct Professor, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry Division and Research Professor, University of Oregon.

Samantha joins JED with over 10 years of experience and is a passionate and dedicated mental health advocate within the public school system. With a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusion, Samantha has made a significant impact on the lives of students, teachers, and the entire school community by building systems to support students’ social and emotional needs. Prior to JED, Samantha was a District Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Coordinator, and played a vital role in implementing comprehensive strategies to address the diverse needs of students. As a Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, High School Programs, Sam implements JED’s PK-12 programs, including both JED High School and District programs, supporting high schools and school districts in systems-wide school mental health transformation through a guided process of strategic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Gustavo (he/him/él) serves as a Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, Higher Education Programs at The Jed Foundation. In his role, he advises campuses across the state in the creation and implementation of their strategic plans to support the preventative efforts surrounding student mental health, substance use/misuse, and suicide.

Originally from Houston, TX, Gustavo holds his bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. Gustavo’s passion for mental health stems from his time at UT Austin, where he assisted in the development of the “Thrive at UT” iPhone Mobile application and initiated “Mental Health Promotion Week,” the first week-long event dedicated to promote mental health and reduce its stigma. He is also featured in the state-wide Suicide Prevention Educational Video, a video shown at all public institutions to educate students about mental health and suicide prevention. He has worked professionally in college access, residence life, student wellness, and has taught social justice courses. Gustavo has contributed to a chapter in “Studying Latinx/a/o Students in Higher Education ” where he explored strengths-based approaches in engagement with Latinx students. In his personal time, Gustavo enjoys time with his dog, running, and traveling.

Nate began his education career as a 6th grade English teacher with Teach For America, where he discovered a passion for supporting students beyond the classroom. He later became a school counselor in Wyoming, working with students, families, and educators to promote academic and emotional well-being. As a building lead, he advanced school-wide initiatives and mental health programs. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wyoming and an M.A. in School Counseling from Denver Seminary. Nate is excited to support The Jed Foundation’s mission to protect emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. Outside of work, he enjoys the mountains, rivers, and playing pickleball.

Kerri Nickerson is a accomplished leader and subject matter expert with over 19 years of experience in public health and mental health. Previously, Kerri worked at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she served as a suicide prevention subject matter expert who led and contributed to AIR’s work that addresses crosscutting risk and protective factors across mental health promotion, violence prevention and substance misuse prevention topic areas. She previously served as the Director of State and Community Initiatives at the SAMHSA-funded Suicide Prevention Resource Center, where she led a team of TTA providers in providing tailored consultation and training to state agencies, tribal nations, institutions of higher education, professional organizations, coalitions and other constituents who were working to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

Jennifer Reed is a professional educator and Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 15 years of experience and expertise in supporting the social, emotional, and mental health of students through strategic systems and program development. Prior to joining JED, Jennifer was the Director of Strategic Education Initiatives at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, where she supported the growth, development, and implementation of innovative new school mental health programming across K-12, higher education, and other partners across Texas. She previously served in Dallas ISD as Director of Clinical Services in the Mental Health Services department where she led the nation’s largest comprehensive school mental health program. Jennifer’s multifaceted career has advanced collaboration between schools and strategic partners in identifying solutions to improve service delivery and ensure equity in access to high-quality school-linked mental health care to students and families.

Jennifer is a first-generation college graduate and reflects her family’s South Texas Latina roots in her hard work, dedication, and passion. She has bachelor’s degrees in Human Development and Family Sciences, and Philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in Counseling from The University of North Texas. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor working with families and adolescents experiencing a variety of concerns.

Brad joins JED with more than 25 years of experience serving students through various roles throughout his career. He is also a professional educator and Certified School Counselor. Brad has worked closely with district leadership throughout his career to help bridge the gap between decision makers and the needs of the school community. He specializes in creating efficient and effective systems within schools that focus on educating students in a wholistic way. Brad has bachelor’s degrees in Secondary Math Education from The University of Nebraska, and a master’s degree in Counseling from The University of North Texas. Prior to joining JED, Brad has worked as a school counselor for 17 years including leading the Students Services Department for Papillion La Vista South High School in Nebraska. Before becoming a counselor, Brad was a math teacher and volleyball coach. As a Senior Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, High School Programs, Brad implements JED programs, supporting high schools and school districts in systems-wide school mental health transformation through a guided process of strategic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Nicole joined The Jed Foundation to help guide JED Campuses through the assessment and strategic planning process to help schools strengthen their prevention and response for student mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention. Nicole has volunteered with The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Alabama Chapter since 2016, providing mental health training to the Birmingham community. Additionally, she served on the planning committee for the annual Birmingham Out of the Darkness Walk. Nicole is also an avid college football fan.

Shannon joined The Jed Foundation to guide JED Campuses through the assessment and strategic planning process to help schools strengthen their prevention and response for student mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention. Prior to joining JED, Shannon worked in curriculum, advising, and student emergency services. Working with college students, specifically those in crisis, fueled her interest in working in suicide prevention and young adult wellness at a national scale.

Stephanie has a background in college student advising, focusing on major transitions such as the move from high school to college. She has developed peer support and mentoring programs for first-generation students, student parents, and career-changing learners, and has experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, including volunteering with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

At JED, Stephanie supports the School Programs & Consulting division, managing projects and strengthening processes with a focus on the JED Campus Alumni program. She brings a social work perspective to project management, emphasizing clear communication and collaboration.

Stephanie holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a BA in English Literature. Outside of work, she’s a foodie who loves exploring new cuisines and hidden gems around NYC.

Courtney brings over a decade of experience in both clinical school mental health practice and leadership roles to her position as Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, District Programs. Previously, Courtney served as the Senior Manager of Behavior and Mental Health in Denver Public Schools, where she helped to design and implement tiered mental health supports and systems to support student emotional and behavioral health. With an additional seven years of practitioner experience as a school social worker in a variety of settings, Courtney brings a deep understanding of student mental health and school climate and culture to her work at JED. She understands the diverse needs of students and the importance of accessible and culturally responsive mental health services for all.

Michelle has over 7 years of experience in higher education ranging from prevention, intervention, and postvention work. Prior to JED, Michelle served as the Assistant Dean of Students for Outreach and Prevention at Boise State University where she provided on-clinical case management, led suicide prevention efforts, and coordinated the JED Campus implementation on her campus.

Dr. Ellen Utley is a psychiatrist with extensive experience supporting the mental health of teens and young adults. She joined JED in 2016 and wrote the original Set to Go resource for students, parents and educators.

Dr. Utley works with JED independent day and boarding school campus communities to support their efforts to promote and protect student mental health. She also serves as a subject matter expert to many teams at JED to ensure that our assessments, deliverables, and technical assistance are aligned with the unique needs and norms of our independent day and boarding school partners.

Dr. Utley attended Smith College and completed a BS in Nursing (BSN) at Syracuse University. After years of work as a neonatal/pediatric intensive care unit nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Utley attended the Bryn Mawr College Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and later earned a MD from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell).

Prior to her work at JED, Dr. Utley served as the staff psychiatrist at Sarah Lawrence College where she also trained psychology post docs in clinical care of young adults.

Tony joined The Jed Foundation in November 2022 as Senior Vice President of Academic Programs. In his role, he structures, expands, and leads JED’s high school and higher education programs to meet the organization’s strategic plan objectives. To fulfill this work, he connects strategy, people management, operations, fiscal responsibility, partnerships, and school recruitment functions. Prior to joining JED, Tony served as Vice President of Education Strategy and Innovation at the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, where he led a team of school-mental health consultants and contributed to the public policy discussion around school-linked mental health in Texas and beyond. He previously worked in multiple roles in public education, including as a teacher, school counselor, and most recently as an executive district leader over Student Support Services at Uplift Education, a high performing network of schools serving more than 23,000 students in North Texas. Under his decade of leadership, Uplift developed and implemented one of the largest school-based mental health systems in Texas. Tony is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Missouri, a Master’s degree in Counseling, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas Tech University.

Lindsey is a proactive, compassionate, and goal-oriented education leader and mental health professional. She is a certified school counselor and licensed professional counselor. With over 14 years of experience working in PK-12 school districts, Lindsey has supported thousands of students with their emotional, social, and academic growth.

Throughout her career, Lindsey has served as a college counselor, professional school counselor, high school counseling department leader, and most recently, the manager of counseling services for the public charter school system, Uplift Education, in Dallas. Lindsey has supported schools in becoming trauma-informed, implementing restorative practices, incorporating life skills in the classroom, improving school mental health services, and creating inclusive environments. As a leader, Lindsey has a proven ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, analyze data, and build relationships with colleagues and partners to develop goals and use strategic planning to execute and reach desired outcomes.

As a Consultant, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, District Programs at JED, Lindsey implements JED’s PK-12 programs — including both JED High School and District programs — and supports high schools and school districts in systems-wide school mental health transformation through a guided process of strategic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Whitney received her B.S. at Baldwin Wallace University in Psychology and completed an MSc degree at Utrecht University in Methodology & Statistics for the Biomedical, Behavioral, & Social Sciences. Whitney’s previous experience includes working as a Quality Improvement and Outcomes Specialist at a Community Mental Health organization and as a Social and Behavioral Researcher at the School Mental Health Collaborative at the University of South Florida. Whitney is most passionate about translating data and outcomes to drive decision making and to improve longitudinal outcomes in the field of mental health.

Jazmine brings over 7 years of experience in the mental health advocacy space and is dedicated to transforming the mental health narrative to be more culturally relevant, engaging, and accessible. Her work has been rooted in empowering BIPOC communities, which she has executed through health equity, community, and marketing initiatives in the non-profit and corporate sectors. Jazmine is an Ilocana immigrant who believes that storytelling is fundamental in creating systemic and collective change in how we address youth mental health. Jazmine holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Health and Society. She is also the co-founder of AAPI Mental Health, a digital platform dedicated to redefining the mental health conversation in the Asian and Pacific Islander community. In her free time, Jazmine likes to create art, hang out with her friends and cat, and be outdoors!

Jordan is a reverse snowbird, moving from South Florida to New York where he has had a career in the administrative departments of truTV and CNN. In his role, Jordan supports the office of the Senior Vice President of Youth Strategies and Chief Engagement Officer. He is very excited to be working with JED and looks forward to carrying out the mission statement.

Will Hilbert is the Senior Director of Storytelling and Culture Change at JED. He leads strategic campaigns and storytelling initiatives designed to shift narratives, reduce stigma, and inspire action around youth mental health.

Prior to JED, Will led digital and in-person social impact campaigns for major entertainment networks including Disney and WarnerMedia, as well as nonprofits and brands. His work spans documentary production, exhibition, and distribution.

Will earned a BA in Economics with concentrations in Behavioral Economics and Film Studies from Rollins College.

Jessica Orenstein is Senior Director of Programmatic Partnerships at JED. A Behavioral Scientist and Public Health Practitioner, she brings over 15 years of experience as a youth advocate across higher education and public health sectors.

In her role, Jessica develops and executes partnerships that extend JED’s school-based programs and resources across education and education technology sectors. She is passionate about advancing promising practices and amplifying youth voices to drive meaningful change.

Jessica considers herself an expert in laughing, enjoys long walks, and hopes to positively impact her corner of the world.

Mary Bess chose to pursue philanthropic work after many years as a performer, producer, and administrative professional in the entertainment industry. As Student Engagement Manager for The Jed Foundation (JED), Mary Bess aids in the development and facilitation of student engagement opportunities, including the summer Internship program, JED’s annual scholarship program, the Student Voice of Mental Health Awards, and JED’s 2024 youth grant program in partnership with Victoria’s Secret PINK, the PINK with Purpose Project. In her spare time, Mary Bess contributes to the livestream comedy show and horror film screening series “Hoff’s Horrorfest” as a writer, performer, and co-producer. She also produces and hosts a recurring New York City-based charity comedy show called “Generous Laughs,” which fundraises for a different cause with each iteration.