Our Team

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.

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.

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.

Erlinda brings to JED a passion for supporting the mental health of marginalized and under-served students. Erlinda consults with colleges, universities, and university state systems on how to change their systems to promote positive mental health, reduce substance misuse, and prevent suicide. Before JED, she worked in higher education, and focused her education on learning about the intersection of equity and well-being, especially in regards to equitable access to treatment, stigma, and cultural competency. Erlinda was born in Chicago, IL, raised in Houston, TX, attended high school in Phoenix, AZ, and went to college and graduate school in Boston, MA.

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.

Aisha joined the JED Campus team in October 2022. Her love for college students and environments was birthed working in student affairs, specifically housing and residence life. Aisha brings to the role her experience in student development, higher education proven practices, social justice and equity-based practices, and student wellness. She grew up in central New Jersey and earned a 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.

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.

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.

Mary joins JED with years of experience and after she has had a fulfilling and varied journey in education, including time as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, program director, and nonprofit leader; she’s currently an elected school board member in Arlington, Virginia, where she lives with her family. In these different roles, she’s seen how important it is to have robust systems in place to support youth mental health and wellbeing. She possesses a genuine passion for fostering mental health literacy, breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness, enhancing accessibility to mental health services in schools and communities, and creating positive and inclusive school cultures that prioritize relationships and connectedness. As Senior Director of Academic Programs & Initiatives, Mary leads a team that provides centralized support for cross division programs, managing special projects that impact the Academic Programs team as well as partnering closely with cross functional teams to improve workflows, processes, and integration of a division-wide lens into all programs.

Joanna joined The Jed Foundation to support colleges and universities through the process of joining JED Campus programs. She brings her background in higher education and nonprofit management, having most recently managed partnerships for a national professional association supporting higher education. Joanna also has experience in student affairs and enrollment management through positions at public and private universities.

Michael guides 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, Michael worked in student residence life, where he witnessed firsthand the importance of mental health support for college students. 

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.

Felicia joins JED with over 20 years of experience in serving organizations focused on supporting BIPOC students, specifically as it relates to equity and access to education. She has leveraged her passion for equity by supporting non-profits, districts, and colleges with strategic planning, leadership development, and creating systems that are more conducive to equitable practices. Over the last 8 years, she helped build a Houston-based non-profit organization called EMERGE, which empowers & prepares high-performing students from underserved communities to attend and graduate from selective colleges & universities across the nation. Perhaps her most meaningful role at EMERGE was creating and cultivating the College Success team as EMERGE’s first Managing Director of College Success. In this role, Felicia was responsible for assessing the overall needs of EMERGE’s BIPOC, first-generation college students nationally, and working collaboratively with college partners to cultivate support systems that would not only lead to academic persistence, but to overall wellness, inclusion, and belonging. She has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from Rice University and a master’s degree in Organizational Development from St. Edward’s University in Austin. As JED’s Director of Academic Programs in Texas, Felicia develops and implements JED’s programs in our mission to promote emotional health and prevent suicide among high school and higher ed students throughout Texas.

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 School Mental Health Specialist. 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 School Mental Health Specialist, 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.

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 School Mental Health Specialist, 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 the Texas Region Campus Advisor 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.

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.

Mia joined The Jed Foundation in May 2023, as Executive Assistant to for Academic Programs! Mia will collaborate with the Academic Programs team to support academic institutions as they create an interdisciplinary task force, complete organizational and student-facing assessments of policies, programs, and practices, and then create feedback reports and strategic plans for each institution, as well as provide ongoing customized support and technical assistance as campuses implement their plans.

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.a

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 School Mental Health Specialist, 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.

Erica is a licensed clinical social worker and joined JED in December 2015 as a campus advisor. She has held many roles at JED supporting JED Campuses through strategic planning, contributing to the growth of JED’s Higher Education Learning Community, and expanding the JED Campus alumni program. In her current role, Erica oversees special projects and initiatives focused on Higher Education, including providing technical assistance, incubating new products and services for schools and systems, and building communities of practice focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Prior to joining JED, Erica worked as a therapist at Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University’s Counseling & Psychological Services. Erica earned her B.A. in elementary education from Michigan State University and received her Master’s in social work from The University of Michigan. She is currently pursuing her EdD in community-based leadership from The City University of New York, College of Staten Island.

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.

Krystal joins JED with over 26 years of experience and brings with her a rich background in public education and counseling. As a highly experienced professional in her field, she has made a significant impact as an educator, school counselor, and behavior interventionist. Prior to joining JED, Krystal spent her career In Mesquite ISD supporting the social, emotional well-being of students through district initiatives and program development. Her passion lies in working with adolescents and adults, providing them with invaluable support and guidance regarding mental health concerns. As a licensed professional counselor, Krystal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field, obtaining specialized training in intensive trauma and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to her counseling qualifications, Krystal is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern, actively pursuing full licensure in this field. As School Mental Health Specialist, Krystal 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.

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 School Mental Health Specialist 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.

Jeni has over nine years of experience working in education, including as a clinical college counselor, an educator, and a manager for a school-based mental health counseling program. At JED, she partners with colleges and universities across the southeast to strengthen mental health supports and prevent suicide on college campuses, guided by JED’s Comprehensive Approach. Jeni is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia, a National Certified Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Jeni is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Mercer University in Atlanta, where she has been researching childhood trauma, belonging, and help-seeking behaviors among college students. She was named an Emerging Leader of the American College Counseling Association and the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.

Russell joined JED in March 2022. He previously held positions in educational technology at McGraw Hill and technology-driven market research with Zappi. His experience includes the management, cultivating, and scaling of relationships, client platform onboarding, and process refinement through Scrum. He has been a volunteer at the AOK Foundation and Pincus Family Foundation for over 15 years, serving their missions for the betterment of young people. Russell hails from Southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia, where he is a passionate supporter of their local sports teams. He completed his B.S. in Marketing at Johnson and Wales University (Providence, RI) and is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

Kristelle is a certified health education specialist and joined JED in July 2018 after working at Syracuse University as a health promotion specialist with a specific focus on mental health and wellness. Kristelle received a B.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, as well as an M.S.W. and an M.P.H. with concentrations in sexual health and education and social entrepreneurship, from Washington University in St. Louis.

Ryan joined The Jed Foundation after working in Residence Life and Student Conduct at a variety of higher education institutions. Using his experience as a JED High School Campus Advisor, Ryan’s work supports the collection, analysis, and utilization of data collected by the JED High School Team to support the future design of the program, as well as collaboration with external partners. His experience includes student advocacy, restorative justice, bystander intervention training, Title IX, ally and diversity training, residential education, and curriculum development. He has nine tattoos and was on a panel of tattooed professionals at ACPA.

Dr. Kristen A. Clark is a social entrepreneur. In fact, she has always had deep rooted questions about the social world around her. Kristen’s directive to explore answers to these questions as well as leave behind a legacy of justice comes from a quote she holds close to her by Audre Lorde, “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.” Through her professional and philanthropic work, she has dedicated her time to ensuring that barriers to access and opportunities don’t inhibit opportunities for marginalized communities. A graduate of student of Rowan University, Dr. Clark has been an educational professional and researcher for over 15 years primarily focusing on the social inequities that impact meaningful engagement experiences as well as Social-Emotional Learning. Clark also teaches courses entitled, Rebel Girls: How Girls Do Activism and Social Problems in Education, at the higher education level. Dr. Clark is a graduate from Rowan University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has also earned an M.P.A. 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 currently 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.

Brian joined JED in November 2022 with over 10 years of experience implementing large initiatives in non-profit, for-profit, government, and academic medical research settings. These initiatives were designed to support diverse groups of students with mental health conditions or adults with disabilities to build life skills to accomplish their goals. Brian holds a Master of Science in Health Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Kamla offers over 15 years of research and evaluation expertise in support of youth nonprofits, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. At JED, she leads various research and evaluation projects aimed to support the mental health and prevention of suicide among this nation’s teens and young adults. Prior to JED, she led and supported original research studies on girls’ health and wellness at the Girls Scouts of the USA. She used to be a competitive gymnast and coach, a Division 1 collegiate athlete, and head coach of a high school team.

Michelle is an adaptable, versatile leader with nearly twenty years of experience in independent research as well as program design, evaluation, and implementation. Michelle pairs her formal training in implementation science and commitment to equity through participatory action/stakeholder engagement to inform all aspects of her work from designing interventions/programs to evaluating impact. Her areas of expertise are mental health, young adult services, young adult career development, and enhancing academic persistence of college students. At JED, Michelle leads a multiple disciplinary team to implement and evaluate programming focused on improving help seeking; help giving, enhancing mental health, and preventing suicide with teens and young adults in schools or other key settings.

Michelle’s is also a researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at UMass Chan Medical School and previously at Rutgers University. Michelle’s research focuses on career development of young adults; standardizing complex interventions to better support college students with mental health conditions; and evaluating the effectiveness of various educational supports to enhance persistence of college and high school students. Michelle received her Master’s degree from Boston University and her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.

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 analyst for JED’s Design and Impact team, Vinvent 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.

Kristia is joining the Jed Foundation as an Administrative Assistant to the Design and Impact team. She received her MPA from Baruch College and has over 5 years of combined experience in administrative support, project coordination and communications.

Kiana joined The Jed Foundation in August 2022, with a background in program management, health education, and public mental health. Kiana works to ensure that JED continually offers high-quality workshops, training, and other education programming to communities looking to learn more about teen and young adult mental health and suicide prevention. Most recently, Kiana served as the Team Lead for HomeLink, a program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill that connects precariously-housed people living with mental health conditions to support and resources. In her free time, Kiana enjoys researching family history and restoring old photos.

Melinda joins JED with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering learning experiences for K-12 and adult audiences. Prior to her role at JED, Melinda worked as the Executive Director of Learning Experiences at Understood (focused on individuals who learn and think differently), Director of Leadership Curriculum Design at Relay Graduate School of Education (designing courses and trainings for more than 400 school leaders and superintendents), Director of Education at Scenarios USA (supporting teens in writing and directing social justice films), and Senior Associate Director of Organizational Learning at Uncommon Schools (designing learning for 200+ teachers and school leaders). Some of her early work at Uncommon Schools contributed to the book, Teach Like a Champion, an influential teaching guide. She 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 passion for supporting young people and their mental health. As Senior Instructional Designer & Developer, she designs, develops, and maintains training and course content for JED and its end users.

Renia is a hands-on, energetic learning and development leader specializing in program design, improving DEIB practices, and evaluating and driving impact. With a passion for learning as a lifelong learner herself, spotlighting marginalized groups, and curating meaningful training experiences, Renia has been at the helm of collaborating cross-departmentally, transforming organizations and individuals, and building future-oriented teams.

After securing a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina, Renia earned a Master of Educational Leadership Degree from Queens University before achieving a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate from Rutgers University and a Scrum Master Certification. Effectively leveraging her foundational skillset in educational leadership and inclusion, Renia was the Director of Learning & Development at Teach for America NC and has served as an Instructional Coach, Program Manager, and COO to various organizations.

Renia is a creative and self-sufficient innovator known for developing authentic and strong relationships with students, stakeholders, and colleagues. She thinks big picture, envisions solutions, and executes efficiently, ensuring credibility, trust, and prosperous environments for change. Outside of work, Renia enjoys creating memories with her family and traveling. She is excited to be a part of the transformational work here at JED.

Kurt brings to JED expertise in rural school mental health and adolescent suicidology. At JED, he has developed new initiatives to help schools and communities across the nation to better evaluate their suicide prevention systems, adopt flexible and effective postvention policies and procedures, and scale up the promotion of lethal means safety practices (e.g., safe storage of medications and firearms).  Previously, he spent over two decades as part of the Psychology Faculty at Appalachian State University, establishing and sustaining a nationally recognized program of funded research and clinical practice in school mental health, adolescent suicidology, and rural healthcare. He retired as the Stanley R. Aeschleman Distinguished Professor of Psychology. Kurt earned a Master of Science and PhD in Clinical and School Psychology from Utah State University and completed his Resident Internship in Child Clinical Psychology at Duke University Medical Center. Kurt is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Rural Mental Health and the Editor of the inaugural Handbook of Rural School Mental Health, published by Springer in 2017. His most recent publication with colleagues on developing the school mental health workforce in rural K-12 districts is in the 3rd Edition of the Handbook of School Mental Health. In his free time, Kurt enjoys partaking in outdoor adventure sports with his family and their boxer, Mayer.

LaDonna joins JED after gaining nearly a decade of experience as an upper elementry and middle grades teacher in both seated and virtual learning environments. LaDonna earned her Master of Science degree in Online Teaching and Instructional Design from Lenoir-Rhyne University. She transitioned to the field of educational technology as an instructional designer at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in her home state of North Carolina. Her skill set encompasses a wide range of areas, including course design and facilitation, multimedia production and editing, learning management systems, onboarding, project management, and help desk support. As Instructional Designer and Developer, LaDonna works closely with the Learning & Knowledge team to develop excellent learning experiences in digital environments that support JED’s mission and programs, which include teens and young adults seeking mental health information and support, school professionals participating in JED Academic Programs, other caring adults like caregivers, and a wide range of LMS users.

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.

Ellen works with boarding schools to implement the JED High School Comprehensive Approach. Previously, she focused on campus mental health in her career and practiced psychiatry in a college counseling center. 

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!

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.

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. 

Vanessa manages the day-to-day social media activity across platforms for JED. She’s also responsible for strategy building, implementation, and engaging with social media followers. Previously, Vanessa worked at Understood, launching and managing six private Facebook communities during the pandemic for parents of kids with learning and thinking differences. She also helped launch YouTube’s first parent-facing community, YouTube for Families, on Instagram.

Danielle joined The Jed Foundation to build brand awareness for school programs and programmatic partnerships. Her lived experiences and desire to empower the next generations drew her to JED, but previously, she worked in marketing at a large corporation and built her own digital platform. In 2014, she launched She’s a Gent, a blog that celebrates and explores personal style, while also using it as a tool to bring awareness to the modern androgynous woman. Danielle used to play professional basketball in Germany, and she is also an actor and producer.

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.

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.

Jessica joins JED with years of experience in content creation and management in the health-tech industry. She is a writer, editor, and published research author. She previously worked at digital therapeutics startup, Twill (formerly Happify Healthy), as well as health-tech startup, Thrive Global. Jessica combines her passions for storytelling, entrepreneurship, and mental health advocacy to create content and resources that are empathetic, innovative, and actionable. Jessica received a B.A. in journalism and sociology/anthropology from Lehigh University and is thrilled to be a part of JED’s mission to support emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. As JED’s Content Manager, Jessica manages, creates, and edits content that supports JED’s mission and programs, which includes teens and young adults seeking mental health information and supports, school professionals participating in JED Academic Programs, other caring adults like caregivers, and a wide range of partners and other supporters working alongside us to protect the emotional well-being and prevent suicide for teens and young adults.

Will joined JED as Director of Campaigns in May 2022. Prior to JED, he worked for four years leading digital and in-person social impact campaigns for major entertainment networks (such as Disney and WarnerMedia), nonprofits, and brands to meet their social impact goals, reaching a multitude of target audiences to uplift and empower communities. He has also worked in documentary production, exhibition, and distribution. His passion for storytelling started at Rollins College, where he earned a BA in Economics with a concentration in Behavioral Economics and Film Studies.

Erika joined JED as Senior Associate, Web Production April 2023.She is a social justice advocate, blogger, author and seasoned project manager. She has 20+ years of project management and research experience. She enjoys using data to drive decisions and is well versed in WordPress, Google Analytics and customer relationship management systems.

Erika has experience using digital marketing tools in for profit and non-profit spaces. She is passionate about supporting youth and young adults in their career paths.

Meghan joined The Jed Foundation in July 2022, combining her two passions in writing and mental health advocacy. As PR Coordinator, 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. 

Jessica Orenstein is a Behavioral Scientist and Public Health Practitioner. With over 15 years as a youth advocate in the higher education and public health partnership sectors, she strives to bring passion and purpose to her daily work. In her current role, Jessica develops and executes programmatic partnerships that extend JED school-based programs and resources in both the education and education technology sectors. Prior to her work at JED, Jessica spoke to various audiences to share knowledge and insight on public health, mental health, and workforce development practices. She continues to be inspired by the change effected by youth and their greater community, and she is dedicated to spreading knowledge and promising practices through her personal and professional work. Jessica considers herself an expert in laughing, enjoys long walks, and hopes to positively impact her little 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, Mary Bess aids in the development and facilitation of student engagement opportunities, including the Summer Internship program, and the Student Voice of Mental Health Awards, JED’s annual scholarship program. In her spare time, Mary Bess contributes to the livestream comedy show and horror film screening series Hoff’s Horrorfest as a writer 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.

Kate is an award-winning journalist who has devoted her career to supporting mental health and well-being. Prior to joining JED, Kate held positions at several publications, including Mother Jones, The Bangkok Post, and LIFE Magazine. She is the author of Strong as a Mother: How to Stay Happy, Health, and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy to Parenthood and co-wrote the Audible Podcast, Soldiers of Science, with Alan Alda. In her free time, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, inexpertly playing the fiddle, and spending time outdoors.

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 preventing, 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.

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

Ian joined JED in August 2022, having worked as an Executive Assistant to various CFOs, CEOs, and VPs in financial services, the federal government, and nonprofit agencies both in New York City and Washington, D.C. At The Jed Foundation, Ian provides management and oversight support for the externally-directed activities of the CEO (John MacPhee) and Executive Office, and he acts as a liaison to the Board. Ian hails from West Philadelphia and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies at South Florida Bible College in Deerfield Beach, FL.

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.

Laura is committed to improving mental health through education and resource creation. She provides guidance on how individuals, families, schools, communities, media, and other youth-serving organizations can take actions to protect mental health and prevent suicide, and ensures that all JED content is evidence-based. Before JED, she provided crisis intervention and mental health support to patients in New York City emergency rooms, including as an attending psychiatrist and associate professor at the Columbia University Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. Her career has focused on LGBTQ mental health, and she continues to see clients at Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQIA+ Youth. Laura obtained her medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School. She completed a psychiatry residency at New York University, public psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University, and consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at Mount Sinai.

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.

Ethan Fusaris is a seasoned program, grants, fiscal, operations and administrative professional with extensive experience in grants management in the public health, research, and non-profit sectors. His public health experience spans 17 years and consists of work on “the front lines” in delivering health services for grant-funded programs and work “behind the scenes” directing operations and in all stages of the grant lifecycle.

Leslie joined The Jed Foundation in December 2022, bringing over 25 years of experience at mission-driven organizations, including nonprofits and higher education institutions, to the role. Previously, Leslie served as the Chief of People, Equity, and Operations at Code for America and as the Vice President of People Operations at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Leslie’s passion for equity and helping others also led her to co-found the Piedmont Racial Equity Campaign, which aims to establish racial equity in local systems, schools, and housing. 

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.

Annah joined The Jed Foundation as Executive Assistant to both John MacPhee, CEO, and Adee Shepen, CDO, in October 2022. They work to manage calendars, plan meetings, and arrange any necessary travel, along with assisting the development team as needed with donor relations. Annah’s journey with nonprofits started in college, volunteering for Special Kids, which focuses on providing nursing and rehabilitation services to children with special needs. Since moving to New York City, they have interned with Brooklyn Arts Exchange and worked as a Studio Coordinator at Industria Williamsburg. In their free time, Annah enjoys biking, dancing, and working on DIY projects.

Paul joins JED with over 30 years of experience as a nonprofit professional, providing strategic leadership to national, mission-driven organizations in the areas of health, social justice, and affordable housing. Paul has significant experience leading teams of staff and volunteers, integrating functions across large, complex organizations to improve operational execution and maximize mission impact. Paul worked at Carey & Co, serving as Interim CFO for a variety of nonprofit organizations, and served as the Chief Operating Officer at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, leading Finance, Technology, Human Resources, Operations, Internal Audit, Legal & Risk Management. Paul also led the Field Development function at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Paul is a CPA who began his career at Coopers & Lybrand, serving as an audit manager in their New York City and Sydney, Australia offices. Paul is a graduate of the University of Connecticut.

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.

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. Katie Hurley (she/her), Senior Clinical Advisor, External Affairs for The Jed Foundation (JED), is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and youth mental health expert committed to improving youth mental health through direct practice, community organization, and education. She speaks at schools, nonprofits, and other community organizations across the United States to educate parents, educators, and community members about youth mental health and ways to promote belonging, empathy, and help-seeking.

Dr. Hurley began her career providing school based services at The HELP Group’s Summit View School, where she was later promoted to Clinical Director. She has written extensively about youth mental health and how parents can support their teens for large media outlets, including The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC NewsThink. Dr. Hurley has written five books that address youth mental health, two for parents and three for youth, including The Depression Workbook for Teens and the award winning No More Mean Girls. She makes frequent media appearances and consults for American Girl, The Cartoon Network, and other media and social media outlets to address youth mental health needs in media and print. She continues to practice in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles and is a Professor of Attachment and Neurobiology for the MSW program at Simmons University.

Dr. Hurley earned her BA in psychology and Women’s Studies from Boston College, her Master of Social Work 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.

Dr. Zainab Okolo is a higher education policy and mental health expert, advocate and educator, focused on helping students overcome barriers so they can learn, earn and lead fulfilling lives.

Previously a Strategist with Lumina Foundation, Dr. Okolo established and directed the foundations holistic student supports portfolio which centered thought leadership and investments in student mental health, worked to significantly improve student success and increase credential attainment, and specifically focused on the urgent needs of people of color, adult learners, student parents and others who have traditionally struggled to succeed at learning beyond high school. As a trauma informed, licensed mental health clinician, Dr. Okolo has supported individuals, families and institutions in adopting strategies to overcome stress, anxiety and other complex diagnosis’. As demonstrated by her experience, Dr. Okolo remains a strong advocate for increased and equitable access to high quality mental health services and resources for all college-aged students, working to remove barriers, especially related to mental health.

With over a decade of professional experience in higher education research and student services, Dr. Okolo has worked to help higher education and workforce providers facilitate and validate high-quality learning and training –inside and outside of the classroom. Her research has specifically focused on the needs of equity populations including first-generation college students.

Dr. Okolo earned her doctorate in education from The George Washington University, her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University, and her bachelor’s degree in Family Science from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a native of Washington, D.C.

Irene joined The Jed Foundation with 20 years of experience in Development, writing, and advocacy work, most of which was in higher education. As part of the Development team, Irene writes proposals to secure funds for JED programming, conducts in-depth research on prospective funders, and studies the fundraising landscape for mental health. Prior to JED, Irene worked as a grant writer for Binghamton University Libraries, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, and CUNY Libraries. She also served as Editorial Director at the Columbia University Medical Center and has extensive publishing, research, reporting, and editorial experience.

Katie devoted her entire career to healthcare marketing, working across a range of therapeutic areas including opioid dependency, women’s health, dermatology, diabetes, oncology and cardiovascular health to name a few. Prior to joining The Jed Foundation, she was a Managing Partner at CDM, a health and wellness advertising agency. Katie was responsible for overseeing the account management team and ensuring the success of client relationships and agency health alike. She made sure all measures of agency well being were on point – revenue, profitability, client relationships and staff retention. Katie worked with numerous healthcare clients such as Merck, AbbVie, Pfizer, Biogen, NS Pharma and BMS to name a few. Katie’s achievements were recognized with a Healthcare Businesswoman Association Rising Star award. Katie lives in New York City with her husband, Jonathan, and three rising stars of their own, Zoe, Dean and Joshua.

Kate joins JED with over a decade in nonprofit fundraising in order to build a robust individual giving program that advances JED’s impact. Kate was most recently the National Director of Individual Giving at the Parkinson’s Foundation, where she orchestrated multi-channel programs designed to grow giving and expand the mid-level pipeline to major and planned gifts. Previously at Moffitt Cancer Center, Kate was the Director of Stewardship and Donor Communications – building two programs and a team from the ground up. She has also worn multiple fundraising hats in museums, including giving societies and the capital campaign at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. You can find Kate happily on her yoga mat, planning her next adventure in travel, or volunteering with the Junior League of Tampa. As Director of Individual Giving, Kate identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards potential and existing individual donors, with a focus on qualifying and upgrading The Jed Foundation donors. She also establishes and implements comprehensive systems and strategies to increase the number of donors and revenue from Small Gifts.

Richa manages and creates the Development team’s operational processes and handles grants reporting. Before JED, Richa worked as a grant writer and operations manager at an educational nonprofit, and she previously worked as a journalist in India. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from SACAC, New Delhi, India, and an M.S. degree in Global Affairs from New York University.

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.

Thea joined The Jed Foundation after 14 years in the higher education sector. Thea cultivates and maintains a portfolio of philanthropic partners, ranging from small businesses to large companies; oversees volunteer engagement; and advises the Young Leadership Council (YLC). Most recently, she’s been working as the project manager for JED’s signature fundraising event series, Neon Nights, in addition to other initiatives that encourage people to independently raise money and awareness for JED’s mission. Thea is also certified in coaching and facilitation for emotional intelligence and change management. When not working, Thea enjoys spending time with her puppy, Tootsie; trying new foods; and doing yoga and Crossfit.