Chief Executive Officer

(she/her/hers)

Email: [email protected]

Lauren Anderson co-founded Our Minds Matter, formally the Josh Anderson Foundation, in 2012 following the death of her youngest brother, Josh, by suicide at the age of seventeen. As Chief Executive Officer, Lauren keeps the “lights on” and guides OMM toward its north star of preventing teen suicide. Lauren has 10+ years in executive leadership, nonprofit management, fundraising, and program development, all while forging and growing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders – from teens to partners to funders.

Lauren was named a 2022 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine and her work has been featured in print and broadcast news, including The TODAY Show, The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping Magazine, NBC4 Washington and WUSA 9. Furthermore, Lauren was interviewed by Deepak Chopra for his One World news show that features international thought leaders from both the public and private sector.

Lauren is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she majored in Finance and International Business at the McIntire School of Commerce. Prior to co-founding Our Minds Matter, Lauren worked as an analyst at a boutique investment bank in Atlanta, GA. She currently lives in Falls Church, VA with her husband, son, daughter and two dogs.

Program Coordinator

she/her

Email: [email protected]

Gillian Anderson has an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She grew up in Northern VA and is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology (’08). She is passionate about universal youth mental health care and keeps her late brother Josh in mind every day.

Gillian taught English to children in Guangzhou, China for three years before returning to the states to complete her master’s degree in Austin, TX. She trained as a school psychologist and worked in elementary, middle and high schools in the Austin area for three years.

She has recently relocated to the DMV area with her dog and enjoys traveling, reading, listening to audiobooks, watching movies, playing on her Nintendo switch, and completing the daily NYT crossword.

Program Coordinator

she/they

Email: [email protected]

Dallas is a native Virginian and a former educator in the Northern Virginia area. She has been a passionate advocate for mental health since college and is currently studying for her Master of Social Work and L.C.S.W certification through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While initially pursuing her Criminal Justice degree at George Mason University, she became interested in research on crime prevention through public and mental health services to at-risk youth. In the future, she hopes to pursue research and practice in providing Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training to neurodivergent children to improve their long-term outcomes.

After graduating with her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University, Dallas was accepted into Teach For America (TFA) where she could better pursue her passion for equity in the public school system. She taught elementary school for 2 years and centered inclusivity and social emotional learning in the classroom. During this time, she worked for OMM as a part-time contractor, providing programming support to teen centers in Fairfax County. She joined OMM full time in June of 2024 and is excited to impact mental health culture in education on a broader scale.

In her free time, Dallas is an artist primarily working in acrylic and illustration. She enjoys playing board games, crafting, reading, and hanging out with friends and family. She currently lives in Fairfax, VA with her partner, dog and 2 cats.

Director of Program Development

(she/her/hers)

Email: [email protected]

Rachel grew up in the Philly area and proudly obtained her BSW and MSW from Temple University, which honored her as a 30 Under 30 alumna in 2025. After a brief time working in the clinical world as a high school counselor and therapist for folks re-entering society after incarceration, respectively, Rachel found her true calling in the macro space. She still uses her social work background to ground her work in equity & the belief that all people deserve to thrive with dignity, and lives by the quote “Do it with passion, or not at all.”

Rachel joined Our Minds Matter in May 2021 and is honored to serve as their Director of Program Development. Rachel has piloted several initiatives, including the launch of our middle school program, Teen Advisory Council, and signature school-wide campaigns; all in service of expanding our life-saving mental health programming to reach even more teens, especially those who are underserved. In addition to developing & executing pilot programs, Rachel also oversees the creation & improvement of all programmatic content and is committed to ensuring that OMM produces only the highest-quality, inclusive, and engaging mental health materials for the teens we serve.

Rachel lives in DC with her partner and their frenchie, Bruce. She loves being a dog mom, finding joy in hard work through fitness competitions like Hyrox, and trying out new pescetarian recipes in the kitchen. You can also find her lost in a good romance book, listening to podcasts on walks, and shamelessly bingeing reality TV in the name of self-care.

Program Operations Manager

she/they

Email: [email protected]

Lauren is a dynamic builder and innovator, driven by a passion for creating meaningful impact with thoughtful systems and processes. With a knack for asking the “why” before the “how,” she excels at improving workflows and fostering environments that empower teams and communities to thrive. Her journey into operations began at a fast-paced startup, where she honed her skills in process development and organizational efficiency.

Lauren was raised by parents who have given over 20 years to the Public School System. Her mother, a licensed clinical social worker, has supported students’ mental health for decades. Inspired by their stories and dedication, Lauren is grounded in her belief that the students, teachers, and mental health professionals know best what will meet their needs. At Our Minds Matter, Lauren develops systems that foster a cultural shift to care for young people’s mental health.

Beyond her professional life, Lauren is deeply connected to her D.C. community. She organizes with local groups to mobilize housing support and food security initiatives, building a network of reciprocity and kindness.

Laura Beth

Chief Program Officer

she/her/hers

Email: [email protected]

Laura Beth holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech, graduating cum laude. While at Virginia Tech, she was a research assistant at the Center for Applied Behavior Systems (CABS), where she contributed to developing, implementing, and evaluating school-based training programs and prevention-focused interventions. Her dedication to youth and public service inspired her to earn a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University in 2016.

Before joining Our Minds Matter, Laura Beth gained extensive experience in various dynamic roles, including Human Resource Specialist at the Department of Defense, Service and Volunteer Coordinator at Averett University, and Director of Outreach and Philanthropy at Promote Care Prevent Harm.

In November 2018, Laura Beth became Our Minds Matter’s first full-time program staff member, tasked with building and growing the program and its impact. Now, as the Chief Program Officer, she oversees all program initiatives’ development, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring that OMM’s programs are impactful, scalable, and aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.

Laura Beth’s drive to change school culture around mental health stems from being deeply affected by the school shootings at Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook when she was a young person. Now, with young kids and siblings of her own, she has made it her life mission to create caring and safer school climates so all children can grow up and have a chance to thrive.

Outside of her professional life, Laura Beth is a devoted mother of two. She loves spending her free time by a body of water—the ocean, a pool, or a lake—enjoying the company of her family, friends, and her golden retriever, Ranger.

Director of Program Partnerships

she/they/them

Email: [email protected]

A DC native, Morgan (better known as Mo), is a writer, multimedia artist and postpartum doula who studies and imagines ecosystems centered around care. Her work is amplified through curriculum development, workshop facilitation, digital strategy and creative direction. She holds over ten years of experience in education, specializing in creative writing and youth development.

For three years Morgan worked as a facilitator during SMYAL’s Activist Summer Camp, facilitating social justice workshops and supporting youth as they launched GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) clubs at their schools, before transitioning into education as a teaching artist alum for Split This Rock and the DC Youth Slam Team. She later went on to serve as the Director of Poetry Programming for Words Beats and Life, helping young writers publish (and later on perform) their own manuscripts. She has most recently migrated into public health, with a focus on socio-emotional wellness and family-centered advocacy.

Mo is an internationally-recognized poet and performer, a two-time Harvard Alumni of Color Conference facilitator, TEDx speaker, Loft Literary Center Immersion Fellow, and was awarded by the mayor’s office as one of 2020-2021’s 40 Under 40 Queer Women of Washington. When not building new worlds, Mo can be found snuggled up with her Nintendo Switch and shamelessly binging Survivor.

Director of Impact

she/her/hers

Email: [email protected]

G Wei Ng, Ph.D. is a licensed counseling psychologist in the state of Maryland and her professional expertise is in the intersection of mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Ng earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Missouri – Kansas City. She completed an APA-accredited internship and a diversity-focused post-doctoral fellowship at Towson University Counseling Center.

Prior to joining OMM, Dr. Ng was the Staff Psychologist and the Diversity Coordinator for Towson University Counseling Center where she oversaw a peer education program whose mission is to educate young adults on how the intersection of one’s social identities can influence their mental health, and was widely recognized as a fierce social justice and mental health advocate on-campus and beyond! Dr. Ng is also the owner and founder of G Psychological & Consulting Services, LLC. Her clinical interests include BIPOC and immigrant mental health, intersectionality and identity development, cross-cultural concerns, and decolonizing mental health. On these topics and others, she has served as a manuscript peer-reviewer, panelist, keynote speaker, and workshop presenter in the US and abroad. Throughout her career, Dr. Ng has worked tirelessly to help eradicate the stigma around mental health and help-seeking especially in marginalized communities.

Dr. Ng lives in Ellicott City, MD with her partner and their son. She loves traveling, spending time in nature, exploring good locally-owned coffee shops and restaurants, and binge watching K-dramas.

Senior Program Coordinator

she/her/hers

Email: [email protected]

Ramona Plummer, a Jamaican-American born in the sunshine state of Florida moved to Maryland at a young age and was raised in Prince George’s County. As a first-generation college graduate, she received her Bachelor of Science degree from the first degree-granting HBCU, Lincoln University of PA, and her Master of Public Health degree from Howard University.

Throughout her career, Ramona has worked for non-profit organizations and served families in Wilmington, DE, Newark, DE, and Southeast DC. She has experience and a strong passion for working with teens directly and enjoys building connections. For her Master’s program capstone project, Ramona focused on adolescents, creating, #EndtheBS (Beauty Standards): A Toolkit for Mental and Physical Health Outcomes Associated with Social Media’s Beauty Standards. Ramona is passionate about changing the culture around mental health and working at OMM gives her that opportunity!

During her free time, she enjoys music, traveling, binge-watching TV shows/movies, and hanging with her friends and family!

Director of People Operations

he/him/his

Email: [email protected]

Sean Roberts, a native Washingtonian, is a passionate HR/Talent leader and educator with over 11 years of experience serving the education and non-profit sectors in multiple capacities. Sean is an alumni of Morgan State University where he majored in finance and vocal music.

As an educator, Sean worked with a deep commitment to arts advocacy and educational equity, providing arts programming to elementary and middle school students, with a specific focus on serving in low income communities. Additionally, Sean served the nonprofit sector with organizations like Arts for Learning, using the arts as a scaffolding tool to close gaps for retention-risk students and those with literacy challenges.

For the past few years, Sean has leveraged his experience as an educator, serving DC charter schools in the talent/people space. While he has worked over a wide range of people functions, his primary focus has been in the areas of DEI learning, creating equitable hiring processes, and new teacher & leadership development. Sean joins OMM as a People Operations Manager, overseeing all people and culture functions and is excited to support the OMM staff and partners in their deeply important and impactful work.

Program Coordinator

she/her/hers

Email: [email protected]

Mikal Yemane was born and raised in Asmara, Eritrea before moving to the States in 2010. She is a 2019 graduate of Falls Church High School and recently graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Spring 2023, earning a Bachelor’s of Psychology. Her passion for mental health blossomed during an AP Psychology course in high school, leading her to join Jaguar Minds Matter, seeking out opportunities to learn more about mental health and how to use that knowledge to support others in her community.

In pursuit of her passion, Mikal has worked extensively with young children and teens of different backgrounds, including mental health and sensory issues, and holds experience as a Behavior Technician for children with autism and their families with resources. She has also volunteered and mentored middle and high schoolers for the Youth Life Foundation of Richmond, and has worked closely with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS). As an Our Minds Matter alum, she is excited to continue the work of erasing stigma around mental health, building community, and identifying resources to support herself and others.

Mikal lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her twin sister. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and music, going on walks, spending time in nature, finding ways to grow and develop, and spending quality time with family/friends and loved ones.

Program Coordinator

she/they/them

Email: [email protected]

Nijha (rhymes with “Elijah”) is a Jamaican American writer-journalist and mental health advocate born and raised on Long Island, New York. Since high school, she has developed a love for writing and storytelling, prompting her to hone her interviewing and editing skills — earning a BA in Journalism (with minors in Italian and Psychology) at Ithaca College, deepening their interest in mental health and the human condition. Their personal experience with mental health struggles as a student has made them passionate about teen and young adult mental health and suicide awareness/prevention.

Nijha hopes to combine her interests in personal and professional writing with mental health advocacy — whether through graduate work or journalism. Some of her areas of interest include clinical psychology, lifespan development and suicidology. She believes that sharing personal stories can be a uniting force, and is passionate about encouraging others to do the same.

In her free time, Nijha enjoys listening to music, journaling/writing, pen-palling, running, language learning, vision boarding on Pinterest, and long phone calls with friends 🙂

Research Analyst

she/her

Email: [email protected]

Dana McCalla, Ph.D. is a sociologist and applied researcher who joined the Measurement and Evaluation team at Our Minds Matter in 2026. She is a two-time graduate of Howard University, where she earned her Master’s and Ph.D in Sociology researching mental health service-use, socio-economic pathways, and generational dynamics among black immigrants and their descendants in the United States. With a background that spans the nonprofit, federal, research, and education sectors, Dr. McCalla has extensive experience in the areas of program evaluation and mixed-methods analysis.

Previously, Dr. McCalla served as an educator in Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, Florida) and has also worked as a program analyst for a youth workforce development nonprofit in Washington, D.C. In these roles, she worked directly and indirectly with teenagers, fostering their personal, academic, and professional growth. While conducting her doctoral research on mental health help-seeking, she held several positions in social science research and data analysis. Her current work with OMM allows her to apply her diverse skills and passions in a meaningful way.

A proud Jamaican-American, Dr. McCalla was born and raised in Long Island, New York and has been a D.C. resident since 2017. Outside of work, she loves to spend quality time with her partner and friends, and is part of a local African drum and dance ensemble. She also enjoys live music, playing sudoku, and watching documentaries in her free time.

Evaluation Contractor

he/him/his

Jordan Booker received his PhD in Developmental Psychology from Virginia Tech and he is currently faculty in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri. Jordan’s research centers on different forms of social development–the importance of emotions, personality, and identity in how young people and adults function day-to-day. His recent projects have addressed the lasting importance of parenting for adolescent and adult behaviors, how connections with family and new friends help with the major transition to college, and the ways college students’ life stories about the COVID pandemic help us anticipate their ongoing resilience. At Our Minds Matter, Jordan is helping with Our Minds Matters’ efforts to understand how students are making sense of their time in OMM clubs and how involvement with OMM may promote student functioning at school, at home, and with their classmates.

Operations Coordinator

she/her

Email: [email protected]

Erin joined OMM as an Operations Coordinator in 2024. Her professional background has largely been in the education sector, running a variety of academic programs and departments, until she transitioned into nonprofit operations. Her areas of expertise include building strong organizational infrastructures and creating consistent, transparent processes for the organizations she serves. She believes that organizations must center thoughtful and equitable infrastructure in order to thrive.

Erin is a native Texan who has called Philadelphia home for the last 15 years. She loves spending time outdoors in all seasons climbing, hiking, and camping, and when she’s home she likes to hang out with friends, her partner, and her two cats.

Chief Operating Officer

she/her/hers

Email: [email protected]

Kaitlin Miller has a Bachelors in Spanish from Hamilton College and a Masters in Public Administration from Cornell University. She has over 15 years of experience streamlining and strengthening internal systems for businesses, nonprofit, and government organizations. She has served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Operations for numerous organizations and spent 5 years managing the largest federal housing program for homeless veterans under the Obama administration. In addition to her operations experience, Kaitlin brings to OMM a deep commitment to supporting middle and high school youth, building upon her experience as a foster parent for 4 years and as a YMCA teen camp counselor for 3 summers while in college.

Kaitlin lives with her husband, daughter, and golden retriever in upstate New York.

Development Consultant

she/her

Email: [email protected]

Kate Petty is a writer and fundraising specialist with 15 years of experience supporting social justice organizations and city government. Kate earned her bachelors’ degree in English at the College of William & Mary and a Master of Letters at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

Kate has spent 15 years as a consultant working with nonprofit organizations and social justice projects, including Friends of the High Line, the design firm Reboot, Ashoka Changemakers, and the Mayor’s Office of the City of New York. She has taught writing in the Design for Social Innovation MFA Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York since 2020.

As Development & Communications Manager, Kate shares stories from our work with our community of support — including family foundations, corporations, institutional and government funders, and individual people who give what they can to drive our mission forward every day.

Kate lives with her family in Baltimore, where she is a passionate co-coordinator of the Lennox Street Community Garden.

Brand & Website Manager

she/her

Email: [email protected]

Rachel is a designer with a passion for building intuitive and accessible digital spaces. With a background in graphic design and experience in web development, she has spent the last decade creating impactful brands and websites. As a neurodivergent person, Rachel wants to create a better world for people with hidden disabilities and eliminate any stigma.

In 2015, Rachel received her degree from the University of West Florida: a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, with a specialization in Computer Science. She recently spent a year living abroad in 2024, teaching English in Prague, Czech Republic, and now has settled back into her favorite place: the mountains of Colorado.

In her free time, she enjoys being a dog mom, spending time in nature, trying new foods, and exploring new places.

Chief Executive Officer, Our Minds Matter

Email: [email protected]

Lauren Anderson co-founded Our Minds Matter, formally the Josh Anderson Foundation, in 2012 following the death of her youngest brother, Josh, by suicide at the age of seventeen. As Chief Executive Officer, Lauren keeps the “lights on” and guides OMM toward its north star of preventing teen suicide. Lauren has 10+ years in executive leadership, nonprofit management, fundraising, and program development, all while forging and growing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders – from teens to partners to funders.

Lauren was named a 2022 Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian Magazine and her work has been featured in print and broadcast news, including The TODAY Show, The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping Magazine, NBC4 Washington and WUSA 9. Furthermore, Lauren was interviewed by Deepak Chopra for his One World news show that features international thought leaders from both the public and private sector.

Lauren is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she majored in Finance and International Business at the McIntire School of Commerce. Prior to co-founding Our Minds Matter, Lauren worked as an analyst at a boutique investment bank in Atlanta, GA. She currently lives in Falls Church, VA with her husband, son, daughter and two dogs.

Owner and Managing Director, Broad Cove Senior Care, Inc.

Todd Anderson is the Owner and Managing Director of Broad Cove Senior Care, Inc., d/b/a Home Instead, in Norwell, Massachusetts. Since purchasing the franchise in 2017, he has focused on building the South Shore’s leading in-home senior care organization. Under his leadership, the business has achieved 400% revenue growth, nearly 50 five-star Google reviews, and recognition as both a Boston Globe Top Workplace and Boston Business Journal Best Place to Work.

Before Home Instead, Todd co-founded and led BCP Worldwide, Inc., a Hingham, MA-based firm supporting small and medium enterprises in developing countries through the predecessor to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. He managed international networks, training programs, and a USAID-OPIC technical assistance fund that benefited 130 African businesses.

Earlier in his career, Todd held senior management roles at John Hancock, Scudder Investments, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, and Chase Manhattan Bank, where he led major strategic and product development initiatives.

A graduate of Dartmouth College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Todd combines business acumen with a strong commitment to service. In addition to serving on the board of Our Minds Matter, Todd is a lay leader and past Moderator of Hingham Congregational Church. A longtime youth soccer coach and Dartmouth alumni leader, Todd’s professional and volunteer work share a common thread: building organizations and communities that make a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives.

Todd has been married to Lynn for forty years, and they enjoy time hiking, biking, skiing, sailing and attending shows and concerts, including daughters Erin and Melissa whenever possible.

Associate VP of Education and Outreach, BoardSource

Andy leads the team that is responsible for developing all of BoardSource’s educational resources, including member education content and programming, training programs, publications, and educational programming at the BoardSource Leadership Forum. Andy also oversees BoardSource’s external marketing and outreach efforts. He is a regular speaker and presenter on a wide range of board leadership topics and issues and played a lead role in the development of BoardSource’s Measuring Fundraising Effectiveness Framework.

Andy holds a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In his spare time, Andy enjoys traveling, playing golf, and watching UNC basketball and football.

Consultant, Bain and Company

Jonny is a consultant at Bain and Company based in Washington DC, whose work focuses on growth strategy and customer experience. Prior to joining Bain, Jonny was an officer in the US Army, where he developed a passion for mentoring others. As a product of Fairfax County Public Schools, Jonny is eager to give back to students across the DMV. Jonny graduated from Thomas Jefferson HS (’08), William & Mary (’12), and the UVA Darden School of Business (’17). On OMM’s board, Jonny focuses on growth opportunities, corporate funding, and program management.

Development Executive

For more than twenty years, Elliott has had the privilege of impacting the lives of children and families and driving development efforts at some of the premier non-profit institutions in the country. These include Share Our Strength, The Aspen Institute, The Alzheimer’s Association, The Barbara Bush Family Literacy Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and America’s Promise Alliance.

During his tenure at these organizations, he has raised more than $250 million, executed multi-year fundraising campaigns, led national special events, created, designed, and implemented comprehensive strategic plans, served as a powerful organizational voice, and led critical work on advancing some of the most intractable challenges in society.

In addition, Elliott has served on numerous boards including the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, College and Career Connections, and the Campagna Center. He is also committed to volunteerism, having served as a mentor and advisor for organizations such as The Dwelling Place, The Manna House, Mentor’s Inc., and Clean & Pure Kids.

Elliott is a graduate of Temple University, where he excelled as both a scholar and an athlete. He is a track and field All American and currently holds university records for multiple events. A two-time Olympic Trials competitor, national championship finalist, and former American record holder, Elliott has represented the United States as a member of the Track and Field World Championship team.

A proud and grateful father and husband, Elliott resides in Northern Virginia with his wife, three kids, and Australian Shepherd.

Development Director (ret.), One World Education

Dave brings extensive experience in development, communications, and scaling programs in schools. He started his career in journalism where he worked for 60 Minutes and Bill Moyers, winning an Emmy and an RFK awards. He then shifted to work in education where he started a nationwide celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday that engaged millions of students across the country. He also has worked on scaling professional development programs for early childhood educators and K-12 reading and writing teachers. He’s excited to be part of OMM’s effort to share its impact with schools across the nation.

Dave graduated from Princeton University and earned a masters degree from the Columbia University School of Journalism. He lives in Washington DC with his wife and 92-year old mother-in-law.

Licensed and Board-Certified Counseling Psychologist

Dr. Shavonne Moore-Lobban is a licensed and board-certified counseling psychologist with extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and leadership. She currently serves as the Campus Director of The Chicago School’s Washington DC Campus, and as the Director their APA-Accredited internship. She is a distinguished leader in the American Psychological Association (APA), having served as President of APA’s Society of Counseling Psychology, Chair of APA’s Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, collaborator on several APA resolutions, statements, and workgroups, recipient of an APA Presidential Citation for excellence and leadership in addressing trauma and oppression, and most recently she was awarded the status of APA Fellow.

She has made significant contributions to research including publishing two books. She has been called to participate in government efforts to address sexual exploitation, and to provide support to victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing during federal court proceedings. Dr. Moore-Lobban is passionate about building collaborative partnerships and working collectively to foster positive change, be it change for individuals, organizations, or larger systems.

Managing Director, BlackRock

Nicole leads legal coverage of the U.S. institutional businesses and she advises the firm with respect to fiduciary issues in connection with BlackRock’s asset management business. Prior to joining BlackRock in 2013, Nicole worked at the law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy. Nicole received a B.S. from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia in 204, and a J.D. and LLM from New York University School of Law in 2007 and 2010, respectively. Both personally and professionally, Nicole has experienced and witnessed the profound impact of mental health on all aspects of life. As a Fairfax County Public Schools former student and now parent (x3), she believes that mental health initiatives in schools can help prepare our kids to healthfully navigate the complexities they face.

Global Real Estate Advisor, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

Dudley Ward, originally hailing from the United Kingdom, brings a global cultural perspective and a wealth of experience to the world of residential real estate. Having relocated to the United States at the age of sixteen, Dudley seamlessly transitioned into American life and embarked on a remarkable journey that has shaped his career as a trusted real estate advisor.

Before launching his real estate career, Dudley served his country as a U.S. Marine, embodying the values of discipline, integrity, and unwavering dedication. His time in the military instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to going above and beyond to serve his clients.

Following his honorable service as a Marine, Dudley further honed his skills and commitment to public service as a U.S. Secret Service Agent. His experience in protecting national leaders and upholding security standards has equipped him with exceptional attention to detail and an ability to handle high-pressure situations with grace and professionalism.

Dudley’s journey into the world of real estate, in Washington DC, was a natural progression, driven by his genuine passion for helping others and his desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Leveraging his diverse background and unique skill set, Dudley approaches the real estate industry with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a client-centric focus.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Dudley is a proud advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Having faced personal challenges himself, he is passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health and ensuring that individuals receive the support they need.

Senior Vice President & Chief People Officer, Share Our Strength

Serena Williams serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer for Share Our Strength, overseeing all of the talent management functions for the organization including leading the Human Resources and Operations teams, staff engagement and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work.

Prior to joining Share Our Strength in 2011, Serena served as Associate Director, Human Resources for the Human Rights Campaign where she led the creation of the organization’s first full-cycle recruitment and onboarding process and managed several talent functions during her six years with the organization.

Serena has 17 years of Human Resources generalist experience in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She is a member of multiple organizations, including: The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM); World at Work; and the Human Resources Association of the National Capitol Area (HRA-NCA). She also holds senior certification designations from SHRM (SHRM-SCP) and the Human Resources Certification Institute (SPHR). Serena also serves as Adjunct Professor at Prince George’s Community College’s School for Workforce Development & Continuing Education.

Serena earned a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Catholic University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Women’s Studies from Georgetown University.

Serena is a native of the Bronx, New York and her community engagements include work with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband and two sons.

she/her

My name is Gianna Book, and I’m a senior at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Last year, I had the privilege of serving as Vice President of our school’s Our Minds Matter club, and this year I’m honored to take on the role of President. I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Our Minds Matter Teen Advisory Council. It’s truly an honor to join a group so passionate about mental health. I look forward to helping raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower other students to prioritize their mental well-being.

she/her

Hello! My name is Lady, and this is my 4th year being involved with Our Minds Matter at my school, where I’m serving as co-president this year! I go to West Potomac High School, and I love getting involved in different groups and activities because it lets me meet new people and try new things. Being part of OMM has taught me so much about leadership and community, and I’m really honored to be on the Teen Advisory Council this year. I can’t wait to keep raising awareness about mental health and making sure teens know they’re never alone.

she/her

Hi! My name is Mikaela Pareja, and I am a current senior at Marshall High School. Since my freshman year, I have been a member of my school’s chapter of OMM and currently serve as the President of Marshall Minds Matter. I am so honored by this position and to serve as a member of TAC this year. I have been able to spread awareness and do my best to offer support at my school, and am excited to use my role to help even more and represent the teenage perspective. I have had this passion for mental health advocacy throughout high school, and want to continue making an impact.

Outside of this passion, I am a yearbook editor for my school’s book, a volunteer in my county, and I love to travel. My favorite place to visit is New York City. Additionally, I love hanging out with my friends, baking with my grandparents, or even staying in with my sisters and dog.

I am excited to fight the existing mental health stigma and make a lasting impact on those in my community.

she/her

I’m Nare Harutyunyan. I am a junior at School Without Walls. In general, I really love arts and sciences, but in terms of mental health, I care a lot about presenting the heavy topics in an honest and genuine way, and providing the help and resources necessary for teens to be able to help themselves. As someone who has ADHD and many neurodivergent friends, I approach these topics through the neurodivergent lens when trying to find ways to help people. I find that it’s easier to pinpoint specific ways that might help those who struggle this way, versus the more general statements like “taking deep breaths.”

Mental health is something a lot of teens struggle with, but are unlikely to seek adults for help, and trying to convince them to do so might be counterproductive. So I hope to be able to create spaces and systems in which teens will have the resources, support, and knowledge to help themselves and/or their friends through tough times, without extra guilt or anxiety.

she/her

Hi! My name is Nushrat, and I am so excited to be part of the Teen Advisory Council this year! I am a senior at Richard Montgomery, where I serve as Vice President of Rocket Minds Matter. I have been a member of RMM since my freshman year, and I’m glad to continue my involvement this year. I’ve participated in several other mental health initiatives and hope to increase my impact in mental health advocacy this year and beyond! I am also the President of the Muslim Student Association and Co-President of the UNICEF Club at school.

I’m excited to work with everyone on the council and make a positive difference in teen mental health!

she/her

My name is Shaelyn Clark, and everything I do is rooted in purpose, passion, and perseverance. For the past 9 years, track & field has taught me discipline and resilience lessons I’ve carried into my roles as SGA Vice President, Student Voice Council President, and founder of multiple student-led clubs. I’m a Full IB student with a 4.0–4.7 GPA, a Global Competence Award winner, and an advocate for youth voices through programs like the DME Think Tank, GenHERation, and YWP. From launching businesses at age 7 to modeling in magazines, I’ve learned that creativity and ambition have no limits. Whether I’m mentoring young girls, leading Soapbox events, or studying abroad, I lead with intention and heart. Every title I’ve held, from NHS Secretary to WILL alumni, reflects a part of my journey: one built on community, courage, and the belief that my attitude truly determines everything.

he/him

Hi! I’m Ted, and I am currently a senior at Poolesville High School in MD. I have been a leader of my school’s OMM club, Falcon Minds Matter (aka HERO club), for four years now. I have had so much fun leading my school’s OMM club, and I look forward to playing a bigger role as a member of OMM’s Teen Advisory Council! I love to hike and spend time with my friends. I am also an avid runner and serve as a captain for my school’s cross country team.

I am very excited to contribute my ideas on different ways to advocate for teen mental health!