meet our team

Alison Malmon

Founder & Executive Director

Alison Malmon is the founder and Executive Director of Active Minds, and a sought after mental health expert. Alison formed the organization in 2003 as a 21-year-old, following the suicide of her brother and only sibling Brian. Wanting to end the silence that caused her brother to suffer alone and ultimately take his own life, Alison created a group on her campus at the University of Pennsylvania to promote open dialogue around mental health. Since then, Active Minds has grown into the country’s foremost mental health organization for the next generation, with a vibrant network of chapters and award-winning programs at more than 1,000 colleges and universities, K-12 schools, workplaces, and communities nationwide.

Alison lives in Boulder, Colorado, and is a wife and mother of three young girls. In her spare time, she loves flying 23 feet in the air at the Trapeze School in Washington, DC.

See Alison’s full bio »

Jason Allen

Director of Chapters

Jason (he/his), an Indiana resident and NY native, joins Active Minds with just over a decade working in higher education and adjacent industries. Previously working for fraternal organizations and most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer for a fraternity, Jason understands what it means to be a national organization with thousands of volunteers who are always willing to do purposeful, life changing work. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Oneonta State College and a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Binghamton University.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his family adventuring through zoos and aquariums, and trying and eating all the foods he can.

Jorge Alvarez

Manager, Corporate & Strategic Partnerships

Jorge Alvarez (he/him) believes collaboration through intentional relationship building is key to addressing the youth mental health crisis from a community-oriented lens to create collectivist-centered solutions. As the Corporate Strategic Partnerships Manager, Jorge supports Active Minds in expanding our reach and programming through mobilizing unique partnerships and supporting the operationalization of funds. With over 5 years of experience in Mental Health Activism and 2 years as a Social Impact Strategist working with both  corporations and nonprofits, Jorge is excited to be part of Active Minds’ evolving position in changing the narrative around mental health.

Jorge lives in New Jersey where he spends a lot of his time making videos, hiking, spending time with friends, hanging with his parrot, cat, and lizards, and exploring New York City!

Errika Brooks

Senior Manager, Chapter Partnerships & Engagement

Errika, a New York native, comes to Active Minds with over 5 years of higher education experience. The Buffalo State College alum earned a B.S. in Communications/Public Relations in 2016 and completed a Master’s in 2019 at Nazareth College of Rochester in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration. Prior to her work in higher education, Errika worked in the nonprofit world managing a college experience program for students with intellectual disabilities where she co-established the program’s accreditation.

Upon graduating from her graduate program, Errika landed roles in many functional areas of higher education such as Admissions, Student Leadership, Academic Advising, Campus Life/Orientation and Marketing. Errika began her career in Higher Education at Monroe Community College where she led a Success Scholar program assisting students with food and housing insecurities. In this role, Errika was proud to write and receive a grant on behalf of the college from State University of New York (SUNY) to expand the food pantry initiatives across campuses.

Errika has worked with both public and private/small and large institutions throughout her career. She brings valuable expertise in supporting the whole student. Her work leading student clubs and organizations, advising students academically in STEM fields, supporting student needs, large scale event planning and developing college-wide marketing/communications has led her to where she is today. In her spare time, Errika enjoys attending restaurants/coffee shops, traveling, meeting new people and spending time with family.

Krista Cantrell

Send Silence Packing Manager

Krista is based in the Washington, D.C. area. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Global Studies and considers Vermont her second home. Krista started her career in higher education at UVM where she co-founded the Citizen Scholar Award and continued her work in undergraduate admissions as an Assistant Director at Villanova University recruiting students domestically and internationally. She is currently completing her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at Villanova with a concentration on Peace and Justice studies. Krista’s personal and professional passion focuses on addressing the inequities that underrepresented populations face in all aspects of life. As the daughter of a war refugee, Krista credits her Nicaraguan family for instilling a strong sense of love, justice, and rootedness in her identity. Krista herself is a native of the Washington, D.C. area and enjoys every opportunity she gets to reconnect with the community there.

Lauren Cikara

VP, School Mental Health

Lauren has spent her entire career advocating for youth and young adult programming in K-12 education, higher education, and community spaces. Most recently, she worked for the Colorado School of Public Health School recruiting schools to participate in the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS), Colorado’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and Smart Source. In this role, Lauren supported schools in administering the surveys and provided technical support to schools and community partners as they navigated using results to inform school and adolescent health work across Colorado. She is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusive school board policies and ensures the work she is a part of has an equitable and intersectional lens. Lauren’s background is in student leadership, health education and equity, policy and advocacy, and equity and inclusion. She enjoys hiking, baking, and exploring the Denver art and music scene.

Margo Collins

Chief Development Officer

Margo (she/her) has spent her 16-year career helping worthy causes realize the resources needed to continue their important work. With Active Minds Margo leads the organization’s brand awareness and resource development. Most recently, Margo served as the Vice President, Development & Communications for Grameen Foundation. Prior to that role she served as Director of Development, Campaigns for the United Nations Foundation, guiding the fundraising and donor communication programs of the Shot@Life, Girl Up, and Nothing But Nets campaigns of the UN Foundation, which cumulatively represent more than 1 million supporters and advocates of global development. The first half of Margo’s career was spent as a Vice President at CCS, one of the largest strategic development consulting firms in the industry, where she directed multi-million dollar campaigns and assisted clients in enhancing their fundraising program efficiency. Originally a Midwesterner, Margo has lived in 13 cities across 9 states, and has toured 6 continents since graduating from Lehigh University. She and her family now happily reside in Washington, DC.

Dani Gomez Convey

Senior Manager, People & Culture

Dani Gomez Convey (They/Them) has a deep passion for people and considers their life purpose to be ‘helping others unlock their full potential’. They come to Active Minds with 10 years of experience in human capital management, organizational development, and HR. They attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where they received their BA in Criminology, Law, and Justice with a minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. Previously, they served as the Senior Director of People over 3 Restaurants in Downtown Chicago. Dani is from Chicago, IL and now resides in sunny Las Vegas, NV with their partner and 3 cats.

Dee Cox

Graphic Design Associate

Dee (they/them/theirs) is a graphic designer with a love for creating thoughtful and empathetic designs. In college, they pursued a B.F.A. in Art and Design from Towson University, and, after graduating, they joined the Active Minds team to help create positive change in the Mental Health field. In their free time, Dee enjoys reading, playing tabletop games, and playing around with new art supplies!

Jeannette Cruz

Senior Manager, Communications

Jeannette (she/her), is a proud Afro-Latina from Los Angeles, CA. She joins Active Minds with over a decade of experience in communications and related fields. She began her career as a community news reporter and she quickly discovered her passion for connecting with people and sharing their stories. Since then she has worked with non-profits both small and large, as well as national and global organizations, as a content creator, writer and editor for radio, web, magazines, public and internal audiences in English and Spanish.

Jeannette has also advocated for youth experiencing homelessness and survivors of domestic violence. She strongly believes in embracing mental health and creating safe and inclusive spaces for youth to thrive.

Jeannette holds an MBA in Marketing from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism from Arizona State University. She currently lives in Texas where she enjoys spending time in nature, teaching Sunday school, dancing bachata, drinking coffee, and taking road trips with her daughter.

Brett Curtis

Director, Community Fundraising

Brett (he/him/his) leads Special Events and Community Fundraising efforts supporting those who give time, talent, or treasure to Active Minds’ mission and work. He is excited to work with advocates across the country as we collectively continue to change the conversation around mental health. Before joining Active Minds, Brett has supported local and national nonprofit organizations in their peer-to-peer, DIY, special event, and endurance fundraising efforts for missions he is equally as passionate about in the hunger, housing, and chronic illness spaces.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Brett has lived in Washington, DC for the last five years. You can either find him trying a new local restaurant on the foodie scene, enjoying a local sporting event (as he tries to get to every MLB ballpark), or booking discounted travel somewhere as far from the DMV as possible.  He is an avid University of Virginia fan (#wahoowa) having earned both a Master of Public Policy and a B.S. Ed in Youth and Social Innovation at UVA.

Rita DeBate

Research & Evaluation Advisor

Rita is a Professor of Public Health and an accomplished NIH researcher focusing on mental health and college student health & well-being. With over 26 years of experience, she has over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and 6 book chapters. Rita holds a Master of Public Health and PhD in Public Health from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo. As a lifelong learner, she is also earning her MA in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.

Caitlin DeLaurentis

Director of Special Projects

Janie Egan

Manager, Chapter Onboarding & Education

Alicia Elms

Senior Manager, Workforce Development

Alicia Elms (she/her) is a native of Chicago. She comes to Active Minds with eight years of experience in Student Affairs and Higher Education. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs & Higher Education from Indiana State University. Currently, Alicia will serve as the Manager of NextGen Initiatives for Active Minds where she will provide oversight to the Emerging Scholars Fellowship, Nash Family Scholarship, and workforce development. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, enjoying nature’s beauty, or trying out a new recipe.

Tess England

Development Manager

Tess (she/her) has over five years experience working in nonprofits in various roles. Prior to Active Minds, Tess worked on the marketing and branded staff at a nonprofit specializing in exporting agricultural products abroad. She also worked on the development team at a nonprofit news organization specializing in food, agriculture, and the environment.

TJ Fields

Send Silence Packing Program Associate

Q Garcia

Manager, Youth Insights

Q Garcia (He/They) believes that small everyday acts towards equity are the key to collective liberation. He centers his work and relationships on this concept that our everyday actions can and do make a difference.

As the Manager of Training and Content on the Community Initiatives Team, Q is focused on creating transformative programming that speaks to all young people, especially LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.

Q has a background in social work and leadership development. He has worked in direct service roles with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth, LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, and survivors of sexual assault.

They also have experience creating content and curriculum that works to empower communities towards active change.

Q resides in the Washington D.C. area with his partner, Bright, and their mini-poodle. Q and his partner are passionate about creating safe spaces where trans disabled people can thrive. Q also enjoys creating art, playing board games, and staying up to date on the latest queer TV shows.

Lilian Garcia-Herrera

Human Resources Associate

Amy Gatto

VP, Measurement

Amy is interested in the relationship between health and education. Blending together her experiences as a former high school teacher, higher education health educator, and young adult health researcher, she has found a niche in working to improve adolescent and young adult mental health. Amy is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida in the College of Public Health, holds a Master in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Elon University. To find balance, Amy seeks out new adventures, teaches and practices yoga, and is usually working through a new DIY home project.

LaiQuannah Hason

Senior Associate, Measurement

LaiQuannah (she/her) is passionate about using data to improve health outcomes. She is excited to combine her experience in scientific research and public health analytics with her passion for mental health awareness in support of Active Minds and the Measurement Team. LaiQuannah holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the first HBCU, Lincoln University, and a Master of Public Health from Thomas Jefferson University. LaiQuannah enjoys trying new restaurants, attending concerts and festivals, and traveling.

Ivy Henson

Manager, Chapter Mobilization & Engagement

Ivy (she/her/hers), a Bostonian living in New York, comes to Active Minds with a non-profit and mental health background. As an undergraduate student, she co-founded The Every Voice Coalition, a non-profit working to reduce rates of gender-based violence on college and university campuses, and, since then, has worked in psychiatric research and as a therapist who specialized in trauma informed and intersectional therapy. Ivy fully believes in the importance of prioritizing accessible and inclusive mental health care and discussions. She is a big supporter of holistic advocacy for others, and for the self, and is looking forward to supporting student advocates. Ivy holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University. In her spare time, Ivy can typically be found cuddling on the couch with her cat.

Laura Horne

Chief Program Officer

Laura (she/her) develops innovative strategies and unique partnerships to empower students to help schools and society embrace a comprehensive, public health approach to mental health. Prior to Active Minds, Laura led public health initiatives at the National Association of County and City Health Officials and Tulane University. Laura earned her Master of Public Health degree in community health sciences from Tulane University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Loyola University New Orleans. She enjoys running, reading, finding adventure with her husband and three girls, and following the Washington Nationals and New Orleans Saints. Laura works from Philadelphia.

See Laura’s full bio »

Rae James

Senior Associate, Communications & Storytelling

Rae James (they/them) is the Communications & Storytelling Senior Associate at Active Minds. As a member of the Marketing & Communications team, they’re working to change the conversation around mental health and engage Active Minds’ growing audience.

With more than half a decade of experience supporting marginalized youth, Rae has a demonstrated dedication to advocating for and engaging their community on social issues. From their roots as a campus organizer to their previous work on the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools team, Rae has seen firsthand the transformative power of a supportive infrastructure on young people’s lives.

Rae earned their Master of Public Administration with a Nonprofit Management specialization from the University of Delaware, and is passionate about driving social change and making a meaningful impact through mission-driven work.

Tyrrell Jeffries

Director, K-12 Initiatives

Tyrrell (he/his/him) is a father, dedicated servant leader, advocate, and educator. Born and raised in Aurora IL, and a native of Chicago, Tyrrell joins the Active Minds team with over a decade of experience as an educator and community organizer. During his undergraduate career at Augustana College, Tyrrell served as the Director of Student Leadership Development and gained a fond appreciation for developing young adults and youth.

Upon graduating, Tyrrell moved to the south side of Chicago and began his teaching career at CICS Washington Park. During his tenure, Tyrrell served as a teacher, Instructional Lead, Dean of Students, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary and Middle School Principal. Tyrrell completed graduate studies at Dominican University and is an alumnus of the Relay Graduate School of Education National Principal Academy. 

Tyrrell loves to travel with his son and create lifelong memories through random surprises and adventures.

Olga Juarez

Development Manager, Operations

Olga (she/her), a proud DC native, joins Active Minds with over 6 years of experience in the nonprofit space. She brings a strong background in nonprofit development and a deep commitment to social justice and equity. She previously worked on the development team at the National Partnership for Women & Families, where she led successful fundraising initiatives and donor engagement strategies. Her work with a national nonprofit provided her with a broad perspective on the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Prior to that, Olga served as an AmeriCorps volunteer and later as a client service coordinator for a food bank, addressing food insecurity and poverty’s impact. These experiences have given her a profound understanding of systemic issues and the ability to approach problems with an equity lens. Passionate about mental health advocacy, especially within BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, Olga aims to advance education, de-stigmatize mental illness, and promote inclusive support systems.

In her spare time Olga enjoys sharing her poetry through open mic nights, curling up on the couch with her two dogs, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Dena Keeling

VP, Equity & Inclusion

Dr. Dena Keeling comes to Active Minds with a background in educational leadership, counseling, and equity, diversity and inclusion. She has worked in community mental health, has 16 years of experience as a school counselor, and most recently, served as the first Chief Equity Officer for Orange County Schools in Hillsborough, NC. Dr. Keeling has spent her career working to transform the educational system in order to ensure that all students have access to academic programming, college and career preparation, and social and emotional support. Her approach to facilitating systemic equity transformation includes supporting staff with critically examining organizational culture, policies, practices and decisions; building the skills, awareness, and knowledge to create, lead and sustain anti-racist and inclusive environments and programming; and developing strategic partnerships that center the needs, experiences and voices of those who are currently and have historically been pushed to the margins.

Dr. Keeling earned both her doctorate in Educational Leadership and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Counselor Education from North Carolina A&T State University. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Keeling is originally from New York and now lives in North Carolina with her three children. In her free time, she and her children like to find new things to experience, like taking cooking classes, traveling, and accomplishing their goal of going to every coffee shop and bakery in Greensboro.

Alley Kocinski

Graphic Design Associate

Alley is excited to contribute to Active Mind’s mission through her work as a Graphic Design Associate. She has an interdisciplinary degree in communications and art, and loves design because it combines her creative side with her strategic side. Outside of work, Alley is a life-long artist and is often painting or getting involved with the local art community. When she’s not either designing or painting, she enjoys reading and being outdoors. Alley lives in northern Colorado with her husband and their dog, Macchiato.

Sheina Koolik

Program Associate, K-12 Engagement

Sheina (she/her) was born and raised in South Florida where she began her work in the nonprofit world. As a child, Sheina‘s family instilled the values of community, hard work, and helping others, where she began her passion for advocacy. She attended the University of Central Florida and got her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with a minor in Human Services. At UCF, Sheina was the Chief Justice of UCF Student Government and worked to advocate for and uphold the rights of UCF’s 70,00 students, where she first came in contact with Active Minds. As the Florida K-12 Engagement Fellow, Sheina is excited to work with local and statewide outreach efforts to recruit schools to participate in the newly developed Active Minds Middle School network. In her free time, Sheina enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and being active.

Estrella Levy

Chief Operating Officer

Estrella is proud to be Active Minds’ Chief Operating Officer. She spearheads optimization of the environment & strategic framework for effective implementation of Active Minds’ exciting 5-year strategic plan representing the next step in its trajectory to revolutionize mental health advocacy and mobilization for youth and young adults. She is a seasoned professional with over 25 years honing her skills in sustainable business growth, marketing strategy, and leadership development across diverse industries spanning renowned organizations like National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company, HBO, Citigroup, KinderCare Learning Centers, and running her own successful boutique catering business. She is responsible for enabling effective implementation of innovative programs and initiatives to attract and retain donors and grow organizational impact, and is skilled at using strategic acumen, operational finesse and integrative processing to optimize programs, marketing and development for their strategic and business opportunity value. Her time-proven approach is not merely about business, it’s about harmony, aligning organizational objectives with team members’ motivations to create a synergy that propels individuals and the company toward unparalleled success. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and based in Rockville, Maryland, Estrella is mom to two sons, Alexander and Benjamin, and to their much loved puppy Sasha.

Jessica Mayorga

Chief Marketing Officer

Jessica (she/her) is emphatically a D.C. native and proudly the daughter of a Cuban-Chinese exile and a Colombian immigrant raised by her resilient grandmother. Having experienced social injustice first-hand since childhood, her career has been fueled by a commitment to achieve change and move the needle on injustice believing that one’s zip code, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and identity should never limit potential or access to success. Driven by deeply personal experiences, Jessica is committed to doing her part to eliminate cultural taboos and stigmas associated with mental health in communities of color.

Jessica earned a Master’s degree in Administration, Planning and Social Policy at Harvard University, an MBA in Marketing at Walden University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two daughters while also co-parenting her remarkable multiple-special-needs son. During the NBA season, you’ll find Jessica glued to the television every time her beloved LA Clippers play.

DeHaven Sawyer Mays

Manager, K-8 Engagement

DeHaven Mays (pronouns: they/them) is a non-binary educator and youth advocate who has dedicated their career to creating education and coaching to empower youth voices. They hold an undergraduate and graduate degree in sociology from Virginia Commonwealth University and a graduate degree in education from Widener University. DeHaven has created LGBTQ specific outreach, education, and support group programming across Virginia where they live to change K-12 school culture to be safer for all students to thrive and be their full selves. DeHaven will use all of their past experiences and education to help create the middle school program to serve highly impacted youth and their stories to create lasting change.

Gerald McLeod

Director of Marketing and Communications

Gerald (he/him) hails from Prentiss, MS, and now resides in the Washington, D.C., area. His personal mission is to employ strategic communication measures that reach diverse audiences, from the Twitterverse to readers of the Des Moines Register. Gerald studied Public Policy Leadership at the University of Mississippi, where he developed a passion for using communications to bridge gaps and unite people from all backgrounds.

Before joining Active Minds, Gerald served as the Director of Strategic Communications for Kellen Company, where he implemented strategies that boosted brand awareness and enhanced communication efforts for his clients. Currently, as the Director of Marketing and Communications at Active Minds, Gerald leads the organization’s marketing and communications initiatives with the support of a talented team.

Emelyne Ndikumasabo

Office Manager

Emelyne comes to Active minds with a background in international programs and operations, and has worked in conflict zones for the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Previous to Active Minds, Emelyne served as the Procurement staff at the United Nations office in Ivory Coast. She has over 10 years providing operational support and program/project management support in the nonprofit realm. In her spare time, Emelyne enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors with her daughter.

Markie Pasternak

Senior Manager, Higher Education

Markie oversees Active Minds’ work in higher education, focusing on mental health support for college and university students, staff, and faculty. Markie is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and received her bachelor’s in psychology from Marquette University. During her time at Marquette, Markie served as the Active Minds’ chapter president and was the president of the Student Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2016. Markie received her Master’s of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington. Before joining the Active Minds Staff, Markie worked at Auburn University focusing on mental health programming and peer health education, and was the co-advisor for the campus’s Active Minds chapter. In her spare time, you can find Markie coaching figure skating at her local ice rink, cheering on her hometown team, the Green Bay Packers, or playing with her dog, Brooks. Markie works remotely from both Georgia and Alabama.

Chad Pendleton

Marketing Manager

Jimena Perez

Program Associate, K-12 Student Leadership

Jimena (she/they/ella) is a Costa Rican-born Nicaraguan-raised staff member based in the Midwest. She has graduated from Albion College with a B.A. in Art History and Spanish. Jimena’s connection to mental health advocacy and Active Minds traces back to her participation in co-founding her college’s chapter (2021), the NAB program (2021), Trailblazers (2022), and internship with the organization (2022-2023). She is excited to now serve as the Program Associate for K-12 Student Leadership. Through this role, she hopes to help youths become the direct conductors for utilizing their voices to shape and change the conversation and attitude towards mental health. Aside from mental health advocacy, Jimena enjoys visiting museums, going to concerts, discovering the city/urban life, and watching non-English TV series.

Sam Piraneo

Senior Development Associate, Community Fundraising

Originally from New Jersey, Sam studied psychology at Ithaca College and was involved in IC’s Active Minds chapter. During his time at IC, Sam interned with the local Department of Social Services and worked at a summer camp for youth experiencing mental health struggles. Since moving to D.C., Sam worked as a barista and local LGBTQ event producer before joining the Active Minds team. Outside of work, you can find Sam riding his bike, exploring new coffee shops, or eating ice cream with his boyfriend.

Shiloh Lawrence

Head of Digital Technology

Shiloh has a strong interest in working on projects that support the LGBTQ+ community, women, and racially diverse communities. She has been developing software since before Y2K was a thing. She has expertise in a wide range of web programming languages, content management systems, and other technologies, with a particular focus on custom web applications. Originally self-taught, Shiloh now holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Loyola University Chicago where she went on to teach computer science courses to adult learners in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. In their free-time, she is often found exploring Hyrule or out bicycling in nature.

Brandi Pretlow

VP, Community Initiatives

Andrea Priehs

Manager, Donor Experience

Luis Ramirez

Director, Individual Giving

After interning with Active Minds in his college days, Luis was thrilled to return initially as Active Minds’ Development Manager, and to now work as the Senior Development Manager as he continues to help change the conversation about mental health. Previously, Luis has had the opportunity to work for two incredible organizations: Food & Friends, a DC based nonprofit providing medically tailored meals to people living with serious illnesses, and Rebuilding Together, a leading home repair nonprofit focused on revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives across the country. Luis is a firm believer that donors should be celebrated at every opportunity and works to build relationships based on trust, transparency and a culture of philanthropy.

Luis holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Health from the University of Maryland. He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with his cat and two dogs.

Eric Rockwood

Send Silence Packing Program Associate

Eric (he/him) was born in Maine but grew up in Gaithersburg, MD and currently reside in College Park, MD. He is half American and half Salvadoran and speak Spanish, as well as basic Russian and German. Eric graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in Political Science, with a focus on international relations and foreign/domestic policy, and a minor in Spanish. Previously, he was an AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer at Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington, as well as previous roles in non-profits and trade associations. Eric also has volunteered with local food kitchens, LQBTQ+ centers, and local immigrant help services.

Laurie Schaecher

Senior Manager, Measurement

Laurie is Senior Manager, Measurement for Active Minds. She is an experienced analyst, evaluator, consultant and trainer, and supports the data driven and innovative evaluation of Active Minds programs.

Prior to joining Active Minds, Laurie worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations, evaluating community engagement programs, identifying opportunities for new ventures, and assessing overall strategy. Her clients included national health organizations, hospitals, wildlife conservation groups and international development nonprofits. She also worked as a fundraising analyst, identifying key indicators of program success and leading industry trainings on building data driven strategy. Additionally, she was an Adjunct Instructor teaching Data Visualization and Storytelling to graduate students at UNC. Laurie holds a Master in Public Health from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College. Laurie loves to run trails with her dogs, work in her yard, and root for the UNC basketball teams. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband and 3 children.

Jackie Schmitt

Senior Manager, K-12 Student Leadership

Jackie (she/her) is an educator and youth advocate passionate about developing young leaders and building their confidence. After graduating from Spelman College, she began her journey as an educator at Uncommon Schools’ North Star Academy in Newark, New Jersey. She then continued her career in her hometown of Chicago, IL, teaching and serving as an instructional coach with Chicago International Charter Schools. Jackie now brings a decade of teaching and coaching experience to Active Minds, where she serves as the Senior Manager of K-12 Student Leadership.

André Scott

Senior Associate, Web & Digital Content

André Scott (He/They) is the Web & Digital Content Senior Associate supporting the Marketing & Communications team with content updates, front-end web design, and brand consistency. They are thrilled to contribute to the Active Minds mission by creating the best user experience possible on digital platforms.

Previously, they’ve worked as a Designer & Developer at Orbital Creative, a design agency focused on building websites for nonprofits, and hold degrees in Psychology and Graphic Design. Originally from Southern California, André now resides in Oregon having lived in multiple cities across the state since 2004.

André and their husband have two adorable pets, a dog and a cat, and enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling with the whole family. In their downtime, they watch Star Trek and other sci-fi shows, read articles on Science and Buddhism, and play tabletop games with friends.

Sarah Shaw

Digital Media Manager

Sarah is a resident and native of Alexandria, VA. Her deep passion for understanding and connecting with people drove her to pursue a career in public relations, and ultimately led to her specializing in digital media. She has been a mental health advocate for over a decade and is thrilled to be a part of the Active Minds team as the Digital Media Manager.

Sarah is a proud graduate of The University of Georgia where she received her B.A. in Public Relations and Music Business. Prior to Active Minds, Sarah worked for global PR agencies where she led strategic digital initiatives for her clients. In her free time, you can find Sarah at a concert, on a lacrosse field, or trying new restaurants with friends and family.

Jalah Shelby

Senior Associate, Social Media Content

With a diverse background in the social media space, Jalah brings a strong eye for design and a passion for creating content that fosters community engagement. Her experience includes working as a Social Media Coordinator for a mental health brand, where she honed her skills in health and wellness content.

As the Senior Associate of Social Media Content, Jalah takes a community-first, brand-aligned approach. She is dedicated to ensuring that all content resonates with the target audience and aligns seamlessly with the brand’s mission and visuals. She aims to make the organization’s social platforms a go-to space for Gen Z—whether they need information or just a pick-me-up.

Outside of work, Jalah enjoys drawing, doing Pilates, coloring, and cooking. She also loves spending time with her dog, Levi.

Joy Sheppard

Director, Community Programs

Joy Sheppard, a Maryland resident and Pennsylvania native, joins Active Minds with a background in live entertainment, event production, and sponsorship sales. Joy has over ten years of specialized experience in building relationships and has spent much of her professional career managing high profile people and events with a wide range of corporate, government and non-profit clientele. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from George Mason University and enjoys traveling, tasting new cuisines, and living up to her name.

Maddie Sloan

Staff Accountant

Maddie (she/her) is originally from western Maryland and moved to North Carolina where she attended North Carolina State University to receive her bachelor’s in accounting. She developed experience in financial analytics and working in public accounting with small businesses and entrepreneurs. Driven to make a bigger influence socially and with non-profits, she went back to school and received her master’s in accounting with a focus on non-profit and governmental accounting from American Public University. She has always been passionate about mental health and utilizing her financial knowledge to make a direct impact on the community. Maddie currently lives in South Florida and loves to spend her free time teaching yoga, studying astrology, and on the beach.

Matt Stokes

Senior Grants Associate

Matt Stokes (he/him) is originally from Atlanta. Matt moved to DC after college in Boulder, Colorado. He studied philosophy and is very passionate about incorporating what he’s learned into work and daily life! Matt is always up to head to a happy hour and chat, and he loves making new friends and talking about anything – though if you can talk about aviation he’ll have a lot more to say.

Jazmine Taylor

Sales Manager, Speakers

Jazmine is originally from Alexandria, Virginia where she enjoyed event planning, local farmers markets, and visiting music venues within the D.M.V. area. Before departing for Richmond, Virginia, she received her Associates Degree in Social Sciences. She then found her passion for non-profit work in behavioral health within the Richmond area. Inspired to continue her impact in mental health, she joyously accepted an offer from Active Minds for the Sale Manager, Speakers role in Washington, D.C.

Lindsey Tullman

Sr. Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations

Keaton Van Beveren

Visual Brand Manager

Keaton joined Active Minds as their Visual Brand Manager to marry her passion for graphic design with her background in both education and nonprofit. With master’s degrees in Secondary Education (Notre Dame) and Public Administration (American), she brings an abiding love of learning to everything she does.

Though she will always consider herself an Oregonian at heart, Keaton currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and beloved rescue dog Topher. Some of her favorite pastimes include watching outdoor movies, drawing, running Ragnars, and baking up more sweets than she could ever possibly eat.

Taylor Wells

Development Associate, Stewardship & Operations

Taylor (she/her/hers), a former Active Minds development intern, is a Pennsylvania native happily relocated to the DC area to rejoin the Active Minds Team as Development Associate, Stewardship and Operations. She graduated summa cum laude from Temple University with a BA in Communication and Social Influence, a degree focused on using communication to build social movements and effect change. She found her passion in the development field as the former Development Intern, Operations/Annual Fund, and is thrilled to be back at Active Minds supporting the important mission of de-stigmatizing mental health. In her free time, Taylor enjoys reading, caring for her houseplants, and stockpiling yarn for an endless stream of fiber crafts.

Mike Wiegand

Events Manager, Community Programs

Mike Wiegand (he/him), a Virginia resident and native, joins Active Minds with a background in Therapeutic Recreation and Non-Profit event management. Mike has spent his professional career working with impact driven nonprofit organizations to deliver a wide range of events from building playgrounds for families fighting pediatric cancer and underserved communities, to managing adaptive sports programs for individuals with disabilities and veterans. He received his Bachelors of Science degree from Longwood University and enjoys traveling to new places and cooking good food for his friends.

Dante Worth

Senior Manager, Public Relations

Dante (he/him) is a native of Rochester, NY, but is now based in the Richardson, TX, area. His personal mission is to enable, empower, and encourage others to live their best lives by living authentically. He studied Communications at SUNY Brockport, where he discovered his passion for using public relations to make a positive impact in the world.

Before joining Active Minds, Dante had the opportunity to serve nationally as the Senior Publicist for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), supporting contact centers and crisis counselors as they do the vital but challenging work. As the Senior Manager of Public Relations at Active Minds, Dante leads the organization’s PR strategy with the support of an incredible team.

Gabrielle Yaptinchay

Senior Associate, Measurement

Gabby is excited to support Active Minds programs through evaluation. She has a background in working with special populations and has an interest in research and advocacy for these groups. She holds a Master in Public Health from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland. In her free time, you can find Gabby traveling across oceans and states, spending time with friends and family, and hiking with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dog.

Mia Zaleski

Program Associate, Chapter Onboarding & Registration

Born and raised in The Garden State, Mia Zaleski (she/her) has been a lifelong mental health and wellness advocate. She graduated from The College of New Jersey with a B.S. in Public Health and earned her M.S. in Health Communications from Boston University. Before joining Active Minds, Mia has four years of experience working with higher education. In her free time, Mia enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading health and wellness books/magazines, and traveling.