Dr. Desyree Dixon, Organizational Change & Leadership, LCSW-C, is the Founder and CEO of Whew! Corporation, a psychological consulting firm that works with organizations to (i) enhance company and staff performance through training, consulting, and coaching; (ii) improve employee mental health and wellness; and (iii) address workplace and school trauma. Desyree provides specialized coaching services to executives and their organizations.

Desyree is also the Founder and CEO of Bolton Therapy & Wellness, an award-winning psychotherapy practice specializing in trauma. She currently serves on the inaugural Baltimore City Trauma Informed Care Task Force, which is working to make Baltimore the first trauma-informed city in the country and is already serving as a model for other cities.

Desyree offers training and seminars on psychological-based coaching. These trainings include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), BrainSpotting, and Identity-Focused coaching. Desyree is an EMDRIA approved Trainer, Consultant and Therapist. Through her doctoral research, she has developed several identity-related frameworks for helping practitioners and clients.

Desyree created the LIFE Model, an innovative conceptual framework that is used in both therapy and coaching. The LIFE Model incorporates a number of evidence-based concepts shown to affect performance and overall quality of life.

She is a a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Southern California with a concentration in Organizational Change and Leadership. Her research at USC focuses on practitioner self-efficacy, which has implications for how coaches and therapists learn and the most effective ways to train them. graduated with honors from Georgetown University and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She completed her masters level trauma training at the Johns Hopkins Medical School Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Desyree serves as the wellness expert and executive leadership coach to C-Suite leaders at many of the premiere technology, entertainment and advertising firms including Meta (Facebook), Sony Music Group, Bloomberg and Amazon.

Desyree has been featured in the Baltimore Business Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, the Minority Report Podcast, and most recently in EMDRIA’s Go With That Magazine (Fall 2023, Spring 2024). She contributes to Baltimore television stations WBFF and MPT/PBS (Maryland Public Television), radio stations NPR, WFBR and WEAA. She was honored to be the 2021 Keynote Speaker for the AdColor Conference and Awards, the premier diversity gathering of professionals at all levels in the advertising, social media, entertainment, and music industries. Desyree has presented her research on Identity Based trauma at the University of Southern Californa and at the EMDRIA International Conference. For the past five years, her trauma practice has been recognized as one of the best in Baltimore.

Paraag Marathe is the San Francisco 49ers chief contract negotiator and salary cap architect, in conjunction with presiding over 49ers Enterprises business ventures and investments. Notably, on the business investment side, Marathe is chairman of Leeds United Football Club of the English Football League Championship, as 49ers Enterprises holds full ownership of the club. Beyond the 49ers, Marathe is a faculty member at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Marathe is a philanthropist, sitting on the Board of Directors for Andrea’s Voice, Project HEAL, The Body Positive, and Sequoia Hospital Foundation – where both of his daughters were born. In recognition, Marathe was selected as a member of the Sports Business Journal’s 2015 Forty Under 40 class, in addition to being a two-time recipient (2012 & 2019) of the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s Johnnie L. Cochran Salute to Excellence Award. Marathe, his wife, Jennifer, and two daughters, Juniper and Maren, live in Los Altos, California.

Laila Shanaa is a Palestinian American dietitian and eating disorder specialist based out of Providence, Rhode Island. She owns a group practice named Olive Branch Nutrition Therapy, which by name honors her commitment to her Palestinian heritage, passion for helping her clients build lasting trust with their bodies, and her cat Olive. Laila's love for eating disorder work was bred out of lived experience with being in a larger body, experiencing disordered eating from a young age and originating from a refugee family in which safety in their bodies was not accessible. Currently Laila's days are filled with client sessions, advocacy, snuggles with her cats and decorating her condo with moody victorian decor.

Asia Diggs Meador joined Meritan, Inc. in November 2013. In her role as General Counsel, Senior Vice President - Compliance & Human Resources, she directs human resources and compliance policy and procedures, oversees benefits administration, serves as counsel on contract and transactional matters, advises the Board of Directors, and manages all litigation through the oversight of outside counsel.

Mrs. Meador has over 15 years of experience in business, contract, and employment litigation. Prior to joining Meritan, Mrs. Meador was a Senior Associate at a labor and employment law firm representing clients nationwide in all facets of labor and employment litigation, matters relating to the misappropriation of trade secrets, non-compete agreements, breach of contracts,
and constitutional civil rights issues. Mrs. Meador also serves as an independent human resources consultant to clients in various industries, as well as instructs graduate-level courses in business law and human resources.

Mrs. Meador received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and her B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin.

Kira is the Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Pearl Wellness Practice. She is a licensed clinical supervisor and therapist serving individuals with disordered eating, eating disorders and body image concerns in DC, DE, FL, and MD. In addition to providing direct care she provides individual and group supervision, consultant for other mental health professionals and practice, facilitates psycho-education groups, and contributes her eating disorder, leadership, and management expertise to workshops, blogs and podcasts. In Kira’s spare time, you can find her volunteering as the philanthropy chair for her alumni, mentoring psychology students, watching or playing sports, and hanging out with family.

Ashley Acle, MBA, MFT, LMFT is a consultant, clinical supervisor, and advocate passionate about health equity and culturally sensitive mental health. She currently works in private practice serving clients with eating disorders and mental health issues, consults for organizations, and leads clinical supervision and educational workshops for healthcare professionals. Ashley has presented internationally on equitable and culturally sensitive detection and treatment for eating disorders, including at the Southern Plains Tribal Public Health Conference, the American Psychological Association (APA) Convention, and the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) Convention.

Bryan Lian (he/him/his) is a well-being coach and campus dietitian/nutritionist at Stanford University, which sits on the ancestral and unceded land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. As a part of Stanford’s Eating Disorder Care Team, Bryan is deeply committed to fostering a campus where all bodies can feel alive with accessible stepped care treatment for eating disorders and cross-campus/community-based prevention/outreach.

Bryan's academic journey includes studies at UCSF and Rutgers University, where he earned his MS in health administration and BA in nutritional and biological sciences, respectively. He further refined his clinical skills through intensive training at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital.
With over a decade of experience in the field, Bryan has practiced in various eating disorder contexts, spanning inpatient, IOP/PHPs, multidisciplinary clinics, residential camps, and private practice. As an eating disorder consultant/supervisor he brings multi-modal skills as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Applied Compassion Ambassador, and 200hr yoga instructor.

Bryan's identities encompass a blend of intersecting privileged and marginalized backgrounds: he identifies as a queer cis-guy first-generation college graduate and an extra large second-generation Chinese-American. His dedication to affirming and inclusive care is evident in his advocacy for advancing dialogue and best practices within the field. Bryan strives to ensure that diversity of thought and lived experience are not only recognized but also valued and centered in every aspect of his work.

Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, known affectionately as Dr. BCW, serves as the Medical Director of Urgent Care Clinics at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV, and is the visionary founder of Beyond Clinical Walls, a dynamic social media and podcast platform dedicated to sharing accurate and credible health information through entertaining, and educational short-form content. Her mission as a social media influencer is to provide accessible health information to diverse audiences to increase health literacy and raise awareness for inequalities in health care.

Dr. BCW's profound commitment to her community is evident through her diverse roles and active involvement in public health initiatives. She serves as an assistant medical examiner at Washoe County Child Protective Services, safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children, and has notably held the position of President at the Washoe County Medical Society. She co-chairs the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Committee for the Nevada State Medical Association. In 2023, she was appointed by Governor Lombardo to advocate on behalf of patients for Nevada's Patient Protection Commission, solidifying her dedication to healthcare advocacy.

Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. BCW assumed the pivotal role of Medical Director for the Washoe County Sexual Assault Response Team, providing essential support to survivors. Her dedication extended further as she contributed her expertise to the Reno Mayor's Task Force and the Governor's Medical Advisory Team for Nevada, showcasing her unwavering commitment to public health.

Dr. BCW's dedication and accomplishments have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards. She was honored as one of Sierra Nevada's Top 20 Most Powerful Women in 2019 and received the PBS Reno Spotlight Extraordinary Neighbor award in 2020. In 2021, she was presented with the Young Physician Award by the Washoe County Medical Society and received the Community Service Award from the same society. Most notably, Dr. BCW was recognized as a Healthcare Hero by Nevada Business Magazine in 2022. Becker's Hospital Review has featured Dr. BCW for two consecutive years, recognizing her as one of the 75 Black healthcare leaders to watch.

As an accomplished public speaker and event host, Dr. BCW has served as a keynote speaker at various events and has had the privilege of presenting twice at TEDx. In addition, she actively engages in national media interviews and consistently contributes to multiple publications.

Outside of her professional endeavors, she finds joy in the company of her husband and their two young daughters, embracing life in the picturesque surroundings of Reno-Tahoe.

Natalye Kirkland is a licensed therapist located in Georgia. She has been with Equip for a year as a Therapy Lead and has been working with eating disorders for 4 years, overall, Natalye has been in the mental health field for over 12 years. Having extensive practice in Cognitive Behavioral Health Therapy and Family Based Therapy, Natalye helps individuals and families overcome their struggles with eating disorders that can extend to body dysphoria and other mental health problems. Natalye takes pure joy in seeing others achieve success and milestones in their recovery journey.

With lived experience in both bulimia nervosa and BED (binge eating disorder), Makailah recovered while facing many barriers with accessibility to treatment. She recovered with the passion to pursue healthcare equity. Graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelors in Biology and emphasis within microbiology research, and continued her work with EQUIP Health as a lead peer mentor. She is dedicated to highlighting the BIPOC experience in the healthcare community, disability advocacy, and providing affordable & accessible care for all.

I am here for healthcare equity. As a lead peer mentor for EQUIP, I have lived experience with both bulimia nervosa and BED (binge eating disorder). Against many financial and accessibility barriers, I was able to recover to pursue my passion within the healthcare field. I graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a Bachelors in Biology, emphasis in microbiology research. I continued my work to EQUIP and now serve my communities via virtual and accessible eating disorder care. Dedicated to highlighting the BIPOC experience in the healthcare community, disability advocacy, and providing affordable & accessible treatment for all.

Akiera Gibert (she/her) is the CEO of Project HEAL – the leading nonprofit in the U.S. focused on equitable access to eating disorder care. In 2023 alone, they provided access to over $5 million worth of free services, including treatment placement, clinical assessments, cash assistance, insurance navigation, and meal support.



Previously, Akiera served as the Founder and CEO of Body Reborn, an intersectional community-care organization for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who struggled with disordered eating. Her career is rooted in helping marginalized communities access critical resources -- from women and girls who have experienced violence, to incarcerated individuals. Akiera’s social impact expertise has equipped her to design, lead, and scale strategic initiatives worldwide.

Jamil Akil is a licensed therapist located in in the state of Pennsylvania, right outside the Philadelphia area. He began working in the eating disorders realm at the residential setting with The Renfrew Center (Spring Lane Philadelphia) and currently has been with Equip for a little more than a year now. Overall, he has been working within the eating disorders realm for 3 years. From a more general standpoint, Jamil has been in the mental health field for over 15 years. Having extensive practice in Family Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Couples Therapy and Peer Mentoring, Jamil has aided individuals and families conquer their eating disorders behaviors/symptoms that have been known to extend to other mental health issues. Jamil has a strong passion for helping those not only in his own local community but whoever he comes into contact with and that is one of the main reasons that he has utilized his knowledge and skill set to assist others in achieving their true victorious self in all facets of their lives.

Fatema Jivanjee-Shakir, LMSW is an eating disorder therapist, writer, and speaker. She has extensive experience working with adults, adolescents, and couples in all levels of care. Her work is strongly informed by the Health at Every Size perspective and intersectional approaches to healing. Fatema has a special interest in working with BIPOC clients and has been featured in numerous publications including The Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, PopSugar, and HelloGiggles. Fatema is a therapist at Conason Psychological Services and a Board Member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals New York chapter. You can find her on Instagram at @YourSouthAsianTherapist.

Syd Yang (they/them) is a mixed race/Taiwanese American queer trans/non-binary recovery coach, ordained Buddhist minister, spiritual counselor and writer who weaves together magic, possibility and intention as an energy healer in the world through their practice, Blue Jaguar Healing Arts. Syd is completing an M.Div for Buddhist Chaplaincy and is a certified Movement Chaplain with Faith Matters Network. Syd's work finds its resonance in the stories we each hold at the intersection of memory, body, sexuality and mental health. Syd works primarily with queer and trans BIPOC individuals as well as regularly leads workshops, community healing circles and has been a group facilitator for over two decades, with a specific focus on grief, healing ancestral trauma, sexuality + spirituality, body liberation and eating disorder recovery. Their memoir Release: A Bulimia Story (2019), re-imagines what a spiritually based-recovery for marginalized bodies could look like without shame.

Elizabeth Moscoso (she/her) is a peer mentor and body image group facilitator at Equip. Elizabeth uses her lived experiences and her belief in the power of community healing to hold space for individuals from all walks of life as they navigate eating disorder treatment journey. She recently graduated with her Master of Public Health Nutrition degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Malak Saddy RD, LD/LDN, CEDS-C, is a dietitian in private practice in seeing clients in person and virtually in Chicago and virtually in the states of Illinois, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Licensed Body Positive Facilitator, and a size inclusive provider. She is well versed in the treatment of eating disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. Malak has spoken at over 50 national conferences, and universities, addressing eating disorder treatment in culturally diverse groups, Health At Every Size, and intuitive eating. She attributes part of her career to growing up in a Lebanese Muslim American household where food and family were always around in abundance. Having these experiences, she is sensitive and aware as to how much culture, religion, and spirituality can play into one’s healing journey. She is passionate about providing individualized nutritional care and counseling support to clients and their families while being compassionate and empathetic to their needs.

Rui Tanimura, is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Yoga Teacher living in Colorado. She is originally from Boston, MA where she earned her Masters Degree in Nutrition & Health Promotion with a speciality in the Treatment of Eating Disorders from Simmons University. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from the University of Pittsburgh. Rui has worked in all levels of eating disorder care, from inpatient hospitalization to outpatient support. Rui has been a part of Equip for the past 2 years. Rui uses interpersonal therapy, health at every size philosophy, cultural awareness, diversity advocacy, and her lived experience from recovering from OSFED to promote long-term recovery.

With experience of supporting a loved one with ARFID, Alexia carries her knowledge to supporting patients at Equip. Alexia is based in Houston, Texas where she continues to provide lived and professional experience to focus on skill building and emotional coaching. Alexia facilitates two ARFID Caregiver Support Groups and continues to provide her support by educating on loving and judgement free spaces to support recovery and guide caregivers to find their strength to support their loved ones.

Dr. Coble is a board-certified Pediatrician and Adolescent Medicine specialist with over a decade of experience practicing in New York City. Her clinical expertise spans the management of adolescents with eating disorders, gynecologic disorders, and complex medical and mental health disorders. Dr. Coble's professional motto, "every day every teen thriving," underscores her commitment to advocating for equitable access to appropriate care, aiming for wellness and good health outcomes among adolescents. She is a passionate advocate for education and advocacy, believing in their power to help individuals navigate any situation by discovering and nurturing their strengths. She is the director of adolescent medicine at NYU Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and HHC Bellevue Hospital.

Dr. Pi is an adolescent medicine physician at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine providing specialized care to patients from puberty to early adulthood. He sees patients at the NYU Fink Children’s Ambulatory Care Center as well as Bellevue Hospital Center. His clinical work includes the full spectrum of specialty adolescent health including reproductive and gynecological health, eating and feeding disorders, medical management of depression and anxiety, care for LGBTQ youth, care for youth living with or at-risk for HIV, and gender identity development issues. His clinical passion lies in identifying and addressing disparities in health care among racial and gender minority patients.

Katya Viswanadhan, M.S., Psy.D (they/them) is a Pediatric Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor within the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry department at New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine. Dr."V" serves as the Clinical Lead for eating disorder treatment and Lead for the NYU Integrated Behavioral Health psychology training program. Dr. V specializes in providing gender-affirming pediatric care to LGBTQ+ youth and treating feeding and eating disorders with comorbid medical conditions at NYU Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital and Bellevue Hospital. Dr. V focuses their research on eating disorders and equitable integrated behavioral health practices for pediatric populations. They have presented at the American Psychological Association, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the Society of Pediatric Psychology and most recently published on Clinical Applications of Dialectical Behavior Therapy With Pediatric Populations and Systems.

Roberta De Oliveira, MD, PhD, FRCPC, is a psychiatrist triple board-certified in Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Consult-Liaison Psychiatry. She is the director of the Collaborative Care clinic in Pediatrics and a reproductive psychiatrist at the Bellevue Hospital Center. Dr. De Oliveira is an Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the New York University and practices as a Consult Liaison Psychiatrist at the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, where she is a part of the multidisciplinary team assessing and stabilizing teens with eating disorders.

Sand Chang, PhD (they/them/their; Tongva land) is a Chinese American nonbinary psychologist and DEI consultant who works at the intersection of trans health, eating disorders, trauma recovery, and body liberation. They are a Level 3 Certified IFS therapist, IFS Institute Assistant Trainer, Certified Body Trust provider, Certified EMDR therapist, and Co-Founder of Queer and Trans Internal Family Systems (QTIFS).

Angela Goens, MS, RDN, LD (she/her) is the owner of Rooted Nutrition Services, which is geared towards supporting those with marginalized identities, specifically BIPOC, transgender, and LGBTQ+ clients who struggle with eating disorders, and disordered eating patterns. Angela currently provides individual outpatient nutrition counseling, facilitates support groups, provides supervision and offers consultation services. Angela has experience working in various roles of intensive care for eating disorders, chemical dependency, depression, anxiety and trauma. Working in higher levels of treatment has given Angela great exposure to the entire continuum of care. In 2022, Angela co-created the first ever Black Indigenous People of Color Eating Disorders Conference. This 3 day virtual event was developed to better meet the needs of those often overlooked from inadequate diagnosing to traditional treatment models. This conference gave a platform for any clinician in the field of eating disorders to learn from an expert lineup of BIPOC providers who presented on an important variety of topics.

Raven Schwam-Curtis (shh-wahm) is a recent graduate of Northwestern University with a master’s degree in African American Studies. Her research explores intersectional histories with a focus on Black and Jewish relationality. Before her studies at Northwestern, Raven was an undergraduate student at Cornell University. They graduated in May 2020 summa cum laude with double majors in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Asian Studies with a concentration in China and double minors in Inequality Studies and Africana Studies. In addition to her academic endeavors, Raven also works as a content creator and keynote speaker. Bringing the expertise of academia to life in digital spaces allows Raven to serve the communities she loves and cherishes by democratizing credible sources of information. Her work online unpacks the possibilities of the digital humanities and the exciting ways it allows us to learn. Her work has been featured in Glamour Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, Slate Buzzfeed, and more. As Gen Z increasingly turns to digital methods of learning educators need to adapt, and as a member of Gen Z themselves, Raven is up for the challenge!

Dr. Joy Cox is a body justice advocate using her skill set in research and leadership to foster social change through the promotion of body diversity, equity and inclusion. Dr. Cox has utilized the past 10 years to amplify the voices of those most marginalized in society, bringing attention to matters of intersectionality, addressing race, body size, accessibility, and "health." Joy has been featured on several podcasts and media productions, not limited to CNN’s Chasing Life with Sanjay Gupta, the Tavis Smiley Show, and the New York Times. She is also the author of the book, Fat Girls in Black Bodies: Creating Communities of Our Own, which was released in September of 2020. Dr. Cox’s own personal story is one of an overcomer. Her goal in her work is to propel others into a place of freedom while addressing structural and interpersonal barriers that work incessantly to keep them hindered.

Meet Ashley Pinkeney, LMFT—a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Consultant, Thanatologist, and Author of the chapter “Perinatal Bereavement Care” in the book “Perinatal Palliative Care” published in 2020. With a passion for helping people navigate life's complexities, she received a B.A. in Psychology from St. John Fisher College and an M.A. in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego, specializing in Medical Family Therapy. Ashley gained invaluable clinical experience in individual, family, and group therapy throughout her career, honing her skills to support people through life's ebbs and flows. Now, as the founder of Hummingbird Marriage & Family Therapy, PLLC, Ashley is dedicated in her clinical practice to assist her clients in overcoming longstanding burdens, crafting value-oriented lives, and fostering healthy authentic connections—with themselves and with others - that affirm their sense of worth. Specializing in Eating Disorders, Grief and Loss, Life transitions, and Relational counseling for couples, Ashley is a Prepare/Enrich Certified Facilitator and Trainer and holds Level 1 certifications in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and Internal Family Systems.

Herani Argoe is a therapist, speaker, and consultant in the metro Atlanta area. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Georgia with years of experience serving adolescents, adults, and families healing from Trauma and Eating Disorders in various treatment settings. She also provides speaking, training, and consultation services on various mental health topics, including but not limited too, Inclusive Eating Disorder Care and Trauma and Eating Disorder care for BIPOC individuals. Herani is passionate about creating safe, ethical, and inclusive spaces for clients to heal while empowering other professionals to do the same. In her free time she likes to spend time outside, bake, and shamelessly watch reality tv.

Sheba is a South Asian American licensed mental health counselor based in NYC and specialized in the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring concerns. I am anti-diet, fat-positive, weight-inclusive, anti-oppressive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and disability affirming.

Whitney Trotter MS RDN/LDN RN RYT (she/her) is dually licensed as a Registered Dietitian, Nurse, and yoga instructor and is currently working on her doctorate degree to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Whitney has over ten years of experience working as a registered dietitian serving various communities such as, the HIV/AIDS community as well as working in the eating disorder field. Whitney also previously worked at a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center as a Pediatric emergency room nurse. In addition to working as an RDN and RN, Whitney has served as a member of her county's Rape Crisis Center. Her work at the Rape Crisis Center equipped her to co-found an anti-trafficking organization Restore Corps, where she now provides medical training to the community focusing on human trafficking response. Whitney's career in the Eating Disorder field includes being a former Nutrition and Nursing director of a Residential, PHP, and IOP center. Whitney is also the owner/founder of Bluff City Health, a private practice specializing in bridging the gap in the eating disorder field of equitable care and social justice. This past year Whitney created the first-ever BIPOC Eating Disorders Conference and started #bipoceatigndisordersawarenessweek.

Mykah Scott is a passionate and dedicated student at Tuskegee University, where she is pursuing degrees in Political Science and English. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Mykah has established herself as a dynamic force in combining the arts with activism. With a rich academic background and diverse experiences, she seamlessly blends her creative talents with a commitment to social justice and community engagement.

As a member of the Houston Youth Slam Poetry Team, Metafourhouston, Mykah represented Houston internationally, crafting collaborative and individual pieces and organizing impactful community events. She has performed at significant venues and events, including the Obama portraits exhibition at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Astros' tribute to Jackie Robinson. Mykah has also opened for Tank Ball's book release "Vulnerable AF" at Stages Theatre, using poetry as a platform to highlight social issues and foster community dialogue.

Her achievements extend beyond performance, with publications on prestigious platforms such as Planet Forward, Tuskegee Review, and Revolutionary Publications. As a previous Community Engagement Fellow at the Washington D.C. Public Defense Service Office, Mykah organized community events to promote rights awareness, education, and public defense through art-based engagements. Collaborating with local services, she facilitated impactful community outreach programs.

Mykah's passion lies at the intersection of arts and activism, where she believes in the transformative power of art to inspire change and foster community connections. Through her poetry, creative consulting, and community work, Mykah strives to elevate voices and issues that matter, promoting civic rights and social justice.

Joan is the co-founder and CEO of Arise, whose vision is to create a world where everyone, everywhere has the freedom to heal from eating disorders and disordered eating. Joan brings her own lived experience with eating disorders and mental health conditions alongside a deep empathy for the diversity of the mental health journeys of so many others to drive her work as a product leader in the mental health tech space.

Most recently, Joan was a product leader at Headspace Health where she led initiatives that empowered members to get into clinical care faster than ever before and led personalization initiatives with the AI/ML teams. Prior to Headspace, Joan led product at Click Therapeutics where she launched their first clinical trial product, a novel digital treatment for major depressive disorder.

Prior to her work at mental health tech startups, Joan started her career in management consulting at Deloitte where she led projects to implement robotics process automation at a top global pharmaceutical company and EHR systems for a state-wide development disability service provider.

Joan holds a B.A. cum laude in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science from Harvard College, where she conducted fMRI research to understand how stress impacts our ability to utilize cognitive reappraisal and also published a book on the mental health experiences of Asian American students at Harvard.

Dr. Sehrish Ali is a licensed professional counselor and a certified eating disorders specialist (CEDS). Dr. Ali has worked in a multitude of eating disorder treatment centers and has been privileged to work at all levels of care where she was able to utilize various approaches and modalities. Her experience centered around gaining a better understanding of the complexities involved in various eating disorders and their effects on multicultural populations. She has worked extensively with both adults and adolescents and their families, to treat eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and trauma at higher levels of care in individual and group settings. Dr. Ali currently practices as therapist at Arise and Guided Growth Therapy. In her practice Dr. Ali centers around the idea that “normal” is subjective and no two journeys are the same. She believes that one’s unique experiences differ greatly and are a big part of who we are and how we show up in the world, which is why she greatly emphasizes the importance of integrating several approaches to best fit one’s individual needs.

Dr. Erikka D. Taylor, MD, MPH, DFAACAP, is a double board-certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who has been committed to serving individuals and families impacted by eating disorders for over 10 years. She is also the Chief Medical Officer at Arise, a digital healthcare company offering inclusive care for eating disorders and mental health support.

Dr. Taylor is passionate about education, increasing mental health awareness, breaking down barriers of stigma, and addressing and eliminating health disparities that impact individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Dr. Taylor sought out specialized training in the field of Eating Disorders during her residency and fellowship programs at Duke University. Shortly after graduating, she served as the Medical Director of an Eating Disorder Hospital where she helped to develop policies and programming to deliver high quality and evidenced based treatment within multiple levels of care. She also served as an advocate on behalf of her patients to improve access to care for the treatment of eating disorders. She has a passion for teaching and has trained numerous medical and mental health professionals about diagnosing and treating eating disorders and co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

As a mental health advocate, Dr. Taylor currently serves on the Race, Ethnicity and Equity committee for the North Carolina Psychiatric Association, and she is the immediate Past President of the North Carolina Council of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She also is a delegate for the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Assembly.

Mia Donley (she/her) is a registered dietitian based out of Denver, Colorado. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Auburn University and her master’s degree in public health from University of Minnesota. Mia pursued a career in nutrition to bring culturally relevant nutrition education to the field and ensure all felt represented in nutrition. She has worked as a nutrition educator in schools and universities, managed food access programs, and counseled clients in outpatient settings. When working with clients on their relationship with food and body, she brings warmth, gentle curiosity, practical tools, and a weight inclusive approach to create a non judgemental space. Outside of counseling, she enjoys roller skating, cozy video games, and drawing.