FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

I’m Jenn (she/her), a Clinical Psychologist, Adjunct professor, and co-founder of guts., where we’re on a mission to make mental health skills relatable, practical, and accessible for everyone. I’m a first generation college student and I earned my PhD at the University of Washington in Seattle, where I learned mental health skills and strategies that I personally use every day. I’ve taught these skills in all kinds of settings, from classrooms to community groups, and I’ve seen firsthand how transformative they can be. I’m all about breaking down mental health stigma and bringing science-backed strategies out of the therapy room and into everyday life—where they belong! I’m also deeply committed to social justice and making mental health inclusive for everyone.

On a personal note, my own experience with anxiety, combined with a family history of mental health challenges and alcohol abuse, fuels my passion for mental health advocacy. I strive to share my story to combat stigma and help reduce feelings of shame.

Fun Fact: I’m a proud Vermonter who’s serious about her syrup. My family has been sugarmakers in the Northeast Kingdom of VT for generations, and you can usually find me carrying around a bottle of pure maple syrup, just in case!

BOARD MEMBER

I’m Christina (she/her), a board-certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology. I completed my PhD in clinical psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit and my internship and postdoctoral residency at UCSD/VA San Diego. I specialize in cognitive and psychological evaluations for individuals with neurological conditions including dementia, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. Although my focus is on assessment, I incorporate mental health strategies into my evaluations with patients, as anxiety and depression are common among the individuals I see and can worsen cognitive difficulties. I have benefitted as well from learning mental health skills through my graduate training and my own experience with therapy. I am dedicated to supporting guts.’ mission to share these strategies and break down mental health stigma, as well as increasing access to socially- and culturally-responsive psychological care.

Fun Fact: My favorite niche book genre is historical non-fiction shipwreck accounts. I also enjoy rowing as a hobby

BOARD MEMBER

I’m Aditi (she/her), a public health scientist and yoga teacher committed to making health and healing more accessible, inclusive, and rooted in lived experience. I was born and raised in Nepal, where I witnessed firsthand how poverty and inequity shape health outcomes. Those early experiences inspired my path in public health, one that centers community-led research and amplifies the voices of those most impacted.

I earned my Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from Penn State College of Medicine and currently work at Stanford in the Partnership for Research in Child Health lab. My research focuses on addressing child health disparities, especially food and nutrition insecurity among low-income and marginalized families.

After completing my 200-hour training with YogaX at Stanford Psychology (and now pursuing my 300-hour), I’ve become passionate about integrating yoga into healthcare, supporting mental health, trauma healing, and community well-being in ways that honor its cultural roots.

On a personal note, both public health and yoga have helped me navigate my own experiences with anxiety and belonging. They’ve offered me tools to feel grounded, connected, and whole, and I want others to feel that, too.

Fun fact: I’v never say no to a cup of chiya (milk tea), puppy cuddles or a beach sunset!

BOARD MEMBER

I am Lisa (she/her), a guts. Board Member and education attorney based in Massachusetts. I received my J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, and a Bachelor's degree from Regis College. In my practice, I focus principally on representing the parents and guardians of children whose neurodiversity, mental health challenges, or physical disabilities qualify them under relevant federal and state laws for special education and related services to assist them to reach their full potential. My practice is informed both by my early-career experience as a corporate litigator and by my personal journey with a child through the complexities of the special education process.

Through my advocacy on behalf of children who struggle to successfully access education due to the lack of appropriate accommodations and skills-based instruction, I have seen the critical need for accurate information around mental health. When such information is more easily available to the wider community, what follows is a growth in shared understanding, compassion and willingness to engage with tools that work. That is a big reason that I support the mission of guts.

Fun fact: I love to travel and have visited 16 countries on 5 continents. I enjoy especially wildlife and wildflower photography, and highlights have included seeing lions, leopard and jaguar on safari in Tanzania, Africa; and sea eagles and puffins in the fjords of Norway.

CLERK & BOARD MEMBER

I’m Justin (he/him), a mechanical engineer and systems integration lead at Boston Dynamics, where I work on testing and validating advanced robotic systems. I specialize in building scalable hardware test infrastructure and solving complex, cross-disciplinary problems. I’m honored to serve on the board of guts to support a cause that deeply matters to my family and to help expand access to practical, research-backed mental health tools. As someone who is passionate about science and data-driven problem solving, I’m drawn to guts’ commitment to bridging the gap between mental health research and real-world application.

Fun fact: I’m a serial hobbyist and love tinkering—whether it’s woodworking, brewing beer, shaping surfboards, or baking sourdough. I’m also the creator of a now-famous chocolate chip cookie recipe affectionately known as “cookLees.”