2024 Young Innovators in Behavioral Health Awards

Recognizing 30 young leaders for their outstanding impact in Research & Academia, Technology & Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Media & Influencers, Clinical Services, and Arts & Activism

purple heart with Y, I, B, H in purple letters with purple half circles, pink stars around the background

Behavioral Health Tech, Hopelab, Pivotal, Manatt Health, Headstream Innovation, and Resonance Philanthropies are thrilled to co-present the 2024 Young Innovators in Behavioral Health Awards.

This program recognizes the vital contributions of young visionaries — ranging from students to clinical researchers and tech entrepreneurs — in shaping a future where everyone, particularly young people, can access essential digital mental health resources and feel truly supported. Young people are proactive and innovative in addressing mental health challenges and their efforts are driving transformative change in digital mental health.

MEET THE 2024 YOUNG INNOVATORS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

  • TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

    Recognize pioneers who leverage technology to push boundaries and create digital solutions to solve complex behavioral health challenges.

  • Nita Akoh // Founder and CEO of MyAtlas, a pioneering digital health platform

  • Justine Bautista // Ph.D. student at UC Irvine, developing tech for marginalized communities

  • Carissa Parsons // Mental health advocate enhancing Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line

  • Gloria Umanah // Founder and CEO of mental health nonprofit Hope Booth

  • Audrey Wang // Founder of Affective Cookies, youth advisor at Born This Way Foundation and GoodforMEdia

  • RESEARCH AND ACADEMIA

    Recognize researchers, students, and educators who advance evidence-based knowledge in behavioral health and help translate science into solutions.

  • Riya Dave // Fulbright Scholar and NIH researcher, created India’s first mental health app for orphan girls

  • Demond Hill, Ph.D. // Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Comparative Human Development/D.I.C.E lab at the University of Chicago

  • Tabor Hoatson // Advancing sobriety and mental health treatments for LGBTQAI+

  • Angela Li // CEO and Co-Founder of Soulsync, an online platform for Asian American health and well-being

  • Finneas Wong // Mental health researcher and activist for trans and nonbinary Asian teens, a contributor to the Boba Project

  • MEDIA AND INFLUENCERS

    Recognize journalists, influencers, and other content creators who leverage their media platforms to shape public discourse on behavioral health topics.

  • Juan Acosta // Mental Health + LGBTQ Activist , Speaker and content creator

  • Gael Aitor // Co-founder of Astro Studios, founder of Teenager Therapy podcast

  • Alyx Ang // Launching Mental Health Mailboxes and hosts the "a is for anxious" podcast

  • Diana Chao // Founder of Letters to Strangers, focused on destigmatizing mental illness

  • Francesca Reicherter // Founder of Inspiring My Generation, leading suicide prevention

  • ARTS AND ACTIVISM

    Recognize artists, culture workers, and organizers who use creative expression to advocate for change and justice in behavioral health

  • Saanvi Arora // Co-founder and Executive Director of the Youth Power Project

  • Alejandra Gomez // Mental health and social equity advocate, speaker, and content creator

  • Naomi Cruz Ojeda // Policy fellow at Young Invincibles and mental health advocate

  • Andre Simms // Founder of DayOneNotDayTwo, leads youth events and art workshops in jails

  • Trace Terrell // Mental health advocate and serves on advisory boards for MHA and NAMI

  • ENTREPRENEUR

    Recognize innovators and entrepreneurs who transform ideas into successful ventures or non-profits.

  • Patrick Gilligan // Founder of Somethings, using certified peer specialist mentors to provide more engaging care to teenagers at scale

  • Gun Young Lim // Co-founder of Sol Health, helping therapists-in-training accrue clinical hours by offering personalized therapy to Gen Z

  • Magda Wojtara // MD Candidate UCLA DGSOM and founder General Intelligences

  • Rick Yang // Directed SchoolSight and founded Frontiers of Fulfillment

  • Tessa Zimmerman // Founder and Executive Director of Upstream Education

  • CLINICAL SERVICES

    Recognize healthcare professionals who provide exemplary care, compassion, and innovation in the delivery of behavioral health care.

  • Alyssa Garza // PLPC for Veterans Transitional Living Program and founded Active Minds at LSUS

  • Jasper Ho // Developed Transcend curriculum, supporting LGBTQ+ youth as a trans-Asian

  • Karrington Hendrix // Founded Stigma Free, providing free mental health care to students

  • Mitchell Kabenda // Mental health advocate, behavioral health counselor at UnityPoint Health, aspiring professional in digital health & technology

  • Micah Reyes // Uplifts women and LGBTQ+ youth in recovery at NewPerspective Sober Living