Our Mission
FloraMind’s mission is to create culturally relevant and accessible youth mental health solutions that empower all young people to flourish.
What We Do
FloraMind develops the tools to educate, empower, and guide teenagers towards positive mental health and well-being.
Our materials are based on cutting edge research in the fields of positive psychology, emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving using design thinking, and stress management. Our content revolves around knowledge of symptoms, self-care methods, and resources to reach out to mental health professionals.
Our digital platform is based on personalization of video content and interactive exercises that will provide an effective learning experience.
Our Approach
Knowledge
Understanding the signs and symptoms of mental health issues
Support
Strategies for coping with mental health issues and helping others
Guidance
Knowledge of options, resources, and treatments available
Our Team
Mahmoud Khedr, CEO
Mahmoud is an Egyptian Immigrant passionate about social change, specially empowering underserved communities. Previously, he worked at Facebook, Google, the NYC Mayor's Office of Technology & Innovation and Echoing Green. After feeling an urgent calling to address the teen mental health crisis in the United States, in addition to his personal experience with mental health issues, Mahmoud is driven by his purpose to build FloraMind and ensure that every teenager can flourish in their academic and personal pursuits. He earned a degree in B.S. Social Entrepreneurship from The City College of New York, CUNY BA.
Danny Tsoi, COO
Danny is US Marine veteran and social entrepreneur. Following his career in corporate IT at Richemont, he sees social entrepreneurship as the best application of the skills he has developed over his experience in IT and operations. He started FloraMind as a way to uplift the youth and can create a force-multiplier for improving the present-day education system. He considers solving issues in access to mental health services as a personal mission due to his personal experience. Having personally witnessed his friends struggle with mental health issues, he sees the work at FloraMind as a necessity for the education system. He is finishing his degree in Economics at The City College of New York.
Cheyenne Lopez, Program Facilitator
Cheyenne is an AfroBoricua activist and Psychology graduate who specialized her career and education in Training and Development. She first started to explore mental health in 2015 through self care, transitioning her hair. Thus, fully accepting and celebrating her Black and Indigenous roots. She's excited to join FloraMind because it's a chance for young people to express themselves openly!
Summer Elsayed, Program Facilitator
Summer Elsayed is graduate from Parsons The New School with a degree in design, a background in psychology, and a passion for activism. She is an interior architect, endurance athlete, and educator who has previously taught Design & Engineering and Construction Technologies. Summer is a "Triathlete with Impact" who uses her athletic platform to advocate for quality education, generational poverty, and prison reform. She is a proud member of the Floramind team and facilitator who believes Social-Emotional curriculum is essential in schools in order to help our youth build resilience and have the proper tools to live a fulfilled life.
Faareha, Program Facilitator
Just like her name, Faareha is a giver of happiness. Her passion for justice and human rights often supersede her love for coffee. She previously worked as a member of a grassroots organization that tackled issues at an interpersonal, local, and national level through discussion and community service. She is elated to be joining FloraMind as a facilitator and her strong belief that through education and training, mental health awareness and well-being will be de-stigmatized and strengthened throughout the youth and society.
Brendaliz Fadul, Program Facilitator
Brendaliz Fadul, educational background in Business Marketing & Mental Health Counseling, brings four years of teaching to the team along with extensive knowledge in yoga, mindfulness, & meditation. She enjoys reading, hiking, and skydiving. She's super excited to educate the youth about the importance of mental health & teach them techniques that will allow them to thrive.
Kimberly Thomas, Program Facilitator
Namaste! Kimberly has previous experience supporting young people in recreational settings such as NYC Parks & Recreation as well as the Bronx Zoo, Boy Scouts of America Scout-reach program and Trailblazers, to name a few. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and enjoys working with children on the Autism Spectrum while using ABA intervention to help them nurture their developmental and social skills. She loves to express herself creatively through short stories, poems, singing, dancing and abstract art. Her passion and career goals align with providing young people with tools about mental health and mindfulness, so they’re better equipped with handling their overall well being as they go through different stressors of the different stages of life. She’s a senior in her last year at CUNY Brooklyn College, majoring in Psychology BA with a minor in Sociology.
Viktoriya Borisova, Program Facilitator
With a passion for mindful living and mental health advocacy, it is my pleasure to introduce myself, Viktoriya, as a Facilitator for FloraMind. Currently, I am completing my double major in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Legal Studies to follow my career goal toward empowering adolescents. I truly value personal development. This has been my motivator within choosing in my degree, serving in Circle K, and now working with the FloraMind team.
Rayna Penn, Social Media Manager
Rayna is a social media marketer & micro influencer who is inspiring & making an impact on those she comes in contact with. She has seen very close family members and friends that have had suffered substantially due to lack of mental health resources. Her goal is to improve the current school system and is set to change the lives of many by helping one human being at a time.
FloraMind’s Mental Health Youth Advisory Council
Meet FloraMind’s first Mental Health Youth Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to ensure that we are building hand-in-hand with the community we are serving. We strongly believe in youth and think their perspective is crucial to cause real change. For us to have a true impact on shifting the conversation on mental health, we absolutely need them! Read more about the council by clicking on the image or following the link to the article here: FloraMind’s First Mental Health Youth Advisory Council