Meet the team behind Step Above Stigma.

Hailey Rodgers, Co-President
Mental health advocacy changed my life completely. Advocacy allowed me to accept myself as I am and to not be ashamed of my past or any battles that I am currently facing. It allowed me to share my own story with the world without shame or doubt. Moreover, I never thought that I would one day find meaning in these battles. I never thought that my battles could help someone else. The moment I opened up about my story, individuals began to confide in me about their stories and asked me to point them in a direction where they could receive help. Sharing my story opened the door for someone else to share theirs. You see, through your struggle, there is incredible strength. Your strength can positively impact the lives of many people. Storytelling acts as a catalyst for change. As soon as we begin to normalize storytelling and facilitate a community of encouragement and support, then we will break down the stigma. As soon as we break down the stigma and build awareness, we can normalize mental health accessibility and all have the mentality where we know that it’s okay to ask for help.

Jessica Gregoire, Co-President
Mental health is very personal to me, as many people close to me and myself have struggled with it. Mental health does not mean weakness, and I think many people have yet to recognize that. That is why I wanted to be a part of Step Above Stigma, to advocate for those who are struggling and to end the stigma surrounding mental health. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others. If you or anyone you know is suffering, know you are not alone and that it will get better. I am always here for anyone who needs to talk.

Jae Makitalo, Co-President
Mental health has played a huge role in my life, however education and advocacy surrounding mental health was not something I saw a lot of. Being part of Step Above Stigma gives be the opportunity to continue to educate and advocate for mental health while working with a family of like-minded individuals who support each other as we fight to end the stigma. ​

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Sonya Patel, Business Development & Human Resources Director
Mental health means a tremendous amount to me, having gone through my own journey where I battled stigma in my personal circle. Being with Step Above Stigma has allowed me the opportunity to see the difference mental health advocacy can make on other’s lives, while also helping me positively interact with the world through the choices I make. SAS has been an integral part of why I love mental health advocacy, and I hope as a team we can make a difference in eradicating the stigma and barriers that surrounds mental health! ​

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Ampai Thammachack, Founder
​The mental health community is built by and for individuals who all have mental health, and we have come so far. Notwithstanding, many still do not have access to stigma free environments and resources to actually be mentally healthy. Step Above Stigma’s goal is to raise funds, awareness and facilitate systemic change, a goal taken lightly by none. However, I know our team can do it because we are not only an organization but a family of mental health advocates who support each other to strengthen our community, together.

Aidan Bonner, Vice President of Online Services
​Being part of Step Above Stigma since 2017 and growing into a strong and compassionate team that strives towards raising funds for mental health organizations has been truly amazing and inspiring. As Vice President of Online Services, I have been in charge of creating, building & maintaining our website, creating our e-Commerce store to sell our socks as well as overseeing our blog to allow those who feel comfortable to share their own experiences with mental health. Since joining Step Above Stigma, myself and many others realize that we should not be afraid to talk about our issues and that in doing so helps us move forward as a society and in addition, break down the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Maya Fillion, Vice President of External Sales
As like so many, mental health and wellness is something that has affected me in my day to day life. I am very fortunate to have the ability to have those courageous conversations and resources surrounding me. Step Above Stigma works to provide those same accessibilities to all and bring down the stigma surrounding mental health. I am so excited to work with this team and continue the conversations around mental health and wellness.

Karolina Bejmert, Vice President of Internal Sales
Mental health means the world to me. By taking care of my mental health I can be the best version of myself, but if I don't it can go bad pretty fast. This is why I wanted to be a part of Step Above Stigma. Advocacy and normalizing conversations surrounding mental health gives people the tools they need to not only take care of themselves but also to make societal change.

Jacob Shaddock, Vice President of Events & Initiatives
Mental health has gone from a taboo subject to a serious conversation through the hard work of organizations like SAS, however a lot of work still needs to be done to reduce stigma and promote self-care. Through SAS I want to stimulate a positive dialog within our communities on how we can better take care of ourselves and uplift our family and friends - because at the end of the day all we have is each other. ​

Camila Mercado, Vice President of Events & Initiatives
I grew up in a country where mental health is not talked about. I was taught to be understanding of others’ struggles, but there was no room for struggles of my own. Step Above Stigma’s work in mental health advocacy made me realize that if we are judgemental towards ourselves we can’t expect others to reach out for help, unafraid of judgement. I joined SAS because real change starts from within. ​

Sarah McCleary, Vice President of Marketing
​Many people have struggled and continue to struggle with mental health, myself included. Yet, there remains a certain "hush-hush" around the subject. It is time that mental health is no longer an elephant in the room; people shouldn't feel ashamed of it or embarrassed to seek help. Therefore, I wanted to become a member of Step Above Stigma to assist in the journey of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and educating others.

Adriana Mangos, Vice President of Marketing
​Because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, students often feel alienated by peers and family members, which makes them feel alone. This state of loneliness makes them reluctant to seek help or treatment, and their mental illness continuously worsens. I joined Step Above Stigma to help end the stigma around mental health and to help ensure all students feel supported and know that they are not alone!

Jake Eisen, Vice President of Community Outreach
Mental health surrounds my life, and I strive to advocate for mental health and physical health wherever I go. I have learned that in order to best support others, it's important to take care of our minds and our bodies too. Through Step Above Stigma, I'm excited to work towards creating stigma-free environments in various communities and fostering empathetic relationships so that everyone can have access to mental health resources!

Monique Botros, Vice President of Community Outreach
Too many times I’ve watched friends and family live in the throes of poor mental health, by choice, not because help isn’t available, but rather because seeking help put them at risk of being judged as weak, or senseless. I joined SAS because it helps me imagine a world where a mental health diagnosis is not seen as the patient’s intrinsic weakness, and where help is sought not in the boundaries of judgement, but by need.

Solana Pasqual, Vice President of Community Outreach
​I have, and continue, to struggle with my mental health, and one of the most life-changing things that help me on my journey has been knowing that I am not alone. I surround myself with individuals who are good to me, and know that I am no less lovable when I’m struggling. Some individuals do not have this support system, or simply, want to expand theirs, and that’s why I joined Step Above Stigma.

Delaney-Rose Hunsdale, SASIP Coordinator
I wanted to be apart of Step Above Stigma because I believe that mental health should be as much of a priority as any other aspect of health. Being a Health Studies student I am very excited to be a SASIP coordinator to highlight the importance of intersectionality in mental health access and care.

Ghazal Khademi, SASIP Coordinator
To me, mental health is a road that comes with many ups and downs, no matter what your story is. Mental health will always important to me, as a large part of my life has consisted of seeing the struggles of those near and dear, as well as my personal struggles. Being a part of SAS allows me to advocate for something I am so passionate about, while breaking the stigma around mental illnesses. ​

Antonia Racz, Treasurer
Seeing mental health go from being a taboo topic to something I can discuss openly with my friends has felt like an amazing leap forward. But just because the stigma seems to be fading from within my little bubble, that doesn’t mean that the push for further education and understanding of the complexities of mental health is over. I joined SAS to work with a team of like-minded people who share my drive to normalize conversations surrounding mental health.

Laura Pickering, Treasurer
I began struggling with mental illness at a very young age, constantly feeling alone and isolated. In high school I began talking about my mental health and realized I am not alone in my struggles. This helped me accept myself just as I am. With Step Above Stigma I want to help others accept themselves as they are and have open conversations about mental health so we all feel less alone. ​

Haley Sturrock, Chapter Coordinator
People face mental health struggles regardless of gender, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. A unique equalizer in our society, mental health is one of the most stigmatized and consequently dangerous challenges we face. By joining SAS, I have been given the opportunity to create new chapters targeting teenagers & young adults across the country to help make their conversations easier and give these students a life time of sharing, understanding and embracing their mental health. ​

Eunice Pang, Chapter Coordinator
I was raised in a household that stigmatized discussing mental health, so when I started to struggle with my own mental health I was too embarrassed to talk to anyone about it. What I have now learned is that struggling with your mental health does NOT make you weak—it is something that affects almost everyone and takes an immense amount of strength to battle. My personal journey sparked my interest in joining Step Above Stigma; I want to actively shape this world into a place where no one feels ashamed to talk about their mental health struggles. It is completely okay to not be okay! ​

Lauren Gnat, Volunteer Coordinator
I believe in rebranding the way people see mental health and changing the way people act towards those with mental illnesses. The fear of stigmatization is one of the largest barriers that prevent people from seeking the help they need. As part of Step Above Stigma, I want to combat this issue by normalizing mental health conversations into our daily lives to create an environment where students feel safe, comfortable, and validated. ​

Mariam Farooq, Volunteer Coordinator
As I grow older, I have begun to realize how our mental health directly affects our physical health. Furthermore, I am also learning about the mental health inequality that exists across different groups in our society. Today, it is proven that less equal societies suffer more social problems leading to poor health effects. I hope to fight against this inequality and erase the stigma surrounding mental health with Step Above Stigma. ​

Hanin Amer, Photo/Videographer
​Stigma has the ability to silence anyone who’s in need of speaking out. Mental health care determines the difference between perceiving a great vs awful day. I joined this club to abolish the stigma that has blockaded anyone from improving their quality of life. Strong mental health allows us to live up to our utmost potential, though some of us may need help reaching that point and that’s what step above stigma is for!

Jade Courchesne, Photo/Videographer
I’ve recently paid an extra effort to being more unafraid while discussing my mental health with friends and family. These conversations fundamentally teach me how to provide unconditional support for the people in my life that may be handling unseen stress. They allow me to exercise empathy and to hold no judgement over the lived experiences of others. They have their stories to tell — and they’re just as important as mine. ​

Heather Malcolm, Graphic Designer
​Mental health awareness and advocacy are passions of mine and helped me see my potential. My goals include spreading awareness about mental health and getting rid of the negative stigmas that surround it. Having mental health means you are strong, many people forget this, this is why I want to be advocating for people who have not yet seen their potential. Step Above Stigma is a community in which I can meet my goals and help the people around me.

And Step Above Stigma's very own mascot, Lola...