Meet The Founder
Manasvi Sharma founded The Mind Initiative after noticing a pattern across every generation: people talked about mental health, but few actually knew what it meant or how to use it in real life. Some saw it as a luxury term, others felt disconnected from it, and many struggled to apply it beyond vague advice.
With a strong interest in neuroscience and global health, she founded TMI to help people move beyond vague awareness and actually understand what their minds are doing. She works to make mental health a real-life skill by helping people notice their patterns and giving them the tools and confidence to respond, grow, and advocate for themselves.
Leadership Team
Prisha Singh
Community Education Director
Pahri Patel
Creative Production Director
Abhigna Pitta
Creative Production Director
Srihitha Baswapoor
Volunteer Engagement Lead
Board of Advisors
-
Dr. Krystal L. Culler is a holistic brain health expert, Founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center, and Senior Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health with the Global Brain Health Institute. With nearly 20 years of experience spanning behavioral health, brain health education, and community wellness, she is dedicated to advancing brain health equity through prevention, education, and accessible care. An internationally recognized speaker, author of A Kids Book About Brain Health, and co-host of the podcast Let’s Talk Brain Health!, Dr. Culler brings extensive expertise in translating brain health research into practical, evidence-informed resources for individuals and communities of all ages.
Dr. Krystal L. Culler
Holistic Brain Health Advisor
-
LeAnne Stuver brings over two decades of experience in lifelong learning program leadership and a background in nursing, including ten years of hospital experience. As Co-Founder and Director of Lifelong Learning at the Virtual Brain Health Center, she specializes in developing engaging educational programs for adult and professional audiences. At The Mind Initiative, she advises on accessible brain health education and effective learning strategies, helping make evidence-informed brain health knowledge more engaging, practical, and accessible to diverse communities.
Dr. LeAnne Stuver
Education Framing Advisor
-
Dr. Jennifer Fraser is an internationally recognized author, educator, and expert on bullying, abuse cultures, and their neurological impacts. With two decades of experience in education, she is the founder of The Bullied Brain, an initiative that applies neuroscience and psychology to foster healthier, more empathetic environments. She is the author of The Bullied Brain and The Gaslit Brain and a contributor to Psychology Today. At The Mind Initiative, she advises on brain health education, bullying prevention, and youth advocacy while supporting strategic growth, partnership development, and opportunities to expand TMI’s reach and impact.
Dr. Jennifer Fraser
Research & Growth Advisor
-
Dr. Diego Salinas is a physician, neuroscientist, and National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach specializing in the neuroscience of behavior change, emotional well-being, and preventive health. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Vibly, a well-being platform integrating technology and human-centered coaching to support sustainable behavioral change. At The Mind Initiative, he provides strategic guidance on organizational framing, team development, and priority-setting, helping TMI strengthen its mission, align its team around shared goals, and focus its efforts on initiatives with meaningful, measurable impact.
Dr. Diego Salinas
Strategy & Coaching Advisor
Our Collaborators & Supporters
Our unofficial mascot
Meet Rio, The Mind Initiative’s unofficial team mascot!
Our resident feathered friend is here to remind us that every great team needs a little personality. While he may not contribute to research or lead meetings (yet), he’s already an important part of the TMI family.
We’re delighted to have him on the team!
P.S. Employee of the month, every month.