Matthew is a Co‑Founder of the ADI and a long‑time advocate for improving mental health through education, access, and community‑based innovation. He holds both bachelor’s‑ and master’s‑level degrees in psychology and has devoted his career to work at the intersection of mental health, public service, and organizational leadership.

Matthew began his professional career in the human services sector, working directly within nonprofit environments that support individuals and communities facing complex mental‑health and social challenges. He later transitioned into higher education, where he has spent more than two decades in progressively responsible leadership roles, gaining deep experience in administration, systems design, and cross‑institutional collaboration.

In addition to his professional work, Matthew is an active civic volunteer and nonprofit leader. His involvement spans multiple community organizations and reflects a consistent commitment to service, governance, and mission‑driven impact. Through the ADI, he focuses on building practical, scalable initiatives that reduce barriers to care, promote mental‑health literacy, elevate physical activity as a supportive component of mental‑health care, reduce stigma, and connect evidence‑based ideas to real‑world implementation.

Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Matthew maintains a strong connection to the outdoors. He enjoys rock climbing, hiking, biking, running, kayaking, paddleboarding, camping, and nearly any activity that allows him to spend time outside and stay physically active—an interest that closely aligns with his belief in the strong connection between physical activity and mental well‑being.

Samar is a dedicated Trustee serving the ADI mission. She earned her Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Neuroscience and has 10+ years in preclinical and translational Neuroscience research. Samar is currently a Senior Project Manager at PsychoGenics, a Neuroscience CRO specializing in preclinical research and testing. 

She first joined The ADI as a participant and later a volunteer with a strong interest in advocating for the mental health community and encouraging others to seek healthy coping strategies for mental wellness. 

Samar is enthusiastic about staying active through kayaking, and traveling both locally and abroad for the purpose of enjoying the outdoors all year round.

Jamie is a dedicated Trustee serving the ADI mission. She  is a Licensed Practical Nurse since 2009 holding licenses in multiple states and currently serves as a full-time nurse with the Department of the Army. Jamie earned her Micro-Computer Application certification in 2018, further strengthening her technical and professional skill set.

Since its inception, Jamie has been a dedicated volunteer with The Anxiety & Depression Initiative, where she remains deeply committed to advancing its mission and supporting mental health awareness and advocacy.

Before entering the nursing profession, Jamie spent twenty-five years as a dancer, retiring from ballet in 2011. This background instilled in her a strong sense of discipline, resilience, and dedication—qualities that continue to shape her approach to nursing and service.

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Jamie enjoys hiking, biking, snowboarding, skiing, and spending time outdoors. She also values time with her family and embraces every opportunity to enjoy fresh air and an active lifestyle.

Scott is a Co‑Founder of the ADI and has over two decades of experience building and managing IT consulting organizations. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology. 

Since childhood, Scott has been fascinated with the natural world and living things, with a particular affinity for turtles and tortoises. He is an active member of an international wildlife conservation nonprofit organization (Turtle Survival Alliance).  

In his free time Scott participates in vinyasa yoga, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and appreciates a catchy tune.

Joshua is a Co‑Founder of the ADI and an avid adventurer and active lifestyle enthusiast. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems from Lehigh University and a Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing from Montclair State University. He later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Joshua began his career working at marketing agencies and within the marketing departments of several technology companies. Over time, his professional focus shifted toward work that emphasized mentorship, education, and meaningful human connection—an evolution that led him into the field of teaching and educational technology. Alongside this transition, he remained deeply committed to service and volunteerism, contributing his time to serving meals to the homeless and fundraising to support families affected by cancer. This growing focus on impact and advocacy ultimately led him to co-found the Anxiety & Depression Initiative (ADI), where he continues to support mental health awareness, education, and outreach.

Currently, Joshua serves as an Upper Division Technology Integrator at the Allen-Stevenson School, where he partners with students and faculty to thoughtfully integrate technology into teaching and learning. In his spare time, he enjoys staying active through rock climbing, hiking, Tae Kwon Do, cross training, parkour, mud runs, and traveling to new and interesting places around the globe. He also enjoys unwinding with a good comic book, video game, or movie, and discussing them with friends and family.