Research
Through our research and extensive collective medical backgrounds, we work to demystify the steps to achieving long-term brain health and the prevention of devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Our purpose
About Healthy Minds Initiative
Healthy Minds Initiative is a non-profit organization leading positive brain health transformation around the world, community by community.
Our mission: inspiring a more human approach to caring for the mind, community by community.
Through our work in clinics and hospitals, we’ve found that sick care is far too disconnected from what’s happening in patients’ homes and communities.
Health education is top-down and often difficult for many to understand. There’s far more focus on treatment than prevention. Patients visit their clinic, suffering and afraid, and return home with expensive bills, costly prescriptions, and several pages of confusing instructions that they’re expected to comprehend and follow all by themselves.
Healthy Minds Initiative is introducing a new methodology to the healthcare framework—one which is more preventative, holistic, and led by research at a community level. A globally scalable model that’s both culturally applicable and informed by cutting-edge neuroscience.
Our team
Researchers, clinicians, organizers, and advisers working together for healthier communities.
Leadership
Dr. Ayesha Sherzai
MD, MAS
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Ayesha Sherzai is a neurologist and Associate Professor at Charles Drew University, where she serves as a Principal Investigator on the INSPIRE Project. She completed dual training in Preventive Medicine and Neurology at Loma Linda University, and a fellowship in Vascular Neurology and Epidemiology at Columbia University. She is also a trained plant-based culinary artist.
Dr. Dean Sherzai
MD, PhD, MPH, MAS
President of Board of Directors
Dr. Dean Sherzai is a neurologist and Executive Director of the Clinical Trials Research Center at Charles Drew University, where he leads the INSPIRE Project. Dean trained in Neurology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and completed fellowships in neurodegenerative diseases and dementia at the National Institutes of Health and UC San Diego. He also holds a PhD in Healthcare Leadership with a focus on community health from Andrews University.
Dr. Atif Adam
PhD, MBBS
Chief Development Officer
Dr. Atif Adam is a systems scientist focusing on health disparities and developing tools to make healthcare more accessible to at-risk populations. Atif completed his postdoctoral fellowship with the Global Obesity Prevention Center at Johns Hopkins University, and earned his doctorate in Health Systems at the Bloomberg School. He specializes in clinical modeling, internal medicine, and the impact of public health policy.
Kassandra Escobedo
Operations Coordinator
Kassandra lives in México. She oversees everyday operations and ensures all elements of Healthy Minds Initiative are running smoothly, so our world-changing goals can be fulfilled. This includes internal communications, client relationship management, project coordination, and organizational strategy. As a keen skater, Kassandra has a vested interest in how the design of our urban spaces passively influences our health and lifestyle choices. She leads the Spanish translation of HMI’s resources.
Board of Advisers
Susan Galeas
MSW, MPH
Board of Advisers
Before relocating to Nashville, Susan served as President and CEO of Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles, leading efforts to expand awareness and resources for caregivers and funding for research. Today, she serves as President and CEO of nonprofit The Family Center Tennessee, breaking intergenerational cycles of childhood trauma. Susan’s passion lies in understanding the brain’s impact on health and long-term wellbeing for vulnerable populations.
Angela Evans
President of Crenshaw Christian Center · Board of Advisers
As Chief Executive Officer of Crenshaw Christian Center, Angela oversees a multi-million dollar budget and is responsible for a large church membership, four schools, nearly 150 employees, and over 1,000 volunteers. She also established the Vermont Village Community Development Corporation and is President and Chair of its Board. Angie works with HMI on projects at the Crenshaw Christian Center FaithDome in Los Angeles.
Matt Borowski
CPWA, CIMA
Board of Advisers
As a Partner and Senior Wealth Manager at True North, Matt is responsible for building trusted relationships with clients and advancing their personal goals and objectives. As a member of the HMI Board of Advisers, Matt offers his expertise and insights on financial management and fundraising campaigns. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration, with a major in Marketing, at The University of Texas at Austin.
Chrissy Roth
Board of Advisers
Chrissy is a physical therapist with a certificate in plant-based nutrition. Her life’s work has centered around helping people to meet their health goals. At UCLA, she helped patients recover from injury, and developed a particular interest in preventative nutrition and ergonomics. When she’s not running, teaching a spin class, or mixing up something healthy and delicious for her Secret Smoothie Society delivery business, Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband, two sons, three adopted parrots, three rescue cats, and four chickens. She also records HMI’s weekly Movement Monday videos on Instagram.
Howie Jacobson
PhD
Board of Advisers
Howie is an executive coach to clients ranging from startup founders to established and rising Fortune 100 leaders. He’s also a health coach, coach trainer, and author of multiple books. His mission mirrors that of Healthy Minds Initiative: helping people heal themselves and their communities through joyful and balanced living. Howie has assisted many people with unlocking their potential and scaling their influence.