Jessie Zhu (President)
Jessie Zhu is a second-year at Emory University double majoring in economics/ math and music. She founded ProjectMentalHealthMatters in May of 2020. Earlier, she started @projectmentalhealthmatters on Instagram, accumulating a large social media platform. After a few months, she realized that she could make more change in the community with a nonprofit, inspiring her to create ProjectMentalHealthMatters. Outside of the organization, she likes to play piano, hike trails, and read books.
Nicholas Zhang (Secretary)
Nicholas Zhang is a second-year at the University of Michigan. He discovered his passion of helping others after realizing the immense wealth gap between the rich and poor during his time in Atlanta and has since dedicated his energy to serving disadvantaged communities. During his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, he participated in local YMCA’s lunch packing program. After moving to Canada and wishing to continue to contribute to social welfare, he joined ProjectMentalHealthMatters with an emphasis on ameliorating mental health of the less fortunate. His goal is to further expand this organization and provide aid to those who need it.
Ishika Samantarai (Programming Director)
Ishika Samantarai is a third year at Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Health and Medical sciences. She is a Gold Scholar at Tech that has been involved in numerous service projects such as founding her own tutoring program for lower socioeconomic children and being the executive leaf for Rebecca’s Tent, a philanthropic event to fundraise for the shelter. Some of her hobbies is listening to music and playing with her dog Rose.
Mark Arshavsky (Treasurer)
Mark is a first-year at Emory University. He became very interested in Project Mental Health Matters after he realized that many students in high-school need help managing and protecting their own mental healths. As the Advocacy Director at Project Mental Health Matters, he is in charge of leading our research team and coming up with new topics on which to do research on. The research that his team collects is used to create our blog and social media posts. Outside of PMHM, he plays tennis, violin, and piano.
Myles Dudley (Advocacy Director )
Myles Dudley is currently a senior at North Gwinnett High School. He joined Project Mental Health Matters because he wanted to spread awareness and help other people learn how to manage their own mental health. Since his freshman year he has volunteered at his church helping kindergarteners and continues to volunteer in the community. In school he is the Vice-president of of her school’s debate club and writes articles for Junior Economic Club.
Amala Arun (Social Media Director)
Amala Arun is currently a senior at Walton High School. She is part of the social media team for ProjectMentalHealthMatters. She loves the organization’s purpose and goal to raise awareness for mental health, and immediately became interesting in joining the team when introduced to PMHM. Outside of the organization, she plays varsity tennis and has played the piano and flute for many years.
Ananya Jain (Social Media Director)
Ananya Jain is currently a freshman at UGA. She is the graphic designer and part of the marketing team for Project Mental Health Matters. Sharing Jessie’s vision to spread mental health awareness, she joined the team to use her art to aid the nonprofit. She is passionate about helping people of all ages with mental health and ending the stigma it often holds. Outside of the organization, she runs a custom shoe business and has played piano and done Indian classical dance for 10 years.
Mackenzie Williams (Social Media Director)
Mackenzie Williams is a second-year at Emory University majoring in sociology. By raising awareness, she hopes to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in college students. Outside of PMHM she serves in her university’s service, prison reform, and environmental sustainability organizations.
Bridget St. Victor (Social Media Director)
Bridget is studying Anthropology and Human Biology on the pre-mad track at Emory University. She has had a passion for understanding human health and how she can better it within her community. This, along with her experience in outreach, sparked the decision to join Project Mental Health Matters as a member of Social Media chair. Outside of school, Bridget enjoys painting, teaching bible studies, and working.