Dr. Theddeus (Ted) Iheanacho, MD (MBBS), DTM, is an internationally recognized psychiatrist, global mental health expert, educator, and implementation scientist dedicated to expanding access to quality mental healthcare in underserved communities across the United States and Africa. He currently serves as the Director of the Yale University Global Mental Health Promotion Program within the Center for Methods in Implementation and Prevention Science at the Yale University School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut. He is also an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Global Health at the University of Maryland Graduate School.

Dr. Iheanacho leads the HAPPINESS project which integrates mental health into primary care and non-psychiatric medical centers in Nigeria. He is board certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry. His clinical practice, research and educational projects in the US and Nigeria focus on increasing access to evidence-based mental health interventions through community based participatory methods, implementation research and advocacy. His self-care practice includes nature walks, reading historical fiction and watching comedy shows.

Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and a Fellow of the Philadelphia College of Physicians. He trained at Yale, University, Columbia University, and the New York University.

Dr. Shoyinka is a Triple Board-certified psychiatrist and holds an MBA from the Kelley School of Business. He served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS), where he led the redesign of Philadelphia’s crisis system and the implementation of 988. Philadelphia’s work on Crisis Services and 988 implementation was recognized by the Biden Administration.

He has testified before the United States Congress on access to mental health services. For his work, Dr. Shoyinka was awarded a Special Presidential Commendation Award and the Jeanne Spurlock Minority Fellowship Achievement Award by the American Psychiatric Association. He serves on the Board of the American Association for Community Psychiatry, the Medical Director Institute of the National Council, and the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka is the author of the bestselling book, ”Understanding Mental Health: A Guide to Faith Communities.”

Dr. Ojo Tunde MasseyFerguson is a consultant psychiatrist and a Global Mental Health expert with over a decade of cognate experience in the design and implementation of mental health programmes in resource-constrained settings. He had his professional postgraduate qualification with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).


He also holds a master’s degree in Global Mental Health from King’s College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and an MBA in healthcare management. As the National Coordinator for the National Mental Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, he leads the country’s response to the mental health needs of the population.

Ify Ezinwa is the Founder and CEO of Echoes Africa Initiatives, a New York based Not-for-Profit Organization dedicated to advancing social justice, promoting mental wellness in underserved communities, and creating powerful platforms where marginalized voices can be heard and their stories honored.

She is also the CEO of Echoes Media Projects LLC and producer of the syndicated TV show Echoes from the Valley. A passionate advocate for equity and healing, Ify is deeply committed to closing the social justice gap for vulnerable populations, educating and empowering minoritized communities, and mentoring young girls from underserved backgrounds to rise with confidence and purpose. She firmly believes that every individual- young or old, deserves the opportunity, encouragement, and support to reach their highest potential.

A Columbia University–trained journalist and documentary filmmaker, Ify is an accomplished international media professional with more than two decades of experience across print, broadcast, and digital media. Through storytelling, advocacy, and leadership, she continues to inspire change and transform lives locally and globally.

Dr. Rosenheck is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, Public Health, and the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine, where he also served as Director of the Division of Mental Health Services and Outcomes Research in the Department of Psychiatry. Over the course of his career, he has played a major role in shaping how large healthcare systems evaluate quality, effectiveness, access, and cost-efficiency in mental health care.

For more than two decades, Dr. Rosenheck served as the Founding Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs Northeast Program Evaluation Center. In this role, he led major national efforts to evaluate, disseminate, and monitor innovative mental health programs across the VA healthcare system. His work supported the development and assessment of hundreds of specialized programs for homeless veterans, a national network of Assertive Community Treatment teams for veterans with severe mental illness, and specialized services for veterans experiencing war-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Rosenheck has also served as a Senior Investigator in Health Services at the VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center. Through his leadership within the VA system, he has contributed significantly to improving the quality, accountability, and effectiveness of behavioral health services for veterans across the United States.

As an academic leader, Dr. Rosenheck has authored and co-authored an extensive body of peer-reviewed publications and has been widely cited for his contributions to psychiatry, public health, and health services research.

Dr. H. Jean Wright II is the immediate past Executive Deputy Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene for New York City. An accomplished author, speaker, clinical psychologist, and forensic psychologist, Dr. Wright is widely recognized as a visionary leader whose career has been defined by innovation, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to advancing mental health services and public well-being.

With more than seventeen years of distinguished service, Dr. Wright has made a profound impact on the fields of psychology, behavioral health, criminal justice, and public health. His career reflects not only exceptional professional achievement but also a deep dedication to improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Dr. Wright served as a senior administrator in Philadelphia and as an Adjunct Professor at Temple University. In these capacities, he led transformative initiatives aimed at enhancing behavioral health services within the adult criminal justice system. Dr. Wright also served as a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist within Ohio’s Rehabilitation and Correction System and as an Adjunct Professor at Wilberforce University.

A respected scholar and researcher, Dr. Wright has published extensively on depression, anxiety, and mental health challenges affecting communities of color. His acclaimed book, Find Strength in Your Struggle, introduces the groundbreaking concept of “spiritual depression,” offering a unique framework that explores the intersection of mental health, faith, and spirituality. As Executive Deputy Commissioner in one of the world’s most diverse cities, Dr. Wright played a pivotal role in developing and implementing groundbreaking initiatives designed to address health disparities across New York City.

Dr. Uzoji Nwanaji-Enwerem, PhD, FNP-BC, is a distinguished Family Nurse Practitioner, researcher, educator, and advocate whose work focuses on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved and marginalized populations. As a Lecturer at the Yale University School of Nursing, she combines clinical expertise, academic scholarship, and community-centered research to address some of the most pressing health disparities affecting vulnerable communities. Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem earned her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing from the Yale University School of Nursing, She also obtained both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees from Winston-Salem State University School of Nursing.

As a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem has dedicated her career to understanding the complex relationship between psychosocial stressors and health outcomes, particularly among individuals from historically marginalized and underserved backgrounds. Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem is currently leading and contributing to innovative research initiatives funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Her current research focuses on examining the impact of intersectional stigma among Black individuals living with co-occurring HIV, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and sleep disturbances.

As part of this NIH/NCATS-funded project, Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem is also evaluating the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) as an intervention to address trauma-related symptoms, sleep disturbances, and psychological distress. Beyond her research accomplishments, Dr. Nwanaji-Enwerem is deeply committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Through her teaching at Yale University, she equips nursing students and emerging clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence necessary to provide high-quality, equitable care in increasingly diverse healthcare settings.

Gene attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, Columbia University, The New School for Social Research, and the University of Havana, experiences that have enriched his multidisciplinary perspective on education, social justice, community development, and human potential.
Throughout his professional journey, Gene has dedicated himself to creating opportunities that improve the lives, mental well-being, and future prospects of young people, particularly those from historically underserved and marginalized communities. Currently serving as the Director of Collaborative Education Programs at Bronx Community College (BCC), Gene has built a reputation as an innovative leader who bridges education, social services, workforce development, and community engagement to address the complex challenges facing today’s youth. Gene is widely recognized as the co-creator of the Kids Comic Con (KCC) at the College

His commitment to youth empowerment extends internationally. He helped launch and coordinate Kids Comic Con programs in Senegal, West Africa, and played a leading role in the development of the Color of Comics Exhibition, which celebrates diversity, representation, and cultural identity in the arts. These initiatives have provided young people from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to see themselves reflected positively in educational and creative spaces, strengthening confidence, self-worth, and cultural pride.

A highly respected consultant and community strategist, Gene has worked with numerous organizations and public agencies, including the United Way of New York City, the New York City Department of Education, and a variety of nonprofit and community-based organizations. His expertise in youth development, educational partnerships, community engagement, and leadership training has helped shape programs that address both educational outcomes and the broader social and emotional needs of young people.

His international work in Senegal and South Africa focuses on educational leadership, organizational development, and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen schools and educational institutions while promoting student success and community well-being. Through these efforts, he continues to build bridges across cultures and foster global approaches to youth development and social impact.