elizabeth Benninger

I am the founder and CEO of HMHC Consulting, a company focused on creating holistic and community-centered approaches to mental health and well-being. My work is deeply rooted in my upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, and my experiences in community mental health and youth empowerment settings in Cape Town, South Africa, and Los Angeles, California. These experiences have fueled my commitment to promoting mental health strategies that empower individuals and prioritize community well-being.

I hold a PhD in Psychology from the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, where my research focused on children’s self-identity in communities facing challenges associated with structural oppression and violence, and its implications for child health and well-being. I also earned an MA in Psychology with a specialization in clinical and community psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, and a BA (Honors) in social development studies from the University of the Western Cape.

In my academic career, I have served as an Assistant Professor at Baldwin Wallace University, a research fellow at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, and with the Cleveland Alliance for Education Research (a partnership between Cleveland State University and Cleveland Metropolitan School DIstrict). Through these roles I have spearheaded research related to children’s social-emotional development and well-being, using community-based, participatory research approaches…

Mikey Tubig Tolentino

My love for the water grew as an adult. I am first generation and my parents did not have the means or resources during my childhood for me to be exposed to the activities possible in Lake Erie. I taught myself a lot of what I know and was motivated for thrilling experiences.

I am an adventurist and like edgy activities that involve speed and thrill, but SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) is also an activity that is thrilling without the need for speed. SUP is an excellent introduction to the water for anybody. My very first experience was in a calm bay area in California where sharks can be. It helped me focus on staying up and not falling in.

Ray Tucker

I am a licensed psychologist with 30 years of experience in the wellness and mental health fields. I was the former Director of Student Wellness at the College of Wooster, and a Therapist and Social Worker for Murtis H. Taylor, as well as Counselor and Education Coordinator for Upward Bound.

I am seeking to increase the mental fitness and sense of community of individuals in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio - and beyond - through YPAR.

Sarah-Jane Webster

I am a licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor. I believe embodiment practices of all types can be a strong support for navigating the ups and downs of life. My practices encourage self-love and reflection, aiming to plant seeds of trust within oneself. I enjoy working with HMHC to create safe spaces where people can learn, experience, connect, rest, and play in community.

Alexa Gossett

I am a research assistant for Cleveland's YPAR program. I graduated from West Branch High School in Beloit, Ohio, in 2021. As an undergraduate student attending Baldwin Wallace University, I’m completing my bachelor's degree in psychology and neuroscience.

I have also been involved in the Summer Scholars Fellowship Program during the summer season of 2024, where I conducted research on surf therapy organizations internationally. This research was presented at the International Surf Therapy Organization conference in September of 2024. I began working with the Cleveland YPAR team in October 2024 and am looking forward to what's to come during my involvement in the program.

Diane Mastnardo

I have been a licensed massage therapist since 1999 and opened my practice, Mastnardo Massage Therapies, in 2001. I approach wellness holistically, utilizing education and self-awareness through the specificity of touch, to maintain a healthier pain-free life.

In 2014, I became the founding director of Massage Northern Ohio (MNO-PBRN), a massage therapy practice-based research network. I worked in partnership with MetroHealth’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities and Case Western Reserve Practice-based Research Network Shared Resources to develop an avenue for clinical massage therapists to collaborate. The goal of MNO-PBRN is to support the generation of evidence-based knowledge on effective and consistent massage therapy treatments and to develop pathways for the integration of the practice of massage therapy into conventional health care.

Over the years, I realized the need to educate people on body awareness using their senses. In 2018, I collaborated with a certified aromatherapist/yoga instructor to develop a technique to engage four neurological inputs: Breathing, Acupressure, Aromatherapy, and Movement, or BAAM! The BAAM technique provides emotional and social tools at our fingertips that directly affects symptoms of anxiety and stress. These tools can also be used to increase focus, regulate emotions, heart rate, and muscle tension.

Megan Schmidt-Sane

I am a community-engaged researcher with training in public health and anthropology. I received a Masters in Public Health from Columbia University (New York) and a PhD in medical anthropology from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland). My research interests include the study of health inequalities and health equity, social determinants of health, and youth. I regularly engage with national and international collaborators, including from community-based organizations in Uganda, India, and the urban United States. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Development Studies in Brighton, UK.

Marchelle Robinson

I am the Youth Engagement Consultant for HMHC. I graduated from Campus International High School in Cleveland, OH, in 2022, and am currently studying Business at Cuyahoga Community College. I have been actively involved in several youth leadership initiatives in the city of Cleveland, including being a part of the Resilient Youth program through St. Vincent Charity, engagement with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and have served for three years on the youth participatory action research leadership team for Cleveland YPAR.

Additionally, I have volunteered for many community projects and initiatives, such as helping to develop a mural and community garden in the Central neighborhood, making blankets for the women’s homeless shelter, and packaging medical supplies for people in need.