Aurélie Athan, Ph.D., is faculty in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University and a reproductive psychologist. She is also a founding member of the Sexuality, Women, & Gender Project and co-creator of the Certificate Program in Reproductive & Maternal Wellbeing. Dr. Athan’s research, teaching, and practice center on people’s psychological relationship to their reproductive experiences across the lifespan. She enjoys evolving diagnostic approaches in mental health to include strengths-based models that are more holistic, empowering, and just. She revived the anthropological term— matrescence like adolescence — to normalize the developmental transition to motherhood and highlight its potential for both risk and resilience. She more recently published the emerging concept of reproductive identity and is applying it to teaching how to best support its formation in school-based sexual health education for youth.

Riddhi Sandil, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Program Coordinator of the Ed.M. Program in Psychological Counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Sandil received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Iowa in 2008 and has been continually licensed as a Psychologist since 2009. Dr. Sandil's scholarly interests are influenced by multiculturalism and social advocacy. Her research and clinical interests include minority stress, LGBTQ issues in counseling, counseling expectations of South Asian populations and complex trauma and its impact on women's well being. Additionally, Dr. Sandil serves on the boards of the Association of Women, Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council, and is the co-found of the Sexuality, Women and Gender Project.

Elizabeth Cavic (she/they) is a second-year mental health counseling student at Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her bachelor’s degree in human development from Cornell University, where she specialized in social and personality development. Her current research interests include racial justice education, sex education, and the impacts of social identity factors on students’ lived experiences, particularly in rural communities. She hopes to one day obtain a PhD and is working towards creating more equitable, inclusive classrooms and therapy spaces.

Victoria Trinko (she/her) is a first-year student at Teachers College at Columbia University, pursuing her Master of Arts in Psychology in Education with a concentration in Spirituality Mind-Body Practice. Her studies focus on the integration of spirituality and reproductive & maternal psychology, and the impact of psycho-spiritual interventions on health & wellbeing. Specifically, she's interested in working with perinatal people to help guide their personal growth and self-development through the profound transition to motherhood.

Heidi Vernejoul is a curriculum developer who has created projects in health education and storytelling currently being used worldwide through programs such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America and tGELF. Heidi began as a teacher in New York City public schools 25 years ago teaching French and Spanish and most recently has taught Teen Wellness and Nutrition, and Storytelling at Vanguard High School in Manhattan. Heidi completed undergraduate work at Binghamton University and studied Philosophy of Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. After studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition she became a certified Health Coach and maintains a private practice as a meditation instructor, in addition to her work in curriculum writing and design. Heidi is a NYC DOE Vendor.