Headspace Health has appointed two new leaders to its executive team: Dr Wizdom Powell as Chief Social Impact & Diversity Officer and Jodi Bryant as Chief Commercial Officer. 

In her new role, Dr Wizdom Powell will lead the company’s efforts to democratise mental health and wellbeing support. Jodi Bryant will lead global enterprise sales, enablement, consultant relations and client success.

Dr Powell is a psychologist, tenured professor and nationally recognised expert on racial trauma, healing and health equity. Ms Bryant is a seasoned employee benefits executive with nearly 30 years of experience leading commercial programmes at Aetna, CVS Health Company, Putnam Investments, Mercer and City street.

New strategy 

These appointments are integral to Headspace Health’s mission to transform mental healthcare. The provider of the world’s most accessible comprehensive digital mental health platform aims to improve the health and happiness of the world in its focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI&B). 

Dr Powell will oversee Headspace Health’s social impact work, focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of youth around the world through its Headspace for Teens and Headspace for Educators initiatives. She also works in many strategic partnerships with nonprofits, government leaders and advocacy groups.

“In my work as a psychologist, in academic settings and public policy, I’ve yet to come across an organisation more uniquely poised than Headspace Health to truly democratise mental health and wellbeing support on a global scale,” said Dr Powell.

“I am honoured to collaborate with this team to bridge the gap between our fragmented mental healthcare system and the millions of people around the world who are suffering in silence.”

Voice on Black mental health

Dr Powell has a proven track record in DEI&B. As a researcher, equity brand strategist and media contributor, her work has notably advanced the national conversation on racial justice and mental health. Her scientific research has been covered by outlets ranging from NPR, CNN and Forbes to The Root, Refinery29 and Ebony Magazine. 

She was recently named one of the 25 Essential Voices on Black Mental Health. Dr Powell will join Headspace Health in July from the University of Connecticut, where she has served as a tenured Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of UConn’s Health Disparities Institute.

She also serves as chair of the American Psychological Association (APA)’s workgroup on Health Disparities in Boys and Men and co-chair of the Health Committee for President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative in Durham County, NC.  

Two big projects 

In parallel with its commitment to diversity, Headspace Health works with over 3,500 enterprises such as Starbucks, Adobe, Delta Air Lines, and Paramount to provide employees with access to its globally-renowned mental wellbeing and mindful living platform, Headspace for Work, and its proven, team-based virtual mental healthcare system, Ginger. 

On the heels of its recent merger, Headspace Health is creating a comprehensive, end-to-end platform for leadership training, mindfulness and meditation, coaching, therapy, and psychiatry to support employees’ full mental health journey. 

In leading the company’s commercial organisation, Ms Bryant will focus on bringing this experience to employers of all sizes worldwide. She will also partner closely with Katie DiPerna, Senior Vice President of Partnerships, to drive momentum with health plans and strategic partners, such as Cigna, Blue Shield of California, and Accolade. 

Prioritise mental health

“It’s never been more evident to me that mental health and wellness must be prioritised in the benefits strategy and go-forward plan of every employer, regardless of size or industry,” said Ms Bryant.

“I’m thrilled to join Headspace Health to help organisations around the world address the growing mental health needs of their employees and ultimately make the workplace a source of strength and support.”

Ms Bryant joins Headspace Health from Aetna, a CVS Health Company, where she served as President of the company’s Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) business. Before this role, she served as Senior Vice President of Sales, Enablement and Consultant Relations, leading the successful integration of swift, a full-service benefits administration partner, into the Aetna family of products. 

Throughout her career, Ms Bryant’s roles have ranged from sales to client relationship management and development, serving customers ranging from midsize companies to Fortune 100s. Throughout these experiences, she has established a strong track record of revenue and margin growth and cultivated a wealth of expertise across the benefits and consulting landscape.

To join Headspace Health in its mission to transform mental healthcare to improve the health and happiness of the world here.