A multi-dimensional approach to survivorship requires a multi-dimensional team!
Our team
ADVOCATE AND POLICY CONSULTANT, SURVIVORSHIP COACH, SPEAKER, LAC-FOUNDER
Vanessa Joy Walker, CPC, BS, MPH Candidate UNC,
Bringing together lived experience navigating cancer, mental health conditions, reproductive health challenges, and complex medical diagnoses with over 15 years of healthcare expertise, Vanessa Joy Walker advances patient-centered healthcare through innovative education and engagement strategies. As a sought-after Healthcare Consultant, Survivorship Expert, and skilled keynote speaker, she collaborates with organizations across the healthcare ecosystem to enhance patient-provider communication, integrate authentic patient voices into initiatives, and develop impactful continuing medical education programs. Her expertise in fostering meaningful dialogue and building resilient cultures benefits clients from healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and corporations focused on workplace wellness. Through her work with Psych Congress, where she serves on the Steering Committee, and as Policy and Advisor for the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Vanessa brings authenticity and insight to conversations about mental health, survivorship, and healthcare innovation. A powerful advocate on Capitol Hill, she works alongside key coalitions to shape healthcare policy and champion patient voices at the national level. She leads Living After Crisis Inc., a non-profit creating spaces for women to build resilience while navigating the complex journey of survivorship and mental health. Her work as co-founder of the Breast Cancer Early Detection Coalition and her current pursuit of an MPH at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health reflects her commitment to systemic healthcare transformation. As the author of "Make Room for Joy" (2020, Cloverleaf) and a contributor to major media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, Vanessa's authentic approach to storytelling and deep understanding of patient experiences makes her a powerful voice for change in healthcare delivery.
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn for information and inspiration.
For collaborations and inquiries, email vjw@vanessajoywalker.com and join her in creating a world where health and well-being are human rights.
HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIPS EXECUTIVE, WOMEN’S HEALTH ADVOCATE, SURVIVOR CARE CHAMPION, SPONSORSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
Smita Asrani
Smita Asrani is Vice President of Partnerships at UE LifeSciences, a femtech company pioneering medical devices for early breast and cervical cancer detection. Her mission became deeply personal after losing her sister Nayana to late-stage breast cancer at age 44. This profound loss, combined with multiple cancer-related bereavements in her family, transformed her professional focus into a passionate advocacy for early detection and comprehensive survivor support.
With over a decade of experience in human resource development and operations management, Smita leverages her expertise to forge strategic partnerships advancing women's healthcare accessibility. As co-founder of the Breast Cancer Early Detection Coalition and an active Women's Health Advocate member, she champions preventive care and holistic healing approaches.
Drawing from her journey with anxiety and depression as a caregiver, Smita also advocates for mental health support and alternative therapies in cancer recovery. Her work bridges the gap between physical and emotional healing, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive care for cancer survivors and their families.
Through leadership roles in both corporate and advocacy spheres, Smita continues to honor her sister's memory by working to ensure more families have access to early detection resources and complete support through their cancer journey.
FILM-MAKER, PHILANTHROPIST, LAC-BOARD MEMBER
Barb Lee
Barb Lee is the founder and president of Point Made Films, a documentary film company focusing on American identity, and Point Made Learning, a consulting company providing organizations with creative, story-based education regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.
Barb has dual degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she has volunteered in numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the UNC Board of Visitors, Vice-Chair of the UNC Performing Arts Board of Advisors, Chair of ACRED (Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity) and as a member of UNC’s Hussman School of Media and Journalism’s Board of Visitors. She is the 2015 recipient of UNC’s Alumni Diversity Award, the university’s highest honor for work in racial justice. She was also the 2016 commencement speaker for the UNC School of Media and Journalism. She served on the foundation board for The John Jay School of Justice from 2018-2021 and is on the board of The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.
PSYCHIATRIST, AUTHOR, INTEGRATIVE & ADDICTION MEDICINE SPECIALIST, LAC-ADVISOR
Dr. Arwen Podesta, MD
Practicing in New Orleans, Arwen Podesta, MD, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist with sub-specializations in addiction medicine, forensic psychiatry, and integrative medicine. She opened Podesta Psychiatry LLC in 2012 with a team of top providers- a multidisciplinary collaborative model with nutrition, psychotherapy, acupuncture, and psychiatry. Dr. Podesta’s primary focus is access to integrative mental health and addiction treatment, with a whole health focus for all. She teaches (Tulane and LSU), consults for courts (civil, Re-entry, Drug), is a board member of the Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices (www.benzoreform.org), is chief medical officer of the newly opened NOLA Detox, Medical Director of Lake Wellness IOPs, and recently released her book, HOOKED. She is the immediate past president of the Louisiana chapter of the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and currently serves on national committees. She consults with the Louisiana governor’s HOPE committee and is a member of Attorney General Jeff Landry’s Opioid Abatement Taskforce. She was recently honored as a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Podesta regularly travels to teach and speak on Addiction Medicine and Integrative Psychiatry.
AWARD-WINNING COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST, ENTREPRENEUR, LAC- BOARD PRESIDENT
Liv Lewis
Liv Lewis is an award-winning communications strategist, integrated marketing expert, culture savant, and entrepreneur. With over a decade of agency and entrepreneurial experience, she has worked on some of the world’s most compelling brands. Her experience spans various consumer categories such as beauty (both prestige and mass), CPG, corporate communication, DE&I, entertainment, and lifestyle. She has managed integrated marketing efforts and communications efforts for global brands, such as Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, American Express, McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson’s Neutrogena, Fannie Mae, Bath & Body Works, Pfizer, Astellas, Banfi Wines, Army and Procter & Gamble brands including Crest, Tide, Downy, PUR and Duracell, My Black Is Beautiful, Olay, Pantene Gold Series, and Old Spice.
Lewis has a proven track record in successfully developing strategic and robust programs that deliver on business objectives. She has a knack for cross-cultural strategic input and oversight, resonant strategies, and creative executions that “stick.” She brings this quality to mature categories and start-ups alike. She can dive deep into a brand’s purpose and pull out the promotional a-ha that gets people talking. Applying her knowledge of media strategy and engineering strategic partnerships, Lewis has been instrumental in infusing brands into pop-culture-relevant conversations. Her extensive experience in the industry sets her apart; she is brilliant in media relations and continually keeps her finger on the pulse of understanding the kinds of programs that will resonate with consumers and generate results.
Lewis makes an impact every day – on brands, clients, her fellow PR professionals, and her family and community. In 2019, she was recognized as one of PRNEWS’ 2019 Top Women in PR, an industry “Rock Star” by Ad Club of NY, and is a regular speaker and panelist on integrated marketing communications and multicultural marketing.
Lewis is also the founder of LivD, a multi-platform community that provides Black and Brown women going through marital separation or divorce with trusted resources and support. Additionally, she hosts LivD Stories, a podcast that holds space for real women who have gone through divorce to share their journey and experience with the end mission of providing hope.
Liv holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an A.A.S. in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology. A native of Hyattsville, Maryland, she resides in Teaneck, New Jersey, with her two children.
PHYSICIAN, PHILANTHROPIST, ADVOCATE, LAC-BOARD MEMBER
Sujata (Jayashree) Kulkarni, MD Psychiatry
Dr. Sujata (Jayashree) Kulkarni is a compassionate physician and philanthropist committed to serving those in need. She earned her medical degree from BJ Medical College in Pune, India, with a vision to diagnose and treat underserved and impoverished populations. After completing her psychiatry training in New Jersey, Dr. Kulkarni established two successful private practices in New York, where she served her patients with dedication for 35 years.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kulkarni has remained deeply connected to her roots by contributing to charitable causes for hospitals in Pune, where she began her medical journey. Her life took a profound turn when she lost her vibrant 44-year-old daughter, Nayana, to an advanced and aggressive form of breast cancer that was diagnosed at a late stage. This personal tragedy underscored the urgent need for accessible early detection, treatment, and palliative care, particularly in India, where a vast majority of terminally ill patients face immense suffering due to limited resources or financial barriers.
In response, Dr. Kulkarni has dedicated her life to championing these causes. She is now focused on raising awareness about the importance of early detection and advocating for better treatment options. Additionally, she is committed to establishing and supporting palliative care programs to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients and ensure they receive the dignity and compassion they deserve.
Dr. Kulkarni's journey is a testament to her unwavering determination to turn personal loss into meaningful action. She has created a legacy of hope and healing for countless individuals and families.
SURGEON, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT, AUTHOR, CEO & LAC-ADVISOR
Rachel B Wellner, MD MPH FACS
Dr. Rachel Wellner is a Board-Certified general surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition to her MD and medical and surgical training at Dartmouth, Connecticut College, and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Wellner earned a Master's in Public Health from Columbia University, reflecting her interest in global health. Dr. Wellner has worked to establish clinical rotations in underserved regions of Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, and The Dominican Republic. Most recently, she founded the biotech start-up Caelum Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. She has been featured as a guest expert on several local and national news networks, including WPLX 11, Fox and Friends, and CNN.
DEIA PRACTITIONER, LAC-BOARD MEMBER, PROGRAMMING ADVISOR
Lenny Walker, BS, DEIA Certified Facilitator
As a managing member of Point Made Learning, Lenny is a highly-requested facilitator and trainer who manages every detail of programming and engagement for the company. As a master facilitator, Lenny has led hundreds of workshops nationwide. His ability to call people in instead of calling them out makes him an outstanding trainer. Lenny received a B.S. from Trevecca Nazarene University and his DEIA Certifications from Cornell University.
PROFESSOR, FILM-MAKER, LAC-ADVISOR
Keisha Thompson, PhD
Dr. Keisha V. Thompson is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Kingsborough Community College, City University of New York. A Native of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Keisha grew up in Brooklyn, NY. As a first-generation immigrant and college graduate, it is important to Dr. Thompson that her work addresses issues of cultural diversity. Her clinical experience includes college counseling, community mental health, the federal prison system, VA medical center, and various K-12 school settings. Her professional interests include diversity issues in higher education, themes of psychosocial development, and mental health in Black youth and women. There All Along: The Women of Trinidad & Tobago 1970 Black Power is her first film project.
Dr. Keisha also hosts two podcasts: “Misadventures of an Inspired Woman,” which highlights personal goals and achievements in women, and “Black and Saved,” which aims to foster community at the intersection of Blackness and Christianity.
In her spare time, Dr. Keisha enjoys singing and convening spaces where women can encourage, share ideas, and build community.