Santa Monica, California-based Headspace Health has announced significant additions to its executive leadership team, introducing mental health tech executives Dr. Wizdom Powell as Chief Social Impact and Diversity Officer and Jodi Bryant as Chief Commercial Officer. Both will report directly to CEO Russell Glass, highlighting the company’s commitment to growth, inclusion, and expanding access to mental health and well-being services.
Headspace Health itself is a relatively new entity, formed just six months ago from the high-profile merger of Ginger.io Inc. and Headspace Inc. The combined company was valued at approximately $3 billion at the time, making it a major player in the digital mental health space. This merger brought together Ginger’s virtual mental health care system with Headspace’s well-known mindfulness and meditation platform, creating a comprehensive solution for both mental health treatment and daily well-being practices.
Jodi Bryant: Driving Commercial Growth and Customer Success
Jodi Bryant joined Headspace Health in April and is charged with leading commercial operations and maximizing value for the company’s extensive portfolio of business clients. Headspace Health currently serves around 3,500 B2B customers, including some of the largest and most recognized enterprises such as Starbucks, Adobe, Delta Air Lines, and Paramount. These organizations rely on Headspace for Work, the company’s employee well-being and mindful living platform, as well as Ginger’s virtual mental health care system, to support the mental health of their workforce.
Bryant brings to Headspace Health a wealth of experience from her previous tenure at Aetna, a CVS Health company, where she served as president of the professional employer organization business and as senior vice president of sales, enablement, and consultant relations. During her time at Aetna, she led critical integrations and helped scale benefits administration products, giving her deep insights into the intersection of employee benefits and health care solutions.
At Headspace Health, Bryant will work in close collaboration with Katie DiPerna, senior vice president of partnerships, to build and strengthen relationships with health plans and strategic partners like Cigna, Blue Shield of California, and Accolade. Bryant emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing mental health in workplace benefits, saying, “It’s never been more evident to me that mental health and wellness must be prioritized in the benefits strategy and go-forward plan of every employer, regardless of size or industry.”
Dr. Wizdom Powell: Championing Diversity, Equity, and Social Impact
Dr. Wizdom Powell is set to join Headspace Health in July as Chief Social Impact and Diversity Officer. Powell has already been affiliated with the company since November 2020 as a creative diversity director consultant. She brings a unique and highly relevant skill set, combining academic leadership, clinical expertise, and a strong commitment to health equity.
Currently, Powell directs the Health Disparities Institute at the University of Connecticut and holds a tenured associate professor position in psychiatry at the university’s School of Medicine. She also serves as part-time faculty while completing grant-funded research projects focused on health disparities. Beyond academia, she chairs the American Psychological Association’s workgroup on health disparities affecting boys and men, and co-chairs the health committee for the My Brother’s Keeper Network in Durham County, North Carolina—a nonprofit initiative originally launched by former President Barack Obama to improve outcomes for boys and young men of color.
Powell holds a Ph.D. and master’s degree in clinical psychology, along with a master’s in public health from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Her accolades include the APA’s Distinguished Professional Award and fellowships with prestigious institutions like the White House, the Ford Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
At Headspace Health, Powell will lead the company’s efforts to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) deeply into its culture and operations. She will also oversee social impact initiatives, including partnerships with nonprofits, government leaders, and advocacy groups. Key focus areas include the company’s Headspace for Teens and Headspace for Educators programs, which aim to expand access to mental health and wellness resources among younger populations and educational professionals.
Powell shared her vision for the role, stating, “I am honored 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.” She further noted the unique opportunity Headspace Health has to democratize mental health care on a global scale through technology, compassionate leadership, and a commitment to equity.
The Role of Mental Health Tech Executives in Shaping the Future
The appointments of Dr. Wizdom Powell and Jodi Bryant highlight the increasing importance of mental health tech executives who bring diverse skills to the evolving digital mental health landscape. As leaders within one of the fastest-growing companies in this sector, these mental health tech executives are tasked with not only expanding business reach but also addressing critical social issues such as equity, inclusion, and mental health stigma.
Mental health tech executives like Powell and Bryant understand that technology alone cannot solve the global mental health crisis; it must be paired with inclusive policies and thoughtful leadership. Their work is vital in driving innovation, expanding access to care, and ensuring that digital platforms serve the diverse needs of users worldwide.
Headspace Health’s Growing Global Reach and Vision
With these two new executives on board, Headspace Health is positioning itself to accelerate growth while reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and inclusive mental health care. The company’s platform already touches over 100 million people in 190 countries, offering mindfulness tools to manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance focus, alongside virtual clinical care services.
The combination of Bryant’s commercial leadership and Powell’s social impact expertise reflects Headspace Health’s dual mission: to expand business partnerships and scale access to mental health support, while fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and compassionate care within the organization and beyond.
As mental health needs continue to rise worldwide, particularly in workplaces, mental health tech executives at Headspace Health are setting a new standard for leadership in the industry—championing solutions that are scalable, accessible, and equitable.
Looking Ahead
With Powell and Bryant stepping into their roles, Headspace Health is clearly prioritizing both strategic growth and meaningful social impact. Their combined leadership is expected to drive innovations in mental health support for diverse populations, improve employee well-being on a broad scale, and strengthen partnerships with health plans and enterprises.
In an era where mental health has become a top priority for organizations and individuals alike, mental health tech executives like these are leading the charge to transform how mental health care and wellness are delivered globally. This latest leadership expansion marks a pivotal step in that journey, underscoring the critical role that dedicated and visionary mental health tech executives play in shaping the future of care.
