Catherine Hessick is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing at Muhlenberg College. Having experienced mental health issues her entire life, she is dedicated to mental health awareness and acceptance. By sharing her struggles and successes, Catherine hopes to bring light to those living in the darkness and end the stigma surrounding mental health. She holds a PhD from the University of South Alabama. Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn
Brittany Beck is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Appalachian State University. She holds a DBA from Louisiana Tech University. Dedicated to advocating for and empowering doctoral students, she has demonstrated her commitment through various leadership roles, including her most recent position as Chair of DocSIG, a special interest group for doctoral students. She aims to inspire compassion, resilience, and a profound respect for mental health through her personal narratives, both within and outside the realm of academia. Her mission is to foster a culture of understanding and support, driving positive change in the academic community and beyond. Connect with Brittany on LinkedIn
Ellen Campos Sousa serves as an Assistant Professor of Marketing at The University of Tampa and holds a Ph.D. from Florida International University. She is a Well-being Researcher, a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator and Chief Wellbeing Officer, and a board member of the World Happiness Foundation. Drawing from her personal experiences as an international doctoral student and a single mother of two, she discovered the profound impact of mindfulness on mental health. This inspired her to become a dedicated mindfulness advocate, committed to self-development and supporting others on their growth journeys. Ellen is passionate about integrating well-being practices into everyday life, promoting mental health, and fostering a community of holistic growth and happiness. Connect with Ellen on LinkedIn
Ashley Hass is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Portland where she teaches digital and social media marketing. She holds a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. Her research focuses on digital and social media wellness. She is also a certified digital wellness educator. For Ashley, technology and the “always on” culture have impacted her mental health. More details about her are here: www.ashleyhass.com.
Sona Klucarova is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a native of Slovakia and holds a PhD from the University of Central Florida. By serving on this panel and sharing her story, she hopes to raise mental health awareness in academia. Connect with Sona on LinkedIn
Breanne Mertz is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Tampa. She holds a DBA from Louisiana Tech University. She is passionate about enhancing well-being and addressing consumer welfare issues from a marketing perspective with topics such as social media wellness, workplace dignity, and modern slavery. She teaches Buyer Behavior and Social Media Marketing. Connect with Breanne on LinkedIn
Sphurti Sewak is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Illinois State University, Normal, IL. She holds a PhD from Florida International University, Miami. She faced mental well-being issues while juggling being an international doctoral student and a single parent to two young kids. Through this panel, she hopes to provide support to anybody who needs it. Connect with Sphurti on LinkedIn
Jayati Sinha is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Florida International University. She serves as a mentee for junior faculties via the Faculty Mentor Program at FIU and AMA SERVSIG. She also served/serves as a member of several board/advisory boards of non-profit organizations serving vulnerable groups in South Florida. She hopes to share her experience working with junior faculties and other vulnerable groups on various mental health challenges and hopes to normalize mental health discussions in academia. Connect with Jayati on LinkedIn