Presenter Bios

Ummul Kathawalla

Dr. Ummul-Kiram Kathawalla is a licensed clinical psychologist and ethnic minority, mixed-method researcher. Her research focuses on how discrimination, life stress, and sociocultural contexts contribute to the development and persistence of identity development and wellbeing in minorities, with an emphasis on Muslim Americans. Dr. Kathawalla uses this understanding to develop and examine culturally informed interventions and technology that consider individual differences and experiences to serve marginalized populations. These lines of research build upon each other so that she can move the field of applied ethnic minority psychology forward using rigorous mixed methodology and transparent, open science research practices with a strong commitment to diversity and social justice. She received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Minnesota, completed her clinical internship and postdoc at the VA Boston and Bedford VA, respectively, and a research postdoc at Boston University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice at Suffolk University, a clinician at Tend Health and Kiram Psychology Services LLC, and a clinical advisor at Anise Health.

Beth Lipshutz

Beth Lipschutz is committed to supporting the mental health and wellness of youth and those who care about them. Her career has been focused on community building, leadership development, inclusion, and mental wellness education. Beth is proud to be part of BeWell, the mental health and wellness initiative of Jewish Federations of North America. She creates and facilitates different mental wellness programs and trainings in a variety of settings throughout the Jewish community. Before BeWell, Beth was the NFTY-MV Regional Director and spent many summers at camp or leading teen immersive travel experiences. She earned her MSW at the University of Denver and enjoys live music and the mountains.

Carly Coons

Carly Coons, LSW, (she/her) is the Director of Education and Programming at the Blue Dove Foundation, leading the organization in curating and creating mental health resources that integrate Judaism and mental wellness into communities with intention. Before joining Blue Dove, Carly built a career in the Jewish community, focusing on youth and summer camp programming. Carly’s work is enriched by her education as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and a Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Carly lives in Denver, CO where she’s recharged and motivated by exploring the mountains and with her family and friends.

BeWell

BeWell is an initiative led by the Jewish Federation of North America in partnership with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies to support the mental health and well-being of teens and young adults. BeWell addresses the growing youth mental health crisis by strengthening the community's ability to build resilience and offer support. This is done by building organizational capacity and scaling impactful programs, while weaving Jewish tradition into psychoeducational trainings and resources.

The Blue Dove Foundation

The Blue Dove Foundation was created to address mental illness and addiction in the Jewish community and beyond. We work with organizations and communities — both Jewish and interfaith — across the country and around the world.