Who We Are

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
— Pablo Picasso

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals from all walks of life who face physical, emotional, or neurological challenges. We believe that everyone deserves access to healing and hope, and that creative expression through art and music can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. Whether someone is coping with trauma, mental health conditions, chronic illness, or other struggles, our mission is to provide meaningful outlets that allow them to channel their pain into resilience. Through these creative experiences, we foster a sense of connection, both within oneself and with a broader community, that nurtures healing and empowers growth. By embracing the universal language of creativity, we strive to uplift, inspire, and walk alongside each person on their unique path toward wellness and renewed strength

Board of Directors

  • Tara Sawhney - A woman with long, curly dark hair smiling at the camera, wearing a dark striped shirt and a gold necklace with a pendant.

    Tara Sawhney

    FOUNDER

    Tara co-founded this organization from a deep belief that art has the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives. By blending her knowledge of neuroscience and mental health with the creative process, Tara wanted to create a space where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to navigate their personal journeys.

  • Aryaa Venkatesh

    FOUNDER

    Aryaa co-founded the Heart and Mind Foundation out of a belief that creativity and compassion can come together to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She hopes to build spaces rooted in empathy and connection, where individuals facing emotional, cognitive, or physical challenges feel truly understood, supported, and valued.

  • Gianna DiCola

    COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHAIR

    Gianna has always loved doing crafts to get away from her studies or even to take a break from life. She joined the Heart and Mind Foundation to bring that creativity and sense of tranquility and accomplishment to those facing mental or physical challenges. Her hope is that through compassion and understanding, we lift people up above the challenges they may face.

  • Aliza Vriji - A woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a black blazer, standing in front of tall glass office buildings.

    Aliza Virji

    FINANCE CHAIR

    Through her experiences, Aliza developed a deep love for classical music, which showed me how profoundly the arts can inspire and heal. She draws on her background in finance to support creative pathways to wellbeing and is dedicated to helping others facing challenges find their own sources of healing, self-expression, and resilience.

  • A young woman with long, blonde hair and blue eyes, smiling, dressed in a black blazer, against a dark background.

    Isabella Holloman

    FINANCE CHAIR

    Isabella joined the Heart and Mind Foundation because she is passionate about supporting the powerful role of the arts in promoting mental and physical well-being. Combining this passion with her background in nonprofit accounting and finance, she aims to help the Foundation effectively allocate resources and expand its mission to foster awareness, channel resilience, and provide meaningful outlets to support health challenges within communities.

  • A young woman with brown hair smiling at the camera, wearing a black top.

    Gabrielle MacEwen

    DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER OPERATIONS

    Music has always played an important role in Gabrielle’s life. In joining the Heart and Mind Foundation, she hopes to use her background in education and clinical care to bring that same tranquility and healing she receives from music and art to others, and create spaces which maximize wellbeing and recovery in patients.

  • Madeline Wilkin - A young woman wearing a white lab coat with the logo of Massachusetts General Hospital and the Genetics & Aging Research Unit, smiling against a neutral background.

    Maddie Wilkin

    DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER OPERATIONS

    Maddie is passionate about the powerful intersection of science and creativity to foster healing and connection. Outside of her role at the Foundation, she has conducted Alzheimer’s disease research at Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Cambridge, driven by a deep commitment to advancing cures for this disease.

Board of Advisors

  • A headshot of Dr. Rudolph E. Tanzi

    Dr. Rudolph Tanzi

    BOARD ADVISOR

    Dr. Rudolph Tanzi is one of the world’s leading neuroscientists and a pioneering figure in Alzheimer’s disease research, ranked among the top 50 most cited neuroscientists globally. A Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Tanzi co-discovered the key Alzheimer’s disease genes and developed the groundbreaking “Alzheimer’s-in-a-Dish” model that revolutionized therapeutic discovery. With over 725 peer-reviewed publications, more than 170,000 citations, numerous prestigious research awards, and recognition in TIME’s list of the 100 Most Influential People, Dr. Tanzi is regarded as one of the most impactful neuroscientists of our era.

  • A headshot of Dr. Amy Moran-Thomas

    Dr. Amy Moran-Thomas

    BOARD ADVISOR

    Dr. Amy Moran-Thomas is a distinguished medical anthropologist and Associate Professor at MIT, recognized for her influential work at the intersection of global health, technology, and social inequality. She has shaped national and international conversations on chronic illness, health justice, and the human impact of medical innovation. Her research and writing have appeared in leading outlets across science and culture. Dr. Moran-Thomas also leads major interdisciplinary projects on climate, health, and design. Renowned for her ability to bridge medical, social, and technological perspectives, Dr. Moran-Thomas brings exceptional depth, clarity, and ethical insight to questions of health equity.

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