About Us

We are a group of scientists, designers, and technologists driven by a shared mission: To help people create flourishing lives in flourishing communities, online and offline.

Team Flourish

SHE/HER
Xuan Zhao, PhD
Social Psychology & HRI, Co-Founder
Dr. Xuan Zhao is an expert in the psychology of social connection, well-being, and technology and a Research Scientist at Stanford University. She has rich experiences designing science-based products to share research insights, create inclusive environments, and cultivate meaningful social connections. Xuan earned her PhD in Psychology from Brown University and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her research is published in top academic journals and featured in media outlets such as New York Times, Harvard Business Review, BBC, and NPR Science Friday. When she is not contemplating about human behaviors, she loves watching birds.
Dr. Xuan Zhao is an expert in the psychology of social connection, well-being, and technology and a Research Scientist at Stanford University. She has rich experiences designing science-based products to share research insights, create inclusive environments, and cultivate meaningful social connections. Xuan earned her PhD in Psychology from Brown University and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her research is published in top academic journals and featured in media outlets such as New York Times, Harvard Business Review, BBC, and NPR Science Friday. When she is not contemplating about human behaviors, she loves watching birds.
SHE/HER
Julie Cachia, PhD
Affective Science, Co-Founder
Julie earned her PhD in Affective Science at Stanford University and is a Leadership in Inclusive Teaching (LIT) Fellow. An expert in emotion, culture, and close relationships, she is passionate about empowering people to cultivate their own and others’ well-being using scientific tools. Prior to Stanford, Julie earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in psychology at New York University, where she conducted research on motivation and communication among romantic partners. She is also an experienced facilitator and meditator. In her free time, she enjoys meditation, yoga, and traveling.
Julie earned her PhD in Affective Science at Stanford University and is a Leadership in Inclusive Teaching (LIT) Fellow. An expert in emotion, culture, and close relationships, she is passionate about empowering people to cultivate their own and others’ well-being using scientific tools. Prior to Stanford, Julie earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in psychology at New York University, where she conducted research on motivation and communication among romantic partners. She is also an experienced facilitator and meditator. In her free time, she enjoys meditation, yoga, and traveling.
SHE/HER
Tianyi Xie
Product Design, Co-Founder
Tianyi is a serial entrepreneur and skilled UI/UX designer, passionate about blending science, technology, and design to create AI products aligned with human values. As a co-founder and Product Lead of Giaran, an AI+AR cosmetics shopping startup, she played a pivotal role in building the company toward its successful acquisition by Shiseido America in 2017. A former Kleiner Perkins Design Fellow, she holds a BFA in Graphic Design from RISD and a Master’s in Interactive Telecommunications from NYU. Tianyi also brings extensive industry experience from her previous roles at Google, CVS Health, and C3 AI. In her free time, she enjoys painting, traveling, cat-sitting and teaching design thinking to young children.
Tianyi is a serial entrepreneur and skilled UI/UX designer, passionate about blending science, technology, and design to create AI products aligned with human values. As a co-founder and Product Lead of Giaran, an AI+AR cosmetics shopping startup, she played a pivotal role in building the company toward its successful acquisition by Shiseido America in 2017. A former Kleiner Perkins Design Fellow, she holds a BFA in Graphic Design from RISD and a Master’s in Interactive Telecommunications from NYU. Tianyi also brings extensive industry experience from her previous roles at Google, CVS Health, and C3 AI. In her free time, she enjoys painting, traveling, cat-sitting and teaching design thinking to young children.

More members in the Flourish team

HE/HIM
Alexander Tsoukias
CTO
With over two decades of experience, Alex has guided multiple startups to seed and Series A funding rounds and achieved two successful exits as CTO. Notably, Alexander helped Parsnip and Expectful attain 4.9-star ratings and thousands of positive reviews, with both apps featured in the App and Play Stores. Alex is the CEO and co-founder of Tapforce, a boutique software development agency. Previously, Alexander played a key role at TechCrunch Disrupt, building and managing the tech platform for the Startup Battlefield for ten years. Alex enjoys nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to succeed.
With over two decades of experience, Alex has guided multiple startups to seed and Series A funding rounds and achieved two successful exits as CTO. Notably, Alexander helped Parsnip and Expectful attain 4.9-star ratings and thousands of positive reviews, with both apps featured in the App and Play Stores. Alex is the CEO and co-founder of Tapforce, a boutique software development agency. Previously, Alexander played a key role at TechCrunch Disrupt, building and managing the tech platform for the Startup Battlefield for ten years. Alex enjoys nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to succeed.
HE/HIM
Nazar Kvyatkovsky
Head of Mobile Development
Nazar is a seasoned mobile team leader and iOS Engineer hyper focused on crafting user-centric, visually striking digital products. With over 7 years of experience as a university instructor in mobile development, combined with 7 years in hands-on development, Nazar brings deep technical expertise and effective leadership to product development, and excels at mentoring his team, cultivating a collaborative environment, and steering projects toward successful outcomes that meet product and business goals. Outside of work, Nazar enjoys running and kettlebell workouts. He continually challenges himself to maintain discipline and achieve new personal milestones.
Nazar is a seasoned mobile team leader and iOS Engineer hyper focused on crafting user-centric, visually striking digital products. With over 7 years of experience as a university instructor in mobile development, combined with 7 years in hands-on development, Nazar brings deep technical expertise and effective leadership to product development, and excels at mentoring his team, cultivating a collaborative environment, and steering projects toward successful outcomes that meet product and business goals. Outside of work, Nazar enjoys running and kettlebell workouts. He continually challenges himself to maintain discipline and achieve new personal milestones.
HE/HIM
Jose Iniguez
Head of Operations
Jose Iniguez is a builder at the intersection of tech, capital, and community, dedicated to creating systems that empower underserved communities. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business (’24) and is a deferred MBA admit at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (’29). His proudest accomplishment is serving as Chief of Staff at LaFamilia Foundation, where he supports programs that have reached thousands of Latine founders and investors while mobilizing millions in capital toward equity in innovation. Prior to LaFamilia, Jose worked across B2B SaaS sales, venture fellowships, and social impact nonprofits in the U.S. and Latin America—developing a cross-sector lens for systems change. Outside of work, Jose loves curating joyful experiences—whether organizing founder retreats or hosting dinner parties with friends who feel like family.
Jose Iniguez is a builder at the intersection of tech, capital, and community, dedicated to creating systems that empower underserved communities. He earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business (’24) and is a deferred MBA admit at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (’29). His proudest accomplishment is serving as Chief of Staff at LaFamilia Foundation, where he supports programs that have reached thousands of Latine founders and investors while mobilizing millions in capital toward equity in innovation. Prior to LaFamilia, Jose worked across B2B SaaS sales, venture fellowships, and social impact nonprofits in the U.S. and Latin America—developing a cross-sector lens for systems change. Outside of work, Jose loves curating joyful experiences—whether organizing founder retreats or hosting dinner parties with friends who feel like family.

Advisors & Collaborators

Empowered by world-class experts.
Mental Health and Well-Being
Domain experts advising on evidence-based solutions to foster well-being, resilience, connection, and belonging.
Ryan S Patel
DO, FAPA
Author, Mental Health for College Students; Senior Staff Psychiatrist, Chair-Research Committee, OSU; Board member, American College Health Association (ACHA); Chair of the Mental Health Section, ACHA

Board Director & Mental Health Section Chair, American College Health Association (ACHA); Psychiatrist, The Ohio State University; Author, Mental Health for College Students

Lauren
Lee, PhD
Ex-VP, Headspace Clinical Product Management and Content Development; Advisor, Therapists in Tech; Expert on digital health product and operations
Emily
Dworkin, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine; expert in clinical research, prevention, and treatment of traumatic stress
Natalie
Solomon, PsyD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Stanford University; Expert on the study and treatment of sleep disorders
Smaranda
Lawrie, PhD
Assistant Professor, Providence College; Founder of the UC Santa Barbara Resilience Summit and Certificate Program
Human-Centered AI
Scientists and experts in AI, HCI, and psychology of technology advising on building emotionally intelligent, safe, and ethnical AI for human flourishing.
Juliana
Schroeder, PhD
Professor of Management, University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business; Harold Furst Chair in Management Philosophy and Values; Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Psychology of Technology Institute.
Julian
De Freitas, PhD
Director of the Ethical Intelligence Lab, Assistant Professor in Marketing, Harvard Business School; expertise on consumer psychology, ethics, and AI.
Joel
Lehman, PhD
Ex Team Co-Lead, OpenAI; Former Founding Member, Uber AI Labs; expertise on AI safety, creative algorithms, and reinforcement learning.
Dakuo
Wang, PhD
Associate Professor in AI and HCI, Northeastern University; Visiting Scholar, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence; Principal Investigator, MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab.
Product & Operations
Seasoned experts from diverse backgrounds advising on building human-centered products and business.
Deborah
Gruenfeld, PhD
Professor in Organizational Behavior, Stanford University; Co-director, Stanford Executive Program for Women; Author, "Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe"
Monisha
Perkash
2x CEO & Co-Founder; Director of Product Management, ex-Meta; Lecturer, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Venture Partner, Venture Partner Inception Studio
Jeff
Mielke
Head of Design @ ex-Google Jigsaw; Seasoned UX design leader with expertise on safe Internet, employee well-being, and distributed workplace.
Daniel
Moshe
5x entrepreneur, national speaker, and certified EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) implementer.

Our Story

Our journey building Flourish —
An invitation from the Founding Team

As the saying goes, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”​

We all want to live happy and fulfilling lives, but in this fast-paced, hyper-connected world, it's easy to get lost in the daily grind. We forget to live with intention, to check in with ourselves from time to time, to appreciate the people and the nature around us, and to connect with each other on a deeper level.​

That's why we founded Flourish — a public benefit corporation to offer scientific insights and daily actions for more happiness and well-being. We make science more accessible, personalized, and fun by turning the right knowledge into simple actions at the right time. It is our life's mission to help people live better lives through science. ​

Running a mission-driven company isn't easy, but it is our calling. We deeply believe that to turn the mental health and loneliness crisis around, we need to put science into everyone's hands and help people translate their knowledge into actions. This belief has given us tremendous motivation to press on, day and night. And we know we are on the right track when we hear stories of how Flourish has positively impacted many lives.​

Thank you so much for becoming a part of our world! We're thrilled to have you join us on this meaningful and exciting journey.

With love and gratitude,
Flourish co-founders 🌱