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.

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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.

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SHE/HER

Julie Cachia, PhD

Affective Science, Co-Founder

Dr. Julie Cachia earned her PhD in Affective Science at Stanford University and is a co-founder of Flourish Science. 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. At Flourish, she develops science-based content and leads large-scale, multi-institutional randomized controlled trials testing the impact of the Flourish app on user well-being. Julie is also a certified yoga instructor, having completed her training with YogaX at Stanford Psychiatry. 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.

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Dr. Julie Cachia earned her PhD in Affective Science at Stanford University and is a co-founder of Flourish Science. 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. At Flourish, she develops science-based content and leads large-scale, multi-institutional randomized controlled trials testing the impact of the Flourish app on user well-being. Julie is also a certified yoga instructor, having completed her training with YogaX at Stanford Psychiatry. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Emily

Dworkin, PhD

Clinical & Safety Lead, Flourish Science; Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine

Emily R. Dworkin, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and behavioral scientist specializing in AI evaluation, digital mental health, and clinical safety. She has led federally funded research on digital mental health interventions and now works at the intersection of clinical research and AI product development, helping organizations build mental health technologies that are safe, effective, and grounded in evidence.

Ryan S Patel

DO, FAPA

Acting Chief Medical & Strategic Advisor, Flourish Science; Board Director & Mental Health Section Chair, American College Health Association (ACHA); Assistant Director, Psychiatry, OSU Counseling and Consultation Service

Ryan S. Patel, DO, FAPA, is a board-certified psychiatrist who provides evidence-based, holistic care to university students at The Ohio State University and leads the Psychiatry program at The Ohio State University, Office of Student Life, Counseling and Consultation Service. He has served as a Board Director and is currently the Mental Health Section Chair for the American College Health Association (ACHA) and is the author of the book: Mental Health for College Students. A clinician, researcher, and mental health AI advisor, he works to transform how organizations and the people they serve approach mental health.

Shannon

Wiltsey Stirman, PhD

Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University; Psychologist, VA National Center for PTSD

Shannon Wiltsey Stirman, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford and a psychologist at the VA National Center for PTSD, where she co-directs the Center for Responsible and Effective AI Technology Enhancement for PTSD Treatment (CREATE). An implementation scientist, she focuses on evidence-based treatment for PTSD, depression, and suicide prevention, and on using technology, including large language models, to expand access to care. She is co-author of Getting Unstuck from PTSD.

Sean Snyder

DPA, MSW, LCSW

Director of Implementation & Technical Assistance, The Baker Center for Children and Families

Sean E. Snyder, DPA, MSW, LCSW, is Director of Implementation and Technical Assistance at The Baker Center for Children and Families, where he leads systems-level innovation and cross-sector partnerships to strengthen behavioral health care for children, youth, and families. A National Trainer in Trauma-Focused CBT and a longtime collaborator with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), he supports workforce development through training, consultation, and implementation coaching. He previously held leadership roles at Penn Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Leslie

Adams, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Division of Public Mental Health and Population Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine

Leslie Adams, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Mental Health and Population Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she works to advance mental health equity and reduce disparities among people of African descent and other marginalized communities. As a behavioral scientist, she studies how structural racism, gender norms, and psychosocial stressors shape mental health, using mixed methods including ecological momentary assessment and passive sensing. Her work emphasizes suicide prevention and community-based, technology-enabled interventions for underserved youth.

Aimee

Peters, LCSW

Senior Advisor & former Chief Clinical Officer, AbleTo; Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work

Aimee Peters, LCSW, has 25+ years of clinical, strategic, and leadership experience in behavioral health and is a pioneer of virtual behavioral healthcare, expanding access to high-quality care for many of the largest U.S. health insurers across all 50 states. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work and a member of the McLean Women's Mental Health Leadership Council. She has also co-authored publications on the clinical and cost-savings benefits of early intervention and treatment.

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.

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Julian

De Freitas, PhD

Director of the Ethical Intelligence Lab, Assistant Professor in Marketing, Harvard Business School; expertise on consumer psychology, ethics, and AI.

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Joel

Lehman, PhD

Ex Team Co-Lead, OpenAI; Former Founding Member, Uber AI Labs; expertise on AI safety, creative algorithms, and reinforcement learning.

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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.

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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"

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Monisha

Perkash

2x CEO & Co-Founder; Director of Product Management, ex-Meta; Lecturer, Stanford Graduate School of Business; Venture Partner, Venture Partner Inception Studio

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Jeff

Mielke

Head of Design @ ex-Google Jigsaw; Seasoned UX design leader with expertise on safe Internet, employee well-being, and distributed workplace.

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Daniel

Moshe

5x entrepreneur, national speaker, and certified EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) implementer.

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Our Story

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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 🌱

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