Karen Wen

(Co-Founder)

  • As a Co-Founder of Mind Axis, Karen applies her public health expertise to envision routes into mental wellness that are more inclusive, holistic, and accessible.

Teodora Popnikolova

(Program Manager)

  • Teodora brings a rich and diverse background to Mind Axis, with degrees in psychology and global mental health. She is passionately aligned with the vision of enhancing mental wellbeing through an alternative, holistic, and community-based approach, whilst integrating public health expertise. She also enjoys tea, practicing and teaching yoga, engaging in creative arts, and having in-depth wellness discussions, making her a perfect fit for Mind Axis!

    Teodora brings valuable skills gained through several years of project management in applied mental health research. At Queen Mary University of London, she worked on a clinical trial for psychosocial care in psychosis in Eastern Europe. At King’s College London, she managed two key projects: developing a medical device for children with ADHD and coordinating a randomized controlled trial site on a novel drug for treatment-resistant depression in young adults. Her hands-on experience as a therapy practitioner for children with autism has fostered her commitment to quality mental health service provision.

    Teodora is also an avid boulderist, cyclist, traveler, and nature enthusiast.

    Favorite beverages: LOVES tea and coffee, currently obsessed with Rose and Lemon Balm

Diliniya Stanislaus Sureshkumar

(Co-Founder)

  • Diliniya applies her expertise in mental health to envision systems that ensure individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying mental health needs can access inclusive mental healthcare. Holding a BSc in Psychology from the University of Glasgow and a Global Mental Masters from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/King's College London, she is skilled at integrating community resources into mental health models.

    Diliniya has six years of experience in the mental health field across community, healthcare, and research sectors. In community settings, she assisted individuals with severe mental health needs by providing support and facilitating their integration back into society. In her role within the NHS, her focus was therapeutic, providing mental health support and leading creative groups to enhance mental health symptoms of patients.

    Currently a Global Mental Health Researcher at Queen Mary University of London, Diliniya leads projects aimed at understanding and improving the mental health of young people in South America. Her work centers on unraveling the role of social resources in mental health outcomes.

    In her free time, Diliniya enjoys spending time with her niece and playing board games.

    Favorite Beverage: Ceylon teaAs a Co-Founder of Mind Axis, Karen applies her public health expertise to envision routes into mental wellness that are more inclusive, holistic, and accessible.

Meet Our Team

  • Karen Wen (Co-Founder)

    As a Co-Founder of Mind Axis, Karen applies her public health expertise to envision routes into mental wellness that are more inclusive, holistic, and accessible. With a BA in Psychology from Dartmouth College and MSc in Global Mental Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/King’s College, she is skilled at directing mental health programs and finding innovative ways to center models in community assets. Previously, Karen has worked at a range of social impact organizations, from consultancies to NGOs to start-ups in the UK, USA, India, and Zimbabwe. She is experienced in managing non-profits, applying research to implementation, and leading strategic initiatives with a systems thinking lens. Karen is a former Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellow and a current Rotary Club Global Grant Scholar pursuing a Doctorate in Public Health.

    A transplant from California to the UK, Karen is particularly interested in creating culturally safe spaces that acknowledge the diversity of mental health experiences.

    Karen’s hobbies include trying new cuisines around the world and attending a weekly hot yoga class.

    Favorite Beverages: Sparkling water/horchata

  • Diliniya Stanislaus Sureshkumar (Co-Founder)

    Diliniya applies her expertise in mental health to envision systems that ensure individuals from diverse backgrounds with varying mental health needs can access inclusive mental healthcare. Holding a BSc in Psychology from the University of Glasgow and a Global Mental Masters from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/King's College London, she is skilled at integrating community resources into mental health models.

    Diliniya has six years of experience in the mental health field across community, healthcare, and research sectors. In community settings, she assisted individuals with severe mental health needs by providing support and facilitating their integration back into society. In her role within the NHS, her focus was therapeutic, providing mental health support and leading creative groups to enhance mental health symptoms of patients.

    Currently a Global Mental Health Researcher at Queen Mary University of London, Diliniya leads projects aimed at understanding and improving the mental health of young people in South America. Her work centers on unraveling the role of social resources in mental health outcomes.

    In her free time, Diliniya enjoys spending time with her niece and playing board games.

    Favorite Beverage: Ceylon tea

  • Teodora Popnikolova

    Teodora Popnikolova (Program Manager)

    Teodora brings a rich and diverse background to Mind Axis, with degrees in psychology and global mental health. She is passionately aligned with the vision of enhancing mental wellbeing through an alternative, holistic, and community-based approach, whilst integrating public health expertise. She also enjoys tea, practicing and teaching yoga, engaging in creative arts, and having in-depth wellness discussions, making her a perfect fit for Mind Axis!

    Teodora brings valuable skills gained through several years of project management in applied mental health research. At Queen Mary University of London, she worked on a clinical trial for psychosocial care in psychosis in Eastern Europe. At King’s College London, she managed two key projects: developing a medical device for children with ADHD and coordinating a randomized controlled trial site on a novel drug for treatment-resistant depression in young adults. Her hands-on experience as a therapy practitioner for children with autism has fostered her commitment to quality mental health service provision.

    Teodora is also an avid boulderist, cyclist, traveler, and nature enthusiast.

    Favorite beverages: LOVES tea and coffee, currently obsessed with Rose and Lemon Balm

Meet the Facilitators

  • Rashmi Aggarwal

    Rashmi is the Founder of “Yoga with Rashmi” and is qualified in E-RYT 200, YTT-500 and holds multiple diplomas from courses in London, America, and India. She has run private classes since 2017 in Redbridge, London, and specialises in teaching beginners and helping people make yoga a lifestyle in the ripe ages of the late 30’s, 40’s and beyond.

    Her philosophy on yoga is, “Listen to your body, keep it simple, do it right and consistently.”

    Learn more about Rashmi and her work on her Facebook and Instagram.

    Favorite Beverage: Water (including sparkling)

  • Sheyamali Sudesh

    Sheyamali is an interdisciplinary artist, art and wellbeing practitioner, and freelance arts project manager. They grew up in Redbridge and currently reside there.

    In their artwork, they use movement, drawing, sound, film, and writing to explore both their connection and dislocation from nature and the land that they are surrounded by. They are interested in how place, specifically the histories and geographies of both rural and urban places, relate and connect diverse groups of people. Sheyamali has facilitated projects at numerous galleries and mental health organisations in London, including Tate, National Gallery, and the mental health charity Mind.

    Learn more about Sheyamali’s work and connect with them on Instagram.

    Favorite Beverage: Mocha

  • Sujeena Navajeeva

    Sujeena, a lifelong resident of Redbridge, East London, is deeply passionate about her community. Her interest in mental health, particularly psychosis and refugee mental health, stems from her strong desire to help those in need within her community.

    Sujeena enjoys activities that promote both physical and mental wellbeing. Whether challenging herself through exercise, finding solace in the therapeutic art of baking, or expanding her knowledge through thought-provoking documentaries, she constantly seeks opportunities for enrichment. She also enjoys travelling and is planning a trip to China.

    Committed to eudaimonia, Sujeena's ultimate goal is to foster wellbeing and flourishing not only within herself but also within her community.

    Favorite Beverage: Matcha latte

  • Nikhi Suri

    Nikhi Suri (they/he) is a health researcher and harm reductionist from Brooklyn, NY. Their global health research focuses on substance use, mental health, and sexual health related to South Asian diaspora communities across India and North America (find out more on Instagram). They center positionality and the indigenous circle within their work, most recently facilitating virtual and in-person Naloxone trainings and community healing circles for New Yorkers as an employee of an HR-focused health startup.

    Nikhi shoots film photography, and has done so since meeting their first darkroom in ninth grade. Over the last five years they have used both 35mm and 120mm film to focus on human narratives and visual ethnography related to health. They have shot a few gigs in the New York nightlife scene and like to teach their friends (and anyone else who will listen) how to use film cameras.

    Currently, they’re a Masters student in Mathematical Modelling for Global Health at the University of Oxford, where they host a weekly radio show mixing diasporic electronic music.

    Favorite Beverage: A basic oat iced latte

  • Birgit Beer

    Born in Germany and raised in Vienna, Birgit began practicing yoga regularly after moving to London in 2000. She wanted to reach out to people in more holistic ways, so she pursued yoga teacher training to connect people with their own self-healing power. Certified in hatha/vinyasa and yin yoga for mind and body, Birgit is trained in hormone yoga and therapeutic yoga for people living with cancer.

    Birgit has also had a high-profile career spanning 30+ years as a coloratura/lyric soprano, and she has incorporated classical music into her yoga classes to catalyze the flow of energy in her students. Currently, she runs classes in Canary Wharf and Woodford (Virgin Active), both online and in-person—sometimes in her garden! Since May 2024, Birgit has been supporting NHS staff at the Royal Marsden Hospital with yoga and singing sessions.

    Learn more about Birgit’s work on her website.

    Favorite Beverage: Coffee and rooibos tea

  • Lotte Tickner

    Lotte is an HCPC and BADth registered Drama and Movement Psychotherapist.

    Lotte has worked in a variety of hospital and educational settings across London including working with adults in NHS acute psychiatric care, and children and young people in mainstream primary and secondary schools, a Special Educational Needs school and an Alternative Provision.

    Lotte is passionate about using playful, creative and symbolic modes of expression to support clients to better understand themselves, and the world around them.

    Favorite Beverage: Rooibos tea with oat milk

  • Sorubiha Kamalanathan

    Sorubiha (they/she) is a UK-based activist, multidisciplinary creative, educator, facilitator, yoga teacher and masters student in Gender Studies. Throughout their life, Sorubiha has drawn upon various art forms, movement practices and nature in following their joy, healing and connecting to themselves, people and the planet. Sorubiha's work is oriented toward community, collectivising and liberation.

    Favourite Beverage: Chai

  • Dina Jan

    Dina has extensive experience working in mental health services, trained in 1:1 behavioural therapies (e.g. Behavioural Activation, Graded Exposure) and group work. She draws on a range of therapeutic modalities e.g. CBT, DBT, ACT. She has worked across NHS services, including inpatient recovery for psychosis, secondary care for complex mental health issues, and primary care for mild to moderate difficulties. Dina has also supported students in a university.

    After spending time in Brighton/Hove, Dina lives in London and is a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology candidate. She’s interested in holistic therapies, trauma work, and improving accessibility for global majority populations, refugees, and asylum seekers.

    Favourite beverage: Kombucha

  • Pareena Khairdin

    With over 20 years of experience in the digital world, Pareena took a leap and followed her passion for wellbeing. Now, as a certified sound therapist, yoga teacher, and intuitive life coach at One Ruh, she empowers individuals to connect with themselves on a deeper level. Yoga, for Pareena, transcends the physical; it's a holistic practice fostering physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Pareena's intuitive guidance shapes her approach, ensuring a transformative experience for each client.

    Favorite Beverage: Anything with elderflower!

  • Imogen Grant

    Imi’s yoga teaching uses intuitive movement, breath and meditation practices to help tune into our body, mind and soul, and look after our physical and mental wellbeing. She works as both a yoga teacher, and in mental health campaigning. As well as her RYT 200-hr teacher training she has further training in yoga for depression, PTSD and anxiety.

    She is passionate about making yoga an accessible and inclusive space. Her approach is not to make you do acrobatics. But to offer mindful movement for every body.

    Favorite beverage: coffee or ginger tea

Meet the Volunteers

  • Sruti Balaji

    “I’ve always loved volunteering - I think it's a wonderful way to get to know your community or a new community entirely. It fosters connections and give back to causes you really care about!”

    Favorite Beverage: Masala chai

  • Sara Filip

    “Healing and liberation happens collectively, and volunteering is an amazing way to cultivate this. I am constantly excited to meet new people and hear new stories, developing authentic loving connections!”

    Favorite Beverage: Saffron latte

  • Nina Ryan

    “Volunteering is a perfect way to give back to your community, help those around you, and make authentic connections with people. I love any opportunity to get out there, help people who need it, make new friends, and even learn new things about myself"

    Favourite drink: Thai iced tea

Meet the Advisory Committee

  • Chris Underhill MBE

    Professional Mentor | Co-Founder of Elders Council for Social Entrepreneurs | Chair of the Catalyst 2030 Mental Health Collaboration

  • Dr Julia Puebla Fortier

    Honorary Research Fellow, University of Bristol Medical School | Arts, Health & Wellbeing Researcher and Educator

  • Dr Sam Fraser

    Consultant Clinical Psychologist | Mental Health Lead for Health Innovation KSS | Implementation Lead for the Applied Research Collaboration