OUR FOUNDERS

Nikki Symanovich

PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
she/her

Nikki’s passion and dedication to mental health and suicide prevention stems from personal experiences with suicide. She lost her cousin to suicide when she was a sophomore in high school, followed by two friends within the same year. It wasn’t until she connected with other survivors of suicide loss that her eyes were opened to a community she never knew existed. This helped her find the voice to talk about these complex issues.

Nikki’s personal losses have driven her desire to educate others about mental health and suicide, and motivated her to pursue her bachelor’s degree in psychology. Much of her studies focused on psychological disorders and mental health-related research. She has also found healing through yoga and hopes to share this practice with others.

As someone who has also struggled with depression and anxiety, Nikki aims to provide others who may be struggling with the support they deserve and a powerful opportunity to voice their experience. She also hopes to equip people with the tools they need to recognize warning signs, find support, and open up the conversation around mental health.

Samuel Feinberg

VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY
he/him

When something happens, Samuel’s immediate reaction is action. Losing a close friend freshman year of high school urged Samuel to make a difference in the community. He joined suicide prevention walks alongside Nikki, Mikaela, and his community to honor his friend Quinn and others taken by suicide. Since then, Samuel’s goal has grown to assisting those dealing with all forms of invisible illnesses.

Samuel hopes Narratives of Hope will serve as a platform, an outlet, and a community in our technologically connected, yet very personally disconnected, world. Samuel is specifically passionate about the impact sharing stories could have on young professionals who worked from home throughout the pandemic and college athletes — two groups he has observed are inclined toward suffering in silence.

When Samuel asks someone “How are you?” he wants an honest answer. Narratives of Hope allows people to answer that question authentically in a world where saying “All good” is the default.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hannah Chmura

Hannah (she/her) is a board certified physician assistant practicing in Massachusetts. As a medical provider, she witnesses how physical health and mental health are irreversibly bound.

  • Hannah earned bachelor’s degrees in behavioral neuroscience and biology before earning her master’s degree from Northeastern University. In dermatology, disorders of the skin can be visualized, assessed, and treated. On the contrary, mental illness is deeply hidden without obvious outward changes, laboratory tests, or biopsy results to confirm a diagnosis. Hannah is dedicated to bringing mental health to the surface so individuals can be appropriately supported and treated.

    In 2016, Hannah trekked 2,189 miles along the Appalachian Trail while raising money and awareness for suicide prevention. Every day, she initiated conversations about mental health by simply saying, “everyone knows someone who struggles with mental health.” She learned that most people are open to sharing their experiences with mental illness if given the opportunity in a safe space. Hannah is honored to be a board member at NOH and provide a platform for more people to own their stories.

    Hannah serves as Secretary, Treasurer, and Director of Operations at Narratives of Hope.

Mikaela Symanovich

Mikaela (she/her) has been with Narratives of Hope since its creation in 2017. Her passion for activism stems from the losses she experienced, as well as her own personal struggles with mental health.

  • Mikaela has participated in multiple suicide prevention walks to honor her cousin, among others. These walks helped enlighten her to the incredible community of survivors and the many inspiring narratives that often go unheard.

    Having watched loved ones endure long standing battles with mental health, she’s experienced how empowering it can be to share your story and how vulnerability can bring people together. She hopes that Narratives of Hope can give a voice to all types of stories and that by destigmatizing mental health, we can show people that they are never truly alone.

Kennedy Kline

Kennedy (she/her) is a Philadelphia native with a team-oriented approach to change. She is passionate about sharing stories and believes in the power they have to influence individuals and communities.

  • In 2020, Kennedy co-created a podcast, Our So Called Prime, that discusses a variety of topics arising in the lives of young Black women with the hope of bringing together both people with shared experiences and calling in others.

    Kennedy wants to both normalize and deepen conversations about mental health and hopes to eliminate the particularly strong stigma of seeking mental health care in communities of color. She currently attends UCLA School of Law and hopes to serve marginalized communities as an advocate upon graduation.

    She believes that each of us has an important role to play in promoting collective mental health and that Narratives of Hope is helping realize this goal everyday.

Henry Feinberg

Henry (he/him) witnessed the pain surrounding suicide at a young age, specifically the devastating impact such a loss had on his older sibling, and Narratives of Hope founder, Samuel Feinberg.

  • Henry supported Samuel in fundraising and spreading awareness for the issue throughout high school. Henry hopes to aid in the fight for mental health awareness and suicide prevention and is extremely grateful to be a part of Narratives of Hope.

    As a former student-athlete at Williams College, Henry has seen the impact sharing one’s story can have and hopes this organization can grant others that opportunity. As mental health struggles continue to plague people despite their circumstances, Henry hopes to help dedicate this platform to open and safe communication for anybody seeking an outlet.