THE TEAM

Candace Schoner is the founder of Voices for Mental Health, Inc. and producer and host of the Voices for Mental Health podcast. Blending her journalism background, business development skills, and lived experience with ADHD, PTSD, and visual dyslexia, she’s on a mission to end the stigma of mental illness.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Candace faced early challenges with undiagnosed dyslexia, severe nearsightedness, and bullying. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Maryland and worked in broadcast journalism for various media outlets including NBC-TV in New York.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2022, Candace is deeply committed to raising awareness, increasing access, and ending the stigma of mental health. The War in My Head. Contact Candace.

Lisa Wessner (she/they) is a molecular biologist with over 20 years of experience decoding the intricate language of cells and genes. Driven by a passion for discovery and making complex biology accessible, they’ve built a career advancing research, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and contributing to projects with real-world impact.

Outside the lab, Lisa is a dedicated mental wellness advocate who believes science and humanity must go hand in hand. In 2023, Lisa founded the mental health storytelling event titled “Always. Already. Enough: Flipping the Script on Mental Illness.” They speaks openly about mental health, breaking the stigma, building community, and fostering honest conversations—especially in academic and professional settings where vulnerability is often overlooked. Lisa brings levity and authenticity to everything they do.