S7 Episode 4

Brandon Bond is the LSA Mental Health & Well-Being Project Lead at the University of Michigan, where he spearheads strategic and systemic public mental health initiatives. With experience in global public health, multicultural well-being, and organizational change, Brandon applies a multidisciplinary approach to his work. As an Advisory Council Member for Active Minds and MTV Entertainment, Brandon contributed to the creation of A.S.K.: Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch, a national digital youth mental health peer support campaign hailed as the new “stop, drop, and roll” of peer support. He also advocated for federal peer support policies through Mental Health America’s inaugural Youth Policy Accelerator and is currently co-developing the infrastructure for the Packard Health Black Men’s Mental Health Ambassador Program.

Beyond his direct mental health and well-being work, Brandon is a Fellow in the RESULTS Organizing and Advocacy Fellowship, focusing on addressing poverty and hunger through grassroots advocacy. He also serves as a mayoral-appointed Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Ann Arbor, where he champions equity and civil rights. Deeply committed to connecting people and advancing the intersection of mental health and social justice, Brandon’s work reflects his dedication to fostering meaningful change through a well-being lens.

Emily Williams is a junior majoring in UX Design at UMSI and Communications at LSA. She loves just a little bit of everything, but especially the BLI! After taking a class through the BLI, Emily felt drawn to the supportive atmosphere and the passionate, like-minded people.

Samantha Howden is a junior majoring in Economics with a minor in Quantitative Methods. As a sophomore in Foundations of Leadership, ALA 274, Samantha experienced one profound revelation after another and realized how much learning about leadership at BLI enhanced every other aspect of life. She is most grateful for the BLI travel experiences that have enabled new connections with her fellow Leaders and Best. In addition to expanding her leadership perspective at Ross Sanger Leadership Center and Center for Positive Organizations, Samantha serves as Co-President of Salto Dance Company and a peer mentor for the Society of Women in Economics. With experiences across business development, operations, and nonprofit consulting, she is focused on building a career at the intersection of operational strategy, cloud technology, and people development. Samantha continues to help people and ideas thrive through people-first leadership as a second-year LTF and Leadership Certificate member.