Women and Mental Health: Connecting and Empowering Alumni with Expert Insights

Dr. Hantsoo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is trained as a Clinical Psychologist, with a specialization in Health Psychology, and she currently serves as the Director of Research in the Johns Hopkins Reproductive Mental Health Center, where her research and clinical work focus on the role of stress and ovarian hormones in women's mental health across the lifespan. Her primary research area is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and she also does research related to perinatal and perimenopausal mental health, adverse childhood experiences, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Her work has been covered by the New York Times, Washington Post, and Fast Company, among others, and She has published in journals including JAMA, Lancet Psychiatry, and American Journal of Psychiatry. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, and March of Dimes. She has also collaborated with industry, including Ginger.io, Clue, and Flo Health. She is on the Clinical Advisory Board of the International Association of Premenstrual Disorders and She is also a member of the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) Women & Mood Disorders Task Group, where she chairs the Biological Mechanisms working group. She is passionate about improving research in and raising awareness about women’s mental health issues. 

Dr. Tara Allmen is a Board Certified Gynecologist, NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner and Author of Menopause Confidential, A Doctor Reveals The Secrets To Thriving Through Midlife.

Dr. Allmen earned her bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, her medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco.

She has educated thousands of healthcare professionals and women for over 25 years and regularly appears on national television, radio, and digital media.

As President and CEO of the Allmen Foundation, Dr. Allmen supports non-profit organizations working in the areas of women’s health, the performing arts, and animal welfare.

Most importantly, she is born and raised on the small island of Manhattan and is New York Strong!

Donna Castelblanco (she/her/ella) is a daughter of Colombian-Ecuadorian immigrants. She earned her Master of Bioethics from the University of Pennsylvania and is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Johns Hopkins Doctor of Public Health: Health Equity and Social Justice program. Donna is preparing for a dissertation in analyzing how pediatricians can help address rising postpartum depression rates among Latina mothers in NYC. She is a Mental Health Content Expert for Our Bodies, Ourselves. Donna is also a trauma-informed yoga teacher who completed trainings including Mental Health First Aid and maternal mental health among teens.

She serves as a Strategic Partnerships Manager at the New York City Department of Health. Donna supports population health equity initiatives in primary care and maternal and child health. Prior to joining the NYC Department of Health, Donna coordinated community-based evaluation research at a home visiting program in New Jersey. She also worked at Bellevue Hospital for NYU coordinating clinical research studies on homelessness prevention, substance use, and social determinants of health. Donna enjoys running, reading, baking for others, and building community.

Dior Vargas is a mental health activist with over 15 years of advocacy experience. She collaborates with universities, organizations, and companies to promote self-care advocacy, improve access to wellness, and increase diversity in mental health. She is the creator of the People of Color and Mental Illness Photo Project, which addresses the lack of BIPOC representation in media portrayals of mental illness. She also edited The Color of My Mind, a photo book inspired by the project. 

Dior has received numerous awards, including being named a White House Champion of Change for Disability Advocacy Across Generations under the Obama administration. She conducts speaking engagements nationwide, and her work and insights have been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, and Newsweek. She was recognized in the City & State Mental Health Power 50 List and featured in the CBS special, Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event. 

Dior holds a BA in the Study of Women and Gender from Smith College, an MS in Publishing from Pace University, and an MPH from New York University. She was born and raised in Spanish Harlem, New York City, and still lives in the apartment where she grew up. 

Jaime Malone is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Insight Counseling and Consulting, with more than 20 years of clinical experience supporting individuals and families across schools, hospitals, treatment programs, and private practice. Her work focuses on helping clients navigate life transitions, manage stress and anxiety, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives and relationships.

Jaime is known for her practical, action-oriented approach, helping clients translate insight into meaningful change through intentional, everyday strategies. Her work is grounded in the belief that individuals are not defined by their circumstances, but by how they respond to them.

Her interest in mental health began during her time at Johns Hopkins University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Public Health. She later received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Throughout her career, Jaime has worked extensively with individuals adjusting to life changes, and is particularly passionate about supporting those navigating the complexities of growth, success, and evolving life roles while supporting their mental health. As an alumna, she is honored to return and speak on daily practices to prevent burnout and build resilience.