Philosophy Names Hope & Grace Fund Board Members

Philosophy has appointed its inaugural seven Hope & Grace Fund advisory board members: Dr. Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Jeannette Pai-Espinosa, Helen Porter, Marc Rey, Dr. Alina Salganicoff, PhD, Jill Scalamandre, and Dr. Belisa Vranich, PsyD. They  will ensure that the firm’s  fund identifies and supports the most innovative and effective programs to empower women with mental health issues, the fund has strategically selected these leading mental health researchers, practitioners, and philanthropists, as well as senior leaders from philosophy to fulfill positions on the board.

The newly appointed advisory board will provide critical input, leadership, and accountability to the fund, according to the firm, which is owned by Coty.

Philosophy launched the hope & grace initiative earlier this year to support women's mental health. Since the July launch, philosophy has dedicated one percent of its online net sales, and beginning in January 2015, it will contribute one percent of online, in-store, and televised net sales to the fund.

The advisory board's first undertaking will be  the launch the first round of grants which will provide $20,000 grants to community-based organizations that promote women's mental health and well being. Additional grants will be distributed to select organizations on a quarterly basis.

Within five years, the hope & grace fund's intention is to give more than $10 million to organizations that work to reduce stigma and other barriers for those seeking treatment for mental health issues, provide access to mental health treatment and foster support networks for women with mental illness.
 
The board members are: 
•  Dr. Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Dean's Professor of Social Work and Preventive Medicine, and Associate Vice Provost of Community Research Initiatives, University of Southern California.
•  Jeannette Pai-Espinosa, President, The National Crittenton Foundation (TNCF).
•  Helen Porter, philanthropist and founder of Helen L. Porter and James T. Dyke Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' (UAMS) Psychiatric Research Institute.
•  Marc Rey, Senior Vice President of Coty, North America and President, Coty US.
•  Dr. Alina Salganicoff, PhD, Vice President and Director of Women's Health Policy, Kaiser Family Foundation.
•  Jill Scalamandre, Senior Vice President of philosophy and Chief Marketing Officer for Coty Inc.
•  Dr. Belisa Vranich, PsyD,a clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and founder of The Breathing Class.