Meet the Mindd Team
The Mindd Team is a passionate group of highly experienced professionals and practitioners from diverse career backgrounds. We share a mutual passion for health and educating and empowering our community of practitioners and families in integrative healthcare solutions. We are a small team who strive to make a big impact!
Leslie Embersits is the Executive Director & CEO of Mindd Foundation which she founded in 2005. Leslie has a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and a Masters in film from the Peter Stark Film Producing Program from the University of Southern California.
With over 35 years of experience in strategy, advertising, marketing, film and event management across New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, Leslie brings vision, heart and strategic clarity to the Mindd mission.
In 1997 Leslie became a mum, which began her campaign for more informed healthcare for children. In 2004 she began seminars on making a difference to kids health. This work officially became the Mindd Foundation in May 2005 and since then has delivered hundreds of seminars, conferences and programs as well as expanding the advocacy and charitable work to support the health of children and families, as well as the professional skills of integrative health care practitioners.
Gemma Pokrzywa brings her experience and skills as a nutritionist and passionate cook to the Mindd community. Her interest in holistic methods of cooking within the family home, and the use of traditional medicines have been further developed through her Bachelor of Health Science majoring in Western herbal medicine.
Through her practitioner and professional catering experiences, Gemma empowers clients to make educated food choices to improve their health.
Gemma liaises between the Mindd community and Mindd team, managing customer enquiries and questions as well as managing the Food Is Medicine program at the annual Mindd International Forum.
Troy Laforteza holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research.
His fascination for technology and online learning has played a critical role in his career by incorporating his engineering knowledge with technical and interpersonal skills in software development.
Troy is a part of Mindd’s digital team – providing support for website design, user interface development, website upgrades and maintenance.
He has always been an advocate for health and wellness, driving him to support Mindd Health with an effective online presence for events, educational programs and health campaigns.
Leonard currently works as a freelance VA for several clients in the US and Australia as media content producer/video editor and layout & design artist.
He also manages an events company and works there as a professional photographer.
Being employed in different industries for the past 30 years has been a fulfilling experience.
But working in an environment where I can spend my time and passion growing new relationships, helping others be better at what they do and being part of their journey as they realize their goals is a challenge I’d like to embark anew.
