Team
Michelle Alegria
FOUNDER
An Emmy Award-winning reporter and television host who has worked at NBC, ABC and FOX affiliates, Michelle Alegria is a Chicago native with more than 20 years of broadcast journalism experience. A first-generation Latina and mother of three, Michelle has always been passionate about delivering impactful messages and doing meaningful work. Growing up in a traditional Mexican household, mental health took a backseat to other priorities. This was due to cultural stigma and lack of education about the importance of mental health. Michelle‘s interest in mindfulness practices began after an unexpected family tragedy. Breath work has been a powerful tool in her families healing process. It is often said, “Through pain you find your purpose.” And that is how Mindful Moments with Michelle and the We Just Breathe Foundation (WJB) were born. WJB is a nonprofit organization that brings mindfulness to youth and is breaking down the barriers of mental health. Her purpose has now shifted to a life of delivering wellness information to the masses, one breath at a time.
Sandy Babin
PRESIDENT/CEO
Sandy Babin brings 25 years of leadership experience to the We Just Breathe Foundation. She is the former Vice President of Marketing for Apple Vacations, one of the largest tour operators in the world. Sandy has also served on advisory boards for the country of Mexico, the state of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel), and Hawaii, among others. When Sandy felt the need for change, she took an inspirational tour that was truly transformational, and ultimately, was a life changer. It inspired her to create tours that will help others discover their inner calling. As Managing Director of Transformational Tours Retreats, Sandy focuses on working with spiritual and wellness leaders to create retreats for personal growth and expansion. She especially enjoys giving back to the We Just Breathe Foundation, because she believes “it’s a spark that can change the world.”
Courtney Collins
MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT
Courtney is a Chicago native with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Courtney began her journey as a Chicago Public School teacher, where she experienced first-hand the lack of mental health resources available for her students. Motivated by her desire to help provide solutions and support to underserved youth in Chicago, Courtney chose to pursue an advanced degree. Courtney takes a holistic approach to treatment, which includes looking at the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Courtney understands from personal experience that although we may not be able to control the experiences that life hands us, we can control how we respond. Breathwork, meditation, and physical movement are a few of the powerful tools Courtney utilizes to overcome and keep pushing forward through life’s uncertainties.
Robert Teitel
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Teitel is a Chicago native who has dedicated most of his life to producing Hollywood films with heart and soul. The storyteller has produced more than 25 films including The Hate You Give, Soul Food and Men of Honor. Teitel is also a partner of State Street Pictures production company.
Vanessa Waserman
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MENTOR
Vanessa Waserman is a public service professional with 15 years of experience working in the public and nonprofit sectors. Vanessa started her career on the Obama 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, then in the President’s administration as a Congressional Relations Officer at the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. In 2013, Vanessa made the transition to the nonprofit sector holding leadership positions at several organizations. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Development at After-School All-Stars, a national nonprofit that provides free after-school programs for low-income youth. Vanessa holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Loras College and an M.A. in Mass Communication from North Dakota State University. She is also a certified Yoga instructor who is working to integrate her practice into daily life.
Bill Davis
MENTOR
Bill Davis is a 32 year media and marketing executive. Originally from Washington DC, Bill now calls Chicago home. Bill believes that health and peace of mind are the keys to longevity and a living a fuller life. A certified yoga instructor for 30 years, yoga practice is a part of his daily routine. Bill has two sons and has implemented mindfulness into his parenting and his every day.
Ryan Morton
MENTOR
Kahlil Everage
AMBASSADOR
Actor Khalil Everage, is from Chicago’s South Side and is known for Cobra Kai, THE CHI, and feature film, “Beats”. When he is not on set filming, Everage likes to spend time speaking to youth about the importance of mindfulness and how the practice has helped him evolve into who he is today. As a WJB Ambassador Everage has committed to helping the foundation spread the word about healthy coping skills like Breathwork, Yoga and Meditation.
Anthony Ponce
BOARD MEMBER
Anthony Ponce is a veteran Chicago journalist who grew up in the northern suburbs. He joined FOX 32 Chicago in 2018 and works as a reporter and anchor for the ‘First at Four’ newscast. In July 2016, he gained national attention when he left his job in TV news to become a full-time Lyft driver, launching a podcast Backseat Rider. As a Lyft-driving storyteller, Anthony brought audiences the wide-ranging, hilarious, touching, sometimes bizarre conversations he had with real passengers. “Listening is a lost art form,” he told CNN. “What I think is missing right now in our national dialogue is aggressive listening.” Before joining FOX 32, Anthony spent nearly a decade as a reporter/anchor at NBC Chicago, and spent years as a reporter in Indiana. He has a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and did his undergrad at Indiana University. Anthony – a Sox fan – lives in norhtern suburbs with his wife, Maggie, and sons, Theo and Jeronimo.
Betsy Steinberg
BOARD MEMBER
Mitch Rosen
BOARD MEMBER
Christina Hartley
MARKETING INTERN
Christina Hartley, a daughter of a military family, from San Diego, CA is a driven and accomplished senior at Lake Forest College pursuing a degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing, along with double minors in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Digitial Media Design. With an impressive array of leadership positions under her belt, she is primed to make a lasting impact in the world of marketing and beyond. As a WJB Marketing Intern, Hartley strives to use her skills to design promotional information about WJB and grow awareness about the positive impact wellness can bring to people’s lives.
Kayla Roman-Flores
MARKETING/WEB DESIGN INTERN
Kayla Roman-Flores grew up in Little Village, Chicago and is a well accomplished senior at Lake Forest College. She studies Communication, Computer Science, and Digital Media Design and is proficient in Web Development. She has an impressive work ethic and drive that she intends to showcase throughout her time at WJB. With Kayla’s skills in web design, leadership, and media, she strives to help maintain the WJB website and help with promotional materials to help WJB grow.
Faith Stanley
MARKETING INTERN
Faith Stanley, a Chicago native and rising senior at Lake Forest College studying towards a degree in African American studies with a minor in business/marketing. With recent experience in the yoga/fitness world, she has used her knowledge of the benefits of yoga to contribute to the behind-the-scenes of “We Just Breathe”. to help benefit in-need youth. As she has learned different methods of meditation and different types of yoga being personally benefited and loves sharing her new-found knowledge with others, especially the next generation. Being a part of WJB allows her to connect with youth on a spiritual level and help spread knowledge of how being mindful benefits everyone both mentally and physically.