About us
Superminds for Superhumans (“Superminds”) is a Canadian-founded humanitarian mental health initiative led in partnership with Ukraine's Superhumans Center, Project In-Kind at the Centre for Global Good, the Royal Ottawa's Institute for Mental Health Research.
Leading clinical research and treatment programming is co-developed by the Superhumans Center and a team of global experts.
Superminds’ mission is to create and deliver a leading, free, and evidence-based mental health and community resiliency program for Ukrainians who have experienced amputation and physical rehabilitation due to war injuries, while also supporting their families and communities.
Our Team
Head of the Psychological Service
Superhumans Center
Svitlana Kutsenko
Svitlana leads the project's mental health objectives and deliverables in Ukraine. With a master's degree in Clinical Psychology, she has led comprehensive mental health support programs, ranging from psychological counselling for combat veterans and their families to training teachers and school managers in basic psychosocial skills.
Global Impact & Partnerships Lead
Project In-Kind at the Centre for Global Good
Tanya Woods, LL.M. ICD.D.
Tanya is the Founder and Chair of Project In-Kind and the co-founder of the Superminds project. She oversees non-clinical contributions, impact reporting, external relations, and partnerships for the project. Tanya is an award winning impact innovator and has led numerous multi-stakeholder philanthropic projects. She is overseeing a committee of 6 global impact and strategic communications experts from Ukraine and Canada working on this project.
Lead Research Partner
The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research
Dr. Florence Dzierszinski
Dr. Dzierszinski oversees the team of experts at the Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research advancing research and clinical contributions for this project. She also serves as the President of the Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research. She has a long history of bringing together interdisciplinary teams to advance research in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions through novel approaches and technologies.
Clinical Research Lead
The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research
Dr. Patrick McGrath, O.C.
Dr. McGrath oversees the project’s clinical and scientific research team. He is a Senior Advisor at the Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research and a highly experienced clinical psychologist and scientist and a recognized expert in mental research and innovation. Dr. McGrath is overseeing a committee of 13 additional clinicians, scientists, and researchers from Canada, USA, Germany, UK, Israel, and Australia working on this project.
Communications Lead
Project In-Kind at the Centre For Global Good
Ariel Vered
Ariel is overseeing the project's communications and media strategy with a team of dedicated Canadian and Ukrainian communication experts. She is a seasoned strategic communications and marketing professional with 15+ years of experience across non-profit and private sectors. Her expertise spans national and international brands, SMEs, and start-ups and is a committed philanthropist.
Our Advisors
Heather Bakken
Yaroslav Baran
Dr. David Pedlar
Jeff Musson