This matters to us. Here’s why:

A LETTER FROM FOUNDERS JULIA, MARGARET, & JESSICA

Dr. Jessica’s groundbreaking research on Single Session interventions forms the foundation of Navi to be able to offer youth powerful, clinically-proven tools. Margaret brings the strategic vision of a seasoned advocate who has scaled businesses and supported communities touched by suicide. Julia, whose entrepreneurial journey began after losing her brother to suicide, channels her passion into building solutions that reach people further upstream to ultimately save lives.

Together, we’re united by a shared belief that mental healthcare should be accessible, immediate, scalable, and transformative.

The opportunities for change have never been clearer. The demand for innovative solutions has only grown in the wake of the pandemic, and youth voices have called for accessible, stigma-free support. That’s why we’re partnering with schools, co-designing directly with youth, and building tools that meet young people where they are. Every feature of the Navi app is designed to deliver evidence-based single-session support that fits seamlessly into real life. We’re didn’t just building a product—we’re building a movement, driven by the belief that every young person deserves the chance to feel seen, supported, and empowered. This is more than a business for us; it’s our life’s work.

We believe in collaboration to realize the potential of our mission, so please reach out today to explore partnership!

At Navi, we’re on a mission to bridge critical gaps in mental health care for youth. The reality is stark: nearly 80% of young people with mental health needs never access the support they deserve.

We’ve spoken to youth & young adults who have experienced this first hand — whether it’s the waitlists due to the shortage of providers, the inability to access help in critical moments, or the multitude of barriers preventing many from seeking traditional care.

That’s why we created Navi: a 24/7, evidence-based app that empowers students with single-session mental wellness support, designed to make a meaningful impact in each encounter. Our goal is simple yet ambitious—to transform every day challenging moments into opportunities for healing.

Our work is deeply personal. Each of us on the Navi team has been shaped by our own experiences with the mental healthcare system. We’ve sat on waitlists, juggled providers, and, heartbreakingly, lost loved ones to suicide. Those experiences created a solid “why” for everything we do.

Our Team & Advisors

  • Youth Advisory Council

    We have students from across the nation helping to co-design Navi! Reach out if you are a student interested in joining!

  • Julia Belt

    Co-Founder & CEO

    connect with me

  • Margaret Hines

    Co-Founder & CRO

    connect with me

  • Dr. Jessica Schleider

    Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Advisor for Navi, Director for the Lab for Scalable Mental Health at Northwestern University

    connect with me

  • Alyssa Hope

    Head of Engineering

  • Dr. Kelly Posner

    Advisor, Professor of Psychiatry at Colombia University. Director of the Colombia Lighthouse

  • Victor Armstrong

    Advisor, Vice President for Health Equity and Engagement, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

  • Dr. Candice Balluru

    Licensed Clinical Psychologist
    Former Director of Global Wellness at Twitter

  • Dr. Keita Franklin

    Advisor, Clinical Executive Specialist, Deloitte. Previously Director at Dept of Defense.

  • Clare Beatty, M.A., PhD exp 2026

    Youth Mental Health Clinician

  • George Wheeler

    Advisor, CTO at Vizer

  • Linsey Morrison

    Advisor, Former VP Impact, Policy, & Legal at Eventbrite

  • Sam Pantazopolous

    Advisor, CEO & Co-founder of Vizer