Advisors
Brenda McBride, MD
Founder/Healthcare/Youth Camps
Dr. McBride is a pediatrician with a diverse background of experience across multiple industries, including over 20 years as a pediatrician at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 7 years as Chief Medical Officer at Onrise providing athlete specific mental health care and 8 years as the camp physician at Camp Laurel South in Casco, Maine. She has gained a deep understanding of the unique stressors that impact mental health in various settings. From healthcare and education to summer camps and corporate environments, she has seen firsthand how each industry faces its own set of challenges that affect emotional and psychological well-being.
Driven by her commitment to improving mental health outcomes, she founded The Mental Health Training Institute, a company dedicated to training organizational leadership to navigate the growing mental health challenges in their respective fields. She specializes in helping leaders recognize and address not only global mental health issues but also the specific pressures their teams face—whether they are managing high-stakes healthcare settings, dealing with academic performance stress in schools, fostering emotional resilience in outdoor camps, witnessing trauma daily and many others.
Through her company, Dr.McBride provides tailored training and practical solutions that empower organizations to create environments where mental well-being is prioritized and the unique stressors of each industry are managed effectively.
Kimberly Quigley, MD
Clinical Mental Health Consultant
Dr. Quigley is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in mental health, balancing the demands of career, family, and personal growth. A dedicated advocate for innovative and accessible mental health care, she has built a practice focused on underserved and under-engaged communities, integrating technology with compassionate, low-cost treatment solutions and launched Onrise, a company dedicated to the mental health of elite athletes. Passionate about training and empowering leadership to recognize and understand the complexities of supporting employees with mental health challenges, she is devoted to supporting our mission. Dr. Quigley is a fellow of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Beth McDevitt
Hospitality
With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Beth has witnessed firsthand the increasing mental health challenges faced by employees. Throughout her career, she has seen how the high-pressure, fast-paced nature of the industry takes a toll on staff, leading to burnout, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Recognizing the critical need for better support, Beth has become an advocate for improving mental health awareness and care within hospitality.
She has also seen the challenges Human Resources teams face in addressing these issues, often struggling to understand the specific mental health needs of employees and how to provide meaningful support. Drawing on her decades of experience, Beth is committed to helping organizations implement strategies that not only prioritize employee well-being but also equip HR departments to manage mental health concerns effectively.
Michelle Hunker, Ret/Detective
First Responder
Michelle Hunker's journey from the streets of Philadelphia to the boardrooms of mental health training underscores her commitment to improving lives through understanding and action. A 28-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, she began her career on the beat, often being the first on the scene of horrific crimes. From these early experiences, she gained firsthand insight into the trauma and emotional toll faced by first responders. Her work handling various assaults, arson cases, child abuse, and school incidents, in addition to living with the inherent risks of the job, further shaped her unique perspective on the mental health challenges of first responders.
Michelle’s mission-driven approach focuses on creating tailored mental health solutions that resonate with the unique pressures that are an inherent part of life as a first responder. She operates under the philosophy that mental health is fundamental to overall well-being. Her work at MHTI reflects this belief through programs designed to address global mental health landscapes while focusing on the specific needs of each organization.
Taylor Messina
Youth Camps/Education
Taylor Messina is a certified elementary school teacher and seasoned summer camp division leader with a decade of experience working with children in diverse settings. Over the past ten years, she has witnessed firsthand the impact mental health challenges can have on both young children and educators. In her current role, Taylor has dedicated the last four years to helping her first through fourth grade students develop essential social and emotional skills to manage anxiety, navigate difficult emotions, and thrive within a community. Additionally, for the past ten summers, she has supported campers aged seven to twelve in a residential camp environment, guiding them through social dynamics, homesickness, and confidence building. As a division leader, Taylor has also played a pivotal role in supporting counselors through their own challenges, ensuring a safe and enriching summer experience for all.
Taylor has a passion for working with children and educators, helping them foster a love for themselves and the world around them. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She uses her educational background and experience to help children and teachers find happiness and meaning in their daily lives.
