We Believe Living
Well is Possible
FY22 Annual Report
July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
“The kindness was life changing. The effectiveness and possibility in the tools shared was life changing. The love shared was life changing… I find having a TBI has been a very lonely and alienating experience, and it is difficult for others to understand. It is difficult for me to understand! But I understand better now. And I don't think I will ever feel alone again in the same way. I have new hope and purpose now.”
- LoveYourBrain Program Participant
After a brain injury, moving forward can feel impossible.
Before joining LoveYourBrain, our community experiences ongoing isolation, mental health challenges & suicidal ideation:
‘never’ feel meaning or well-being
1 in 10
1 in 5
‘rarely’ feel positive about the future
1 in 2
only feel hopeful ‘sometimes’
That’s where LoveYourBrain comes in….
Our mission
is to improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion.
Our Vision
is a world where everyone affected by TBI can access their resilience, connect with a compassionate community, and reach their full potential.
Our Community
is made up of people with brain injury, caregivers, health professionals, yoga teachers, advocates, and others interested in promoting brain health.
We know it’s possible to live well after brain injury.
That’s because we co-create transformative experiences with our community, centered on the well-being of our minds, bodies, and hearts - and we do this every day.
Our year of possibility
Access
7,641 served
Our free programs and resources are located in local communities, nature-based retreat centers, health care facilities, and online so that we can meet people wherever they are in their healing journey.
9+/10
Quality Ratings!!
16 countries, 48 US States and 8 Canadian Provinces represented
We supported this diverse community across all programs:
4.8K
1.1K
Meditation and
Yoga Library
Mindset On
Your Own
Yoga Teacher Training
349
172
Retreat
Yoga in community studios and hospitals
791
Mindset Yoga or
Group Discussion
409
349 people trained
Skills
Our trainings empower yoga teachers, clinicians, and the brain injury community to skillfully deliver our programming and better support the TBI healing process through yoga, mindfulness, and community.
Online Trainings
7
$39,600
Scholarship dollars awarded
Trainees received scholarships
1 in 3
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Level 1 - Yoga for TBI
July, 2021
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Health Professionals
August, 2021
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Level 2 - Yoga & Facilitation
September, 2021
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Level 1 - Yoga for TBI
November, 2021
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Health Professionals
January, 2022
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Level 1 - Yoga for TBI
February, 2022
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Level 2 - Yoga and Facilitation
April, 2022
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Level 1 - Yoga for TBI
June, 2022
Our outreach engages clinicians, brain injury advocates, and other key stakeholders to catalyze greater commitment to making yoga, mindfulness, and community more accessible for people affected by brain injury.
2,960 people reached!
Advocacy
This impacted our program reach - 69% of all program participants were NEW to LYB!
Our research strengthens the scientific understanding of how our programming benefits TBI to generate greater buy-in for integrating yoga, mindfulness, and community into TBI rehabilitation.
2 studies published
Science
Completed the first-ever cross-over pilot trial of LoveYourBrain Yoga for adults with multiple sclerosis!
Completed ‘Feasibility of a Combined Neuromodulation and Yoga Intervention for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Chronic Pain: Protocol for an Open-label Pilot Trial’
‘LoveYourBrain Mindset: Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability of an Online Yoga, Mindfulness, and Psychoeducation Intervention for Traumatic Brain Injury’ was accepted as a Top Scoring Oral Abstract at the 2021 Virtual World Congress on Brain Injury!
Connection is Possible
“I went into this thinking that learning the yoga exercise was going to be most beneficial, but it really was the personal connections that helped me the most.”
- LoveYourBrain Mindset Program Participant
We call this the process of Turning Boldly Inward. When we turn inward and begin to connect with ourselves, we’re better able to experience how self-awareness and compassion lead us to greater freedom, self-care, and the ability to navigate the joys and difficulties of life. Only then are we able to connect with others from a place of courage, authenticity, and love.
Real connection begins within.
Our mindset holds power. Changing even the simplest parts of it can have a profound impact on nearly every aspect of our lives. LoveYourBrain Mindset is a research-backed, 6-week online program designed to build resilience and community through yoga, mindfulness, and education. The curriculum focuses on a specific theme to foster a Growth (vs. Fixed) Mindset based on Dr. Carol Dweck’s research.
resilience
mindfulness
intentions
realistic optimism
positive thinking
gratitude
Mindset
Yoga
346 served in 63 Programs
Mindset
Group Discussion
160 served in 33 Programs
Mindset
On Your Own
841 people served
The first 5-week course of its kind offering TBI-specific methods for learning mindfulness:
“LoveYourBrain blows my mind with the level of content and programs provided.This was yet another epic, enlightening and empowering course that has proven to be changing and expanding lives.”
A Way to a Healthier Mind
Emotions & Thoughts
Breath & Body
Cultivating equanimity
Cultivating a wise & loving heart
Community is Possible
“[LoveYourBrain] brought me into a community of others who are at different stages through their journey of the aftermath of having a TBI. It made me realize that I’m not alone in this journey."
- LoveYourBrain Retreat Program Participant
There’s a sense of possibility that only happens in community.
The joy and validation people find in coming together to breathe, move, and share their experiences is oftentimes palpable. And because there is no pill for community, we have to create spaces where people can come together to feel a sense of belonging, support, and connection. These spaces are so often unavailable for people with TBI, which is what our work is rooted in changing.
Our Retreats are where lasting relationships are built, united by the experience of TBI. After a long COVID-hiatus, our in-person Community Retreats RETURNED in FY22 serving 119 people!
the first of their kind to transform healing after a TBI!
an online framework of transformation, centered around the specific needs of caregivers!
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Wavus Retreat
Jefferson Maine, September 2021
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Caregiver Retreat
Online, January 2022
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Rocky Mountain Village Retreat
Empire, Colorado, March 2022
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Wavus Retreat
Jefferson Maine, May 2022
Extending the Continuum of Care
In FY22, we RELAUNCHED our Yoga Program in partnership with studios in the following locations:
Atlanta, GA (Evolation Yoga)
Bedford, Nova Scotia (Shanti Hot Yoga)
Burlington, VT (Sangha Studio)
Charlotte, NC (NoDa Yoga)
Charlestown, MA (ASANA Charlestown)
Cranford, NJ (Alluem)
Denver, CO (The River)
Hanover, NH (Mighty Yoga)
Peterborough, Ontario (The Willow)
Seattle, WA (8 Limbs)
Many people in our community begin their TBI healing journey in the medical system. Yet, most systems are not equipped to provide holistic health services to fully support TBI rehabilitation. That’s why we’re honored to partner with select facilities across the US and Canada to integrate a more holistic health approach to the medical system through yoga and meditation.
Strengthening Holistic Health Care
Clinical Affiliates
In FY22, we partnered with the following Clinical Affiliates
Clinical Affiliate Feature
Zuckerberg San Francisco Hospital launched their LYB Yoga Program online for their Spanish-speaking community, marking the first time LYB Yoga has been offered in a language other than English!
Belonging is Possible
“I have a sense of belonging and compassion toward myself and my journey that wasn’t there before. This…has changed my life.”
- LoveYourBrain Mindset Program Participant
When was the last time you felt a deep sense of belonging?
Likely, it involved a feeling of worthiness, love, and truly being seen. That’s what our work is all about. Through our lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging, we bring people together to connect through shared experiences and, together, learn to welcome who we are and explore - with possibility - who we’re becoming.
A Strategy built on belonging
LoveYourBrain believes it’s essential to commit to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) in our work. In FY22, we:
invested 6% of our organizational budget in our DEIAB strategy
equipped our Equity Team to continue to meet weekly
moved our commitments into action:
Diversity
We increased Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) representation across:
LoveYourBrain Board of Advisors
LYB Retreat, Yoga, and Mindset Program Leaders
All modes of LoveYourBrain communication
Equity
We established clear processes for full time staff participation on our Equity Team, and tracking to hold LoveYourBrain accountable toward our commitments.
Inclusion
We implemented a question related to ideas for increasing DEIAB in all Program Feedback Forms.
We collaborated with BIPOC Program Leaders to co-create 2 BIPOC Affinity Groups for LYB Mindset
Accessibility
All programs with a cost now have a BIPOC scholarship opportunity
All LYB research now includes data or commentary about the impact of LYB programs on BIPOC communities affected by TBI.
Belonging
We completed organizational consultancies with Michelle Cassandra Johnson and JP Frank - our multi-year engagements with these leaders have shaped much of our work and vision forward.
In addition to meeting our goals around racial justice, other DEIAB accomplishments included:
Expanded gender diversity on our Board of Advisors with the addition of 3 women
Expanded age eligibility for Yoga and Mindset programs
Implemented gender neutral sizing language on all clothing sold in LYB storefront
Integrated pronouns on website, in program delivery, and in all trainings
Included closed captioning in online trainings over zoom, added image descriptions and color contrasting checking in our communications
Resourced new FT staff to participate in Tristan Katz’s workshop on gender affirming spaces
Increased parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers, added Juneteenth as an organizational holiday, and trained our entire staff on suicide prevention.
NEW Mindset Affinity Groups for BIPOC and Caregivers
We launched Affinity Groups within our Mindset program for people with shared identities or life experiences to support, learn alongside, and connect more deeply with each other.
Implemented 2 BIPOC Affinity Groups led by 3 BIPOC Facilitators
50% of BIPOC participants were new to our community programs
Implemented 1 Caregiver Affinity Group led by 2 Caregiver Facilitators
Participant demographics
Meaning and Purpose is Possible
“My life was forever changed when I experienced my TBI four years ago. This [LYB] training was so impactful & meaningful to me that I consider it life changing as well. I feel connected to others who have had similar experiences & am even more empowered to make a difference!”
- LoveYourBrain Training Graduate
A sense of purpose builds resilience.
Because the brain injury community disproportionality experiences disability and marginalization, opportunities to rediscover a sense of meaning and purpose are essential to moving forward. That’s why we offer opportunities for people to use their lived experience to grow into resilient leaders in - and for - our community.
Program Leaders
Our 60+ Program Leaders are dedicated to supporting and uplifting the brain injury community from their own lived experience, passion, and expertise. These individuals are the beating heart of LoveYourBrain, leading the way for us to translate our mission into meaningful action. We are continuously humbled and inspired by their tireless dedication and leadership!
Our Program Leader pathway unlocks more possibility for the TBI community:
Participation
After completing our programs, participants discover opportunities to deepen their professional development and become Program Leaders.
Training
We invest in our community by offering full Training Scholarships for these individuals to learn best practices in accessible yoga, mindfulness, and facilitation for the brain injury community.
Leadership
Individuals are now equipped and empowered to lead our programs with heart, commitment, and a deeper connection to our community.
Featured program leaders
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Kourtney Smith (she/her)
Mindset Facilitator in Philadelphia, PA
“I know how important it is to have guidance, light, & support when experiencing a brain injury.”
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Thom Mascia (he/him)
Mindset Facilitator and Retreat Ambassador in CA
“My superheroes are all those that struggled so I could have opportunity. I wouldn't be here without them.”
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Grace Milsap (she/her)
Yoga Teacher in Charlotte, NC
“I love the thoughtfulness and science woven through this program.”
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Natasha Chaoua (she/her)
Teacher Trainer in Columbia, MD
“I’m privileged to support the TBI community in the practice of yoga and meditation and shine a much needed light on brain health.”
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Gioia Fumo (she/her)
Mindset Facilitator in Ewing, MD
“My joy comes from helping individuals appreciate what movement can do for their body, mind and spirit no matter what their perceived limitations are.”
TrainingS
“I loved this training! As a clinician I have been to many conferences and trainings and I have never been a part of a training that was so safe, welcoming, inclusive and scientific. It is truly amazing that you were able to have all of these components in one training. You all were really successful in creating a space where I felt safe enough to share and learn!”
Our certification-level trainings equip yoga teachers, people with brain injury, health professionals, and others with new skills and confidence to teach yoga and meditation to the TBI community, based on our research-backed curricula. Personal transformation, compassion and connection are deeply felt within each training to create more access and possibility for our community.
Who attends a LoveYourBrain Training?
A diverse, compassionate community!
Hear from Ramsay Pierce (they/them), a lead trainer in our Teacher Training team:
And all made possible by your support….
Our Partners
Raised over $70,000
Received coverage in 4 major press outlets
Raffled off one custom Revel Bike!
“It’s awesome to see the partnership between LoveYourBrain and Revel Bikes and the impact they are having in the community…I am happy to help and contribute to this special cause!”
- Revel Raffle Donor
Partnered through purposeful product, inspiring employee engagement, and innovative awareness campaigns:
September: Corporate Sponsorship at our 5th Annual Golf Tournament!
December: Simon Pearce ‘Grateful’ Holiday Ornament and collaboration in our World of Possibility End of Year fundraising campaign!
March: Employee participation in our MindfulMarch Meditation Challenge, and an Instagram product giveaway!
Our Partner Studio The River leveraged Yoga on the Rocks in Colorado, ensuring $1 of every ticket sold was donated to LoveYourBrain. They made an immense impact, raising $29,000 through 16 classes!
Our event and campaign participants
Our 5th Annual Golf Tournament was held on September 20th in Burlington, VT!
120 golfers joined us for our most successful tournament to-date.
“When you’re dealing with a brain injury, it’s really hard to build and maintain connections. You really want to isolate and pull back, and if you’re someone like me, you have a hard time accepting your situation - much less talking about it and dealing with it. That’s why the programs that LoveYourBrain creates really help to build a sense of community, connection, and resilience.”
Program participant and 3-time tournament attendee Marty MacDonnell kicked off our tournament with his story on the impact a TBI has on an individual, and the impact LoveYourBrain can have on the TBI community. Marty shared:
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor
Our Corporate Sponsors
And Other Top Sponsors
Featured Fundraisers
During FY22, cyclocross cyclist Ben Frederick launched The Small Monsters Project to benefit LoveYourBrain and raise awareness about TBI and mental health. Through a custom Ornot bike jersey and a Ritchey Logic bike frame raffle, Ben raised $20,800 for our organization!
On July 1st, 2021, cyclist Zoe Scantlebury dipped her bike’s wheel into the Pacific Ocean marking the beginning of a massive cross-Canada bike ride to raise money for LoveYourBrain! 3 months later, she reached the Atlantic, fulfilling a lifelong dream that she thought was lost after sustaining a TBI in 2013. “Biking across Canada never seemed like a possibility anymore just because I lost quite a lot,” Zoe shared. She credits the LoveYourBrain community, information, and encouragement toward yoga to be essential in her healing, and this ride marked a way to give back, and a way to move forward in her own journey. Zoe raised over $10,000 - and inspired us all!
In April, Illinois-based Prospect High School hosted an inaugural LoveYourBrain 5K, raising over $4,000 and engaging the entire community! “We feel that the inaugural Love Your Brain 5K at Prospect High School was a HUGE success! With over 200 runners/walkers participating and nearly 100 volunteers, we are hopeful that this event can become a Prospect tradition.”
- Jay Heilman, Teacher and 5K organizer
Our top Retreat fundraiser, Rebecca Brown, harnessed the power of her community and raised over $20,000 for our Retreat Program! Retreats - like all of our programs - are offered at no cost to participants. Instead of payment, we ask each person to join us in fundraising or donating to help grow the Retreat program and pass on their experience to others. Rebecca made a tremendous impact on our community - both with her presence at the Retreat, and through what her fundraising makes possible for others!
We partnered with Simon Pearce for a special year-end campaign centered around building a World of Possibility
“Happy and proud to continue to be part of the LYB community. The world needs compassion, connection and calm now more than ever...may LYB be the model that we all follow!!!”
- End of Year Donor
In honor of Brain Injury Awareness month, this annual campaign raised funds for our programs and brought the power of mindfulness to participants around the globe!
Top fundraisers
Miranda Blake, Gina Pachkowski & Sharon Murphy
Our sponsors
The Sam & Diane Stewart Family Foundation
We also hosted our signature 31 and 10 day Meditation Challenges, led by our most diverse Meditation Challenge teaching team ever!
Our annual Ride for Resilience campaign integrated our research-backed program model into our fundraising activations! Fundraisers were able to participate in a weekly online retreat for bikers and cyclists affected by brain injury, led by former pro cyclist Brett Tivers.
Thanks to our top fundraisers!
David Adler, Carol Adler & Howard Lewin
Thanks to our top teams!
LoveYourBrain at the Five Boro Bike Tour, ATR & Team V & The Tuesdays
Thanks to our top sponsors!
Donor Report
$40,000 +
Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation**
Simon Pearce INC*
$15,000 - $39,999
Stephen McDonnell**
The Mill Foundation
The River
$10,000 - $14,999
Fischer Family Gift Fund
Greg and Gwynne Steele
Marjorie McDonnell
Mark and Michele Gainer
Mitchell Owens
Ornot
Polly Nichols
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
Ben Frederick
Bitter Bubble
Burton Corporation
Howard Lewin Charitable Gift Fund
Sam and Diane Stewart Family Foundation
The CMH Foundation
Zoe Scantlebury
$2,500 - $4,999
Anonymous
Ann and James Winsor Charitable Fund
Blue Buddha Healing Art
Bilodeau Wells & Company
Chico Lager
Heather and Jay Benson Fund
Jessica and James Eifler
Jessica Schultz
Justin Gural
LN Consulting
Prospect High School
ReArch Company
Reinhart Foodservice, LLC
Schwab Charitable
Spruce Mortgage, Inc.
The Professional Athletes Foundation
Vitez Family Charitable Fund at Schwab Charitable
$1,000 - $2,499
Anonymous
Albright Family Charitable Fund
Alejandro Bergad
Alexa Paige Anderson
Amanda Blake
Andrew Pearce Bowls
Ann Diebel
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Charles Brush
Christy Swanson +
Cudd Foundation
Douglas Shanks
Edmond N & Virginia H Moriarty
$1,000 - $2,499
Charitable Foundation
Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo and Co
Israel Maynard
Janet C. Valickus Charitable Giving Account
Jason and Jennifer Ryan of the Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Jeff and Tracey Gould Charitable Fund
Julie Hall
Karen Bedrosian Coyne
Kayla Neumann
Keith Jundanian +
Kevin Owens
Kurt Schleicher
Lutz and Carr
Marianna Frame
Mark and Kathryn Whiteside
Mark Loehr
Marty MacDonnell
Mary Pat Anderson
NBT Bank
New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
NWVT LLC
Omaha Community Foundation
People's United Bank
Phoenix Wealth Advisors Inc. Fund
Robert B Frederickson
Robert Sinkewicz
Sandra Bastinelli
Scott Baldwin
Sophia Umanski
Steve Kelson
The Mac Fund at Schwab Charitable
Vision Audio & Video, LLC
Wayne Brushett
YogaSix South Hills
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Anaheim Ducks Foundation Inc
Andrew Santry
Bloom Yoga Studio
Brendan Matthews
Carol Adler
Christine Goldsmith
Core Wellness Yoga
Cynthia Murray
David Jevotovsky +
David Sungelo
Dennis Carol Wilson
Emily Anderson
Emily Brown
Gordon J Bernhardt
Helen Hobbs
Jacob McGuire
Janet and Terry Schoen
Jeffrey White
Jeremy Slater
Jim Beaudry +
$500 - $999
Joanne Gutierrez +
John Nye
Johnnie Chace
Johnson and Johnson Matching Gifts
Kathryn Koehl
Kim Maddox
Laura Breslow +
Lindsey Jacobs
Lisa Cooper
Lisa Soto
Louise Keoghan
Mary A Putnam
Michael Hogan
Michele Baigrie
Morgan Stanley Gift Fund
National Life Group Foundation
Nuance
Nuance Foundation Inc
Philip Cantillon
Philip Schumacher
Rebecca Brown +
Robert Cosgriff
Robyn Lanman
Sharon Fownes
Sherron Baker
Stephen O'Shea
Steve Cowherd +
Steven Silverman
Sweatlab LLC
Timothy B and Joanne B Nash Family Charitable Foundation
Tracy McCormick
Wendy and Wade McDevvitt
William Landes
$250 - $499
Anonymous
Abbie Eldridge
Alex Bambery
Alexandra S Moffatt
Allison Furst
Ann and Tom Jadin
Azreena Thomas
Barbara Fildes
Barry Fink
Benevity
Brian Heber
Brian Strauss
Briana Hart
Bright Funds
Cary Carbonaro
Cheryl Coleman
Chris Giza
Christy Swanson +
Commonwealth Cares Fund Inc
Coral Carosone
Cynthia Bell
David Proctor +
Dawn LeBorgne +
Dean Bentley
Dean Gray +
Derek Esposito
Diane McNary
$250 - $499
Doedy Orchowski
Donna Pierleoni
EarthQuaker Devices
Edward Jones
Elizabeth Ramsey
Ellen BoydGeoffrey Kelley
Gioia Fumo
Ikemefuna Udeze
James Thomas
Jason Roberts
Jeff B Sanborn
Jennifer Beighle
Jessy Munch +
Jill Cook
John Berglin
John Brown
Jonathan Gicewicz
Joseph Craven III
Josh Wylie
Judith Howe Tucker
Kat Nguyen-De Angelis
Kate Callan
Kathleen Kayl
Kelly Garbo
Kelly Whitcraft
Keri Latiolais
KeyBank National Association
Lee Kurtas
Liam O'Farrell
Linda Hooley
Linda Moran
Lora Hebert +
Lotus Seed Meditations LLC
Mark Bertolin
Mark Whitworth
Marsha Adler
Martha Sheehy
Mary Lynn Clark
Matt Lemay
Matthew Schlessman
Megan and Clayt Kyle +
Michael Menard
Michael Stevens
Mike Koss
Pam Cook
Peggy Murphy
Phoebe Fund at Schwab Charitable
Robert Eng
Robert and Rachel Davis
Ronald Ron Walker
San Diego Gulls Hockey Club
Sara Warwick
Sharry Mulligan
Slava Khalamayzer
Terri Eichler
The Jack and Debra Cronenwett Charitable Fund
Tracey Milligan
Travis Funk
Travis Kinzler
Ventoza Prado Family Charitable Fund
*Leadership Circle Gift. LoveYourBrain's Leadership Circle recognizes those who support and sustain our growth and invest in our innovation through gifts of $100,000.
**KP's Club Gift. KP's Club honors Kevin’s legacy as a professional snowboarder and his leadership in the TBI space, and recognizes those who invest in our mission and our work with gifts of $50,000 (over two years).
(+)Building Resilience Project Member. LoveYourBrain honors our monthly donors who support our work with steadfast and recurring donations, which add up to make a real impact on our work.
Photography generously provided by: Melanie Brkich and Peter Cirilli
Mandala Community LoveYourBrain recognizes individuals who harness the power of sharing their story to fundraise $5,000 and up:
Howard Lewin
Miranda Blake
Carol Adler
David Adler
Rebecca Brown
Zoe Scantlebury
In-Kind Donations
Glo
K2
Runamok
Sans Meal Bars
Simon Pearce
Sunbum
Andrew Pearce Bowls
Ben & Jerry's
Bubs Naturals
Burlington Subaru
Burton
Esquivel
Volcom
WhistlePig
Woodstock Inn & Resort
Yeti
We’re proud to recognize our team who supported us during FY22:
Staff:
Abbey Whatley
Adam Pearce
Alyssa Talbot
Courtney Ruoff
Jackie Farrell
Kevin Pearce
Kyla Pearce
Laurel Crosby
Libby Nicholaou
May Nicholson
Megan Whiteside
Olivia Kesselhaut
Rachel Petri
Shilo Zeller
Advisory Team:
Chris Giza
David De Rothschild
Doug Ulman
Duke Stump
Mary Brownsberger
Michael Jager
Nirali Chauhan
Sarah Hubbard
Board of Directors:
Pia Pearce, President
David Adler, Member
Geoffrey Vitt, Secretary
Jay Benson, Treasurer
FY22 Financials
In an unprecedented year, LoveYourBrain saw growth in many areas of our fundraising. We expanded our revenue opportunities, and saw a reduction in our overall expenses, while still reaching new milestones in the communities we served.