Valerie Van Galder
CEO of Depressed Cake Shop and committed to changing the conversation around mental health through baking, sharing and fundraising. Galder is an award-winning marketing executive with over 25 years of marketing and brand building experience at Fox Searchlight and Sony Screen Gems. She has run worldwide marketing for Sony's Columbia Pictures, leading the department to record breaking results. In Galder’s consulting practice, she has been involved in global marketing strategies and campaigns for clients including 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Disney, NBC Universal, Focus Features, Lions Gate, Amazon and Apple.
Our Board of Directors
Angie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Baby Blues Connection
A seasoned nonprofit director who cares deeply about mental health and creating social change. With over 16 years in the nonprofit sector, has a demonstrated record of managing volunteers, and leading successful fundraising and awareness campaigns.
Ella Stewart, Founder of Bake Well Being
Bake Well Being takes creative coaching to a whole new level! Hosting one-to-one coaching sessions, workshops, webinars, and events using baking as a positive coping strategy for women in London.
Courtney Fuciarelli, M.S.W., R.S.W
With over 16 years of psychotherapy practice, Fuciarelli offers integrative services by using therapeutic baking and nature-based walk-and-talk sessions with clients. Through the years, she has also provided traditional counseling services and served in various social work roles.
Christina Wong, Founder & CEO of Fruit + Flower
CLIO Cannabis and MarCom award-winning storyteller and seasoned PR & communications pro who spent over a decade in the food & restaurant industry working with well-known chefs, restaurants, hospitality, and cannabis brands including Papa & Barkley, Raw Garden, and Tender Greens. A culinary cannabis educator, recipe developer, content creator, and baking show host, her imaginative and delectable creations have earned numerous awards and accolades, including a pie that KCRW’s Evan Kleiman called “f*&%ing delicious."
Leah Brown, Owner of Waffly Sweet
Living with an autoimmune disease, Brown ventured to find the best gluten-free recipes creating her own southern-style baked goods business. As wife and mother of six children, Brown is pursuing a master’s program in therapeutic recreation anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2023.
Erin Lawler, ESQ.
An attorney and healthcare policy specialist working in the area of mental health. Her work focuses on ensuring low-income Texans have access to mental health care from quality providers. As an avid baker, Lawler is always looking to improve her skills and to use baking as a form of connection with friends, family, and her community.