About Me
My name is Thekla. I bridge the gap from research to real life, curating how we reconnect with ourselves and one another in the modern world.
Working at the intersection of addiction, well-being, and technology, I act as a strategic advisor to organizations like the NIH and technology companies, translating neuroscience and behavioral science into responsible, human-centered innovation. My ultimate focus is helping people and organizations redesign their relationship with technology to support optimal mental, social, and physical health.
Imagine shifting a legacy healthcare giant like Kaiser Permanente to make alcohol screening a standard vital sign, impacting millions. That's the impact I've had in my career, along with creating a replicable model for nationwide change, earning a strategic role at the NIH, now shaping how the nation discusses the continuum of alcohol use, harm reduction, and social and behavioral health.
The
Impact
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For over two decades, I have driven critical change in mental and behavioral health from NIH to HMOs to tech companies & non-profits. I spent 14 years at Kaiser Permanente, where I led the addiction leaders of operations and research. During this time, I developed the Kaiser national harm-reduction strategy and contributed to the spread of multiple NIH-funded studies. During the pandemic, I co-created a system-wide initiative dedicated to supporting the psychological well-being of thousands of healthcare professionals.
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As an experienced communication coach, facilitator and leader, I have significantly shaped medical and psychological education contributing to programs at institutions like the University of Colorado and the MKE Health Scholars at Medical College of Wisconsin. I have led Healing the Healer Workshops, fostering sustainable leadership among clinicians across the globe.
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My foundation is rooted in hands-on experience serving diverse communities. Before my national role at Kaiser Permanente, I gained profound insight into human behavior through roles in Addiction Medicine Recovery Services, Integrated Primary Care, Bilingual Family Counseling, and Jail Psychiatric Services. This extensive clinical background ensures my strategic advice is always grounded in the complexity of real-life human experience.
My expertise is clinical, strategic, and rooted in lived experience. Helping leaders and organizations navigate the complex intersections of technology, behavior, and human connection is not a job; it’s a passion. Whether advising at the national level or serving on the board of an art and sculpture garden, my mission remains centered: translating the science of well-being into practical strategies that drive sustainable change.
Education
Living in Bolivia and Argentina as a young person profoundly shaped my worldview. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado College and a Master's and Doctorate degree from the California School of Professional Psychology.
Upon completing my PsyD, I attended the University of Massachusetts Medical School for Integrated Behavioral Health Consultation and Management, the UC San Diego School of Medicine for Self-Compassion in Healthcare Leadership, and the Center for Compassion and Altruism at Stanford University School of Medicine for Applied Compassion.