Rebecca Ogrodny
Educator. Speaker. Mental Health Advocate.
Becky is an energetic, solution-focused educator passionate about equipping organizations and individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to build genuine mental wellness — not just awareness.
With 27 years as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team in a state-funded psychiatric hospital, Rebecca brings clinical depth to every training room. She has mastered the art of creating empowerment opportunities — translating complex mental health concepts into practical, actionable skills that stick long after the session ends.
Her commitment extends well beyond the workplace. Rebecca has assisted patrons at the world's largest soup kitchen in Italy, volunteered at the Boabab refugee camp in Rome, and served as an emotional and spiritual care first responder in Chicago. These experiences have sharpened her conviction: when we treat mental health as seriously as physical health, we liberate people from the shame and stigma that prevent them from asking for help.
Rebecca holds a Master's Degree in Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health and Recreational Therapy. She serves on the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Illinois and is an active pursuer of continuing education with special emphasis in diversity, inclusivity, and coaching. She is currently authoring a book that challenges society to view people living with mental illness from a fundamentally different perspective.
"Mental health should be as important as physical health"
Empower Mental Health exists to close the gap between crisis response and everyday wellness. Through education, training, and community engagement, we work to normalize mental health conversations in workplaces, schools, and organizations — building the literacy that prevents crises before they start.