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Zeenna is the founder of With Joy, a mental-wellness hub uplifting women through community, coaching, and education. She holds a PhD in Biosciences from the University of Heidelberg, with research at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Stanford School of Medicine. Zeenna completed her certification as a Certified Mental Health Coach (CMHC) through the Headspace Training Institute. With over six years of experience in leadership development, health, wellness, and nonprofit leadership, she brings science and healing-centered, trauma-informed practices together to support the mental well-being of women and young adults.


MY STORY

I consider myself a lifelong learner whose path has been shaped by many cultures, circumstances, and identities. I was born in the Philippines, raised in Germany, and am now rooted in California. My journey has taken me from neuroscience labs to community centers, where I researched diseases, mentored immigrant and refugee youth and young women, and created brave spaces for reflection, healing, and growth.

 

My community work began with a deep desire to uplift women and girls. From organizing awareness events on violence against women to creating leadership, advocacy, and wellness programs for underserved communities, I witnessed the power of healing in community. These experiences, combined with my own journey navigating systems not built for us, led me toward the field of mental health. With over a decade of research in biosciences and over six years of experience in leadership development, advocacy, health, wellness, and nonprofit leadership, I bring a unique lens to this work.

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