Mental Help Global (MHG)

Our Team

A Global Collaboration of Experts Committed to Mental Health Access

Introduction

Mental Help Global is powered by a diverse team of technologists, mental health professionals, humanitarian leaders, and researchers from around the world. Together, we’re working to make mental health support accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Leadership

Co-Founders

Our leadership brings together decades of experience in technology, journalism, humanitarian work, and social impact.

Mitzi Perdue Co-Founder
Mitzi holds degrees a BA with honors from Harvard University and an MPA from George Washington University, where her 1965 thesis was on the future of computers. She was one of the U.S. Delegates to the United Nations Conference on Women in Nairobi. She’s a former Commissioner of the National Committee on Library and Information Science. She is a war correspondent and humanitarian advocate dedicated to supporting Ukraine and mental health initiatives worldwide. Today she writes for the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents and for Psychology Today, plus her work has appeared in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Examiner, the Epoch Times, and USA Today. As a war correspondent, Mitzi has visited Ukraine five times as the guest of the Kyiv Region Police. Many of her interviews were conducted in bomb shelters while the cities she was visiting were under active attack. In December of 2022, she auctioned her Atocha emerald engagement ring for $1.2 million, with all the proceeds going to benefit Ukraine.

Clara Kaluderovic Co-Founder & CEO of Mental Help Global
Technologist with Ukrainian roots, focused on leveraging innovation for social impact and mental health solutions. She is dedicated to growing MHG’s pilot in Ukraine and then expanding the work to other conflict zones.

Clara is also the Co-Founder of ex2, an AI nonprofit which is supporting the development of LLM’s in countries that have not yet built accurate local LLM’s. Current builds are underway for Kurdish Sorani/Kurmanji with a roadmap for Iraqi Arabic and Neo-Assyrian. They have established an AI center at the American University of Iraq-Sulaymaniyah to help students build local civic and humanitarian AI applications.

In prior technology roles, Clara served as advisor to a company focused on secure chip design and improving cost efficiency in data centers to increase access to AI compute. Her focus was on cooling of chips, closed loop systems to reduce water usage, and adapting big picture road maps to use alternative energy sources for power. She also spent time living in West Africa to work in operations for a Free Zone Port. Her goal is to help oversee the implementation and development of AI in a sustainable way in countries that have been falling behind on development locally in dialect and infrastructure.

Advisory Board

We’re honored to work alongside distinguished leaders who guide our mission and ensure our platform delivers meaningful impact.

General David Petraeus (Ret.) Strategic Advisor
Former U.S. Army General and partner at KKR Global Institute

General David H. Petraeus is a distinguished retired four-star general of the United States Army and a prominent figure in American public service. Over a 37-year military career, he held several key command positions, including Commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq (2007–2008), Commander of U.S. Central Command (2008–2010), and Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan (2010–2011). ​

Following his military service, General Petraeus served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2011 to 2012, overseeing significant operations during a critical period in global counterterrorism efforts. 

An accomplished scholar, he graduated with distinction from the United States Military Academy at West Point and earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from Princeton University. He is also recognized for his contributions to military strategy, particularly in the development of counterinsurgency doctrine. 

Currently, General Petraeus serves as Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, where he provides strategic counsel on global economic and geopolitical issues. ​His exemplary service has been honored with numerous awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, and international accolades such as the French Légion d’Honneur and the Order of Australia. 


Arseniy Yatsenyuk Strategic Advisor
Former Prime Minister of Ukraine and Founder of Open Ukraine Foundation
Arseniy Yatsenyuk is chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum, founder of the Open Ukraine Foundation, and leader of the Narodnyi Front (People’s Front) party. He served as Ukrainian prime minister twice and as foreign minister.

During the 2013-2014 Revolution of Dignity, Yatsenyuk was a leader of the United Opposition and head of the largest opposition faction in parliament. Prior to that, he was a member of parliament and leader of the Front Zmin (Front for Changes) party. From 2007 to 2008, he was speaker of parliament.

Yatsenyuk also held the positions of the first deputy chief of the secretariat of the president of Ukraine, minister for economy, first deputy governor of the Odesa Region, acting chairman of the National Bank of Ukraine, and minister for economy of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. He was also adviser to the chairman and deputy chairman of the board of the AVAL Joint-Stock Postal Pensionary Bank.

Yatsenyuk is a graduate of the Chernivtsi Trade-Economic Institute of Kyiv Trade-Economic University and a graduate of Chernivtsi State University. He holds a PhD from the Ukrainian Bank Academy.

Valmiki Mukherjee Strategic Advisor

Valmiki is a renowned global CISO, entrepreneur, and philanthropist CEO. His remarkable journey has left an indelible mark on the global landscape of cybersecurity and beyond, with a career spanning over two decades.

Valmiki’s leadership extends far beyond the boundaries of any single organization or industry. He is a visionary leader with a rarer gift for orchestrating long-term global transformation programs across diverse sectors. His ability to unite stakeholders from the public sector, academia, and industry is a testament to his exceptional leadership skills. Valmiki’s holistic approach to cybersecurity has brought societies, nations, and organizations together, fostering a culture of security and resilience.

Under his visionary leadership, the Cyber Future Foundation (CFF) was founded in 2015, blossoming into a global platform connecting business and national leaders with cybersecurity experts. Valmiki’s philanthropic endeavors reflect his commitment to making the world a safer place. His support has enabled initiatives like the Global Commission on Cybersecurity Education, Cyber Workforce Development Program, Davos Cyber Future Dialogue, Cyber Apprenticeship Program (US Department of Labor), CFF Project Gateway (Afghan Refugee Resettlement, US Department of Homeland Security OAW), and CFF Project Indigo (supporting Ukrainian humanitarian efforts). He currently leads the CFF Cyber Board Book Project and CFF Responsible and Secure AI for Future Project (RSAIF).

Valmiki has held executive roles progressively through his career. Most recently, he was the Americas Cybersecurity Leader for the Critical Infrastructure & Energy sector and currently serves as the New Mountain Capital Board Appointed Global CISO of Bounteous x Accolite.

Valmiki has a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of North Texas. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) by ISC2.


Nathaniel Foster, MNPL Strategic Advisor
Founder & Principal, Praxis Consulting and Member, Foster Holdings

Nathaniel Foster is a Colombian American strategist, builder, and connector with over 20 years of executive leadership across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors. A fourth-generation member of a five-generation family office, he has served on its Board since 2010 and now sits on its Executive Committee, playing an active role in both investment strategy and governance. He is also a deeply proud father to a spirited young son—one of eight members of the family’s rising fifth generation.

With a BS in Business from the University of Denver and a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University, Nathaniel has led transformative growth efforts for mission-driven organizations across the U.S. and globally.

Nathaniel previously served as Chief Growth Officer at World Savvy, where he spearheaded national expansion and cross-sector partnerships to reimagine K–12 education. As Chief Advancement Officer at Seneca Family of Agencies, he led a comprehensive advancement portfolio—driving fundraising, venture philanthropy, marketing, and brand strategy. Earlier, he served as Northern California Executive Director at Playworks, where he scaled programming that supported hundreds of thousands of children with inclusive play, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning.

Nathaniel is the founder of Praxis Consulting, a strategic advisory firm that helps nonprofits, philanthropists, and foundations move from bold vision to measurable impact.

Rei Llazani Strategic Advisor

Rei is a businessman, technologist, and entrepreneur. He is the Chairman of the American Society for AI, an elite group whose members include the world’s leading executives, researchers, policymakers, philanthropists, and scientists. Rei has successfully launched numerous technology platforms, including the startup Cubbie.com. He lives in San Francisco and Washington DC.

Our Partners

Mental Help Global collaborates with leading institutions and experts to ensure clinical excellence and technological innovation:

  • Harvard’s Program in Refugee Trauma
  • Open Ukraine Foundation
  • Cyber Future Foundation
  • First Lady of Ukraine’s Mental Health Coordination Center
  • Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution
  • Semperis
  • Libra Group Foundation
  • CERGEI Foundation
  • Ukrainian Mental Health Professionals

Mental Health Professionals

Our platform is developed and monitored by licensed mental health professionals from Ukraine who bring deep understanding of local context and cultural needs.

Technology Team

Dedicated engineers and AI specialists work to build and maintain our secure, scalable platform—ensuring it’s accessible and effective for users in crisis.

Join Our Mission

We’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in global mental health.

Opportunities:

  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Technology & AI Specialists
  • Research Partners
  • Volunteers