Kyrah J. Altman: A Trailblazer, Visionary DEI Leader, and Community Mobilizer

Kyrah J. Altman is a visionary leader committed to creating meaningful, positive change. She empowers organizations to prioritize employee mental health by cultivating trauma-informed, culturally competent, and 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive workplace communities. As the President and Co-Founder of Let’s Empower, Advocate, and Do Inc. (LEAD), Altman drives cultural transformation through innovative mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consulting across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

The Key Motivation Behind this Powerful Initiative

LEAD was founded in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, CT. At the time, Kyrah J. Altman and her classmates, then high school sophomores in Leominster, Massachusetts, were profoundly affected by the preventable loss of life. Weeks after, in 2012, they established LEAD, Inc. to honor those lost by addressing the root causes of gun violence in schools—namely, untreated mental illness in youth and civilian access to military-grade assault weapons.

From the outset, Altman recognized the vital connection between mental health and DEI in youth-centered environments—particularly in schools, where every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive. Academic institutions should serve as safe, supportive spaces for students, faculty, and staff alike. However, the rising prevalence of adolescent suicide, non-suicidal self-injury, and cyberbullying underscored the urgent need for a transformative approach. Altman understood that effective prevention required more than awareness; it demanded a proactive, action-oriented model designed to enhance mental health literacy and cultural responsiveness among professionals serving vulnerable populations.

LEAD’s mission is to “revolutionize health education” by addressing interconnected needs and empowering adults working with underrepresented and under-resourced communities. While it began with a focus on schools, LEAD’s reach now extends far beyond, impacting summer camps, youth and professional sports teams, nonprofit organizations, government institutions, and corporations worldwide.

Altman’s Remarkable Journey: From Early Beginnings

Altman’s journey into social entrepreneurship and mental health advocacy is deeply personal, rooted in early life experiences and a strong commitment to creating change. Growing up in a household marked by trauma, she assumed caregiving responsibilities at just nine years old while grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder by middle school. Rather than letting these challenges define her, Altman transformed them into a powerful source of purpose—dedicating herself to creating systems that provide individuals with the resources and support needed to prevent and alleviate suffering.

Altman’s focus on advocating for mental health took root in high school. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary served as a catalyst, bringing national attention to the urgent need for mental health support of students and violence prevention in community settings. Driven by an intrinsic belief that if she could create change, she had the responsibility to act, Altman co-founded LEAD with her classmates. After two years of spearheading numerous community service initiatives, LEAD’s mission crystallized: to provide training and curriculum that strengthen mental health literacy, promote lifelong well-being, and foster community resilience. LEAD’s evidence-based, hands-on curricula equip participants with practical skills, tools, and strategies that go beyond raising awareness to drive meaningful action and prevent mental health crises.

Altman’s passion for social justice continued to grow in college, where she majored in Human Services and Social Justice with minors in Public Health and Social Entrepreneurship. While pursuing her studies, she became the nation’s youngest Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, equipping thousands of college students with early intervention strategies to prepare them for careers supporting youth experiencing crises. A pivotal moment in Altman’s journey came during her freshman year when she won $32,500 in the 2016 George Washington University (GWU) New Venture Competition. This achievement enabled her to incorporate LEAD as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, transforming it from a grassroots initiative into a national social enterprise.

During her senior year at GWU, Altman was recognized as the 3rd Best Studentpreneur in the United States by Entrepreneurs Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards and nominated as one of L’Oréal’s Women of Worth. That same spring, LEAD was named one of DC’s “Red Hot Nonprofits,” further cementing its growing reputation in 2019. After graduating Altman returned to her home state of Massachusetts to establish LEAD’s first office at the NonProfit Center in Boston.

Over the past 12 years, LEAD has grown from its initial focus on schools. Fueled by Altman’s vision, LEAD has since developed programs, including Camp, School, Team, Workplace, and Community Mental Health certifications, that empower individuals with no-fluff mental health and DEI education. LEAD’s Proven Process thrives on its commitment to delivering peace of mind, customization, and accessibility to each Community Partner. By intentionally limiting its client base per year, LEAD ensures the highest quality of service, offering tailored solutions and dedicated support to meet the unique needs of every client.

Although Altman stepped down as LEAD’s CEO in 2024 to take on a new role, she remains deeply involved with the organization. Now in her 12th year as Board President, she oversees LEAD’s international network of volunteers and Mental Health Certification instructors. Additionally, Altman remains LEAD’s most sought-after consultant and faculty member, playing a key role in delivering and continuously enhancing the organization’s educational products and services.

This year, Altman collaborated with Shari Duffy, the mother of late LEAD co-founder Megghan Duffy, to launch a self-paced e-course on LEAD’s Learning Lab titled “Megghan’s Course: A Mental Health Toolkit for Young Adults with a Terminal Diagnosis.” Four years in the making, this project was inspired by Megghan, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer and passionately advocated for the mental health needs of young adults facing terminal illnesses, particularly those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Though Megghan passed away in 2020 at the age of 23, her vision continues to inspire and guide LEAD’s mission. Thanks to generous donations and the dedication of LEAD’s employees and volunteers, Megghan’s Course is available for free enrollment throughout 2025, offering vital resources to young adults with terminal illnesses—and their caregivers—around the globe.

Since 2012, Kyrah has received numerous accolades and recognition, including being named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Leaders by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and being featured in national outlets such as The New York Times. To advance her professional expertise in 2025, Altman will pursue Harvard Business School’s Credential of Leadership, Impact, and Management in Business (CLIMB) and serve as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Manager at the Boston Public Library.

The Significant Lessons Learned in the Initial Phases of LEAD

❝A newspaper once described me as “an energetic 12-year-old who talks at a rapid-fire pace and has the single-minded drive of a heat-seeking missile.” Over a decade later, that description still captures my approach to social entrepreneurship and leadership,❞ reflects Kyrah J. Altman.

Building LEAD from her college dorm room was a crash course in resilience, adaptability, and the power of mission-driven work. Every setback—from limited resources to logistical hurdles—taught Altman critical lessons about persistence and creativity. These early challenges emphasized the importance of pivoting when faced with obstacles, a skill she attributes to her upbringing in an entrepreneurial family. Altman quickly learned to see obstacles not as barriers but as opportunities to innovate, refine strategies, and grow stronger as a leader.

The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023 brought significant global challenges, collective trauma, and financial strain to many organizations, including LEAD. Widespread disruptions forced the organization to adapt quickly, accelerating plans to transition its in-person workshops online. LEAD’s team worked tirelessly to move all programming to a learning management system, making it accessible to a global audience. This effort began with an interactive, COVID-inspired course titled “Yikes: Coping with the Anxiety of Uncertainty,” which marked the launch of LEAD’s Learning Lab. Today, LEAD’s Learning Lab has evolved into a trusted resource for professional development and train-the-trainer programs, offering courses on topics such as self-care, stress management, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, anti-racism, and allyship.

Empathy also emerged as a cornerstone of Altman’s leadership philosophy during LEAD’s formative years. As a trauma survivor and mental health advocate, she recognized the importance of fostering psychological safety within the organization. Altman understood that building a resilient team required more than professional expertise—it demanded a workplace culture rooted in trust, understanding, and respect.

A pivotal lesson during LEAD’s early days was the importance of “practicing what you preach.” Altman ensured that LEAD’s internal culture mirrored its mission of promoting mental health and well-being. LEAD’s website reflects this philosophy:  “Our team spends intentional time developing a company culture that reflects our beliefs and promotes healthy, happy minds in everyone who works for the organization. We aim to build community resilience within our organization and as members of our communities. Why? We know that LEAD, Inc. can’t make lasting change if we don’t take care of ourselves emotionally, physically, socially, and mentally.”

To embody these principles, LEAD adopted intentional practices informed by research on self-care, mindfulness, and positive psychology. These practices, which continue to shape the organization today, include:

1. Daily mindfulness meditations: Starting each day with five minutes of guided mindfulness (using tools like Headspace) to enhance focus and readiness.
2. Movement breaks: Taking at least two 10-minute walks daily to step away, recharge, and return with fresh perspectives.
3. Weekly gratitude messages: Encouraging team members to share appreciation with one another, fostering a culture of positivity and connection.

The lessons learned during LEAD’s early phases have become cornerstones of its success, underscoring the transformative power of aligning organizational values with internal practices and prioritizing both individual and collective well-being. Today, as Board President, Altman continues to apply these insights, ensuring that LEAD thrives as a mission-driven organization and a supportive, resilient community.

Redefining Workplace Mental Health: LEAD’s Transformative Approach 

Kyrah J. Altman is dedicated to revolutionizing mental health education, particularly within corporate environments, over the next five years. Central to this vision is the expansion of LEAD’s Workplace Mental Health Certification, a program that has already certified hundreds of companies, nonprofits, and government organizations or trained their own LEAD-credentialed instructors.

LEAD’s Workplace Mental Health Certification goes beyond theoretical concepts, offering actionable insights that build critical competencies, break down barriers to innovation and inclusion, and enhance team resilience. As the first early intervention program specifically tailored to corporate settings, it equips all members of a workplace community with the knowledge to identify risk factors, recognize warning signs, and understand the prevalence of chronic stress and mental health challenges. Participants gain essential tools to foster mental well-being, promote cultural transformation, and create psychologically safe teams that thrive.

By normalizing conversations about mental health and providing workplaces with practical, evidence-based tools, LEAD is driving cultural transformation across industries. Programs like the Workplace Mental Health Certification empower organizations to boost productivity, enhance innovation, and improve employee retention by fostering supportive environments that prioritize well-being.

As Altman frequently highlights in her keynotes, ❝While not everyone has a mental illness, everyone can improve their mental health.❞ This philosophy underscores LEAD’s commitment to reshaping workplace cultures through proactive and inclusive mental health strategies.

Altman reflects, ❝At LEAD, our commitment to innovation, practical application, and continuous improvement drives us to remain at the forefront of mental health education and to be a leader in the field.❞

By focusing on the intersection of mental health and DEI, expanding evidence-based programming, and fostering resilience at both individual and organizational levels, LEAD is well-positioned to create transformative, lasting impact across communities and workplaces worldwide.

To get involved with LEAD, visit www.LEADnow.org or email info@LEADnow.org. Why wait? #LEADnow