Reimagining mental health through an entire ecosystem
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
When Rachel Cargle founded The Loveland Foundation, the goal was simple: make therapy accessible to Black women who otherwise couldn't afford it. What emerged became much more than a therapy fund. Under Sharlene's leadership, the organization has built an ecosystem that supports participants, therapists, and the broader mental wellness community through partnerships, continuous feedback, education, and intentional investment.
The Loveland Foundation has designed every aspect of its work around the voices of the people it serves. Therapists and participants continually shape The Loveland Foundation’s offerings, allowing the organization to confront and address new barriers facing its participants.
The conversation also explores an often-overlooked reality: supporting mental health requires supporting mental health professionals. As therapist burnout increased following the pandemic, The Loveland Foundation responded by offering therapists their own therapy, peer support groups, continuing education, and restorative experiences.
At a time when conversations around equity, mental health, and corporate responsibility continue to evolve, Sharlene offers an inspiring reminder that lasting impact begins with listening, partnership, and hope.
Listen for Insights On
How The Loveland Foundation grew from a birthday fundraiser into a national mental health organization
Why culturally competent care creates a more welcoming and effective therapy experience
How listening to participants and therapists has shaped every program
Why supporting therapists is essential to strengthening the entire mental health system
The connection between therapy, healing, and generational change
How partnerships can accelerate nonprofit impact
What companies should look for when choosing mental health nonprofit partners
Before You Listen
Q: Why does The Loveland Foundation focus specifically on Black women?
A: Through early research and conversations with partners, The Loveland Foundation identified a significant gap in accessible mental health services specifically designed for Black women. By intentionally addressing that gap, the organization believes it can build a more equitable mental health system that ultimately benefits everyone.
Q: What makes The Loveland Foundation's approach different from simply funding therapy sessions?
A: Therapy vouchers are only one part of the model. The Loveland Foundation continuously gathers feedback from both participants and therapists, adjusts programming based on what they learn, invests in therapist well-being, builds national partnerships, and provides mental health resources beyond therapy itself.
Q: Why does The Loveland Foundation invest so heavily in therapists?
A: The Loveland Foundation recognized that therapist burnout was becoming a major barrier to care. Supporting therapists through their own therapy, professional development, community, and restorative programming helps strengthen the entire mental health ecosystem and ultimately improves access for participants.
About Sharlene Kemler
Sharlene Kemler is the CEO of The Loveland Foundation. Throughout her career, she has managed campaigns for Ben & Jerry’s, UN Women, Procter & Gamble, Viacom, and Grey Global Group, and has established strategic partnerships for Burton Snowboards, BET, MTV, NowThis, and led a World AIDS Day takeover in Times Square. Sharlene has also facilitated numerous celebrity partnerships, including with Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Juanes, Snoop Dogg, Pyer Moss, Madonna, Saint Heron, and Alicia Keys. She was named as one of ten honorees for the inaugural Black Women Give Back List, a partnership between the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund, and Black Philanthropy Month.
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