We are on a mission to make it easier than ever to find someone to talk to – whether you’re struggling with daily stress or facing moments of crisis, we’re here when it matters.
Holley Brandchaft-White
Holley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a master’s degree from The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She has spent over a decade working with young people, adults and families from all walks of life – supporting them through stress, crisis and life transitions. Her experience ranges from outpatient to hospital and integrated care settings.
Genia Yovankin
Genia brings deep experience in behavioral health care operations and innovation. Prior to SHFT, she co-founded and led Greywood Health Center, an intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP) program for adolescents and young adults in Chicago. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to advancing thoughtful, forward-looking approaches to care delivery.
our story
In 2024, Holley Brandchaft-White and Genia Yovankin, two Kellogg MBA graduates, teamed up to address a persistent gap in the mental health care space: the lack of accessible, in-person support when it’s needed most.
“Despite growing awareness around mental health, we saw that families and individuals still had very few options for immediate support outside of the emergency room. We set out to create an alternative – one that didn’t feel overly clinical, chaotic, or hard to access.”
— Genia Yovankin
“We wanted to build the kind of place we’d send our own friends and family to.”
— Holley Brandchaft-White
Grounded in extensive research and developed in collaboration with schools, hospitals, outpatient providers, urgent care centers, and parents across Chicago, SHFT emerged as a first-of-its-kind model designed to meet people where they are – with timely, human-centered care.
our values
We hold ourselves to the highest standards – clinically, ethically, and personally.
Empathy
We lead with presence, warmth, and respect, because healing begins when people feel truly seen, heard, and safe. Empathy guides everything we do – from the way we support our clients to how we show up for each other.
Collaboration
We believe care is strongest when it’s shared. That is why we partner closely with families, schools, and fellow providers to create a connected circle of support – and why we cultivate a culture of trust, transparency, and teamwork across SHFT.
Innovation
We’re not here to do things the way they’ve always been done. We design smarter, more responsive approaches to care – because accessible, proactive mental health support isn’t just possible, it’s essential. And we’re building it together.
Impact
We act with purpose, urgency, and heart. Our work is grounded in evidence and driven by outcomes – with a focus on making meaningful, lasting change for the people and communities we serve.
