Meet Emmanuella Michel

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emmanuella Michel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emmanuella below.

Emmanuella, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my purpose—building something that transforms mental health care, ensuring inclusivity, and creating opportunities for those often left behind. I’ve pushed through challenges, from bootstrapping my company from navigating pivots to assembling a strong team.

I draw strength from the people I empower—women, young people, underserved communities, and individuals with disabilities—who push forward despite the odds. Seeing their determination fuels my own. No matter the obstacle, I believe there’s always a way forward. That belief, along with the lives I impact, is what keeps me going. NO one will do it for you!! I learned to be patient. My time will always come at the right moment!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the founder of Cogni, a digital health platform revolutionizing mental health care by transforming waiting lists into dynamic, self-guided experiences. Using generative AI and machine learning, Cogni provides video, audio, and text-based tools that help individuals identify the best therapeutic pathways, ensuring their journey truly reflects their unique needs and preferences.

My work is deeply rooted in accessibility, cultural sensitivity support, and innovation. What excites me most is how Cogni extends the reach of mental health providers while empowering individuals with immediate access to self-guided programs, group therapy, and culturally competent care. By integrating AI, we streamline administrative tasks, enhance decision-making, and create predictive pathways that drive engagement and retention.

At its core, Cogni helps individuals take control of their mental health and well-being across eight key dimensions, breaking down barriers to access and ensuring that no one has to wait for the support they need.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My ability to push forward despite challenges, pivot when needed, and stay committed to my vision has been crucial. Advice: Develop a strong mindset by embracing failures as learning opportunities. Surround yourself with mentors and a support network that keeps you grounded during tough times. Whether it was securing funding, refining product-market fit, or building a team, strategic thinking helped me navigate complexities. Advice: Cultivate this skill by asking the right questions, staying informed about industry trends, and continuously refining your approach based on real-world feedback.

Understanding myself and then others, especially in mental health, has shaped how Cogni serves different communities. Advice: Actively listen to those you aim to help, engage with different cultural perspectives, and design solutions that are inclusive and equitable.

For those early in their journey, I would advice that folks stay curious, stay persistent, and never underestimate the power of relationships, your impact grows when you build with and for people.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always looking to partner and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Right now, I’m especially interested in connecting with mental health professionals, home health groups, and caregivers who are navigating capacity constraints and looking for solutions to support more people without burning out. As we refine Cogni’s product-market fit, our platform offers tools that extend their reach, streamline their workload, and ensure more individuals receive the care they need.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

the second picture by Qauffee graphy- I have the rights but it’s always nice to name a local photographer.

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