Caregiver Support Team
Co-Founder
Mitul Desai
Mitul has been helping care for his brother, who lives with schizophrenia, for the past two decades. His professional experience includes leading global teams in product development and data services. Mitul began his career working in healthcare law and finance. He also served in the Obama Administration. Mitul serves on the Board of NAMI-NYC and has written about his family’s experience in Forbes and USA Today. Mitul created CareWise with Eli to ensure that no other family has to suffer in isolation the way his did.
Chief Clinical Advisor
Stephanie LeMelle, MD
Dr LeMelle is the Director of Public Psychiatry Education at Columbia University. She is an Associate Clinical Professor at Columbia University, and at The New York State Psychiatric Institute, where she was previously Director for 15 years. She is a nationally-recognized expert in public psychiatry, mental health educaction, and a thought leader in the treatment and care of people with serious mental illness (SMI).
Co-Founder
Eli Shalenberg, MD
Eli is a community psychiatrist with a decade of experience working with families living with serious mental illness in New York City. Trying to fill gaps in the healthcare system, Eli eventually realized that healthcare services need to be reshaped around caregivers. He joined Mitul to found CareWise with the mission to provide comprehensive caregiver support. He also has a background in generating data for digital health products, and building services for mental health startups.
Lead Coach
Katharine Fuentes
Katharine is an LMSW with an extensive background in family therapy, individual coaching, and case management for people with mental illness and their families. At CareWise she works directly with caregivers, helping them plan ahead, cope with challenges, and access the right services. She directs our coaching program to ensure that direct human support is always available to our members.
Digital Content Designer
Jeanine Bruen
Jeanine is an actor, singer, and writer who is passionate about mental health education. She recognized the need for expanded caregiver supports - for caregivers of the elderly as well as mental illness caregivers - while volunteering with local nursing homes and The Caravan of Angels. In her current role at CareWise, she combines her innate creativity and digital content expertise to educate and support caregivers.
Try the App!
Caregiving is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join the waitlist for free early access to our new app, your trusted source for expert advice, easy care management, and instant support. We're here to help you every step of the way.