Founder

Dr. Hune received her Ph.D. in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies at Texas Tech University in 2022. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014, and her Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of Houston-Downtown in 2013. Dr. Hune’s research and clinical practice focus on helping people with co-occurring psychosis and substance use disorders. Previously, Dr. Hune served as NAMI Lubbock’s Affiliate Leader and as a member on NAMI Texas’ Peer Leadership Committee. Dr. Hune spends her time exploring strategies to reduce mental health stigma by incorporating expressive arts as an empirically supported and complementary intervention to mental health treatment. In 2016, Dr. Hune founded What it’s Like Project in response to her personal experience living with a mental health disorder. To support her own recovery, she incorporates visual arts, music and writing into her daily life. She believes that fusing the arts with mental health recovery and advocacy serve as protective factors in overall wellbeing.

Co-founder

Cailey graduated from a recovery high school, Archway Academy, in 2014. She engaged in self-harm from ages 12 to 16 years old. Cailey lives with depression and anxiety, and in 2010 attempted suicide. In January 2015, she lost her brother, Chris, to suicide and shortly after lost her brother, Dylan, to a drug overdose. She participated in the development of Generation Found, a documentary about adolescents recovering from substance abuse disorders in the Houston area. For the last two years she has been helping adolescents with mental health disorders and substance use disorders. In 2016, Cailey talked to representatives from Texas about mental health and advocated for more funding and accessibility to those who struggle with mental illness in Washington DC. She hopes to educate others on mental health and use her story to advocate for changes in the healthcare system.

Co-founder

Misty is a certified bookkeeper and works as a service agent for a major airline. For many years, she worked in both mental health and substance use disorder hospital settings. Misty volunteered for Archway Academy, a recovery high school in Houston, TX, participating in recovery films and fundraising. She served as a public speaker for school outreach programs through the Houston Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. She has also been in long-term recovery from addiction since 1989. Misty lives with depression, anxiety and PTSD. In January 2015, Misty lost her oldest son with bipolar disorder to suicide and months after lost her step-son to a drug overdose. She is a strong advocate for removing stigma and creating change in both mental health and substance use fields.

Co-founder

Jackie has worked for nonprofit organizations in Houston, TX for over 20 years, with over six years of experience in managing exhibits departments. Her expertise includes managing trade shows, event planning, logistics, Request for Proposal (RFP) analysis, site selections, contract negotiations and budgets. Jackie received her Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM) from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. After her daughter (Dr. Nikki Hune), founded What it’s Like Project, she became invested in learning more about how to be supportive to people living with mental health disorders. Jackie is currently certified in Mental Health First Aid. She spends her time fostering/rescuing dogs and other animals. Jackie is also skilled in pottery, painting and craft-making.

Board Member

Justin received his Master’s in Social Work from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. He has a Bachelors in Psychology from Texas A&M University and a MA in Counseling/Student Affairs from Texas State University. He currently works at a psychiatric hospital in Houston. Previously, Justin has worked in HIV case management, adolescent counseling, and dual diagnosis residential treatment settings. He also worked as a trainer and community outreach liaison, focusing on fitness and wellness for people with chronic illness and injury. Justin has lived with ADHD since he was a child and has battled anxiety for most of his life. He has been in recovery since 2010.

Board Member

BIO COMING SOON

Board Member

Jose received his Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He comes from a musically inclined family and has witnessed the positive impact that the arts can have on a person’s life. In the past, he has worked in mental health and substance use treatment hospitals. He has also worked with various local, national and international non-profit organizations directing fundraising and coordinating events. His most recent non-profit work has included translating medical terminology, diagnoses, and treatments for Spanish-speaking only patients at a local clinic that offers services to low-income, migrant and refugee populations. Professionally, his work regarding cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety has been published in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal. Currently, he works on a research team that teaches techniques and skills to help older adults reduce worry and stress in their daily lives. Having had experience with anxiety-related disorders, he hopes his career and nonprofit work will help increase access to mental and physical health services available to underserved minority populations.

BIO COMING SOON

Board Member

Jennifer is currently attending University Houston-Clear Lake for her bachelor’s in Social Work. Most of her 18-year career has been in the manufacturing industry with various jobs from administration, inside sales and finance. Jennifer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder around 2010. She has a passion for listening to other peoples’ stories. She also uses her own experiences to help others not feel alone. Jennifer often talks about how the WiLP team and community events have been greatly therapeutic in her own life. WiLP has given a platform for many talented artists with mental health conditions. In turn, it has served as a catalyst for Jennifer’s involvement in mental health awareness.

Board Member

Dan Workman leveraged his role as guitarist in the Texas punk/experimental noise band Culturcide into a mainstream music career as an engineer/producer and co-owner of the iconic SugarHill Studios in Houston, TX. Over three decades, his work included Grammy-winning gold and platinum records with Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, ZZ Top, Hubert Laws, Paul Wall, Clay Walker, South Park Mexican, and many more. After retiring from the music business, he earned his LCSW and began working as a psychodynamic individual and group therapist, providing tailored support to patients who identify as creatives. His treatment frame is based on two novel principles: 1) that creative people have an additional layer of complexity in how they process themselves and the world, and 2) that creatives require a positive understanding and engagement of their talent to enjoy optimal mental health.