How Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation is Creating a Braver Kinder World

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation is committed to supporting the wellness of young people, and empowering them to create a kinder and braver world. Join Executive Director Maya Smith, and Advisory Board member James Fowler, Co-Founder ‘Queerious Minds,’ which aims to inform and inspire people all around the world with LGBTQI+ person’s stories and wisdom, to learn more about how they build authentic youth-focused programming, and lead effective campaigns that foster kindness and advance the conversation around mental health

Maya Enista Smith 

Executive Director, Born This Way Foundation

Maya Smith has over fifteen years of experience in youth empowerment, civic engagement, and community development. Maya proudly serves as the first executive director of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, which works to support the mental health of young people and works with them to build a kinder, braver world.

James Fowler

PhD Student, Research Assistant and Community Advocate

James Fowler (he/him/his) is a PhD Student, Research Assistant and Community Advocate living in Australia. James’ research interests include developing a greater understanding of the needs and experiences of gender, sexual, and romantic minorities and using this to inform the design of targeted mental health treatments. 

James is currently conducting research exploring the utility of internet-based service delivery for mental health programs and co-designing a web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Program for LGBTQI+ young people. 

James also co-founded the Australian community project ‘Queerious Minds’, which aims to inform and inspire people all around the world with LGBTQI+ person’s stories and wisdom.