María Gabriela Velasco
Clinical Psychologist in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist, Certified Hypnotherapist & Entrepreneur. Social Activist, Woman & LGBT+ Advocate
____________________________________________
Founder of Japi Clinic
Program and Eventos Director of Fundación Rimas
Co-Founder of HiveCube
Awardee Recipient of the 2018 Rotary Humanitarian STAR Award
GAP mentee at Vital Voices
____________________________________________
Dr. María Velasco, Program & Events Manager in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Founder of Japi Clinic, has been a vital force in providing mental health support to underserved communities. Her work at Japi Clinic and her role in organizing Fundación Rimas programs demonstrate her commitment to community well-being. María co-founded HiveCube as a result of the catastrophe that Hurricane Maria left in Puerto Rico. In a short timeframe, HiveCube was accepted to a global startup accelerator, Parallel18, as well as won the MCS Health Innovation Award 2018 and the T-Mobile People's Choice Award 2018. María earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from Hood College. She is also certified in Hypnotherapy and Affirmative Therapy for the LGBT+ community.