Numerous female leaders have achieved extraordinary recognition for their outstanding efforts to advance mental health. One such example is Maryana Stefuryn, a well-known tech entrepreneur, researcher, author, speaker, and mental health advocate. Portugal based Maryana is renowned for her pioneering digital solutions to advance mental health.
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Founder & CEO of Unwind Minds and ElephAi Circle
Maryana founded and serves as CEO of Unwind Minds, a digital health firm dedicated to transforming the field of mental health. Unwind Minds was founded in February 2025 with the compelling goal of empowering people and enhancing mental health worldwide by providing data-driven, caring, and accessible mental health solutions. With the assistance of researchers and medical professionals, Unwind Minds, a group of specialists in machine learning, psychology, healthcare, UX, and digital health, is creating the next era of emotional well-being.
Maryana also founded ElephAi, an AI-powered emotional companion that provides a safe, nurturing environment for introspection, emotional support, and self-awareness to help women during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and beyond.
Global Impact
Maryana has more than 10,000 LinkedIn followers worldwide and collaborates extensively within the global digital health ecosystem. Her impact on a global level is demonstrated by Unwind Minds, a health tech startup dedicated to advancing mental health globally, and ElephAi, a global platform for emotional well-being.
Academic Background
Maryana has a strong academic background. She received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Marketing from FEUC, the Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra. She is a PMP®-certified IT project manager with more than five years of experience overseeing major digital transformation projects, including SAP.
A Story of Inspiration and Empowerment
Maryana shared:
“I am a wonderful example of the fact that success isn’t something handed out freely; it demands effort, determination, and resilience. I launched the platform while balancing demanding client work and startup building with limited resources and the emotional weight of addressing a deeply human problem. I also faced the “prove-it-twice” dynamic many women founders experience in tech and healthcare, where credibility, funding, and trust must be earned repeatedly. These challenges strengthened my commitment to build ethical, clinically responsible, and compassionate AI.”
Conclusion
Mental health is important because it influences your thoughts, feelings, and behavior and has a direct impact on your physical health, relationships, and daily functioning. In the fast-paced, high-stress world of today, the significance of mental health advocates like Maryana cannot be overstated, as they play a critical role in lowering stigma and closing the gap between individuals with mental illnesses and the care they need.