Technology

Fastest Growing Company in Massachusetts Expands Leadership Team with Key Hires in Product, International, and Operations

Published

1 week ago

September 13, 2024

Former Drizly product veteran and other strategic hires accelerate Uwill’s product innovation and expansion

BOSTON, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Uwill, the leading mental health and wellness solution supporting 3 million students at more than 400 colleges, today announced the appointment of Joshua Li as vice president of product, Asini Wijewardane as managing director, UK, and Julia Mahr as chief of staff. The appointments will help accelerate the company’s growth and impact as it works to meet the growing demand for access to high-quality mental health support to students worldwide.

“Mental health is the most critical issue facing our education system today, with profound implications not just for students, but also for their families and entire communities,” said Michael London, Founder and CEO of Uwill. “The exceptional talent we have attracted reflects the success of our organization and the vital importance of our mission to offer immediate mental health and wellness support eliminating all barriers to care.”

Joshua Li, Uwill’s vice president of product, brings more than 15 years of experience in product management and business strategy. He will lead product strategy, focusing on expanding platform capabilities to enhance the experience for both individuals and administrators. Most recently, he served as the senior director of product for consumer and strategic partnerships at Drizly, where he oversaw all consumer-facing products and user experience before the company’s exit to Uber (UBER). After graduating from MIT, Li held roles at TripAdvisor (TRIP), and Bain & Company.

In addition, Asini Wijewardane has been appointed managing director of the UK, leveraging her deep understanding of international healthcare markets and mental health services. A former 40 Under 40 honoree, Wijewardane previously served as director of counselor success at Uwill, managing the development, recruitment, and retention of Uwill’s counselor community. With broad leadership and operational experience across three continents, her career includes roles in social enterprise, business development, and project management. She joins a team focused on global expansion that includes Natasha O’Brien, co-founder of therapy app WellTrack, who leads the company’s Canadian growth efforts.

As chief of staff, Julia Mahr brings a wealth of experience to her role from her work at renowned organizations such as KIPP MA and Chicago Public Schools, where she excelled in various roles including special education teacher, dean of support services, data manager, and director of recruitment. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she brings an extensive background in student and staff development, and will focus on efforts to build team culture, operations and organizational development.

Earlier this year, Uwill also strengthened its leadership with the appointment of Robin Rich as vice president of counselor success, and Ryan Leer, vice president of customer success. Rich has 20 years of experience in mental health and education, previously serving as president of the Youth Innovation Lab at Peer Health Exchange, where she led the development of a digital mental health product recognized by Fast Company in 2023. Leer served in a similar role for Examity, the leader in online student proctoring, where he oversaw strategic enterprise partnerships.

The new hires follow a period of significant growth and expansion for the Natick-based business, which continues to expand its engineering, clinical affairs, and customer success teams. In August, Inc. Magazine recognized Uwill as the #1 fastest-growing company in Massachusetts and the 27th in the nation. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness events, realtime data, and support. Uwill serves more than 3 million students from all 50 states.

About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. As the most cost-effective way to expand and enhance a college’s mental health offerings, Uwill partners with over 400 institutions, including Princeton University, the Ohio State University, Santa Fe Community College, and University of Alabama – Online. Uwill is also the teletherapy education partner for NASPA and the Online Learning Consortium. For more information, visit uwill.com.

Media contact: Brett Silk, bsilk@uwill.com

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SOURCE Uwill, Inc

Technology

The Ar-King of Spirits: Ed Arking’s Impact on the Liquor Industry

Published

17 seconds ago

September 21, 2024

In the interest of providing luxury liquors in a convenient and stress-free format, Served Neat was born. When asked about his intentions for the company, Ed states, “My goal with Served Neat is to create a one-stop shop where customers can easily discover these rare gems.”

MOORESTOWN, N.J., Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Served Neat is an emerging online platform with a curated selection of some of the world’s most popular luxury spirits. The website offers daily flash deals that highlight a variety of high-end international brands including Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, Clase Azul, and more.

“While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Ed and Joe Arking, the father-son team behind the concept of Served Neat, have decades of experience hand-selecting and supplying sought-after liquors. Ed Arking, CEO of New Jersey’s Roger Wilco, grew up in the world of wine and spirits and formed his own business aspirations.

“Growing up, I watched my father navigate and succeed in the ever-evolving wine and spirits industry,” Ed explains. “While I always aspired to create something similar, I knew I needed to wait for the right moment.” Ed has gone on to manage his own liquor store and lead projects for up-and-coming brands, such as the vodka-infused and non-carbonated Smooth Water.

As he evolved in his career, Ed discovered the perfect time to make his lifelong vision a reality. He recalls, “I noticed a gap in the market—especially for whiskey and tequila. These categories have surged in popularity, making it difficult for the everyday consumer to find those elusive sought-after allocated bottles.”

When it comes to Served Neat, quality and knowledge is key. Ed adds, “While there are websites selling spirits, none have the decades of experience that we bring from WTSO. Served Neat will offer not only incredible bottles but also the best customer service in the industry.”

Served Neat is the sister company to WTSO and The Wine Market, two online platforms dedicated to sourcing and distributing top-notch wines from every corner of the globe.

At The Wine Market, an online marketplace for the world’s most popular wine brands, convenience and quality are key. Each bottle in their curated collection is a testament to exceptional flavor and craftsmanship.

Since 2006, WTSO has enjoyed creating a unique wine experience and sharing it with new beginners and seasoned connoisseurs alike. Using an extensive network of wineries and wine makers, WTSO connects customers to thousands of brands from top wine appellations around the globe. The strong relationships they’ve formed within the wine world allow the business to deliver authentic and high-quality bottles to homes across the United States.

Wine and spirits lovers alike are invited to explore Served Neat, WTSO, and The Wine Market to find their next favorite bottle. Visit their websites to learn more about these one-of-a-kind online marketplaces!

Media Contact

Julie Blount, WTSO, 1 8669572795, marketing@wtso.com

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SOURCE WTSO

Technology

Compete for $150K Prizes: Join Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship

Published

1 hour ago

September 21, 2024

HANGZHOU, China, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship is now open for registration! Organized by Rokid, a global leader in human-computer interaction through augmented reality, this championship invites AR developers globally to harness voice, gesture, and visual AI technologies to create groundbreaking AR experiences. Powered by the self-developed YodaOS-Master operating system, Rokid AR glasses deliver exceptional spatial computing performance.

What is Spatial Joy 2024 about？
In September 2022, Rokid kicked off its first AR Application Development Championship. The second championship, held last year in collaboration with Unity and Agora, quickly established itself as the largest AR application development event in China. As Rokid celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, we are excited to present “Spatial Joy,” our newly branded global championship, open to developers worldwide for the first time, and positioned as the flagship event in the AR industry.

Why join Spatial Joy 2024?

Compete for a $150,000 prize poolFree access to Rokid AR Lite or Rokid AR studioDiscounted rates on purchasing Rokid productsFree participationTechnical support from Unity and AgoraInternational exposure within the AR industryOpportunity to attend the award ceremony in China

Who can participant?
The championship is open to global AR developers of all levels, including students, independent developers, teams, and professionals across sectors such as healthcare, retail, education, gaming, entertainment, lifestyle, and more.

How to register?
Detailed registration guidelines and requirements are available online at [https://t.rokid.com/iwvwcxkn]. Developers can register and submit their projects through Rokid official website at [www.global.rokid.com].

Spatial Joy 2024 Timeline:

Registration Deadline: October 16, 2024Final Project Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024Finalists Announcement: December 27, 2024Award Ceremony: January 11, 2025

About Organizer
Rokid has expanded its global presence, making notable progress in key markets across North America, Europe, and Asia, including a successful campaign on Kickstarter. With a decade of expertise, Rokid has revolutionized AR technology, transforming how users interact with both digital and physical environments.

Join us in shaping the future of AR with Rokid – enter Spatial Joy 2024 The Global AR Application Development Championship Now!

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SOURCE Rokid

Technology

Summit of Whose Future? Girls Have the Answers: Leaders Must Listen

Published

3 hours ago

September 21, 2024

Young Women Activists Launch “What Girls Want,” Demand World Leaders Put Girls at the Center of Summit of the Future

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today in New York, more than 50 young women from around the world – including Nobel Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai – gathered to take government to task for failing to prioritize girls and young women in the upcoming Summit of the Future. The group is backed by acoalition of girl-centered non-profit organizations, institutions, and funds who synthesized the demands of girls at www.whatgirlswant.com.

At a demonstration near the UN, alongside life-size cutouts of world leaders dressed ironically as “girl experts”, the activists delivered a strong message: world leaders aren’t the experts on what girls want for their futures – girls are.

Eylül Erçin, 19, from Türkiye, shared: “The time has passed for girls and young women to be treated as mere afterthoughts. Leaders must include us in the foundational design of these processes, ensuring that our priorities are integrated into shaping the future we will inherit. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Today’s event is about more than calling out a process failure. Girls i from around the world delivered a forward-looking call to action this week. They expect governments, institutions, and community leaders to step up and help shape a more equitable future.

Alongside fellow activists, Malala said: “Even at 27, I know better than to assume I understand best what girls want. Everywhere I go, girls are eager to share their vision for their futures. As adults, it is our job to listen, fund their work and follow their lead. It is not too late for world leaders to do right by girls. They can start by prioritizing their demands in tomorrow’s final Summit deliberations and by investing resources to match their words.”

The evidence is clear: investing in girls and delivering on their rights transforms economies, societies, and the environment, advancing the SDGs and building a future that girls deserve.

About What Girls Want

This effort was produced by a collaboration of girl-centered organizations, institutions, funders, and allies. The campaign is anchored around work to collate insights, data, and stories from 20+ public consultations with girls and young women over the past decade, driven by a shared desire to center girls’ demands in spaces where they are being ignored.

Contact:

whatgirlswantpress@gmail.com

nate.powers@edelman.com

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2384993/Women_Deliver_Logo.jpg

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