“Being recognized for my work in mental health leadership is deeply meaningful because it reflects the passion and care I’ve poured into supporting those whose voices are often unheard. In Philadelphia, this honor feels especially personal, as it celebrates the community I’ve walked alongside, listened to, and advocated for every day. It reminds me that the connections we build, the hope we nurture, and the spaces we create for healing matter most.”

Gina Gibson is the sole school counselor at a Philadelphia alternative high school serving over-age, under-credited students, where she leads trauma-informed, Tier 1–3 mental health supports. She developed a post-pandemic mental health screener now used network-wide, and designs SEL programming that blends schoolwide themes, classroom lessons, and individualized care. Gina also runs a peer-centered mediation program in partnership with Temple University, supports basic needs through a gender-neutral toiletry closet, and fosters student leadership through mentorship pipelines. Her work reflects a powerful combination of systems thinking and deep relational care in one of the city’s highest-need settings.