From policy to community, Johanna’s work has helped expand access to care, create meaningful conversations, and ensure that no one has to navigate recovery alone.

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Johanna Kandel

Founder & CEO, National Alliance for Eating Disorders

Johanna Kandel is a leading voice in mental health advocacy and the Founder & CEO of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. A fierce champion for change, Johanna continues to drive conversations on eating disorders with compassion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to saving lives. Through national media, speaking engagements, and partnerships, her work bridges community support with impact, ensuring individuals receive compassionate, evidence-based care.

Topics Johanna Speaks On

Mental Health Advocacy & Accessibility

• The Future of Eating Disorder Care

• Building Inclusive Systems in Healthcare

• Balancing Leadership and Advocacy

• The Power of Lived Experience in Policy & Care

• Mental Health Advocacy & Accessibility • The Future of Eating Disorder Care • Building Inclusive Systems in Healthcare • Balancing Leadership and Advocacy • The Power of Lived Experience in Policy & Care •

Highlights & Impact

20+ years in advocacy and nonprofit leadership

Founded and runs the leading national non-profit for eating disorders in the U.S.

National recognition from leading mental health and policy organizations

Collaboration with Google, TikTok, Meta, Clinton Global Initiative, and national coalitions

Participated in the first-ever Eating Disorders Roundtable at the White House

Testified before Congress/state legislatures advocating for eating disorder care

Awards & Accolades

Jefferson Award for Public Service

Harlequin Enterprise, More Than Words

SAMHSA Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery - Advocate of the Year

Glamour Magazine and Sally Hansen “Best of You” Nominee and Finalist

MLB/People Magazine All-Stars Among Us Nominee and Finalist

In the News

Mental Health Awareness: World Eating Disorders Action Day

Why Eating Disorder Content Keeps Spreading

Hope and solutions for mental health care | Breaking the Stigma

GLP-1 Drugs & Eating Disorder Risks

Living a Life Beyond Eating Disorders: A Conversation with Demi Lovato + Jameela Jamil

A Conversation with Johanna Kandel

Hometown Hero: Turning a Personal Battle Into National Eating Disorder Support

#SkinnyTok Rebranded Eating Disorders Dangerously Fast

The One About The Misconceptions of Eating Disoders

Testimonials

Johanna is an exceptional leader in the mental health space and a valued part of our collective at the Mental Health Coalition. She has been a fantastic partner across several events and is a compelling speaker who connects with any audience. Thoughtful, strategic, and deeply knowledgeable, Johanna consistently elevates the conversation around mental health in a meaningful way. She also brings a powerful personal perspective to her work, speaking openly about her lived experience with an eating disorder, which adds depth, authenticity, and resonance to everything she does. Importantly, she challenges common assumptions about what eating disorders “look like,” helping to break down bias and ensure the conversation is more inclusive and reflective of the many people affected.

Nicole Moriarty
Vice President, Programs & Partnerships | The Mental Health Coalition
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Johanna Kandel’s profound impact on the eating disorder and mental health space—and on countless lives, including my own family—over the past two decades. She is a true trailblazer, a respected thought leader, and, above all, an extraordinary human being. Johanna leads with both vision and heart. Her unwavering commitment to ensuring that individuals struggling with eating disorders have access to the care they need is matched only by her dedication to prevention, education, and advocacy at every level. Through her work, she has brought hope, visibility, and support to those who need it most. Her impact is undeniable, and her leadership continues to shape the future of this field in the most meaningful way.

Allison Walsh
Founder | She Believed She Could™

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