Who We Are
The PERIOD. Mission
PERIOD. is a global youth fueled non-profit which strives to eradicate period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.
About Us
PERIOD. annually distributes millions of menstrual products to grassroots organizations serving their communities in need, authors stigma-busting menstrual health curriculum, and equips young leaders to advocate for menstrual equity policies such as the repeal of the tampon tax and mandating period products in public places.
PERIOD. was founded in 2014 by Nadya Okamoto and Vincent Forand, two high school students in Portland, Oregon. Since then, the organization has grown to hundreds of volunteer chapters around the nation and world. In 2020, grew in staff capacity and Board governance, hiring a new Executive Director and senior leadership team, including a Youth Advisory Council.
At PERIOD. we believe:
That menstruation is an integral part of reproductive health
Our mission to eradicate period poverty and period stigma is fundamentally based on honoring menstruator's autonomy and trusting them to manage their periods and bodies in the way they choose.
PERIOD. is committed to:
Lifting up and centering youth voices working in the menstrual equity movement
Working to eradicate period poverty through immediate service
Working to eradicate systemic period poverty through destigmatizing periods with education and policy
Supporting a diverse community of youth advocates to help amplify menstrual equity policies
Utilizing asset-based and equitable programming and language in our work
Working to ensure the menstrual movement is a welcoming one, for all people who want to end period poverty.
Our Team

Ameer Abdul, he/him
National Campaign Manager

Michela Bedard, she/her
Executive Director

Kate Barker Swindell, she/her
Service & Operations Manager
Nicky Dawkins, she/her
National Community Manager

Aydan Garland-Miner, she/her
National Chapter Coordinator

Olivia Jenkinson, she/her
Service Associate

Damaris Pereda, she/her
National Programs Director

Emily Swanigan, she/her
National Communications Manager

Dara Wilk, she/her
Development Director

Velika Yasay, she/her
Webmaster and Database Administrator
Youth Advisory Council Cohort
The Youth Advisory Council is a governance committee tasked with supporting the work of PERIOD. by providing insight and advice to PERIOD.’s programs and strategy. The group consists of 12 activists, ages 14-25, who meet bi-monthly to tackle essential questions and provide strategic advice to PERIOD. staff and Board of Directors. Council Members are the voice and face of PERIOD.'s youth activists, and will ensure that the voices and diversity of young activists are heard and represented in PERIOD.’s decision making and program design.
Introducing our NEW 2022-2024 Youth Advisory Council Cohort!

Alyssa Stenson
she/they

Antoilyn Nguyen
they/them

Asia Brown
she/her

Denia Brielle Smith
she/her

Evan Gates
he/him

Juhi Pandit
she/her

Liz Soyemi
she/her

Manasi Gajjalapurna
she/her

Miranda Lu
she/her

Regan Moss
she/her

Salika Vummaro
she/her

Stacey Johnson
she/her
Board of Directors

Kirsten Brady
Board Chair
Founding Board President, Project Lemonade

Asia Brown

Dr. Charis Chambers
Board Certified OBGYN and Menstrual
Health Educator

Ally Crays
Law Student, Northeastern University

Ajay Doshi
Board Treasurer
VP of Finance, Northwest Permanente

Lisa Denike, MD
Pediatrician/MD; Regional Chief of Pediatrics at Northwest Permanente

Shari Dunn
CEO/Principal, ITBOM LLC

Regan Moss

Kristin Rios
Corporate Engagement and
Experiences Executive, Advocate and
Activist for Women’s Health Equity
PERIOD. FAQs
Please review our frequently asked questions below.
Media or Press inquiries, please email us at info@period.org