Meet the Team
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Alec Wilson
FOUNDER
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Ryyan Rehman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Samuel Yousefzai
PROJECT DIRECTOR
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Andrew Iannelli
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Beneath The Grief started off as a beige-colored Post-it note on the wall of my room. The idea came to me while writing a memoir about my experiences with the loss of my dad. I found that writing allowed me to cultivate new meanings that helped me achieve levels of nuance that I wouldn’t have achieved without a pen and paper. Regardless of what I put into words, it was a step toward a greater understanding.
Beneath The Grief hopes to provide a space where others can do the same.
— Alec Wilson
Hey there, I'm Ryyan! Growing up in an environment steeped in my ethnic background's traditions, the concept of grief was frequently shrouded in silence. However, throughout the journey of life, I gained the courage to confront and process my feelings of grief through understanding the value of community. This inspired me to work on and expand Beneath The Grief.
As Executive Director, my goal is to expand our platform where self-expression is both embraced and empowered. We see art as a potent transformative tool, promoting not just self-expression, but also fostering collaboration and understanding. Our vision is to harness this power, creating a future where everyone can live confidently in their unique identities. Together, we're striving to shape a world that cherishes diversity in all its myriad forms.
— Ryyan Rehman
Hello, my name is Samuel Yousefzai, and I am a Senior at Roycemore. I am honored to be a part of the Beneath The Grief community, where we aim to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to come to terms with their grief through the power of art and writing. After losing my beloved grandmother, I initially struggled to process the intense emotions that came with my loss. I found myself trying to push my grief aside, hoping that ignoring it would make it disappear. However, this approach only took a toll on my mental health and left me feeling isolated and alone.
Through the power of words, I found a way to express my grief and come to accept her loss. Now, as a member of Beneath The Grief, I am passionate about creating a space where others can find the same healing and solace that I did. I believe that art and writing are powerful tools that can help individuals process their emotions and find a sense of peace and closure. Together, we can create a safe and empowering space for healing and growth.
— Samuel Yousefzai
Hi, my name is Andrew, and I am joining Beneath the Grief as Social Media Director. Outside of school, I work with Honor Flight Chicago to help local veterans.
Mental health is something I take very seriously, and I have seen the effects that bottling up emotions has. I truly believe in the message and mission of the organization, and I am proud to be a part of it.
— Andrew Iannelli