Co-Founder, Executive Director

Michelle Popowitz, JD, MPH, has been with the Depression Grand Challenge since its very inception. She co-founded the pilot program that would blossom into the UCLA Grand Challenges, bearing the two independent Grand Challenges that exist today: the Depression Grand Challenge and the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge.

A pioneer and thought leader in the university-led, goal-oriented grand challenge space, Popowitz has engaged in more than 40 speaking engagements and consultations with universities regarding grand challenges and public impact-focused research.

In her role as the administrative lead, Michelle is Involved with all strategic and operational matters related to the Depression Grand Challenge including strategic planning, budget, fund management, various operations, fundraising, governance, intellectual property, partnerships and communications.