The second annual AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will serve to highlight and showcase some of the most diverse and impactful young professionals across the Philadelphia region.

At the event, taking place on August 27, 2021, Noel Ramirez will be one of the 40 honorees. He is the Founder and Director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting, LLC.

Ramirez earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s in public health from Drexel University. He then went on to earn his doctorate in behavioral health from Arizona State University. 

Here are Noel Ramirez's responses: 

Trying my hardest to center my own practice as a clinician, educator, supervisor, and person in love, honor, and respect.  It's been a process of trying to find an authentic place and reminding myself that every day... I am trying my best. We are all trying our best... every day...

Mental health is a healing art that requires practitioners to use their whole person to do it effectively. The mental health we know here has been centered on white supremacy culture. Change has to start within us and the institutions that facilitate the healing epistemologies of healing.  I think the first step is to shift our language of trauma and treatment to healing and transformation. Without effective healing strategies, we will continue to suffer emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

I think true leaders are original in their thinking, have access to a greater vision, and dare to speak their dreams out loud to anyone who will hear it. I think we embrace vulnerability, move with intention, and love really hard. 

In five years, I hope to create more capacity and to continue engineering programs that provide access and care to special populations. I hope to be able to amplify the lessons learned during this foundation year to larger audiences. I also hope to continue to be love-centered and hopefully with a new Honda; mine is 17 years old.