FRONTLINE HEROES
Healthcare providers that have gone above and beyond to deliver digitally-enabled care
Nikole Benders-Hadi
Chief Medical Officer
Talkspace
Dr. Nikole Benders-Hadi is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer at Talkspace, where she leads efforts to expand access to mental health care through innovative digital solutions. With a background in public health from Johns Hopkins and psychiatric training from NYU and Columbia, she brings deep clinical expertise to technology-driven platforms. Dr. Benders-Hadi has been a vocal advocate for using virtual care to reduce stigma and address disparities in behavioral health. Her work sits at the intersection of medicine, technology, and equity, shaping the future of digital mental health.
Q: What motivates you to continue working towards change each day?
A: I’m motivated by being able to meet patients of all ages and communication preferences where they are, and by creating a seamless experience that enables our providers’ best “webside” manner in mental health care delivery.