When I was an adolescent, I floundered in the miasma of body image, burgeoning sexuality, hormonal swings, and gender biases. Although privileged, I had no trusted adult to turn to; no one to give me needed guidance.

Over the years and in many diverse cultures, I have seen again and again how important it is for teenagers to be empowered with accurate information about their bodies, their sexuality and the skills to exert agency over this aspect of their lives.

I have also learned that professionals whose job it is to work with youth have rarely received training specific to this unique developmental stage. For these very personal reasons, I am excited to be partnered with the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University, one of the world's leading universities, in providing research, education, training and inspiration to those who guide young people as they develop and mature.