Sheila Pande, MPH, Founder and CEO

Since I was a little girl I’d tell my parents, “I want to be a psychologist! I like understanding how people think!” Strange, I know! So when I was admitted to The University of Texas (another childhood dream, for which I can’t pinpoint the origins) I continued to explore those ambitions through a lens of culture and science --graduating with my B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Anthropology. Truth be told, my younger self never disappeared, and through the analyses of hundreds of papers, late nights, and dozens of wise professors, I realized that “the way people think” is heavily based on their cultural and normalized experiences, the climate in which they grew up, generation, place of origin, current residence, and many more variables that fall within social determinants of health. Was this supposed to be surprising information for a first generation Indian American (technically I’m generation 1.5)? Because it really wasn’t surprising after many classes and two degrees. Then, why was I never supplied the tools or vocabulary to assess these topics in myself, my community, and our shared experiences? The science of mental health is available, and the study of culture is available, so why are they each so separated? Why are they not assessed or used within interventions and care together?

I persisted for answers and completed my Master of Public Health at Columbia University, a program that expanded my horizons and allowed me to continue exploring meaningful avenues. I sought out analyses of women and children’s mental health programming from humanitarian assistance, global health, reproductive and behavioral health perspectives. The next questions arose; how do I support people in need -- those whose stories are not teased apart in scientific papers and are too easily cast aside as “other,” just as my own experience as a generation 1.5 Indian American woman was? What does a solution truly look like outside of the scientific papers?

How do I support people whose stories are not teased apart in scientific papers and easily cast aside as “other”? Just as mine is.

This is why I am building Tandem Community. After several years co-founding a women’s health startup and consulting for digital health solutions and e-commerce brands, I know that there’s a better, more supportive and impactful way. And as we all know 2020 was a moment (a very long moment), but one that finally made space for the stories of many women’s cultural influences on their health and wellness. And as I looked around, there was still a huge need to solve gaps in the ever-growing disparities in access, care and outcomes among women of color and other cultures in the US. What is the best way to support women of color and cultures through transitional moments in their lives while they figure out their relationship to their heritage and home country and all the rituals old and new that come with each? Tandem Community was built to provide a place to grow, learn, and share these values as women develop their identities.

Tandem Community was built to provide a place to grow, learn, and share these values as women develop their identities.

Here are a few books that have shaped my thoughts, resonate with my values, or mirror a variety of experiences and emotions I’ve personally felt as a woman of color and intersectional feminist. All of them are encompassed in Tandem Community’s solutions. In no particular order: For Small Creatures Such as We, Madumo, a Man Bewitched, Dreams from My Father, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Decolonizing Wealth, Give Work, We Should All Be Feminists, AIDS Sutra, In Other Words.

In my free time, I like to swim and explore cultures by studying languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and Hindi), films (Netflix), history, and the resulting cultures of the many places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit; especially in those where I’ve learned from locals or supported healthcare delivery. When I’m not an introvert, I spend my time nurturing friendships near and far, and am committed to consciously growing my circles as I learn and grow with the world.

If you’re curious about more that inspires the solutions delivered through Tandem Community, please sign up for the founder newsletter below. I’ll continue to explore and share my findings about women of color and culture’s mental wellness in the US and globally. Tidbits of inspiration and truths which drive this company’s values and solutions will also be shared.

If there’s a topic, book or piece of culture that would be relevant, please share. I look forward to building solutions that are community driven, which simply means learning from and for others, sharing and applying that knowledge. Talk soon!