Who We Are
The people behind oPPal — our team, our advisors, and the community guiding our mission
oPPal is built by people who believe mothers deserve more. Our team, advisors, and community circle bring together clinical expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to making peer support accessible to every mother.
The Team
Our founding team building and guiding oPPal’s mission from the inside out.
Melanie Kaplan
Founder & CEO
Jacob Murray
Head of Operations
Stephanie Emila
Chief Technology Officer
Sasha Pullan
Chief of Staff
Rebecca Zelmer
Brand Partnerships Manager
Hanesther Kim
Chief Legal Officer
The Orbit
Our trusted circle of medical advisors guiding clinical integrity and care standards.
Dr. Carly Alexander
Pediatrician
Dr. Andrew Florin
OB/GYN
Dr. Jacob Gindi
Pediatrician
Jeff Neil
Technical Advisor
The Constellation
Our advisory circle of clinicians, advocates, and maternal wellness experts.
Andrea Bendewald
Founder, The Art of Circling • Circle This Podcast Host
Naomi Elizabeth Drucker, MSN, CNM
Owner & Operator · Los Angeles Midwives
Abbe Feder
Founder, InCircle Fertility
Leanna Balaban Hyndman
Certified Postpartum Doula & Postpartum Nutrition Specialist, Solor Flora
Casey Mouton, LMFT
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist · Maternal Mental Health Expert
Sanam Shamtobi, PhD
Founder & Lead Clinical Psychologist · The Mother Hood LA
Ari Tabak
Certified Coach & Consultant