New Nonprofit Just Gather Announces Incoming CEO, Sierra Ward

Sierra Ward is dedicated to building awareness for mental health, integrative wellness, and the critical foundation of our educational systems. Since her birth in Laguna Beach, Sierra has been preparing for this grand leadership role and positive social contagion movement toward community wellness and mindful use of technology.

Just Gather is a Laguna Beach-based digital detox nonprofit created to promote wellness through connection to nature, experiential learning, and mentorship. Its tech-fast programs address post-pandemic academic and socioemotional deficits, digital addiction education for parents, support groups for families impacted by overdoses/the opioid epidemic, philanthropy, and community wellness events to inspire unity during this time of public health crisis. The organization is a member of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and doing its ribbon cutting on 12/8/2022.

According to Sierra: “Digital societal programming gave us a second pandemic of anxiety and depression in our youth. I feel called to stand up and be the change for our children, who are our future. If we do not help them find peace today, they’ll seek solutions online and risk their lives on the journey.”

Community wellness is the basis of Sierra’s professional background where she has been educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their health. Pharmaceutical chemicals, environmental exposures, and emotional trauma inundate the body with toxicity. At Williams Wellness Center in Laguna Beach, Sierra is educated in somatic therapies and Polyvagal theory and creates support groups for patients shifting personal paradigms toward holistic wellness.

In partnership with Maryam Poursartip, MD, Sierra hosts monthly mixers to support an integrative wellness approach including Western medicine practitioners that are recognizing the holistic synergy ultimately improves the efficacy of both approaches. Their events create connection and community to educate and substantiate the science behind functional and holistic medicine practices.

In March 2020, when Sierra learned of the quarantine, she felt a calling to help children who were struggling with isolation and distance learning, and later screen addiction. This was a result of virtual education's impact on her 3rd grader, Monroe. Before joining Just Gather, she, and a team of teachers, developed academic protocols that could be shared with other parents embracing community, nature, experiential learning, and the arts.

Sierra's husband Danny's mental illness challenges worsened during the pandemic. After trials and tribulations, he lost his life on Father's Day in 2021. Much of Sierra’s work has been fueled by this devastating trauma. Danny created her resolve and clarity to help heal our future generations, teaching mental health as a reality for every person starting with daily self-care, good nutrition, service, and community. Through Just Gather, Sierra and her team, teach just that. Visit justgather.org to learn more. To get involved, email michelle@justgather.org or via phone: 949-813-7681.