Empowering Minds,
Transforming Lives—
Our Commitment
to Mental Health
Our Story
From A Mother’s Determination To A Mental Health Revolution
Perusta’s story begins with a deeply personal experience. Founder Laura Randa saw firsthand how difficult it can be to find the right mental health support when her daughter Lauren, who has hearing loss, struggled during the pandemic. With masks blocking her ability to read lips, Lauren faced growing anxiety and stress. Despite trying multiple psychologists, none could address her specific challenges—until they found one who used cognitive behavioral therapy. In just a few weeks, Lauren experienced a significant improvement.
“During the pandemic, 2020, when the masks went on, my daughter’s world went silent. In that moment, I made the decision to leave my biotech career to solve the problem of…
… treatment wait times averaging 2-3 months, sometimes longer, and accessibility challenges for those with disabilities.”
Frustrated with the lack of accessible care, Laura made a life-changing decision. She left her successful career as a biopharma executive—where she had led 12 multi-billion-dollar product launches, including the $10B success of Dupixent—to tackle the mental health crisis for people with disabilities. Laura gathered a team of top experts in cognitive behavioral therapy, digital therapeutics, and clinical psychology, determined to revolutionize care and close the treatment gap. Together, they built Perusta, a first-of-its-kind platform designed to make mental health treatment more accessible and personalized for those who need it most.
Our Leadership Team
Laura Randa, MPA
Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Laura is a healthcare executive with over 30 years of experience leading teams and driving success in the life sciences sector. She has advised CEOs, led corporate strategies, and overseen multi-billion-dollar operations across biopharma, biotech, and managed care.
Brian Doan, Ph.D
Research
Brian has 20+ years in pharma and consumer healthcare, specializing in product development and FDA compliance. He's led the launch of pharmaceutical and digital health products, including a U.S. digital wellness product.
Jon Brilliant
Chief Financial Officer
Jon Brilliant is a seasoned entrepreneur and CFO, co-founding Welldoc, the first FDA-cleared mobile health app. He has raised over $130M, advised top companies like Merck, and served on 15+ boards, bringing diverse experience across healthcare, automotive, and retail industries.
Amrish Macedo, MBA
Chief Technology Officer
Experienced executive with a track record of aligning technology, processes, and people to drive growth and deliver value. Skilled in new product development, reducing sales friction, and transforming organizations to improve productivity and sales.
Samantha Gaies, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Samantha is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience, offering therapy, mindfulness training, and executive coaching at her practice in New York City. She has presented at institutions like NYU, UT Austin, the VA, and the United Nations.
Prabhu Raghavan
Head of Regulatory & Compliance
Prabhu is an expert in regulatory affairs and quality assurance for medical devices, specializing in regulatory strategy, AI/ML submissions, and quality management systems. With over 20 years of experience, he now serves as Principal at MDQR Solutions, consulting on regulatory and quality for complex devices and SaMD.
Brenda Buffington, Ph.D.
Head of Mental Health Coaching
Brenda is a national board-certified health and wellness coach, certified exercise physiologist, and experienced health promotion and disease prevention professional with nearly 40 years in the field. At The Ohio State University, she serves as executive director of the Health Athlete Program and leads wellness coaching initiatives within the College of Nursing.
Bob Gallop
Biostatistics & Data Management
Bob is a prominent researcher in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and internal medicine, focusing on randomized controlled trials, cognitive therapy, and major depressive disorder. His interdisciplinary work addresses complex issues like depression, relapse prevention, and suicidal ideation, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and psychometrics to improve mental health treatments.
Our Trusted Advisors
Tony Coelho
Former House Majority Whip
The Honorable Tony Coelho, diagnosed with epilepsy at 22, is a lifelong advocate for disability rights. As a six-term U.S. Congressman and House Majority Whip, he authored the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and helped establish the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Tony continues to champion disability rights through his service on corporate and nonprofit boards.
Joint Venture Partners | Tarkenton Companies
Fran Tarkenton
Founder & CEO, Tarkenton Companies
A Hall of Fame NFL quarterback and successful entrepreneur, he has founded nearly 30 companies in technology, SaaS, advertising, and financial services. As an investor, author of eight books, and a sought-after speaker, he is recognized for his expertise in leadership and strategy. As CEO of Tarkenton Companies, he leads a diverse portfolio of brands, guided by the principle that business exists to help people.
Will Adams
President, Tarkenton Companies
Will is an accomplished business executive with expertise in developing strategic growth initiatives, fostering partnerships, and driving operational excellence. He serves on multiple boards and is a co-founder of a successful SaaS company serving small museums, galleries, and family offices.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Join our mission to revolutionize mental health care.
If you’re passionate about improving lives and want to be part of an innovative team, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and create change together. Mental health coaches are at the heart of what we do, providing essential guidance and support to those who need it most. If you’re ready to help others thrive in that capacity, reach out to explore opportunities.