Deborah Grabein

Nonprofit Leader and Marketing Consultant

Board Member, MHA of Greater Houston

Nora McInerny

Nora is the creator and host of the podcasts, Thanks For Asking, & It’s Going to Be OK, and her past podcast, Terrible, Thanks For Asking. Nora is also best known for her viral Ted Talk, “We Don’t Move On From Grief, We Move Forward With It,” and specializes in making space for emotional honesty and difficult conversations.

Drawing on her personal experiences with grief — Nora lost her husband, second pregnancy and father within a few weeks of each other — and her years of interviewing people who have lived through their own terrible experiences, Nora’s unforgettable talks inspire audiences to face and conquer any obstacle with the strength that comes from knowing that we are not alone and will show you that its okay to laugh, and crying is cool too.

Esmaeil Porsa, MD

Deb Ambrosi

Deb and her husband Mark’s journey into mental health advocacy began when they adopted a high-risk, special-needs baby with frontal lobe damage — a life-changing experience that profoundly shaped Deb’s heart, priorities, and career path. To meet her daughter’s complex needs, Deb stepped away from her professional career and homeschooled for eight years, navigating countless appointments and advocating fiercely for her child.

When it was time to return to work, Deb sought a career that allowed flexibility while still aligning with her values. Real estate was not her first choice — she loved teaching and the purpose it gave her — but she ultimately found a way to bring her servant’s heart into an industry where people often need guidance during life’s most stressful transitions. After five years as an agent, Deb opened her own brokerage, intentionally surrounding herself with people who believe in putting people before profit — “real estate warriors with a servant’s heart.”

The years 2024 and 2025 were deeply challenging for Deb’s community. One former agent and six clients lost sons to suicide, losses that profoundly impacted her and reaffirmed the urgency of mental health support. Through this season, Deb found Mental Health America of Greater Houston and pledged to give back in a meaningful way. Despite one of the most difficult markets in real estate history, Deb and her team experienced two unexpected blessings in 2025. They were honored as Top Real Estate Brokerage in Katy, Texas through the Best of Katy contest and — thanks to the trust of their clients — were able to fulfill their pledge of $25,000 to MHA of Greater Houston in 2025.