Her Story
About Kiana
Kiana Schwendeman is the founder of Mendora, a therapeutic wellness service focused on combining social dance, somatics, and mental health to create safe spaces for reconnection with self and others. Currently in graduate school pursuing a degree in dance movement therapy along with her LPC and other certifications, she works with the American Dance Therapy Association to develop frameworks emphasizing safe touch and group movement, informed by her background in ballroom dance. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, she spent six years in the tech startup world before shifting to promote wellness in corporate, nonprofit, and community settings. Her drive stems from growing up in a military family and navigating personal challenges including assault and the judicial system, motivating her to make mental health support more embodied and human. She actively collaborates with organizations such as Adelante Mujer to empower young Latina women through somatics and confidence-building.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kiana
01What do you attribute your success to?
My drive comes from growing up in a military family which taught me about feeling disconnected and out of place, combined with my personal trials including assault and navigating the judicial system. This inspired me to build something that genuinely changes how people experience wellness and connection, reducing stigmas in mental health by making support more embodied and human, especially in a world of AI and isolation.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stop waiting until you feel completely ready. Put yourself in rooms where you're still learning, ask questions, and be willing to take opportunities before you feel 100% qualified. Stay grounded in your own values rather than following paths that look impressive on paper due to family, peers, or society expectations. The more you understand what actually matters to you, the easier it becomes to build a career that feels like your own.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.