Named Best CFO of a Small Cap Healthcare Company by Institutional Investor in 2017, Mark Hirschhorn has more than three decades of financial and operational leadership experience across various sectors, managing more than 45 acquisitions during this time. In February 2020, Mark Hirschhorn was named president and COO of Talkspace.

Talkspace, which provides online mental health therapy and services, partnered with musician and activist Demi Lovato in September 2020. Appointed spokesperson for the company, Lovato has been tasked with using her voice to not only destigmatize therapy but to encourage others to proactively manage their mental health. Lovato has been a longtime advocate for mental wellness, as she has had to overcome her own mental health obstacles. Talkspace CEO Oren Frank said the company has "always admired her commitment and willingness to speak up."

The partnership came on the heels of significant growth for the company as it doubled its year-over-year volume from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which more than half of US citizens reported a decline in mental health. Lovato's work to spread awareness of Talkspace is also noteworthy considering two-thirds of individuals diagnosed with a mental health illness don't seek treatment.

An award-winning senior executive, Mark Hirschhorn leverages more than three decades of experience to guide operations as the president, COO, and CFO of Talkspace. He previously served in leadership roles at ArisGlobal and Datatec Systems, Inc., among other companies. In addition to his work, Mark Hirschhorn supports multiple nonprofits, including The Children’s Village.

Founded in 1851, The Children’s Village works with families to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds or who are otherwise vulnerable receive an education and become socially responsible citizens. Beyond its programming in this area, The Children’s Village also offers the Clemente Course in the Humanities for youth and adults who have been deprived of an enriching education due to various economic, political, and social forces.

The one-year academic program features courses in art history, moral philosophy, literature, and critical thinking and writing, among other topics. Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Drew Hamilton Community Center in Harlem and receive free tuition and books, as well as transportation and childcare if needed.

Conceived of by Earl Shorris in 1995, the Clemente Course in the Humanities was brought to Harlem by Dr. David Kittay. Course graduates receive six transferable credits for Bard College.

Mark Hirschhorn has spent more than two decades in key executive roles building and developing IT operations, securing capital flow and regulatory compliance, and directing IPO negotiations at emerging and established companies. Currently serving as president and COO of the online behavioral health services platform Talkspace, Mark Hirschhorn helps guide the growth of an innovative company offering clients the opportunity to access therapy on their own terms and in their own time.

Talkspace operates from a secure digital platform that enables clients to schedule face-to-face video sessions with licensed mental health therapists. Known for courageously sharing her own struggles with mental health, singer Demi Lovato is among the platform’s most prominent advocates.

Knowing that support for mental and emotional health remains a crucial but often unmet need in today’s world, Lovato has publicly shared her personal journey as a way of helping others in similar situations understand that they are not alone. Her support for the Talkspace mission, as she notes on the platform’s website, is anchored in her conviction that giving people the right resources to improve their lives is a major part of helping them achieve comfort, a sense of personal empowerment and worth, and the ability to thrive.

Part of Lovato’s excitement about her partnership with Talkspace stems from the fact that she remains committed to actively combating the stigma attached to therapy and people working through mental health issues. Experts estimate that about half of all Americans live with mental health struggles, but only about a third seek treatment. Lovato and Talkspace aim to change that.

A senior executive with more than three decades of leadership experience, Mark Hirschhorn has facilitated more than 45 acquisitions throughout his career and overseen finance operations at businesses across diverse industries. He has served as the president, COO, and CFO of Talkspace since February 2020. When he isn’t working, Mark Hirschhorn enjoys staying active through tennis.

There are four major tournaments that comprise the Grand Slam in tennis:

1. Australian Open - The first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the Australian Open occurs over a two-week period in January in Melbourne. The tournament was once played on grass, but it switched to hard courts in 1988. With 11 titles, retired player Margaret Court has been the most successful singles player at the Australian Open.

2. French Open - The annual French Open takes place in Paris over the course of two weeks. It is played outdoors on clay. Rafael Nadal is the most accomplished men’s singles performer with a record 13 French Open titles. He defeated Novak Djokovic to win the tournament in 2020.

3. Wimbledon - The oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon is played on grass in London in late June and early July. Players are required to adhere to a strict dress code of wearing only white clothing during matches.

4. US Open - The US Open begins on the final Monday in August every year and is the only one of the four major tournaments to employ a 12-point tiebreak for sets tied at 6-6. Serena Williams, Chris Evert, and Roger Federer are among the most accomplished singles players at the US Open.