The Elephant in the Room Team
Elephant in the Room is a forever-growing organization that opens our arms to different people who share the same understanding that "There's No Problem Too Large To Address."
Click on our names to learn about each of us!
MoÑ—se-Denis Jean, M.S., M.P.H.
President & CEO
MoÑ—se believes that real change starts when we are not shy to confront problems at hand. As the Founder, he started this organization with the idea that learning about topics should not be uncomfortable or taboo, but a fun way to expand our minds to better prepare our day-to-day lives. He has an extensive background in public health, clinical, and educational research. In this role, he organizes the organization's programs and finds best approaches intersecting community organizations with the surrounding populations they serve. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in clinical psychology, a minor in saxophone performance, and a Master of Science in medical science from Saint Xavier University and a Master of Public Health degree in community health science from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Zzaje J.
Social Media Manager
Zzaje joins Elephant in the Room as the new Social Media Manager, bringing a thoughtful perspective shaped by her commitment to youth and community well-being. As a Chicago native, she has a strong passion for learning about communities and what impacts on their overall health. She is pursuing a degree in developmental psychology with plans to minor in public health at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her academic and professional interests are centered on addressing health disparities through both clinical care and systems-level change. Zzaje brings creativity, patience, and a strong sense of responsibility to her work. She is especially drawn to roles that bridge direct service with broader community impact, and she continues to explore how cultural and environmental factors influence access to care and long-term health outcomes. We are excited to have her voice and vision on our team.
Rachel A.
Intern
Rachel had early experiences that shaped her curiosity and determination to make a difference in her community. Growing up, she developed a strong interest in STEM. Whether pharmaceutical or public health, she was inspired to pursue meaningful work that uplifts others. This passion led her to enroll in the Community Health Worker Program, where she is building essential skills to become a stronger advocate for underserved populations. Her interest in cancer research, medicine, and the effects of public health data systems on a community's reaction time to incoming diseases continues to grow as she learns how to make lasting, community-based change. Rachel hopes to combine her love for science and community service to create innovative health solutions for vulnerable populations. Outside of academics, she enjoys working on governmental issues and public policies, which is reflected in her continuous participation as a delegate in Model UN. Her commitment to global issues has strengthened her ability to think critically and speak confidently on public health matters. She is passionate about using education and lived experiences to bring about real change and is excited to continue learning alongside like-minded peers.
Tempestte D.
Intern
Tempestte was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. She earned an associate’s degree in applied sciences from Moraine Valley Community College. Tempestte displayed her passion for helping the community by volunteering at local community centers and working as a home health care aide. Tempestte always wanted to find a way to make a difference in this world, one step at a time, so she started taking classes at Malcolm X College to become a Community Health Worker (CHW). She is interested in advocating for the geriatric community since this is an overlooked population more susceptible to being taken advantage of. She has a goal of becoming a Gerontology Social Worker where she can be hands-on in assisting the geriatric community. While attending the CHW program, she started an internship at Elephant In The Room, where she learned that the health communication knowledge she had gained over the years could benefit youth in our communities.
