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Mandy Teefey is the co-founder and CEO of Wondermind, she is also a producer, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate other than being Selena Gomez's mother. Teefey has established a mental fitness-focused media empire in addition to being the singer's mother, demonstrating that her impact goes well beyond her familial connections.
After an investor boiled down her identity to just "the woman who gave birth to Selena," she recently spoke out about gender inequality in the business sector.
Together with Selena Gomez and Daniella Pierson, Mandy Teefey co-founded Wondermind in 2022 with the goal of delivering easily accessible mental health services via podcasts, video projects and editorial material. Teefey, who has been candid about her own mental health issues, strongly believes in the platform's recommendation that users prioritize mental fitness.
She was a producer before Wondermind, managing shows like Netflix's original 13 Reasons Why on Netflix, which she and Gomez helped become a movie. For eight years, she oversaw her daughter's career, helping her rise from a Disney celebrity to an international celebrity.
An investor made a condescending comment to Teefey during a pitch meeting, which she addressed in a recent Instagram post. In the post, she mentioned that the male investor remarked:
“And Mandy, you gave birth to Selena.”
She answered confidently, refusing to allow the remark to diminish her accomplishments:
“Yes, hell yes I did—and Gracie, and 13 Reasons Why, and Wondermind. I’m a mom, CEO, and co-founder of a company that is made to better people’s lives. Don’t try to shame me or downplay motherhood.”
In the same Instagram post, Teefey stressed that being a mother and being a successful professionals are not mutually incompatible, and she is still dedicated to demonstrating her worth in spite of antiquated preconceptions.
Mandy Teefey: A mental health advocate and entrepreneur beyond motherhood
Mandy Teefey's personal experiences are the foundations of her passion for mental health activism. She revealed that she had spent 30 days in a mental health facility which was a life-changing experience that compelled her to face identity. During a Wondermind discussion at South by Southwest (SXSW) in 2024, she said:
“It was the first time that I had ever had to sit in what and who I was, and it was very scary.”
She was motivated by this experience to confound Wondermind, a website that aims to provide mental fitness to those who would not otherwise have access to treatment. Teefy clarified in an interview with PEOPLE that:
“What mental fitness means is working with your mind each day.”
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She highlighted her goal of promoting candid discussions that support the development of both individuals and families.
Although Mandy Teefey is most recognized for being Selena Gomez's mother, she has built a prosperous career for herself. By managing creative teams, producing hit TV shows and leading a company that focuses on mental health shows that her impact extends beyond her daughter's fame.
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