Brown School student wins innovation award for mental health startup

Christina Walker, a second-year student in the Brown School’s 3-2 MSW program, has won an Innovation Award at the fall 2024 Skandalaris Venture Competition for her business pitch, 4 Her Sport. The mental health platform, designed to support female athletes, earned her a $3,500 prize and recognition as one of four ventures selected for Innovator funding. 

The Skandalaris Venture Competition is open to WashU students and recent graduates, providing resources to help early-stage entrepreneurs develop their ideas. The Innovator Fund specifically supports startups showing promise and potential, offering initial funding to explore their concepts further.  

Walker, a four-year member of the WashU women’s basketball team, drew inspiration for 4 Her Sport from her own experiences as a student-athlete, as well as the journey and challenges faced by her peers and teammates.  

“I am extremely grateful, honored, and appreciative of being named a winner of the Skandalaris Venture Competition within the Innovation Category and for receiving funding for 4 Her Sport,” said Walker who is completing her MSW with a concentration in mental health and a specialization in social entrepreneurship.“ We look forward to putting this funding towards our pilot at the end of January 2025 and our official launch in fall 2025!”  

4 Her Sport seeks to address the unique mental health challenges faced by female athletes, who research shows often experience higher levels of anxiety, sadness, and mental exhaustion compared to male athletes. The platform offers evidence-based solutions to improve mental well-being and athletic performance, aiming to reduce burnout, injury risk, and early withdrawal from sports. 

Walker credits her success to the support of her family, friends, advisors, classmates, and the guidance of Heather Cameron, the Michael B. Kaufman Professor of Practice in Social Entrepreneurship and chair of the social entrepreneurship specialization. Cameron also serves as a competition coach and teaches the social entrepreneurship course in which students are required to build a business and apply to the Skandalaris Venture Competition. 

“Our entire social entrepreneurship class was celebrating with Christina for the hard work she put into 4 Her Sport,” Cameron said. “In social entrepreneurship, we work with students starting with only a sparkle of an idea for a new product to build it into a prototype and a pitch to gain resources. Brown school students have great ideas for ventures to improve social work and public health practice. It is the high point of my academic career to advise them.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Walker said launching 4 Her Sport has taught her the value of perseverance and passion. “The biggest test of whether a business idea is right for you is finding joy in the process—celebrating small wins and staying motivated to push forward,” she shared. “I’ve learned that 4 Her Sport is truly ‘4’ me.”  

Looking to the future, Walker plans to pursue licensure as a therapist while continuing to expand her venture. She aspires to become a three-time business owner as the founder/CEO of 4 Her Sport, a therapy private practice owner, and founder/CEO of ChristInA Girl, which empowers girls and women through inspirational media stories and community support. Walker hopes to create a lasting impact at the intersection of sports, mental health, and empowerment for girls and women.  

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Before the winners were announced, the Brown School conducted a Q&A with Walker, where she shared her journey into entrepreneurship and the passion behind her mission. Learn More!