Gina Giorgio began her career journey with Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) in January 2020, joining the Wake Forest School of Medicine SSDP Chapter. Today, Gina serves as SSDP’s Director of Strategy and Development, where she helps lead federal and state efforts in psychedelic and cannabis policy reform, promotes drug education, and creates career-building opportunities for young people interested in drug policy and advocacy.

During her time at SSDP, Gina founded the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, a group of professionals dedicated to expanding access to psychedelic medicines for veterans and other populations disproportionately impacted by trauma, through policy reform, therapy, and research. She also serves on the boards of the The Pearl Institute and the National Psychedelics Association, and is a member of the Veterans Mental Health Leadership Coalition.

Gina was named a 2023 North Carolina New Leaders Council Fellow and received the 2023 Nottingham Pro Humanitate Award for her community-engaged service. She earned a Master’s in Communication from Wake Forest University on a full scholarship, where she conducted the first content analysis of psychedelic portrayals in major U.S. newspapers, highlighting the interplay between media narratives, public perception, and policy efforts.

Through her work in drug policy and advocacy, Gina is committed to advancing policies grounded in compassion, evidence-based drug education, and expanding opportunities for individuals to enhance well-being, foster connection, and exercise cognitive liberty.