Get to know us!

Meet the founders

We're Christi Somers (formerly Chiello) and Hope D. Combined, we have decades of experience in entertainment, higher education, and career counseling.  

We started The LaughtHER Collective to make an accessible space for womxn+ to explore their comedic voices.

Our unique and encouraging co-teaching approach makes stand up comedy approachable, accessible and supportive. Our classrooms ensure that every voice, from the quirky to the quiet, gets it's chance to shine in the spotlight.


  • Founder

    Christi Somers is a stand up comedian and comedy educator based in Queens.

    Christi made her television debut on Comedy Central's Roast Battle, opposite legend Jimmy Carr.

    She has been featured on:

    • Comedy Central Stand Up Featuring

    • This Joka presented by Will Smith

    • TruTV's Rachel Dratch's Late Night Snack & Comedy Knockout

    • Kevin Hart's LOL Network

    • Chris Gethard Presents

    • IFC's Comedy Crib.

    Christi was named a 'New Face of Comedy' at the International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.

    Her one woman show at Joe's Pub was featured in the NY Times and hailed a “must see comedy event” by Time Out New York.

    Christi is an accomplished voice over artist, currently featured on PBS's Pinkalicious and Peterrific & Adult Swim's Teenage Euthanasia.

    Christi has taught on a collegiate level at Sarah Lawrence College, Muhlenberg College and Hunter College.

    Christi is currently the opening act for Nicole Byer on her national theater tour!

  • Founder

    Hope is a comedian and comedy educator based right outside of Philly.

    Since 2022, Hope has helped students land coveted jobs on Showtime, Netflix, Saturday Night Live and various humor publications.

    Hope has been featured in:

    • Time Out New York

    • WNYC

    • Broadway World

    for her thoughtful moderation of the New York Comedy Festival’s ‘Women in Comedy’ panel at The Stand.

    Hope is also proud to be collaborating with Chris Gethard on Laughing Together, bridging humor and mental health for school communities.

    Hope obtained their Master’s Degree in Leadership from Manhattan College. They have extensive experience in higher education, career counseling and non profit sectors.

    Hope also as comprehensive comedy training from both the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and The People’s Improv Theatre where they studied stand up, improvisation, and sketch comedy both performance and writing.

    Hope went on to be selected for the NY Underground Comedy Festival’s Diversity Showcase and has performed on dozens of stages in NYC and the greater New England area.