Get to know us!

Meet the foundHers

We’re Christi Somers (formerly Chiello) and Hope D, co-founders of The LaughtHER Collective! With decades of combined experience in entertainment, higher education, and career counseling, we created this inclusive comedy school to amplify womxn+ voices and help everyone discover their unique comedic perspective.

Our journey began as two passionate educators and performers who saw a gap in the comedy world—spaces that uplift and support underrepresented voices were few and far between. Inspired to create change, we combined our love for comedy with our shared commitment to accessibility and empowerment. Thus, The LaughtHER Collective was born: a space where honesty, specificity, and strong points of view take center stage, and where the quirky, the quiet, and everyone in between can shine.

Our innovative co-teaching approach makes stand-up comedy approachable, supportive, and fun. We believe every voice deserves the spotlight, and our classrooms provide a safe space for exploring creativity and building confidence.

Beyond The LaughtHER Collective, we proudly serve as Outreach Coordinators and Teaching Artists for Laughing Together, a groundbreaking program created by Chris Gethard and Wellness Together. Through improv and stand-up, we use humor as a powerful tool for mental health advocacy in schools and communities. We’ve had the privilege of working with sports teams, high school students, and campers at the Double H Ranch, and recently presented at the Student Mental Wellness Conference in Anaheim, California, on the transformative power of humor and play in the classroom.

Together, we’re redefining comedy education, one laugh at a time!

To learn more about us, check out our full interview in Canvas Rebel.

  • Co-Founder & Artistic Director

    Christi Somers (formerly Chiello) is a comedian, educator, and mental health advocate who brings a fearless blend of humor, heart, and innovation to the world of comedy education. With a career spanning national television, film, and groundbreaking educational work, Christi is uniquely equipped to guide the next generation of comedians—especially womxn+ and underrepresented voices—to find their truth, own their stories, and thrive on and off the stage.

    Her stage credits include a national TV debut roasting Jimmy Carr on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, acclaimed performances on Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring, TruTV’s Late Night Snack, IFC’s Comedy Crib, and opening for Nicole Byer on her national theatre tour. Named a “New Face of Comedy” at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival, Christi’s acclaimed one-woman show It’s Christi, Bitch! was praised by The New York Times and called a “must-see” by Time Out New York.

    Christi’s multifaceted career includes voice acting for PBS Kids and Adult Swim, writing jokes featured in the MacMillan anthology Eating Salad Drunk, and developing new musical theatre at Manhattan Theatre Club—bringing a broad creative perspective that enriches her teaching and mentorship.

    Beyond the stage and classroom, Christi serves on the Board of Directors for Mentor Me, supporting youth through creative mentorship and community engagement. She is a passionate advocate for humor as a healing tool, frequently presenting at mental wellness conferences and nonprofit programs like Stand Up! Girls and the Center for Creative Education.

    With a rare combination of professional experience, educational innovation, and heartfelt advocacy, Christi Somers embodies the mission of The LaughtHER Collective: to break barriers, build community, and elevate every unique comedic voice.

  • Co-Founder & Director of Operations

    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

    • and Broadway World

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

    Hope obtained their Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Manhattan College in 2019. They have extensive experience in higher education, career counseling and non profit sectors. Along with a B.A. in Psychology, minors in Black Studies & Disaster Studies at SUNY New Paltz, Hope was awarded the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence 2011.

    Hope has comprehensive comedy training from 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.

    Hope is proud to be working with Laughing Together, bridging humor with mental health!

We are thrilled to welcome new additions to our TLC team. Their contributions have been vital to our success in these first few years and we are eternally grateful!!

MEET OUR TEAM

Based in Copenhagen and currently residing in Spain, Ro has a background in Corporate Communication & has worked for impact companies all over the world, from London to Nairobi. When she’s not workshopping her incredibly sharp material at local indie shows, you can find her organizing participation in major literary festivals such as the Frankfurt Book Fair and Festival du Livre de Paris.

Røskva Richardt (“Ro”) - Tech WhisperHER

Jiana a dynamic actress and comedian based in New York City. With a sharp wit and a unique perspective, she delves into personal topics with humor and honesty. Jiana began her comedy journey at The LaughtHER Collective, where she honed her skills on stage at The Stand. Her commitment to honesty and inclusivity in her work makes her a standout voice that inspires audiences and fellow performers alike.

Jiana Lopez - Social Media SorcerHER