About Us
Meet the People Behind
Empowered Expressions
Empowered Expressions was founded by healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences through compassionate care, advocacy, education, and community outreach. United by a shared vision, our team is committed to helping every individual feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Katlyn Cusack, MS, RDN, LDN, PA-C
Co-Founder, Vice President, Certified Cleft Lip Injector
Katlyn believes that every patient deserves to feel healthy, confident, and truly seen, and she has built her career around making that a reality. She began her healthcare journey by earning her bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, summa cum laude, followed by her Masters in Clinical Nutrition and dietetic internship. She then spent seven years as a clinical registered dietitian. Over time, she wanted to be involved in a broader scope of medicine, while still keeping her foundation in lifestyle, education and wellness.
That passion led her to earn a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the College of Saint Elizabeth. She began her PA career in plastic and reconstructive surgery and aesthetic medicine, where she discovered a passion for blending medicine, science, and artistry to restore both function and confidence. Her clinical interests include restorative aesthetic medicine, craniofacial care, trauma and reconstructive surgery.
While working at a tertiary cleft lip and craniofacial center, Katlyn found her true calling caring for individuals with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences. That experience inspired her mission to provide thoughtful, individualized care so every patient feels seen, supported, and confident in their own skin. She is incredibly grateful to walk alongside patients on such personal journeys, whether it's restoring what was lost, enhancing what's already there or simply helping people see the beauty that's always been within them.
Jamie Bolden, MD
Co-Founder, President
Dr. Jamie Bolden is a board-certified general surgeon and plastic and reconstructive surgery fellow whose work is rooted in service, equity, and the belief that healing extends beyond the operating room. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, her commitment to medicine was shaped by a deep appreciation for resilience, community, and access to compassionate care.
Dr. Bolden earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, summa cum laude, from Xavier University of Louisiana before receiving her Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include reconstructive surgery, craniofacial care, facial aesthetics, and improving quality of life for individuals affected by congenital conditions, trauma or visible differences.
Dr. Bolden provides strategic leadership while building partnerships with community organizations and philanthropic supporters. She also serves as medical director for Renewed Expressions, a pilot program aimed at increasing access to restorative aesthetic treatments for individuals with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences.
Dr. Bolden is committed to creating a future where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to move through the world with confidence.
Our Story
Our Story
Through her experiences working with these patients, Katlyn and Jamie began to recognize a significant gap in care, particularly for adults who had completed surgical treatment but were still seeking ways to address their functional, aesthetic, and emotional needs.
They saw firsthand that many patients were left without options once surgical interventions were complete, while others were turned away from traditional aesthetic practices because their needs were considered too complex or outside the scope of cosmetic care. This gap highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach that bridges the worlds of reconstructive and aesthetic medicine.
Together, Jamie and Katlyn recognized that these individuals deserve more. They deserve providers who understand both reconstructive anatomy and aesthetic medicine, and who recognize that confidence, identity, and quality of life extend far beyond the operating room.
This shared passion and vision led to the creation of Empowered Expressions; a mission-driven organization dedicated to advocating for individuals with cleft lip, cleft palate, and craniofacial differences. Through education, access to supportive non-surgical treatments, and a commitment to bridging the gap between reconstructive and aesthetic care, Empowered Expressions strives to ensure every person feels seen, supported, and empowered throughout their journey.
Governance
Our Board Members
Jaimaya Bolden, Pharm.D
Kelsey Williams, Esq.
