Meet Bill Zee
Bill is the Chair of the Education Law Group at Appel, Yost & Zee, LLP in Lancaster, PA. He has over 15 years of experience in school and special education law. An educator by degree and a survivor of early childhood adversity, Bill is very passionate about making schools trauma-responsive and supporting educators on this […]
Meet Keisha Varnell-Coleman
Keisha Varnell serves as Director of Program Operations at Methodist Children’s Home in Jackson MS. As an advocate for children in the child welfare system Keisha is passionate about empowering foster youth to become change-makers in the child welfare system because she believes they are the experts whose voices should be at the center of […]
Meet Tracy Leonard
Tracy Leonard is the Content and Partnerships Manager at Darkness to Light. She has been a Stewards of Children® Authorized Facilitator since 2014, a Certified Instructor since 2016, and was named Instructor of the Year in 2021. She earned her BA in psychology from Albion College, an MFA from the Professional Theatre Training Program at […]
Meet Nicole Tuchinda
Nicole is an Assistant Professor at Loyola University in New Orleans and is devoted to improving the lives of vulnerable young children. Her work and education has centered around juvenile/children law and special education law as well as medical/legal partnerships. At the Georgetown University Law Center, as a Clinical Teaching Fellow, Nicole collaborated with lawyers, […]
Meet Kimberly Smathers
Kimberly Smathers has 20 years of experience – as a business leader, advocate, consultant, and researcher – in working toward person-centered and equitable approaches to enhancing health and well-being. In her consulting practice, she advances system change opportunities to promote the well-being of individuals living with complex clinical and social needs, including experiences of trauma, […]
Meet Casey Coombs
Casey Coombs’ passion for mental wellness fuels her creative work as a social media pioneer and talented communications guru. Her experience includes authentic storytelling for a variety of clients through essays, blogs and social media messaging. Casey has also done freelance photography and taught other photographers. Casey brings her creativity, focus on mental wellness and […]
Meet Sandra Lake
Sandra Lake is the K-5 STEAM & Technology Coach for Brumby Elementary in the Cobb County, GA School District. She has spent nearly two decades as an educator, coaching and working with teachers and k-5 students. She is also the vice president of the Brumby Elementary School Foundation, where she works closely with the community […]
Meet Jennifer Wheelehon
Jennifer Wheelehon has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, relationship building, event planning and fundraising. She has spent much of her career connecting individuals and businesses with organizations to meet philanthropic, volunteer, marketing, and community engagement goals. Since 2018, Jennifer has been the Director of Membership & Marketing for the Central Rhode Island […]
Meet Taneesha Thomas
An educator with a passion for developing trauma-informed leaders, Taneesha is the CEO and Founder of Focused Minds Education Group in Atlanta, GA. Taneesha’s professional journey has taken her from high school English teacher to a professional development and leadership facilitator to owning a firm that supports districts and organizations nationwide to improve climate and […]
Meet Tom Kulesa
Tom Kulesa joined the ATN Board of Directors in 2021 and currently serves as Treasurer and is a member of the finance resource committee and board development committee. He has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, financial reporting, fundraising, and corporate governance. Tom also currently serves on the Easter Seals Boston […]