Master Trainers (MT's) are Hope Squad experts who provide training, advocacy, and Hope Squad support on a state and regional level. They sustain and preserve the integrity of the Hope Squad program and champion Hope Squads in their area.
Leadership
Dr. Gregory Hudnall
Founder / CEO
Dr. Hudnall is a former high school principal, student service director, and associate superintendent with the Provo City School District. In 1999 he created the Hope Community Task Force, focusing on community wide suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. In 2004, Dr. Hudnall and his team created the K-12 school based “peer-to-peer” suicide prevention program now known as Hope Squad. Learn more about Dr. Hudnall at: GregHudnall.com.
Stewart Hudnall
Master Training Director
Mr. Stewart Hudnall is a generational bilingual high school administrator who believes he has the greatest job in the world because he gets to work with students and teachers to change the world. Striving to be #relentless. When he isn’t at work, he enjoys spending time with his trio of boys and his wife. Personal hobbies include boxing, DIY projects, and woodworking.
Stewart received a Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership from Utah State University and a Bachelors of Science in Business/Marketing Education from Utah Valley University.
Tam Larnerd
Director of Education & Training
For 27 years, Mr. Tam Larnerd served as a Health Educator, varsity coach, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and finally, Principal of Spring Valley High School with the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2020, Mr. Larnerd was appointed by Governor Sisolak to serve on his Statewide School Safety Committee. Additionally, in 2020, Mr. Larnerd was named the Professional Language Association of Nevada’s Administrator of the Year. • In August 2021, Mr. Larnerd accepted the position of Hope Squad’s Training Facilitator. In this capacity, he serves as a Master Trainer, onboards new schools, presents at state and national conferences, and supports Hope Squads throughout the country.
Master Trainers
(Click on the Master Trainer’s name to read their bio.)
Aimee has been a school psychologist since 2004. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Master’s of Science in Education, Education Specialist Degree, and Director of Special Education License from UW-Eau Claire. Aimee currently works full-time at Brookfield East High School, and is an advisor for both Brookfield East’s Hope Squad and REDgen student groups. She is also a Hope Squad Master Trainer for Wisconsin. Prior to working in Elmbrook Schools, Aimee worked for Watertown Unified School District for ten years at the elementary and middle school levels. Aimee is an adjunct professor at Carroll University where she shares her passion for leveraging inclusive practices while creating an authentic sense of belonging in schools. She lives in Nashotah, WI with her husband Corey and two children, Will and Michelle.
Amy Pool is a Thrive Strategy Manager at Grant Halliburton Foundation in Dallas, Texas. Amy works with schools to infuse mental health into the culture of academics. She has over 30 years of experience working in school systems as a special education teacher, elementary classroom teacher, reading interventionist, campus principal and educational consultant. Because she believes the mental and emotional well-being of students and their teachers is paramount to educational success, Amy works collaboratively with schools and community-based agencies and organizations to provide education and resources for mental health awareness and social emotional learning.
Becky graduated from Weber State University with her bachelor’s in social work. For the next 15 years, she worked at Intermountain Health Care as a social worker and in 2010 became a part of their NUHOPE Suicide Prevention Task Force and has been involved in the Hope Squad program since 2011, serving as an advisor, coach, Master Trainer and assisting with curriculum development. Following her IHC career, she received her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Phoenix and currently serves as a school counselor at the Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science (NUAMES). Becky has helped implement and support several Hope Squads across Northern Utah. She is certified in QPR, Signs of Suicide, Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Everyday Strong. She has been involved in creating many community events. Becky loves reaching the one and helping others see that there is always hope.
Cathy Bledsoe graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She worked as a prevention specialist with Provo City School District for seventeen years and was instrumental in implementing district prevention programs, which addressed suicide, school safety, and bullying. While working at Provo City School District she created bully prevention training for students and teachers, assisted in organizing a county-wide suicide prevention task force, facilitated annual suicide prevention conferences, and assisted in the creation of the school-based program, Hope Squad. She is currently the assistant director for Hope4Utah, a nonprofit suicide prevention organization, and is responsible for training and supporting Hope Squads throughout Utah.
Cindy works for Hospital District 1 in Grays Harbor County located in Western Washington State where she is the Community Programs Coordinator. Her work takes her into the community where she interacts with all ages. She teaches QPR and suicide prevention to all new hires at all medical facilities. Her work as a Hope Squad Master Trainer has allowed her to promote suicide prevention and mental health resilience for both providers and laypeople; with an emphasis on the youth.
Cindy is a retired social worker and co-founded York County Suicide Prevention Coalition in 2007. After retirement, the coalition became a non-profit, Suicide Prevention of York, due to the increase of suicide in York County and the need for education and prevention. Cindy is certified as a suicide intervention and assessment specialist and suicide survivor support group facilitator. She provides individual assessments and counseling. In addition, she has provided workshops and has spoken locally, state wide, and nationally. Cindy has a pilot Hope Squad in a local school district and has recently helped develop and organize the first Hope Squad for older adults.
David Umanzor, a second generation Honduran–American grew up in a bicultural household, which allowed him to appreciate the diversity of culture and ethnicity. He is currently the Bilingual Program Coordinator at The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation, a non-profit that does suicide prevention training and education in and around Tarrant County, TX. As Hope Squad Master Trainer in Fort Worth, TX, David works with schools and brings to light the need for suicide prevention in our communities of color and works to create diversity, equity, and inclusion in suicide prevention.
Diane is currently a school board member in the Okaloosa County, Florida school district. She is a former school principal of a small Title 1 school as well as a huge, urban middle school in her district, and most recently she was a principal at a school in Destin, Florida. Her passion for Hope Squad stems from her experiences with students in all those schools who struggled with suicidal ideation, self-harm, depression, and anxiety.
Dr. Hudnall is the Founder & CEO of Hope Squad
Read his bio above.
Jennie Katrichis has been a school psychologist since 1995. She is a graduate of the UW-Whitewater School Psychology Program, and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master’s of Science in Education, and Education Specialist Degree. Jennie currently works full-time at Brookfield Central High School in the Elmbrook School District, and is an advisor for both Brookfield Central’s Hope Squad and REDgen student groups. She is also a Hope Squad Master Trainer for Wisconsin. Prior to working in Elmbrook, Jennie worked for Milwaukee Public Schools for 16 years. Jennie lives in Brookfield, WI, and has two sons, Michael and Matthew.
Dr. Julie Rickard, is CEO of Moment by Moment Suicide Prevention and founded the Suicide Prevention Coalition of North Central Washington which spans four counties. Dr. Rickard received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Washington State University. She is best known for her work integrating mental health into medical settings as well as suicide prevention. She has been featured on PBS and NPR related to seniors and suicide. She has been a Master Trainer for the QPR Institute since 2014. Dr. Rickard serves on multiple committees and boards regionally and at the State level.
Karen desires to make a difference in children’s lives. That desire led her to become a part of Hope Squad. During her 28-year career teaching physical education and health in Las Vegas, Nevada, Karen coached track, volleyball, and cross country, and is passionate about helping her students realize they are a part of something bigger than themselves. In her role with Hope Squad, Karen supports and trains advisors, presents Hope Squad and suicide prevention information to organizations, and provides regional support for local schools.
Kasey graduated from East Texas Baptist University with her bachelor’s in education, the University of Texas at Arlington with her M.E. in educational leadership and policy studies, and Lamar University with her M.E. in school counseling. For the next 22 years, she has worked as a math teacher, school counselor, Hope Squad Master Trainer, and is currently the Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling in Mansfield ISD. Kasey is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certified and has trained numerous educators to be gatekeepers and recognize the warning signs of suicide. In the spring of 2021 Hope Squad was introduced to her middle school campus (eight total campuses) and she was an advisor during the first year of implementation. During the 2021-2022 school year Kasey moved to the coordinator position and was able to train all high school staff members on QPR as they implemented Hope Squads to all seven high school campuses.
I earned my Bachelor of Science from The University of Arizona in Elementary Education, and my Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University. I am a certified (LPC-A ), Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. I have been in the field of education for 27 years and have taught grades 2-12. I am also certified in Special Education. As a counselor, my purpose is to help students academically, socially, emotionally, and to become career and college ready by the time they graduate. I have been a counselor for almost three years. When I’m not working, my passions include: decorating, running, reading, and spending time with family. I am married with two children, three step-children, and six grandchild who are my absolute joy.
Greetings to Hope Squads around the world from Bellevue Nebraska, home to Offutt Air Force Base and Bellevue West High School! I am Kevin Rohlfs, Principal at West since 1997. I am proud to be an advisor of one of the first Nebraska Hope Squads, established in 2017. I am part of a Hope Squad family; my wife Amy is an advisor at Lewis & Clark Middle School in Bellevue and my daughter Hazel is one of the original members at Lewis & Clark and now is a junior serving on our High School team. While we have a lot of great things going on at Bellevue West, Hope Squad will always be at the top of the list. We are saving lives and bringing understanding, compassion and support to those struggling with mental health issues.
Kristi Wiley, MFA is the Program Director for The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation in Fort Worth, TX. Kristi is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) certified and has trained more than 5,500 people to be gatekeepers and recognize the warning signs for suicide. She is also a Hope Squad Master Trainer, training under Dr. Greg Hudnall, Founder of Hope Squad. In Tarrant County, she currently provides program and implementation support for 90 Hope Squad campuses across 11 districts. Kristi graduated from the University of Alabama with an M.F.A. in Theatre Management. After graduating from UA, she co-founded and was the Managing Director of Duke City Repertory Theatre in Albuquerque, NM. Before receiving her graduate degree, she was a teacher at the Texan’s Can Academy, a school for at-risk youth, lived and worked in NYC, and even enjoyed a stint studying with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, UK. When she isn’t working, Kristi enjoys going to the theater, reading and Taco Tuesday. Her coolest title, however, is Mommy to her beautiful daughter, Layla Jan.
Larry and Cathy Lawrence live in Boiling Springs, SC. Larry has been a Children’s/ Education minister for 40 years and is now semi-retired. After losing their youngest son, and little brother, Christopher , to suicide on January 22, 2019, Larry and Cathy made a commitment to do anything in their power to help other families not go through what they experienced. After finding out about Hope Squads, Larry and Cathy, and their oldest son Jordan, began their non-profit Christopher’s Hope Foundation (501 C 3) in 2020. They started by raising funds to sponsor Hope Squads in 3 schools, then added 5 the next year. They are on track to help sponsor a total of 15 schools for the 2022-23 school year.
Larry is graduate of Oral Roberts University (B.S., Business Administration, 1979), and Southwestern Baptist Seminary (M.A., Religious Education, 1982).
Lisa Carter serves as a presenter for Mental Health America. Prior to this work, Lisa spent 33 years in education serving in the roles of teacher, instructional coach, and curriculum developer. In addition to being a Hope Squad Master Trainer, Lisa is also a Master Trainer for Youth Mental Health First Aid, Adult Mental Health First Aid and a Gatekeeper trainer for QPR. She is also trained in disaster mental health counseling. Lisa is amazed and humbled by the Hope Squad students who are making a difference in their schools and communities every day. It is an honor to be a part of this important and life changing work.
Lori is a 21-year veteran school teacher in the state of Idaho. She has taught everything from elementary physical education to high school science, influencing children at every stage of their education. She has earned the title of being a Highly Effect teacher for all her years of teaching and has also received the Idaho Master Teacher Premium award the last 3 years. She was fortunate enough to be involved with implementing the first Hope Squad program in the state of Idaho and continues to implement Hope Squad programs around the state. Hope Squad has made a vast difference within Idaho schools, school districts and statewide. Lori is a Master QPR trainer and was on the developmental and writing team for the new Hope Squad curriculum. Lori says, “I love being involved in the Hope Squad program; it is saving lives in our great state of Idaho! Together we can all make a difference.”
Maureen Hoenigman is a mental health professional and wellness warrior with 20 years experience. Maureen has a Masters in Social Psychology. She is President and a Certified Phone Support Counselor for Warmline, providing supportive listening and community resources to those living with mental health challenges. She is QPR instructor with Prevent Suicide of Greater Milwaukee and a national QPR presenter for the Federal Probation Services National Wellness Conference in Minnesota. For a time, she served as Co-facilitator for the Beyond Abuse Program at Sojourner Family Peace Center. Her professional training consists of leadership development, critical incident stress (psychological first aid), personality training, administering psychological assessments, conflict resolution/de-escalation, motivational interviewing, social & emotional intelligence, mental health first aid training for youth, wellness circles facilitator training, trauma informed care, adverse childhood experiences, grief & bereavement support, and self-compassion resiliency.
Dr. Stadalis is the principal and trained Hope Squad advisor at Lutcher High School in Lutcher, Louisiana. She and her team started the first Hope Squad in Louisiana after the tragic loss of one of their high school students to suicide. Known as Dr. Molly to her students, she has over 27 years of experience in public education and is in her eighth year as principal of LHS. Before transferring to St. James Parish, she served as a principal at two junior high schools in St. Mary Parish for 14 years. Prior to becoming a principal, Dr. Molly taught math and science at the elementary and middle school levels and technology integration courses for teachers and district administration as an adjunct instructor at both Nicholls State University and Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Molly was named St. Mary Parish Teacher of the Year in 2001, Louisiana Middle School Principal of the Year in 2007, and St. Mary Parish Junior High Principal of the Year in 2015.
Dr. Stadalis is grateful for the time she has been a part of the Hope Squad team at her school. She’s convinced that they have helped change the school culture for the better and have saved lives. Her squad works to promote kindness and to serve as a bridge for struggling students to get the encouragement and help they need to navigate through their tough teen years.
Nate is a Senior Executive at Pennsylvania College of Technology, serving as the Special Assistant to the President for Inclusion Transformation. Before serving at Penn College, Nate served as the Interim Dean of Workforce Education and Tenured Professor for the Human Services Program at Grays Harbor College. While at Grays Harbor, Nate became a certified Master Trainer for the Hope Squad. In addition to the Hope Squad, Nate serves as a board member on multiple boards and believes in philanthropic work.
Dr. Woods earned his Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. His Master’s degree in Human Services: Marriage and Family Therapy is from Liberty University, and his Interdisciplinary studies degree is from Winston-Salem State University. Before earning his doctorate, Nate released his first book “Developing Others Through Service: Starting with ME!”
Nate spends his free time with his wife of 15 years, Dr. Page Carol Woods, supporting their two children, Nate III and Angelo.
Nicole Berosek holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Wayne State College, is a National Board-Certified Health Coach, ACE Personal Trainer, and American College of Lifestyle Medicine Coach. She worked in corporate wellness for 12 years helping companies improve the health and wellness of their employees before taking a position at Panhandle Public Health District as an Organizational Wellness Coordinator and Community Health Educator. Berosek also works with Highway Safety, National Diabetes Prevention Program, Tobacco Free Nebraska, and Opioid programs. Nicole is passionate about helping individuals thrive and goes the extra mile to provide assistance and education for all individuals.
Rev. Dr. Pamela L. Fox, PhD, M.Div., LCSW-S, CCM, CCTP, CLC, has professional expertise in mental/behavioral health care, treatment of substance use disorders, chronic disease care, social work in health care, and child welfare programs. She is a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist, a certified life, health, and wellness coach, a certified Christian coach, and a certified financial coach. Dr. Fox is a retired ordained minister and a retired Commander of the United States Navy where she served in the Medical Services Corps as a Navy social worker. She received a BSW from Valparaiso University in Indiana, and an MSW from the University of Chicago. Dr. Fox received post-graduate certificates from the Family Institute of Northwestern University in Chicago and Evanston Illinois, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She then received her PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington – School of Social Work. She also received post-graduate certificates at the University of Texas at Arlington and the Umemba Health Academy in Austin, Texas. As a Hope Squad Master Trainer, Dr. Fox is committed to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy throughout Texas.
Peggy is the founder of Bring Hope Now, Inc. the suicide prevention arm of United for a Good Cause, Inc. for which she currently serves as Executive Director. In 2019 after almost losing a grandson to a suicide attempt, she began researching youth suicide in the State of Florida and in her county and knew something needed to be done. She found Hope Squad and brought it back to her community. Her organization has raised the funds and she and her team are currently standing up programs in every school in a 4 county region with plans to spread to 15 counties total. She serves as the AETC Commander’s Civic Leader Advisor to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. Seeing the need for a program there, in 2022 she implemented the first ever Active-Duty Military Hope Squad with plans to take it to bases across the country. She was a Founding Partner of the John Maxwell Team of Leadership Speakers, Trainers & Coaches and is the author of two books. She is a lifelong entrepreneur starting a school for personal development at age 25 where she taught over 200 kids a year. After moving to Florida in 1993, she went into corporate media and became the manager of a local TV station for the cable company. She is living her passion in retirement through her personal fight to help stop youth suicide and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health in all ages. Peggy serves on the board of the area suicide prevention coalition, is past Chair of the Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, was awarded the State of Florida Spirit Award in 2021 for her work in her community by the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and was selected a Top 10 Business Woman in America by the American Business Women’s Association.
Ruth has been a high school educator for 38 years. She taught English, Creative Writing, Journalism, and Psychology in Glendale, CA, Orem, UT and Pleasant Grove, UT. While teaching in California, she was a national trainer for AVID, helping underrepresented students complete four-year college entrance requirements. She has been a Hope Squad Advisor since 2011 and now works as the advisor of the Hope Squad National Council.
Sabina Zunguze is a board member of the Tatissa Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Social Justice, a 501c3 organization that was established after losing her daughter to suicide in 2017. She is passionate about helping to reduce the occurrences and prevent the stigma associated with suicide; and promote diversity issues that instill a culture in which dialogue leads to understanding and acceptance in young men and women. Sabina is a School Liaison and Master Trainer at Bring Hope Now (under United for a Good Cause), the provider of Hope Squad in the Florida Panhandle. Sabina helps to onboard new schools and provide direct support to schools in the respective counties. Sabina will be taking Hope Squad to Africa under her daughter’s Foundation. Sabina has previously worked in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field as a researcher and information systems director in Ohio, Georgia, and Utah and at the Federal level for over 15 years. She is currently heavily involved in women’s leadership in Florida and internationally. Sabina’s interest is to advocate for women empowerment and stigmatized youth. She is available as a trainer, facilitator, and speaker for suicide prevention, social justice, and women empowerment. She is a member of the Escambia/ Santa Rosa Suicide prevention coalition and Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition.
“Hope Squad is amazing!” Sara Colson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Board Certified Counselor. She graduated from high school in Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee Martin. Sara continued her education at Idaho State and received her Master’s of Counseling. She has worked with youth in Eastern Idaho for several years, in both school and private practice settings. Sara is passionate about suicide prevention.
Shannon Decker, executive director and co-founder of The Speedy Foundation, received her BA from Loyola Marymount University and holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Idaho. She has nearly twenty years of private and public teaching and administrative experience in Idaho, Nevada, and California. She is a Mental Health First Aid, QPR, and a safeTALK facilitator. Shannon is a mental health advisor for the USOPC and currently works as the Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator in the Office of Suicide Prevention for the state of Nevada.
Sherri Miller is the Youth Prevention Team Supervisor at Tri-County Mental Health Services in the Kansas City, Missouri, Northland. She received her Doctorate in Teaching and Leadership from the University of Kansas and served 30 years as a teacher and administrator in the public-school systems in Missouri, retiring in 2017. Her passion has always been working with youth, providing guidance and support as they grow and navigate through the challenges of their lives. Sherri works closely with the student-led coalition, Youth With Vision (YWV) from the 14 school districts in Clay, Platte, and Ray counties in Missouri. YWV works to reduce teen substance use, promote wellness, and impact social policy to create resilient youth through education, intervention, and advocacy. In addition to her work with YWV, Sherri provides trainings to students, staff, parents, and community members on substance use, suicide prevention and mental wellness, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Teen Mental Health First Aid, and the nationally recognized SOS: Signs of Suicide program.
Stephanie is a mother of four and grandmother of ten. She has been an educator for over 25 years, working in both Arizona and Nevada. She was an English teacher for many years, but then earned her M.Ed. in school counseling from American Public University in 2011. She has worked as a counselor at various high schools in the Clark County School District; most recently, she has been a counselor at Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada, where she served as department chair. She organized a Hope Squad at Coronado HS in 2019 and has served as the lead advisor for the past 3 years. She is currently retired from school counseling, but will be serving Hope Squad as a support specialist. In addition to these responsibilities, Stephanie has served as a Key Club Advisor, Student Council Advisor, and Class Advisor. Stephanie is enthusiastic about the mission of Hope Squad stating, “Hope Squad has made a huge difference at our school. All kids deserve to be seen and heard. Hope Squad has helped to provide that connection for our students.”
Stewart is the Hope Squad Master Trainer Director.
Read his bio above.
Tam is the Hope Squad Master Trainer Facilitator.
Read his bio above.
Teri Effle has spent more than twenty years working in ministry and community organizing, she has a passion for helping communities grow and have healthy conversations. She also loves nothing more than to see individuals and families develop and thrive. Teri is currently a Prevention Specialist with Region V Systems in Lincoln, Nebraska and serves as a technical assistance provider for the sixteen counties that make up southeast Nebraska for issues involving substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion. She is a certified trainer for Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and Hope Squads. Teri and her husband Derek live in Lincoln and have one son, Dawson and are the Nebraska parents to Anthony, who came to live with them his senior year of high school. Laughter and shenanigans are common occurrences in their home.
Wendi Christensen, LCSW, has over 26 years of experience in the social work field doing things such as school social work, individual & marriage counseling, crisis work, grief & loss groups, divorce groups, and suicide prevention and survivor groups. One of her highlights as a school social worker was starting, writing the manual, and piloting the very first “Hope Squad.” She remembers fondly the day she and the students named the program “Hope Squad” to bring HOPE to struggling suicidal students. She currently is a parent advisor for her children’s elementary Jr Hope Squad, a Hope Squad Master trainer, QPR Gatekeeper trainer, and a liaison to Jr. Hope Squads throughout Davis & Weber Counties in Utah. She has a passion for suicide prevention and helping others find peace and healing.
