Meet the Team
Hope Squad Team
Dr. Greg Hudnall
Founder
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.
Greg Hudnall, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer
As a leader with a mission-based mindset, Greg is passionate about building teams that allow each member to use their natural strengths to support our cause. Building upon past experiences at Johnson & Johnson and The Kroger Co, he works to lead a collaborative team that puts people first and keeps the mission of preventing suicide at the forefront of everything they do.
Ashley Taeckens
Director of Research
Ashley is a social science researcher with nine years of experience, primarily in the academic and nonprofit sectors. She is dedicated to changing attitudes toward public issues, like mental health stigma, and works to understand the diverse needs of specific populations. Ashley earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Denver and holds two bachelor's degrees, in psychology and gerontology, from Missouri State University.
Erin McNair
Director of Program Innovation & Quality
Bringing over 15 years of program management experience, Erin is a dedicated advocate for mental health and suicide prevention. Specializing in crafting effective multi-modal programs, she addresses unmet needs and enhances the efficiency of teams and programs. Erin's work has focused on human-made trauma, offering education and peer-to-peer programs. Outside of work, Erin passionately supports disability rights. Based in NC, Erin finds solace in her garden or at the seashore with her daughter.
Grace Babula
Director of Marketing & Communications
Grace brings cross-functional experience from research and development, consulting, and marketing roles within the health and wellness space. As a volunteer with Crisis Text Line, she is passionate about the role of connection in mental health and is excited to advance Hope Squad’s mission. Grace has a BA in chemistry from Williams College and a dual-degree MBA and MS in Design Innovation from Northwestern University.
Amber Seddon
Finance Controller
Amber studied accounting at Utah Valley University and played violin in the College Orchestra and Utah Valley Symphony. She volunteers with youth groups and addiction programs and, having lost family members and friends to suicide, she is happy to support Hope Squad’s mission. In her free time, Amber enjoys traveling and going on adventures with her family. She is proud to be part of a rodeo family, with two bull riders and a daughter who rides steers.
Allyson Reithmeyer
HR Generalist & Executive Assistant
Allyson is passionate about raising awareness for suicide prevention, and she brings a wealth of HR knowledge and experience from her previous roles working in higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in HR Management from Upper Iowa University. Beyond her professional life, Allyson enjoys exploring different parts of the world and has traveled to destinations such as Bali, the Philippines, and the UK.
Dr. Erin Forbes
Regional Sales Executive
Erin is a former junior high principal, high school administrator, and art teacher with education experience in the Greater Houston area. With more than 9 years of experience in educational leadership and 17 years of experience in public education, Erin loves connecting with other educators. As a high school student, she lost a very close friend to death by suicide which has resulted in a relentless focus on helping young people feel connected, seen, and valued. Erin lives in Texas with her husband and two girls. She is also the proud mom to a rescue dog and a cockatoo.
Dr. Jennifer Roberts, LPC-S, CSC
Director of Training & Customer Experience
Dr. Jennifer Roberts brings over 25 years of experience across corporate, education, and mental health settings. She is a licensed clinician who has served as a school counselor and Director of Student Services. She was recognized by the American School Counseling Association’s Texas affiliate, named 2023’s School Counselor Supervisor of the year in Texas, and named to the HB 906 School Mental Health Task Force. She teaches graduate-level clinical mental health courses and shares her expertise as a sought-out speaker.
Nikki Holmes, M.Ed., LPC-A, CSC
Training Support Specialist
Nikki has 26 years of experience as a public educator. She has worked as an elementary school teacher, school counselor, and Hope Squad Advisor, where she saw firsthand Hope Squad’s positive impact on a school community. Nikki is a licensed professional counselor-associate and has a passion for people, mental wellness, and suicide prevention. Nikki enjoys connecting with Hope Squad Advisors through training. She is inspired by the collective passion to support and preserve life.
Cassidy St. Clair, M.Ed., CSC
Implementation Specialist
Cassidy has 10+ years of experience working in education as a school counselor and teacher. She has worked in a variety of areas including Bellevue, WA, Southern Pines, NC and most recently Park City, UT. Cassidy's favorite part of working with educators, students, and families is the meaningful relationships that are built. As a school counselor Cassidy worked closely with Hope Squad and has seen the unique and meaningful benefits of the program. Cassidy lives in Midway, Utah with her husband, daughter, and rescue pups. Her family can often be found adventuring in the surrounding mountains.
Jeff Crow
Director of Sales
Jeff is a seasoned sales leader with nearly two decades of experience in high-growth SaaS companies and a graduate of the University of Utah. He is driven by his passion for people, progression and excellence, and he strives to foster a positive and collaborative culture in every team he leads. When he is not working, Jeff enjoys traveling, skiing, hiking, and savoring tasty foods and desserts. Jeff lives in Utah with his wife, two sons and Zoey, his mini Bernedoodle.
Rachel Spates
Regional Sales Executive
Rachel is a dynamic educator with a passion for student well-being and inclusive education. As the former Principal of an intermediate school in Alabama, she pioneered one of the state's first Hope Squads, emphasizing mental health support for students. With a background in special education, administration, and school improvement, Rachel has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and equity in education in Georgia and Alabama.
Greg Rellaford
Retention Specialist
Greg has nine years of experience in Sales, Account Management, and Customer Success roles across industries. He is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management at Utah Valley University. He has a huge passion for mental health and suicide prevention because of experiences in his life and the lives of his friends.
Triston Graham
IT Operations Specialst
Tech-savvy with a heart for people, Triston is an IT professional helping to streamline systems that support mental health initiatives. Driven by curiosity and problem-solving with a passion for learning, Triston is focused on making tech accessible and efficient. When he isn't troubleshooting, he's either managing his three ‘sons’—aka his dogs—or expanding his retro console collection. He is always up for a new challenge or a good laugh!
Mental Health Advisors
Dr. Douglas D. Gray, MD
Child Psychologist, University of Utah
As a suicidologist, Dr. Gray studies suicide completers in an attempt to better understand suicide risk factors and to help develop future suicide prevention programs across the age span. He uses psychological autopsies, genetics, and toxicology methods to make inroads to get a better understanding of suicide risk factors. His clinical focus is primarily outpatient and consult-liaison for bipolar disorders.
Elizabeth Feil, LCSW
Therapist Supervisor, Wasatch Mental Health
Elizabeth Feil, LCSW, is the Therapist Supervisor at the Provo Family Clinic She has been working as a therapist at Wasatch Mental Health since 2002. She is trained in EMDR, Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-focused CBT, and the Strengthening Families Program. Elizabeth is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner. Elizabeth works primarily with youth ages 11-17 and their families but also has a lot of experience with elementary school aged children, PLUS she speaks Spanish. Elizabeth was very involved in implementing a grant-funded interdisciplinary approach involving Provo School District, Intermountain Health Clinics, and Wasatch Mental Health.
Dr. Juergen Korbanka, PhD
CEO, Wasatch Mental Health
Dr. Korbanka is a Licensed Psychologist who is an Approved Clinical Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Designated Examiner, and is a member of the Utah State Crisis Team. He enjoys working with adults with a range of issues, such as depression and mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and more severe psychopathologies. He has worked with domestic violence perpetrators and individuals with personality disorders. His research interests include evidence-based and outcome oriented, time-limited treatment programs, program effectiveness, and treatment efficiency. He has presented at numerous local, state, and national conferences.
National Educational Advisory Board
Dr. Holly Ferguson
Prosper ISD, Texas
Dr. Holly Ferguson began her teaching career with Prosper ISD in 1998 as an elementary school teacher. She has since served in a number of administrative roles. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s in educational administration from the University of North Texas, Ferguson completed her doctorate in educational leadership at Texas A&M Commerce. Dr. Ferguson serves proudly on the Hope Squad National Educational Advisory Board.
Jonathan Cooper
Mason City School District, Ohio
Jonathan Cooper is the superintendent of Mason City School district, known as a high-performing, high-profile school in Ohio. Before being named superintendent, Mr. Cooper was the Chief Innovation Officer, where he led the development of the Mason Experiential Learning Program. His journey to improve students’ mental wellness began after listening to students ask school leaders to do more to prevent suicides. Since then, the district has made mental health a priority, and started a Hope Squad at its middle school and high school.
Marcus Chambers
Okaloosa County Schools, Florida
Mr. Marcus Chambers, Superintendent of Schools, Okaloosa County (FL) Schools, has passionately served students, parents, his community, and fellow public educators for more than 21 years. Before assuming the role of Superintendent, Mr. Chambers served in multiple school-based leadership positions in Okaloosa County, as Okaloosa County’s Safe School’s Specialist, Assistant Principal at Niceville High School, Principal at Longwood Elementary School, and Principal at Niceville High School, as well as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources.
Tobin Novasio
Lockwood School District, Montana
Tobin Novasio serves as the Superintendent of Lockwood Schools. He is the Montana Rural Education Association Vice-President, sits on the AASA Executive Committee, and is the former Montana Association of School Superintendents President. He has been honored by his peers as the Montana Superintendent of the Year in 2016 and as the School Administrators of Montana 2020 G.V. Erickson Award recipient; the most honored award a school administrator in Montana can receive. Mr. Novasio represents Montana’s K-12 schools on the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council. Mr. Novasio is supported in his endeavors by his wife Tandi and their children Kane, Kyson, and Addi.
Hope Squad National Council
The Hope Squad National Council consists of Juniors and Seniors throughout the country who have served on their local Hope Squads at least one year. They continue to serve on their local squad while also serving as Hope Squad National Council members.
Sara Anderson
National Advisor
Student Council Members
Abigail
Nevada
Ameera
Wisconsin
Asma
Ohio
Ava
Michigan
Brayden
Texas
Brooke
Utah
Chloe
Louisiana
Cole
Texas
Danielle
Texas
Eliza
Utah
Elle
Ohio
Emmett
Florida
G
Utah
Jackson
Texas
James
Utah
Jay
Texas
Josephine
Ohio
Joy
Utah
Kallie
Florida
Kaylee
Utah
Kit
Texas
Krisha
California
Lael
Illinois
Lily
Utah
Mackenzie
Texas
Madelyn
Wisconsin
Madison
Ohio
McLaren
Florida
Militza
Michigan
Mimi
Nebraska
Nicole
Texas
Noah
Texas
Olive
Ohio
Reagan
Texas
Reed
Nevada
Riley
Michigan
Rina
Ohio
Saahithi
Texas
Sorrel
Massachusetts
Tyler
Michigan
Vanessa
Idaho
Vassu
Michigan