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