Meet the Team

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.

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Eric Workman is the CEO of Hope Squad, bringing a deep personal connection to the mission and decades of leadership experience. A former executive at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Eric has led mission-driven organizations with a focus on impact and inclusion. He holds his MBA from Brigham-Young University as well as a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Organizational Development. With a background in marketing, business development, and organizational leadership, Eric is committed to expanding Hope Squad’s reach and helping save lives through connection, community, and hope.

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.

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Devin Duncan, a former Hope Squad Member and National Council Member, is excited to join Hope Squad as an Outreach Associate. A student at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Public Policy and Media & Journalism, Devin brings years of leadership experience and state and local advocacy for school safety, mental health, and student supports. Passionate about mental health, education, and community, Devin is committed to helping students access the support they need to thrive.

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Dr. Erin Forbes is a former junior high principal, high school administrator, and art teacher with education experience in the greater Houston area. With more than nine 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.

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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.

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As an equal parts wordsmith and design aficionado, Gracie Martinez is a loud listener with a passion for telling stories that make the world a better place. She has nearly a decade of experience supporting top executives, superintendents, and young people in marketing, communications, and public relations. Gracie’s favorite things include spending time with her family especially her nephews, going on nature walks, cooking (not baking), and quoting movies.

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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.

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Katya is a former elementary, middle, and high school Assistant Principal in Austin, Texas. After 9 years of K-12 leadership experience, Katya transitioned to ed tech in Customer Success, where she has fueled her passion for supporting educators across the nation in meeting their student support goals. Katya's favorite activity is cooking and eating delicious food, which she enjoys with her two kids and her husband.

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Kelly Emanuel is a native Arizonan who has spent his entire career in and around public education. He holds a MAE from Northern Arizona University in Educational Leadership and was a teacher and a coach in the Chandler Unified School District. After teaching, he transitioned to Educational Sales and Consulting where he has held a variety of roles in Sales, Consulting, Professional Development, and Customer Support.  Having been personally impacted by suicide, he is excited to support Hope Squad’s mission and honored to join the team.

Manvi Srivastava a Biochemical/Biophysical Sciences major with a minor in Medicine and Society on the pre-med track at the University of Houston. Her commitment to mental health advocacy began in high school, when she served as a Hope Squad Member and Co-President of the National Council. Today, she continues this work during her undergraduate career by collaborating with both national and campus-focused organizations to promote student well-being. Manvi’s work centers on bridging the gap between students and mental health resources, cultivating peer-led support systems, and advocating for wellness policies on campus. In her free time, she likes to collect vinyl records and has over 50 in her collection! 

Mei-Mei is a mission-driven finance leader with 15+ years of experience empowering organizations through strategic financial leadership. She is a licensed attorney, CPA, and certified HR professional. With a background spanning non-profits, SaaS, and pre-IPO ventures, Mei-Mei blends technical expertise with a heartfelt commitment to service and community impact. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family and two rescue dogs. She also believes in lifelong learning and is currently studying several languages.

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Nic Bur is the former district lead school counselor for West Allis-West Milwaukee Schools in Wisconsin. After 34 years supporting students and families, inculding 5 as district Hope Squad Director/School Advisor, Nic transitioned into the role of Executive Trainer for Hope Squad. He enjoys sharing his passion for the program and educating others about the program's impact on student mental wellness and school culture. Nic also works as a program director for residents at a transitional living program. He and his wife enjoy outdoor activities including biking, kayaking, and hiking.

Noah Canon is a lifelong advocate for suicide prevention and youth mental health. He has served on the Hope Squad National Council and presented at more than 100 schools and 20 conferences nationwide. Through his work with nonprofits Hope4Utah and Humanitarian Experience, Noah has helped empower young people to build happy, healthy, and connected lives. Outside of work, he can be found at the gym, listening to Taylor Swift, or spending time with friends.

Sara brings 15 years of experience as an educator and a deep personal commitment to supporting youth. She was first introduced to Hope Squad while serving as a Hope Squad Advisor; that experience, tied with her firm belief in the importance of building emotional intelligence in students sparked her passion to contribute her skills more directly to advancing suicide prevention. As both a former teacher and the mom of three elementary-aged children, Sara brings a unique perspective that blends professional expertise with personal investment in creating safer, more connected school communities. She now channels her background in education and writing to help Hope Squad share its message and impact with a wider audience.