Authors & Presenters

Linda Beggs has more than 30 years of organizational development experience, specializing in culture, change, and team effectiveness. She collaborates with schools to create a high-trust culture essential to implementing wraparound resource centers.

Steve Van Bockern is a professor of education at Augustana University in South Dakota. Formerly a teacher and principal, his research interests include resiliency, alternative education, restorative justice, bullying, discipline, and creating well-being.

Leigh Colburn is a career educator and community leader with ten years of service as the principal of Marietta High School in Georgia. She specializes in promoting school equity through wraparound service opportunities.

Linnea Devine, LICSW, is a licensed therapist, consultant, fierce advocate, and former school social worker who is deeply passionate about creating space for educators to explore and deepen both mental and physical wellness mindsets. Her expertise includes mental health literacy, compassion fatigue, trauma, and empowerment of educators.

Aaron Hansen is an expert in Professional Learning Communities (PLC), Response to Intervention (RTI) and student empowerment. He is a highly sought-after international speaker, strategic consultant, coach, and author.

Cheri Lovre, an author and a consultant, has nearly 30 years of experience in crisis response and trauma intervention and is an internationally acclaimed leader in the field.

Brandie M. Oliver, PhD, is an associate professor at Butler University teaching in the Masters in School Counseling program and a frequent presenter for local, state and national education conferences. Her specific areas of interest include social-emotional learning, trauma-responsive education, suicide prevention and intervention, comprehensive school counseling, restorative practices, and ensuring work is done through a lens of equity and cultural responsiveness.

Chavez Phelps, PhD, is an assistant professor of school psychology at Indiana State University. There he directs the Hoosier Whole Child Resilience Initiative, which offers professional development and technical support to schools and other community agencies that support youth with trauma-related behavior and emotional needs.

Deborah Ricker is principal at Cedar Trails Exploration Center: Early Childhood in Kansas. She previously led Glenwood Ridge Elementary and has 19 years of experience as a school psychologist, serving early childhood through high school in both public and private school settings.

Kimberly Williams, PhD, is a faculty member at the Plymouth State University College of Graduate Studies, Dr. Williams teaches graduate courses for teachers on cognition, history, and philosophy of education.