Author, Faculty, and Researcher

Boston College

Tim Klein, LCSW is an award-winning urban educator, clinical therapist, teaching fellow at Harvard University, and lecturer at Boston College. He has worked intensively with marginalized students to equip them to pursue meaningful and fulfilling lives. Prior to his work at Boston College, he spent five years as the Outreach Director for Summer Search, a national youth development non-profit serving historically underrepresented student populations. As an entrepreneur, he helped launch a Stanford University education start-up that now serves over 30,000 students all over the world.  In addition to his work as a lecturer at Boston College, he works with schools, colleges, and companies all over the world to help them infuse the science of Purpose & Belonging to help people thrive. 

Klein is the co-author of the best-selling book How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Navigating School, Career, and Life.

Session Title:
Moving Forward: Empower educators and support students by leveraging the science of purposeful belonging

Co-Founder, Chief Content Officer, and Senior Consultant
Synergy Consulting Company

Dr. Pascal Losambe is the Co-Founder, Chief Content Officer, and Senior Consultant for Synergy Consulting Company. Dr. Losambe has a Bachelor's in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Middlebury College and a Master of Science in Biology with a focus on Neurobiology from Boston College where he received the Donald J. White Award for teaching excellence. Dr. Losambe has earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Purdue University with a focus on cultural competence. Dr. Losambe serves as the Director of Diversity and Community Life at Columbus Academy. 

He was the keynote presenter and co-curriculum developer for the United Front Initiative in 2020-2021, a city and regional program with the goal of bringing unity and reconciliation to the region. Dr. Losambe co-authored a book with his wife and business partner, Crystal Losambe, titled Breaking the Barriers to Belonging: United by Our Biology and Shared Humanity, which was published in January 2023. 

Additionally, Dr. Losambe consults and presents to companies and other organizations on various topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion, educational leadership, and organizational culture. He has led strategic vision initiatives for various institutions and has conducted multiple workshops on cultural competence at national and international conferences. 

Dr. Losambe’s achievements include the Mosaic Award in 2018 and being invited onto the Purdue University Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Advisory Board, the Purdue University Fort Wayne College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board, the Young Scholars Academy Board, and the Heart of Character Leadership Committee. He previously served on the Independent School Association of the Central States Equity and Justice Committee Board.

Session Title:
The Essence of Belonging

Interim President
Brightpoint Community College 

Dr. Van C. Wilson joined Brightpoint Community College in February 2023, as its interim president. 

Dr. Wilson has almost 40 years of experience in post-secondary education. Before coming to Brightpoint, he was the interim senior vice chancellor for academic and workforce programs at the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), serving as the chief academic and workforce development administrator for the 23 community colleges across the Commonwealth. Prior to that, Dr. Wilson served as the associate vice chancellor for student experience and strategic initiatives; as the associate vice president for student learning and success for the North Carolina Community College System; and as the vice president for student services at Forsyth County Community College. He also held leadership positions at Winston-Salem State University and Western Carolina University. 

Dr. Wilson currently serves on the Virginia African American Advisory Board, Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Advisory Council, Virginia Higher Education Substance Use Advisory Committee, and Great Aspirations Scholarship Program (GRASP) Board of Directors.

Dr. Wilson and his wife Anne, a corporate marketing executive, enjoy reading, running, hiking, and international travel.

Session Title:
Authentic Leadership Through a Lens of Resiliency

Executive Director
Community Resilience Initiative (CRI)

Rick is currently the Executive Director for the Community Resilience Initiative (CRI), the nation’s first community resilience network. Rick holds a Master’s degree in Education and uses his education to develop innovative content and deliver engaging presentations. He speaks to thousands of groups from all over the country and is widely recognized for his work with trauma-informed practices.

As the former Executive Director of a trauma-informed therapeutic residential program for struggling teens, Rick has first-hand experience with developing and implementing strategies and structures that foster resilience. His experience allows him to consult seamlessly with schools, businesses, and community organizations.

Mr. Griffin continues to be on the leading edge of training design. He has developed several outstanding trauma and resilience-based programs and practices including; Fostering Resilience in the Family, and Resilient Relationships: The Search for Love, Trust, and Safety.

His latest project, Trauma-Informed Leadership, is a series of trainings that highlight the use of Neuroscience principles in professional development. Amid all this Rick still finds the time for his highest priorities, his faith, his family, and his friends.

Session Titles:
Building Resilience from the Inside Out: The Latest Discoveries in Neuroscience 

The Next Frontier: The Role of Coaching and Consulting