Keynote and Presenter Information
Andres Gonzalez is one of the Co-Founders of the Holistic Life Foundation. For twenty years, he has taught yoga to diverse populations throughout the world, including Baltimore City Public School students, drug treatment centers, mental crisis facilities, homeless shelters, wellness centers, colleges, private schools, and other various venues throughout the nation.
He has partnered with John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health and Penn State’s Prevention Research Center on a Stress and Relaxation Study and is a published author in the Journal of Children’s Services. His work with the Holistic Life Foundation has been featured on Making a Difference on the NBC Nightly News, CNN, and CBS, as well as O the Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, Upworthy, Mindful Magazine, Yoga Journal, Shambala Sun, and many other publications.
Andres is a certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, maintains a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MBA from the University of Maryland, University College.
Director of Pottstown Campus Operations
My passion to help people improve their skill set started when I had a summer job during college supervising high school students in a program designed to improve their reading level abilities as they worked in a day care program for elementary aged children. They did not realize that, as they taught the 3rd graders to read, they were actually improving their own reading abilities. The students became more than better readers. As I watched their self confidence grow and their outlook on life improve, I began to feel the passion and benefits of helping others.
Moving on to college I constantly sought out ways to tutor, educate and motivate others. Whether in the college's computer lab, library or in my sorority's study hall I have always found it rewarding to play a role in the success of others.
I continue to be a highly motivated training and development leader with over 15 years of pharmaceutical sales experience in both specialty and primary care markets. A proven strong passion for continuous self-improvement and improvement of others, strategic leadership and mentoring roles at a large pharmaceutical company led to my achievement of reaching the highest ranking level of the sales force. I am currently poised and looking forward to providing and delivering successful training curriculum to new hire and tenure sales forces. I have been recognized as a "go to" trainer, coach, mentor and role model whose experience, credibility and passion for innovative development results in the development and execution of a best-in-class sales force. I take great pride in the fact I am a reflection of the company for which I work and I strive to be a inspirational educator, facilitator, motivator and leader to all.
Social Media: Linked In
Lucie Bergeyova is a high school HPE teacher and a wellness coordinator for Boyertown Area School District, and FA/CPR/Lifeguarding instructor for Boyertown YMCA. She has a master’s degree in Sport Sciences and is a certified Wellness Program Manager. Her passion is inspiring others to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. At BASD, she has developed and implemented various wellness programs and initiatives for students and staff. She has taken the initiative to participate as a presenter at regional and state level conferences. Lucie has received the 2019 Lancaster, Lebanon, and Berks Arnold B. Fink Memorial Award.
Jared Brown is a Pa native born and raised in Bellefonte, PA. He attended Edinboro University of PA earning his BA and MA in Communication Studies. Jared has over twenty years of experience working in higher education both at Penn State and West Chester University. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at Delaware County Community College teaching both Interpersonal Communication and Public Speaking courses. Currently, Jared serves as the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs of Montgomery County Community College’s Pottstown Campus and serves as the host of the award-winning “MontCo on the Move” Podcast. Jared is a third-year student at Wilmington University pursing a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. His dissertation topic is focusing on adjunct faculty onboarding practices.
Social Media: Linked In
As a person suffering from writing challenges herself, Cheri is the world expert in empowering innovative, collaborative, cutting-edge neuroscience-based interventions that simplify lesson planning using simple, targeted, daily interventions to conquer dysgraphia.
She is the author of Handwriting Brain-Body DisConnect, contributing author to Handbook of Visual-motor skills, Handwriting, and Spelling and Becoming You. Math DYS-connected will release later this year and is co-authored with Jonily Zupancic. She lives with her husband of 32 years and their son. Their daughter is in grad school.
I have been an instructor for Montgomery County Community College for 22 years. My teaching focuses on communication and relationships. I have been working with students and the Pottstown community for the past 5 years. We focus on civic engagement and how when we start small, we can make big changes. We have worked and continue to work with Mission First. Some of the other organizations include, the Friendship House, Unity Sober Living, the YWCA, Chosen 300 and Diane's pets.
Social Media: Linked In
Maclain Gutkin has been in the public health sector for the last 7 years working for the state of South Carolina. She has both her Bachelors and Masters degree in Public Health, with an emphasis on Health Promotion, Education and Behavior. She has a passion for health and wellness and believes that everyone has the fundamental right to live a happy, healthy, and prosperous life. At the Medical University of South Carolina in the Boeing Center for Children's Wellness Maclain serves as the Local Wellness Policy Program Coordinator. In her role, she helps public school districts turn policy into practice to ensure wellness is integrated in school communities.
Social Media: Linked In
I am a certified nutrition and wellness consultant who advocates for minority community members to close the gap on food insecurities and injustice. I have hosted food educational programs at the Ricketts Center, Fellowship Farm, First Presbyterian Church Children’s Garden and Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation. I have a non profit Hearts Of Humanity, Community Development Corporation that teaches community members how to grow beautiful, edible gardens in tiny spaces, and conduct Health Spot talks every Sabbath for healthy tips and tools. I also conduct delicious cleanse weeks to help purge with smoothies, sandwiches, salads and meals that inspire a healthier diet and sustainable lifestyle. Visit my Facebook pages at 3604Life and All41Humanity for more.
Social Media: Facebook
Experienced Therapist with a demonstrated history of working in the mental health field. Skilled in Substance abuse and Cooccurring Disorders, Trauma Therapy, Group Therapy, and working with the Forensic population. Strong healthcare services professional with a Masters focused in Clinical Counseling from Eastern University.
Eric Miller, P.h.D. has been introducing badminton as a fun, healthy and competitive sport to the local Pottstown community since 2014. As a father and son team. Eric and Zak Miller have run clinics for area Middle and High school students, coached tournament players, have run regional competitions and have coached the Bryn Mawr Varsity badminton team! They have also coached local pickleball clinics.
Social Media: Facebook
Jaime Parris, Ed.D., is currently the Dean of Students at Pottstown High School. Over the past ten years, Dr. Parris has held numerous teaching positions in the Pottstown School District, and for the last five years, he has been a third-grade teacher at Rupert Elementary School. Dr. Parris earned his bachelor's degree from Hofstra University, and his Master’s, Principal Certification, and Doctoral Degree in Education Leadership from Cabrini University. Dr. Parris wrote his dissertation on Perceptions and Experiences of Young African American Males in Under-Resourced Public-School Districts. In his free time, Dr. Parris enjoys running his business - Sunshine Cleaning Services, spending time with family, and being a father to his daughter, Ellington!
Social Media: Linked In
Aisha is a licensed mental health therapist & founder of In Real Time Wellness, a therapy practice that offers individual therapy to socially conscious & creative teens who are seeking to relieve anxiety, manage anger, release insecurity, & build confidence.
Aisha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh as well as two Masters Degrees from Bryn Mawr College.
She has been featured in WebMD, The Washington Post & Thrive Global and when she's not seeing clients, you'll find her mentoring private practice therapists, writing pages for her upcoming book & traveling the world with her husband, family, & friends.
Rahsul Stinson
Entrepreneur and social activist, Rahsul Stinson, uses natural resources to support both his innovative fitness routines and nutritional products. Stinson is the creator of Sweatchasers fitness training, Sweatchasers Undeniable Sea Moss nutritional drinks, and the Sweatchasers Youth Boxing Initiative.
Founder and owner of Sweatchasers, Rahsul is a resident of Pottstown, and his love of health and wellness and creative fitness training inspired him to develop Sweatchasers. He has collaborated on programs such as Kids Keeping FIT, an initiative of the West Philadelphia Achievement Elementary School, the Pottstown Stop Gun Violence Initiative, and the S.O.U.L Youth Mentorship Program which operates out of the Richard J. Ricketts Community Center.
Sweatchasers was born and still conducts a portion of its fitness trainings on a street corner. Instructional focus include high intense interval training ("HIIT"), multi-disciplined body-weight training, and rhythmic breathing and stretching. The mission of Sweatchasers is to impact whole body health and wellness by increasing the quality of one's physical health.
Katherine Streit, MSW, LCSW, M.S.Ed is the Associate Director of School Services and Professional Trainings, and a clinical supervisor at Uplift Center for Grieving Children in Philadelphia, PA. Katherine has extensive experience working with youth who have experienced grief, loss, and trauma, providing therapeutic small group, individual, and other school-based programs. In addition, Katherine has had the honor of working with youth who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, and emotional support needs for over 20 years. At Uplift, Katherine supervises Uplift’s team of school-based Masters-level clinicians, oversees Uplift’s extensive network of partnerships with K-12 schools throughout the city of Philadelphia, manages Uplift’s data collection & program evaluation efforts (including qualitative analysis), and oversees Uplift’s teaching & learning initiatives. As such, she develops and implements Uplift’s training and professional developments with school staff & helping professionals, as well as caregivers, around the City. Katherine also runs & facilitates Uplift’s training program for grief group volunteers and Masters-level graduate interns. From 2020 – 2022, Katherine oversaw and supervised Uplift’s award-winning Philly Hope Line, developing and managing procedures to maximize staffing efficiency, improve organizational systems, and evolve the focus and scope of the HopeLine’s strategic goals. Katherine is a frequent guest lecturer at social work & counseling programs in the region.
Social Media: Facebook
Karen is a career educator with 30 years of classroom experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Juniata College, a Master’s degree in Reading Education/Creative Teaching Methods and is a Certified Reading Specialist. She is also a certified yoga instructor for children and adults. For the past 12 years, Karen has taught mindfulness and yoga in schools as a classroom integration, in summer school programs, for health and wellness initiatives, and as a support for staff members. In addition, Karen has advised others in the implementation and integration of mindfulness/yoga programs into school curricula.
Karen is passionate about helping others empower students to independently draw upon their own strengths and unique abilities. Karen launched Mindful Roots Yoga in 2019, with the main focus of her work being the development of the M.Y. (mindfulness and yoga) Time Program ™. Her training and comprehensive instructional guide equips others as they deliver mindfulness/yoga instruction to elementary aged children.
No matter who she serves, Denise believes it is essential to open the door of communication throught trust, empathy, and compassion—meeting people where they are, allowing them to be unapologetically themselves. She continues to grow into her life's purpose by merging her gifts to inspire and open the doors for healing and self-discovery for others through the power of therapeutic art and resilience coaching. Thus Be ReZilient was born.
The Be ReZilient experience starts with the robust process of working through one's emotions through color, creating a deep connection with ourselves and the feelings within. The results have been inspiring for her and those she serves. She blends aromatherapy into each session to awaken all senses and allow for vulnerability and in-the-moment transformations. Denise is a "relatable and transparent" coach and motivational speaker. She creates a safe space to provoke thought and change.
Her education includes an MS in Human Services, MA in Leadership and Accountability, Certified Resilience Coach, and Certified Therapeutic Art Coach. She founded Be ReZilient, Healing Through The Arts, in 2019.
Denise lives in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, with her children and two fur babies, who she spoils daily.
Be ReZilient is a 509(a)(2) under the IRS. code section 501 (c)(3).
Ami Yares serves as the executive director of BuildaBridge International, an arts and education non-profit that provides trauma-informed and therapeutic art-making programming and training. BuildaBridge captures Ami’s passion for the necessity and urgency for the arts to play a more integral role in the healing and wellbeing of society. His experience in arts interventions ranges from research on the arts impact on social wellness to small scale arts-based conflict transformation programming and design as well as being a socially minded folk musician who uses music as means to convey understandings about society and culture. Ami holds a MS in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and has toured all over the United States and Europe, teaching and performing. Ami’s concerts and workshops have been featured components of the US Department of State’s diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Germany, Seeds of Peace, Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. Ami's work with BuildaBridge synethises his passion for art-making, healing and hope-raising.
Social Media: Linked In