Featured Speakers

Titus O’Neil

Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil, is an accomplished athlete, global entertainer, philanthropist and author of, “There’s No Such Things As A Bad Kid.” He grew up in poverty, labeled a “bad kid” who would be dead or in jail by the time he was 16. People invested in him when they had nothing to gain in return. As a result, he graduated from the University of Florida with academic and athletic accolades. Bullard has made it his mission to create change for those in need. Through his Bullard Family Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, he’s transforming Sligh Middle Magnet School and the surrounding area in Tampa, Florida into an innovative education and community hub to create lasting generational change. This includes a first-class gym for school staff, a multi-million-dollar track and turf field for community health and wellness, and a prosperity center offering support services to lift families out of poverty. Recently Bullard was named a finalist for the ESPN Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

Michael Neill

Michael Neill is an internationally renowned transformative teacher, author, broadcaster, and speaker, described as having the unique ability to “blend the sacred with the profane”. The inside-out understanding at the heart of his work challenges the cultural mythology that stress, pressure, and other symptoms of “seriousness” are a necessary part of adaptation and growth in business or indeed any area of life.

In his role as CEO of Genius Catalyst Inc. since its inception in the UK in 1990 to its incorporation in the USA in 2007 and beyond, Michael has spearheaded its growth from consultancy to a multi-media organization delivering services to tens of thousands of loyal customers each year through live training, online courses, and self-study programs.

McKenna Reitz

McKenna Reitz embodies resilience and transformative leadership, acclaimed for her impactful TEDx talk and a distinguished 18-year career as an award-winning AP Psychology teacher. An alopecia warrior, McKenna channels her personal journey into a powerful message of empowerment, encouraging individuals to transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Recognized for her profound impact within and beyond the educational sphere with awards such as Toledo 20 Under 40 and the 'I Make a Difference' teacher accolade, McKenna's influence radiates through her role as a celebrated varsity volleyball coach, meriting her inclusion in the BCSN Top 20 Coaches of the Past 20 Years and earning her numerous 'Coach of the Year' awards. A sought-after motivational speaker, McKenna has engaged audiences across leading organizations and academic settings, delivering powerful discourses on resilience, purpose, and the art of turning challenges into opportunities. Her story and insights have been featured in prestigious media platforms such as Forbes, Good Morning America, and The Jennifer Hudson Show, further solidifying her status as a beacon of purpose-driven leadership. Residing in Sylvania, Ohio, with her family, McKenna utilizes her personal narrative and expertise to ignite change and nurture a spirit of empowerment, showcasing the transformative power of embracing adversity for personal and professional growth

James Hird

James Hird has been an educator for nearly 30 years in his home district of Manatee County Schools, in Bradenton, FL, where he is a native and a product of the school district. He earned his BS from Tennessee Tech University as a student-athlete and returned to Bradenton to begin a career working with at-risk youth.  He earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2002.  While he's spent the past 16 years as an administrator for students in Title I schools, his career of working with students in alternative settings spans almost 30 years and includes students in Juvenile Justice, Residential treatment, charter, and public schools.  He is currently the principal of Horizons Academy Alternative School, where he continues his life's work of recovering at-risk students.

Dicken Bettinger, Ed.D., started his career teaching high school English. He went on to his doctorate in Education, majoring in counseling psychology, and then went into practice as a licensed clinical psychologist. Dicken’s 45 years of career have focused on teaching people about their psychological well-being. He co-founded a training, counseling, and education center in Vermont. He was a senior staff at Pransky and Associates in La Conner, Washington, for 16 years, where he developed and led corporate and university leadership training, team development, and executive coaching. In 2012, Dicken founded his own business, 3 Principles Mentoring.  He mentors people individually and offers development for practitioners teaching others about well-being. He enjoys leading group seminars on well-being in the US and throughout Europe. Dicken is the co-author of the book Coming Home: Uncovering the Foundations of Psychological Well-being and has been happily married for 55 years. He has two adult children and four adored grandchildren. 

Lana Schneidt, LMHC, CAP, is an esteemed mental health professional and entrepreneur, equipped with over 15 years of invaluable experience in the field. Since establishing her private mental health counseling practice in 2015, Lana has been steadfast in her mission to support individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities, including students and educators alike.Drawing from her extensive background in various clinical settings, including residential treatment facilities, intensive outpatient programs, and community-based services, Lana brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She is deeply committed to equipping teachers with the tools and knowledge necessary to address the mental health needs of their students effectively. With her unwavering dedication to supporting the mental health and well-being of students and educators, Lana Schneidt continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration in the field of education. Through her collaborative efforts, she strives to create nurturing and supportive environments where all individuals can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Dr. Dicken Bettinger

Lana Schneidt

Prince Jimmar

Prince Jimmar, co-founder and Director of of Rebels for Peace, is a visionary leader with a passion for youth-leadership, resilience and mental health. Born and raised in Chicago, he is currently spearheading a groundbreaking peer-to-peer SEL initiative that delivers year-long programming to 700 youth in grades 4-8 across South Side Chicago schools.

As a believer in the power of youth leadership, he also serves as the co-host of the Rebels for Peace Summer Internship Program, employing youth from 16-25 to become leaders and facilitators of change. He is a sought-after speaker, hosting classes, workshops, and inspiring talks to people from all walks of life, including youth, businesses, juvenile prisons, athletes, and social impact leaders. 

Presenters

  • James Hird

    MA Educational Leadership Alternative Education Principal

  • Lana Schneidt

    LMHC, CAP, and DBT Therapists focusing on Teens and Young Adults

  • Prince Jimmar

    Co-founder and Director of Rebels for Peace - A South Side Chicago peer-to-peer initiative that delivers year-long programming to 700 youth in grades 4-8 across Chicago schools

  • Anna Debenham

    Founder of The Insight Alliance, empowering justice-involved individuals to unlock their potential and end recidivism.

  • Jordan Brimlow

    US Army Disabled Veteran (OEF Campaign), Owner of Jay McKinley: helping incarcerated veterans and civilians.

  • Ashley Hunt

    VP of Learning and Development at The SPARK Initiative

  • Tom Mattox

    Community Building Expert

  • Rob Cook

    Retired Military Veteran, Trauma Coach, and International Speaker

  • Brooke Wheeldon-Reece

    CEO, The SPARK Initiative, Co-Creator of the SPARK Mentoring Programs and the Insight to Well-Being Program

  • More Speakers To Be Announced Soon

  • Brock Sellers

    TAC Coordinator and Trainer with the National Training Institute

  • Dr. Sierra Goggins-Brown

    Certified School Counselor/Research Consultant

  • Jonathan McLean

    Regional Outreach Coordinator for Learn Fresh

  • Jamie Sellers

    Licensed Social Worker

  • Jacqueline Hollows

    Founder of Beyond Recovery

  • Monica Carota

    Intuitive Performance Coach & Mentor

  • Eirik Olsen

    Founder of One Solution Global

  • McKenna Reitz

    Author, Speaker and Resilience Expert

  • Jeremy Butler

    Founder of Fill'n The Gaps

  • Dr. Joe Hendershott

    Co-Founder of Hope 4 The Wounded, LLC

  • Dardi Hendershott

    Co Founder of Hope 4 The Wounded, LLC

  • Tamikia Deshawn Berry

    School Social Worker

  • Gabrielle Brundidge

    Professional School Counselor

  • Tycee Precatt

    UF/IFAS 4-H Youth Development

  • Darlene Trujillo

    LCSW, Doctoral Candidate

  • Katie Trowbridge

    President/CEO of Curiosity to Create

  • Davida Arnold

    Assistant Director of Diversity & Community Life and Teacher

  • Jeanne Catherine Gray

    Researcher and Practitioner

  • Makayla Wheeldon

    Marketing & Events Coordinator at The Spark Initiative, Former Teacher

  • Mari Latham

    Research and Development The SPARK Initiative

  • Carys Mullins

    Founder of Advocates for LGBTQ+ Equality

  • Angelea Valenti

    Assessment Coordinator with Selah Freedom, Sex Trafficking Survivor

  • Anita McGinty

    Psychologist and Educator

  • Emily Johnson

    Co Founder of Women in Pre-Law Society, Law Student, Former SPARK Mentor

  • Beto Contreras

    Community Outreach Manager for the Insight Alliance, a non-profit working in prisons

  • Julie Smythe

    VP for Sunshine Health's Child Welfare Specialty Plan

  • Adrienne Dawson

    Youth Program Manager for Our House- a nonprofit running out-of-school time programs for homeless and near-homeless youth

  • Dr. Fran Morris

    Certified School Counselor/Founder of Brown Girls Who Counsel

  • Sandy Traynor

    Director of Programs for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tampa Bay

  • Nicole Wilson

    Community Programs Manager at The SPARK Initiative

  • Jena Travise

    Operations Manager at The SPARK Initiative, SPARK Mentor

APPLY TO SPEAK

Are you interested in speaking at the 2024 National Wellbeing & Resilience Conference? 

We are accepting creative and diverse workshop proposals that highlight the latest innovative ideas and educational trends, research, promising practices, and high-quality programming and activities that support well-being and resilience in vulnerable populations throughout education, mental health, justice, and foster care systems. 

To submit a proposal, please click below. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is July 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST. Any proposals received after this date will be placed on a waiting list. A Gmail account is required. If you have any questions regarding RFPs, please send inquiries to info@thesparkinitiative.com