Board of Directors / Staff
The members of our Board play a very important leadership and operational role within We Bloom. We have invited talented people who have passion, knowledge and expertise in many areas needed for the success of our organization. We are grateful for the diversity of abilities, backgrounds and contributions, maximizing the efforts and resources of our team.
Beth Kreitl, EdS, LMHC, RYT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Beth Kreitl is passionate about uplifting communities through training, education and access. At her core, she believes communities can be empowered when individuals harness their own authentic power. As such she works with individuals through her counseling private practice, and serves the broader local and global community as co-founder and leader of We Bloom.
For as long as she can remember Beth has been drawn and committed to psychology, spirituality, self-growth, and deeply connecting. She wove these interests into her life from the time she was a child, and has seen the fruits of pursing a journey that focuses on interior freedom alongside outer purpose. Along the way she has been fortunate to pursue various experiences, education, and certifications. She worked in the corporate, higher ed and nonprofit sectors. Most recently she served as Co-Director of Swim for Life Vietnam. Prior to that she served as Executive Director of Career Services at Seattle University following her time at Indiana University where she was the Associate Director of Student Services. Beth also teaches yoga, and facilitates workshops and retreats. She earned her B.A. in French and International Business at High Point University and her M.S./Ed.S. in School and Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. She is a licensed mental health counselor, as well as a licensed teacher of swimming and water safety.
For as long as she can remember Beth has been drawn and committed to psychology, spirituality, self-growth, and deeply connecting. She wove these interests into her life from the time she was a child, and has seen the fruits of pursing a journey that focuses on interior freedom alongside outer purpose. Along the way she has been fortunate to pursue various experiences, education, and certifications. She worked in the corporate, higher ed and nonprofit sectors. Most recently she served as Co-Director of Swim for Life Vietnam. Prior to that she served as Executive Director of Career Services at Seattle University following her time at Indiana University where she was the Associate Director of Student Services. Beth also teaches yoga, and facilitates workshops and retreats. She earned her B.A. in French and International Business at High Point University and her M.S./Ed.S. in School and Counseling Psychology at Indiana University. She is a licensed mental health counselor, as well as a licensed teacher of swimming and water safety.
Dr. Stephanie LaFontaine, PhD | PRESIDENT
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Stephanie LaFontaine has Ph.D. in Human Development, MA in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Stephanie has worked in nonprofit leadership in community mental health and primary care. She is passionate about use of a bio-psychosocial approach to care that attends to the individual holistically as a physical, emotional and environmental interrelated system in contrast to the traditional “illness” biomedical approach. She has more than 25 years working in new program and grant proposal development, funding and implementation. As Executive Director of Johnson Nichols Health Clinic, she led the development of an innovative integrated health center, Spencer Integrated Health, to deliver primary medical and behavioral health care in an evidence-based interdisciplinary care “health home” model. In her current position with Centerstone as the Housing Initiatives Strategist, she provides leadership to develop short and long-term business strategy for a new healthcare service line of residential treatment and supportive housing initiatives for persons with opioid and other substance use disorders using a biopsychosocial model.
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Kevin Espirito | SECRETARY
Kevin Espirito believes in the power of scaling change through technology. His experience has taught him that technology is an essential tool in bringing about development and change. From a young age Kevin has felt an inner drive to help others. He has come to realize that individuals and communities only need opportunities to thrive – they already have the internal resources and motivation needed to succeed. With that spirit, Kevin decided to co-found We Bloom, and will apply his extensive experience in nonprofit leadership to developing and leading the organization. Most recently, Kevin served as Co-Director of the Swim for Life program in Vietnam. Prior to moving to Vietnam and serving in that role for 2 years, Kevin was the Senior Manager of global employee engagement for Microsoft Philanthropies, based in Redmond, Wash. U.S., where he managed the company’s volunteer strategy, giving campaign, employee community engagement, and the year-round matching gift programs. He was responsible for developing the strategy and implementation for all employee engagement programs, ensuring Microsoft employees were supported in their personal passions related to community efforts. Kevin worked closely with nonprofit organizations as well as businesses to scale monetary giving and volunteerism through the use of technology. Kevin was with Microsoft for 16 ½ years including management and leadership positions within OEM, Sales and Marketing, Partner strategy and IT. Kevin attended University of Washington and has a liberal arts degree. He is a licensed teacher of swimming and water safety by both American Red Cross and AUSTSWIM. He is a current member of the Board of Directors for Roots and Wings International and Peacetrees Vietnam.
Adam DeJute | TREASURER
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Adam DeJute currently works at the Regenstrief Institute, a fifty-year-old medical research nonprofit. Before this career in nonprofits, Adam worked in third-party logistics, while operating an information technology consulting firm focused on hardware modernization and cloud-computing deployment & scaling. Adam's baccalaureate from Indiana University focuses on accounting. Growing up in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis before moving to Franklin, Indiana. Adam saw first-hand the positive impact of personal empowerment and access to resources often taken for granted. He is excited to bring his experience to We Bloom and continue to serve his community.
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Derek Kendrick | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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Derek Kendrick graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Public Relations and a certification in nonprofit management. Derek has over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, seven of those as a consultant. With his experience, he has participated in projects aimed to reduce hospital readmission, decrease usage of unnecessary antipsychotics in nursing, and transform clinical practices to suit the current needs of patients. Derek has participated with various community-based organizations, specifically those specializing in supporting the arts and families. He has also served on Board of Directors for Arts Illiana and the Young Man’s Civic Club. Currently, Derek is a Quality Improvement Coordinator with Eskenazi Health Center. In this capacity, he works with clinical personnel to improve and maintain high quality standards set forth by leadership and payers.
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Derrin Slack | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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While on a college mission trip to Botswana, Africa, Derrin Slack experienced the power of giving back to others and wondered how his life would have been different had he been exposed to service at a younger age. This led to the founding of ProAct and what it is today. Derrin is an award-winning community leader with a strong background in nonprofit management and research, training, and leadership. He acts as the conduit between the needs of the community, and the individuals, partners, sponsors, and students that engage with ProAct. Under his leadership, the organization has engaged over 25,000 boys and girls, community leaders, and business professionals to value intentional community engagement and appreciate diversity and equity as an integral part of their lives. He has trained all over Indianapolis and in such countries as Ireland, Ethiopia, Mali, Mexico, and the UK; and in many cities in the United States. Derrin can be reached at derrin@proactindy.org
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Diem Bui, CPA, EA | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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Diem Bui is a licensed CPA and an Enrolled Agent. She has been practicing public accounting and specializes in income tax for individuals, estates, and trusts. Diem earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration from Vietnam. She also received an Accounting Certificate from the University of Washington. Diem is passionate about children's education and women's economic empowerment. She cares about access to education, and mental health. With a background in accounting and finance, she is honored to serve as a Board member of We Bloom and looks forward to making meaningful contributions to the organization.
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Gary Miles | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Gary Miles is currently the General Manager of Puerto Rico for Eli Lilly & Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Science from Penn State University and is an MBA candidate at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. During his 14-year career at Lilly, Gary has held positions in Sales, Operations, Marketing, and Human Resources. He is passionate about public health and the mission of We Bloom and looks forward to taking all that he has learned and using it to support the We Bloom organization as a Board member.
Kevin Fitzgerald | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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Kevin Fitzgerald is currently a Deputy General Counsel for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University, with a double major in Political Science and Psychology, then attended Gonzaga University School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctorate. Prior to his current position, Kevin worked as Deputy Attorney General for the Indiana Office of the Attorney General, where his caseload predominantly involved recovery of misappropriated public funds. As a career-long state employee, Kevin has a strong devotion to public service and giving back to the state and community around him. Kevin strives to leverage his passion for mental health matters and the law in serving as a Board member for We Bloom, and is honored to have the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.
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Steve Ball | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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Steve Ball believes deeply in the empowerment of all peoples and communities as a means towards equality and justice. Steve retired from the U.S. Army after over 27 years of service. He graduated from the University of Maine and Cornell University (M.A., Asian Studies) and was the US Army Fellow to the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University. Steve’s last tour in the Army was as the U.S. Army Defense Attaché to Hanoi, Vietnam from 2002-2005. After the Army, Steve worked in Viet Nam as Project Director for the Quang Tri School for Blind and Visually Impaired Children. He then returned to Vietnam to serve as the Country Director for Golden West Humanitarian Foundation, a non-profit organization established to develop technical solutions to detecting, clearing, and disposing of landmine and unexploded munitions.
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Dr. William Ramos, PhD | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
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Residing within the Indiana University School of Public Health–Bloomington as an Assistant Professor, Dr. Ramos’ research is focused on examining the impact of both built and natural aquatic environments on aspects relate to public health. Behind his research is over 30 years of practitioner experience in the field of aquatic management stretching from conventional pools and waterfronts to today’s modern waterparks. His insider exposure to the field of aquatic management has provided the impetus for research questions surrounding issues such as drowning prevention, physical activity, participant perceptions, and recreational water illnesses.
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