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 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
Stephanie is a part of the Recovery Cafe Advisory, and board liaison. Stephanie 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.
Diem Bui, CPA, EA | TREASURER
Kevin Espirito | SECRETARY
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Diem 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.
Kevin 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.
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Gary Miles | MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Gary 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.
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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