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. To connect with Beth, please email her at beth.kreitl@webloom.org.
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Caroline graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology in May of 2020. Upon graduation, she has further continued her work with Recovery Café Indy as their Community Engagement & Projects Coordinator and has since expanded upon her work with We Bloom. Caroline is passionate about community improvement and relationship building. In her role with We Bloom, she enjoys building connections and community with Cafés around the state of Indiana, and developing partnerships with staff, volunteers, interns & community and corporate partners. She loves dogs, baking, her small biz - Sweet Caroline Clay, spending time with friends and family, the movie La La Land, the color yellow, and chickens. To connect with Caroline, please reach her at caroline.durava@webloom.org.
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Deja Sanders is the Discovery Café Indy Program Manager. Her passion for working with youth started when she was the designated babysitter of her three younger siblings, who were adopted. Growing up near the system and seeing the traumatic influence it had on her and her siblings, she knew her calling was to be in a helping profession. In 2019, Deja graduated from IUPUI with a bachelor's degree in Social Work. After graduation, she worked for various youth serving organizations, such as the Department of Child Services, Meridian Health Services and Community Health Network. These organizations focused on youth experiencing trauma, menta health and severe behavioral health issues. This population prompted Deja to higher education. In 2021, Deja obtained her master’s degree in Social Work. Her future career goals include becoming a licensed trauma therapist for youth and eventually open her own community center. She has lived both professional and educational experiences that will help bring creative ideas to Discovery Café Indy and ensure that the guiding principles are followed. Fun facts about Deja: her favorite color is yellow; she loves sunflowers and is obsessed with ALL things Starbucks. To connect with Deja, please reach her at deja.sanders@webloom.org.
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Jasmine graduated from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in 2018. Upon graduation, she spent the next few years working in the social work field doing case management, strategic planning, and problem solving. During the pandemic, Jasmine pursued her Masters of Science and graduated in 2022. Jasmine has since pivoted from social work and found she is passionate about organizational development with a current focus on project/program management and identifying training and development needs. In her role at We Bloom, Jasmine oversees and is implementing the Member Financial Assistance program across Recovery Cafes in Indiana. She enjoys collaborating with others and building relationships with members in the Café. Fun facts about Jasmine are that she was born and raised in Chicago, her favorite candy is Turtles and Snickers, and she loves her pink and green 😊 skee-wee! To connect with Jasmine, please reach her at jasmine.vance@webloom.org.
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Jude Brown is a dedicated non-profit professional with several years experience in diverse areas, including overdose prevention and HIV. They are committed to improving health outcomes in their community and in all communities. Jude Brown is a life-long Hoosier and lives on the Near East Side of Indianapolis with their family. In their spare time they like to play music and travel. To connect with Jude, please reach them at jude.brown@webloom.org.
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Julius Mansa has been an operations, finance, and accounting professional for over 15 years, with a sharpened financial management expertise in various industries including financial services, real estate, logistics, and the nonprofit sector. Julius’s career includes various corporate finance roles ranging from senior financial analyst to financial controller in the logistics and real estate development sectors, in addition to leading the finance function of several non-profit organizations. As an emerging academic and researcher, Julius serves as a professor at two institutions of higher education in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA where his current and past lecture areas include intermediate accounting, managerial finance, risk management, corporate valuation, portfolio management, and financial economics. In 2020, Julius was awarded a prestigious and highly competitive U.S. Department of State Fulbright Program research award in the area of financial technology.
Julius holds a Master of Finance with a specialization in information technology from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Indiana University. Julius is currently a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Finance candidate with a research focus on financial technology and its impact on investor behavior. To connect with Julius, please reach him at julius.mansa@webloom.org. |
Kevin is passionate about scaling change and the connection between local and global. He believes strongly that communities and individuals only need opportunities to thrive whether in a developed or developing country – they already have the internal resources and motivation needed to succeed. With this spirit, Kevin decided to co-found We Bloom, and currently serves as a catalyst Coach for all Indiana Recovery Café’s. Kevin is a trained CAPRC (Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach), CRP and ARC (American Red Cross) CPR, LTSWS (Licensed Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety), and receiving training on QPR (Suicide prevention), Mental Health First Aid and CHW-CRS (Community Health Worker – Certified Recovery Specialist). Prior to founding and volunteering to help We Bloom begin, Kevin served as Co-Director of the Swim for Life program, living in Quang Binh, Vietnam for 2 years. Before moving to Vietnam, 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 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 current member of the Board of Directors for Roots and Wings International and Peacetrees Vietnam as well as his local Rotary and neighborhood board. To connect with Kevin, please reach him at kevin.espirito@webloom.org.
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An accomplished speaker, leader, and educator, Nathan L. Rush is a consultant for ICAADA. In his capacity, Nathan has vast experience in the field of addictions, mental health, HIV/AIDS, as well as training in Recovery Coaching and Motivational Interviewing. As an advocate for substance abuse, HIV prevention, drugs and alcoholism, he is recognized nationally as an expert. He is called on frequently to speak on a wide range of topics at conferences nationally and internationally. Mr. Rush received his B.S. degree in Psychology from Martin University in 2001 and received a certificate in Business Management and Accounting from Clark College in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has developed and implemented a comprehensive continuum of care including care and prevention to those addicted to substances and living with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. Mr. Rush has served on over 30 boards and committees and has received many acknowledgements and accolades during his career. In 2017, he received the Certificate of Nomination and was awarded the Mental Health and Addiction Professional Award at the Heroes for Recovery, Mental Health America of Indiana Awards Luncheon. In 2021, he was named the Danny Ailes’ Lifetime Recovery Advocate from the Indiana Addictions Issues Coalition (IAIC). That same year, he was named the In Arms 2021 Lifetime Recovery Advocate for 25 years of service and advocacy to the recovery community in Indiana. Currently, Mr. Rush offers his time and efforts to organizations in need of his expertise. To connect with Nate, please reach him at nate.rush@webloom.org.
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Sloane Thompson is a collaborative, strategic leader who spent more than 20 years leading teams of university student services professionals. In the past five years, she has served in operational leadership roles with start-up organizations focused on supporting founding entrepreneurs in clarifying vision and mission, building strong teams and infrastructure to support growth. Over the past two years, she has become a passionate proponent of EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System and loves leading teams in learning how to use the EOS tools to gain traction and accomplish individual and organizational goals. Sloane is passionate about people becoming the best versions of themselves. Outside of work, she loves spending time in the woods and on lakes, attending music and sporting events with her husband and two sons, and gathering with friends and accountability partners who help her continue to write new chapters of her life in which she continues to become the best version of herself. To connect with Sloane, please email her at sloane.thompson@webloom.org.
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Tiffany Richardson is our Director of Recovery Cafe Catalyst Programs. She is in long-term recovery and loves to serve her community. She has a passion for recovery and being a part of changing lives. Since 2014, Tiffany has been employed within the recovery community. She has four children who also have experience in community mental health. Recovery Cafe serves as a place to fulfill her purpose and to guide and encourage others through love and compassion. To connect with Tiffany, please email her at tiffany.richardson@webloom.org.
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