Founder and Chairmain

Zac Brown

Camp Southern Ground was founded by the GRAMMY Award- winning musician, Zac Brown. Despite all the irons in the fire, Brown nonetheless calls his foundation and camp plans his “life’s work.” “Having the camp and giving back is important for me,” he says. “I’m very blessed to have what I have, and I know a lot of that’s on credit for what I do down the road. It’s very important for me to keep that in mind. I want to leave something behind that does some good after I’m gone.”

Bridget Harrell

Bridget Harrell founded Velocity Solutions in 1995 and served as its Chairwoman until the sale of the company. Founded in 1995 the company serviced the transaction accounts of over 30 million consumers and business owners, Velocity Solutions is the leading provider of revenue-driving solutions for community banks and credit unions. Its Velocity Intelligent Platform™ powers all of Velocity’s solutions, using machine-led intelligence that delivers powerful analytics and drives revenue, deposits and loans to its client financial institutions. Bridget helped to oversee all corporate functions with the intention of maintaining a sustainable business model and generating financial returns for all stakeholders. Bridget brought more than 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, merchandising, and accounting to the organization. As co-owner of Velocity Solutions, Bridget was responsible for engineering and controlling the organization’s growth and expansion into other markets.

Bridget is an active volunteer in her community and is involved with several charitable organizations. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Emeril Lagasse Foundation and previously served on the board for the Coastal Carolina Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She is an avid supporter of the fine and performing arts, having served on the board of The Bellamy Mansion Museum of Fine Arts, donating regularly to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, and sponsoring a variety of other performing arts centers and programs in Wilmington, NC. She has also served on the advisory council at The Episcopal High School.

In 2011, Bridget was presented with the “Humanitarian of the Year Award,” from the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Humanitarian of the Year award, presented annually by the American Red Cross, recognizes local individuals or groups whose efforts and accomplishments have made the community a better place to live and work.

Bridget is a native of North Carolina, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Appalachian State University. She currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Douglas D. Haynes

Douglas D. Haynes is the Managing Partner and Founder of Norias Research Group. He served as President of Point72 Asset Management from 2014 through early 2108. His four-year tenure featured outperformance of peers, expansion of international operations, creation of the Point72 Academy, restoration of the founder’s SEC license, governance of the firm’s $2bn private equity portfolio, launch of a venture capital arm, and leadership of a >$4bn capital raise.

Prior to launching Norias, Doug founded Council Advisors in 2020 to provide advice, counsel, and interim executive leadership for FinTech, MedTech, and asset management companies. He served as interim CEO of several clients, including Hazeltree Fund Services, where he is now Executive Chairman.

From 1992 through 2013, Doug was a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and a firm member. Over the course of his tenure, he led the global Technology Services and Operations practices, and the Northeast Region of the US. His early roles included serving as an engineer for GE’s Plastics Business and a software developer for the Central Intelligence Agency.  

Doug is a Board member of the Robin Hood Foundation in New York, Camp Southern Ground in Georgia, the Center for Global Enterprise, and a founding Board member of the Cohen Veteran’s Network. He has served as an advisory board member for Singtel Corporation and the Darden Graduate School of Business.

He graduated summa cum laude in mechanical engineering from West Virginia University and was a Shermet Scholar at the Darden Graduate School of Business.

Mike Helton

Mike Helton is the vice chairman of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). He replaced Bill France, jr. in November 2000 as the company’s 3rd president. He became the first person outside the France family to take over the day-to-day operations of NASCAR when he was promoted from his position as vice president for competition and was named senior vice president and chief operating officer in February of 1999.

Born and raised in Bristol, Virginia, Helton’s motorsports experience allows him to look at all sides of the picture, from a sanctioning body’s standpoint, from a track’s standpoint (from his years running one), and even from a competitor’s standpoint…he did a little racing of his own at one time. His motorsports management experience began in 1980 at what was then known as Atlanta International Raceway. He was promoted to general manager in 1985 before joining the management team at Daytona International Speedway in 1986. Eighteen months later, Helton was offered the job of general manager at Talladega Superspeedway. Within two years, he quickly advanced to vice president of the International Speedway Corporation and in 1989 was promoted to president of the Talladega track. He held that position until January of 1994, when he relocated to Daytona Beach, Florida as the new vice president for competition – all by the age of 40.

Hunt James

Hunt James has been involved in the financial services industry for over 25 years, is a registered financial advisor, and has held a variety of positions at the firm started by his family, Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF). He has worked in Equity Research, the Syndicate Department, Marketing Services, started and Co-Headed the Corporate Client Services Group, and has previously served on the company’s Board of Directors. He spearheaded and negotiated the firm’s naming rights transaction for Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Hunt is a serial entrepreneur and is a Co-Founder of Digital Hands, a leading provider of Managed Cyber Security Services, Managed Network Infrastructure Services, and End-user Services (Service Desk/Help Desk).

Additionally, Hunt is the CEO of Gulfstream Yachts, a manufacturer of extremely safe boats for recreational, commercial, military and law enforcement customers.

Mr. James maintains an active interest in digital media, has been an investor in numerous technology startups, and a regular attendee at the AllThingsD Conferences and now the Code Conference.

Mr. James is a resident of Tampa, Florida. He earned a BS from Emory University and an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Ami Klin

Dr. Ami Klin is the director of Marcus Autism Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine, the largest center of clinical care for children with autism and their families, and one of only three NIH Autism Centers of Excellence.

Dr. Klin is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist and researcher. His primary research activities focus on the emergence of social mind and brain, and disruptions thereof in autism, from infancy through adulthood. One area of emphasis in this work is a longstanding collaboration with Dr. Warren Jones in which eye-tracking technology is used to visualize and measure social engagement. This program of research has more recently focused on monitoring infants at increased risk for developmental disabilities, from birth, in order to detect the earliest quantitative markers of autism in infancy. This effort aims at lowering age of detection and at improving access to early treatment with the goal of improving outcomes for children with autism.

Previously, Dr. Klin was an autism and Asperger syndrome researcher and a Harris Professor of Child Psychology and Psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center. He has worked at the Center since 1989. He obtained BA degrees in Psychology, and Political Science and History, from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel in 1983 and his PhD in Psychology at University College London in 1988 under the co-supervision of Uta Frith. He is board-certified in Clinical Psychology.

Dr. Klin has received numerous professional and academic awards and recognition including Researcher of the Year from Business New Haven in collaboration with Yale, Pearl H. Rieger Award for Excellence in Clinical Science from the Rush Medical Center in Chicago, and the Robert McKenzie Prize for Outstanding PhD Thesis from the University of London.

Rob Light

Rob Light is head of the Music Department and Managing Partner of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Nashville, and Beijing. Under Light’s leadership, CAA’s Music department represents many of the world’s most popular and talented musical artists and comedians. Light oversees all of CAA’s music agents, providing strategic counsel on concert tours and event bookings worldwide, as well as advising clients on their overall career development.

Following six years at International Creative Management, Light joined CAA in 1984. He was named Head of the Music Department in 1998 and appointed to CAA’s management board in 2001. Under his visionary leadership, Light has led the department’s expansion into London, which marked the first time a full-service agency established an international presence, Nashville, and New York City, helping CAA become the preeminent talent agency for musicians and comedians in the U.S. and abroad. A market share leader, CAA represents more of the top 200 touring artists than the next four competitors combined, and books more theater and arena comedy acts worldwide than any other agency. CAA’s Music clients cross every genre, from pop, rock and country, to urban, Latin, and EDM, as well as comedy.

Respected throughout the industry for his innovative deal structures and his ability to foresee and adapt to changes in the business environment, Light has led CAA’s music department to new heights by implementing an integrated services model that leverages CAA’s expansive and deep resources within the department and across the agency. This inter-departmental approach has taken clients into soundtracks, theater, features films, television, documentaries, sponsorship, endorsement and licensing.

Light and his team have also been instrumental in building and creating many of the most successful themed music festivals in the last decade, including Vans’ Warped Tour, Taste of Chaos and the Mayhem Tour.

Craig Menear

Craig Menear served as CEO and president of The Home Depot from November 2014 and chairman from February 2015 until his retirement in September 2020. Prior to becoming CEO, Craig held roles spanning merchandising, supply chain, store operations, sourcing, marketing and online in his more than 20 years with the company.

Prior to joining The Home Depot, Craig served in a variety of roles in mass, home center and specialty retailing in addition to previously operating an independent retail business.

Craig earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business. In 2017, he was honored with MSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award for his business accomplishments and commitment to philanthropic initiatives.

Craig currently serves on the board of directors of the Retail Industry Leaders Association; the Atlanta Committee for Progress, a partnership between the Mayor and top business, civic and academic leaders; and is an advisor to Junior Achievement Atlanta’s CEO related to the organization’s 3DE schools initiative. In addition to these efforts, his family is active in supporting the Salvation Army.

Tommy Millner

Tommy Millner brings expertise in leadership, strategy, governance with deep ties to the outdoor industry and a passion for the camp’s mission.

From 2009 to 2017, he has served as CEO and President of Cabela’s, North America’s largest specialty retailer of hunting, fishing and camping products with 90 destination stores and the outdoor industry’s largest e-commerce website. Previously, Tommy was CEO of Remington Arms, the manufacturer of sporting arms and ammunition, for 15 years. Tommy is on the board of Best Buy and Total Wine & More.

Prior board experience includes Remington Arms, Stanley Furniture, Bushnell Optics and Lazydays RV.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Randolph Macon College.

Jonathan White

Jonathan White is the founder of the executive search firm J. Ogden White Associates, LLC and serves select clients with their leadership needs in the areas of board search, retained executive search, succession planning, assessment and executive coaching.

The firm specializes in placing and developing leaders for the boardroom, the C-Suite and its direct reports. Areas of expertise include Executive Management, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Finance, and Information Systems.

Industries served include consumer financial services, technology, consumer products, healthcare and industrial business. Mr. White brings his human resource planning, recruitment, and assessment expertise to the organization.

Margaret Perdue Denny

Margaret Denny brings her extensive background in development to Camp Southern Ground’s Advisory Board. She is the former Vice President of Development and currently a consultant for Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized nonprofit mental health treatment organization. Ms. Denny was Vice-President and Director of Coxe Curry & Associates from 1992-2001, a fundraising consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations in greater Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. The firm specializes in providing practical strategic fundraising solutions that strengthen nonprofits for long-term success. Ms. Denny is on or has served on the High Museum of Art Board of Trustees, the Skyland Trail Advisory Board, the Schenck School Board of Trustees, and other community leadership positions. She is a graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, MA, and Sotheby’s Works of Art, London, England.

Caroline Jones

Caroline Jones adds creativity and purpose in music education and music therapy to Camp Southern Ground’s Advisory Board. She is a gifted singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, lauded for single-handedly performing the guitar, banjo, harmonica, keys, and lap steel on her albums. In 2022 she officially joined the multi-platinum GRAMMY-Award winning Zac Brown Band as a full-time band member, the first and only female.

Her sophomore album, Antipodes (November 2021), debuted at #4 on the iTunes Country Chart and its lead single, “Come In (But Don’t Make Yourself Comfortable),” was Caroline’s first Top 30 country hit. As with her debut album Bare Feet (August 2017), she co-produced Antipodes with Ric Wake (Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston), performed majority of the instruments, and solo wrote the majority of the tracks.

Named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need to Know” as “an ambitious, entrepreneurial guitar heroine primed to bring back the pop-country glory of the Nineties”.

Caroline first opened for Zac Brown Band on their 2017 tour and, following three consecutive years as their staple opening act, joined the band as a special guest in 2021. Highlights with the group include performing at the 2021 CMA Awards, opening for The Rolling Stones at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and most recently, performing as Dolly Parton’s band for her Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction.

In 2022, Caroline reunited with Zac Brown Band as a special guest in their Out In The Middle Tour, while popping up at key festivals and headlining her own shows in support of Antipodes. She is currently back on tour with ZBB for their From The Fire Tour.

Previously, the spirited vocalist toured hundreds of schools & universities nationwide – including underserved and charter schools with Stedman Graham – on The Heart is Smart School Tour, inspiring 150,000+ students with her performances and workshops to date.

Drew Lipsher

Drew Lipsher is the Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at Volta Industries. His primary responsibilities include managing all revenue including media sales as well as other non-media sales related opportunities. In addition, he oversees all corporate development, marketing, and strategic initiatives including partnerships.
Drew has over twenty years as a media and digital media operator and investor. He was the former CRO at GLAMSQUAD and previously held senior leadership roles at Korn Ferry, Clear Channel, Greycroft, Interscope Geffen A&M; Records, News Corp., BMG and Warner Music.
Drew graduated with a BA from Yale University and received his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Brian Parlotto

Brian Parlotto is a longstanding Advisory Board Member, providing business acumen, strategy, and relationship building to benefit camp. Brian joined InComm in 2004 and since then, he has served the company in many capacities, including international expansion, business development, and sales and account management. He has also leveraged his experience with start-ups to champion many firsts in prepaid industry.As Executive Vice President, Mr. Parlotto leads the sales and account management teams while overseeing the marketing, trade marketing and retail execution departments in addition to InComm Digital Solutions. Prior to InComm, Mr. Parlotto worked with Virgin Mobile USA, Cingular Wireless and BellSouth Mobility.

Renato Razon

Renato Razon knows how to influence and guide leaders through difficult people and culture challenges from the recent global pandemic, multiple organization transformations and the continued journey of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace. With 20+ years of experience in Human Resources, Renato leads one of the largest HR teams as the Senior Vice President of People Solutions at Cox Automotive.

Before joining Cox Automotive in 2018, Renato led human capital development at Mercedes-Benz USA as the Chief Human Resource Officer. He oversaw the company’s talent identification, employee relations, and benefits and compensation. He also spent many years with Daimler Trucks North America and DaimlerChrysler focused on union relations, interpretation of the collective agreement, recruitment, hiring, training, employee development, and policy administration.

Renato holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources with a specialization in HR Development from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. With roots in Michigan, Renato currently resides in Atlanta, Ga., with his wife and two children. Renato enjoys sporting events – Go Braves!, the Atlanta food scene festivals and environmental volunteer activities.

Drew Slaven

Drew Slaven brings marketing, branding, and communication expertise to Camp Southern Ground as well as continued support from the leadership team at Mercedes-Benz USA. Drew became vice president of marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) in January 2014. In this role, Slaven is a member of MBUSA’s executive management team with overall responsibility for marketing communications, market research and product management of the Mercedes-Benz brand in the U.S. He reports directly to Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Slaven came on board with MBUSA in 2002 as department manager of communications planning. In 2007 he was promoted to his most recent post at the company, general manager of marketing services, where he had oversight of marketing communications strategies for the Mercedes-Benz and smart brands within the United States. His responsibilities spanned national corporate advertising, CRM and the Internet.

Prior to joining MBUSA, Slaven gained a decade’s marketing experience working on both the agency and client sides. He began as a media planner for DDB Media Advertising in 1992, developing marketing strategies for GTE and American Airlines. Two years later, he moved to McCann-Erickson, overseeing the advertising of the Johnson & Johnson and Ferrero accounts. He then switched to the client side as manager of mass communications at J.P. Morgan Chase, responsible for consumer advertising for Chase Bank.

Slaven holds a master of business administration in marketing from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Greg Suess

Greg Suess served as secretary and as a board member of Camp Southern Ground from its formation in 2010 until 2017, bringing strategic thought, leadership, and governance to the camp. He is the senior advisor at Bradley Media & Entertainment in the firm’s Media & Entertainment and Corporate & Securities practice groups in Birmingham, AL.

Prior to joining Bradley, Greg was a partner at Glaser Weil, a leading Los Angeles-based, full-service law firm where he was with the firm for more than 24 years. He is a founding partner of Activist Artists Management, LLC (Activist.co), a top-tier, full-service music and talent management firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Atlanta. Activist represents an A-list roster of music artists, actors, writers, directors, brands and family offices and was founded on the notion that artists, actors, brands and family offices can create positive change in the world through leveraging their voices via media and entertainment. He established and leads Activist’s Family Office & Corporate Division, which advises Forbes 400 families and emerging businesses at the cross-section of media, entertainment, and technology.

Greg graduated from the University of Southern California and earned his J.D. and M.B.A. from Pepperdine University’s School of Law and Graziadio School of Business, graduating in three years with honors while working for Michael Milken. He lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama, with his wife, Michelle Suess, and their two children, Avery and Wyatt.

Owner, Granville House, Great Barrington, MA

Terry Coughlin

Terry spent 23 years working for Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group, ultimately earning the title of Managing Partner and Director of Operations. During his time with the group, he helped conceptualize and open four restaurants, oversaw seven different businesses and mentored dozens of young leaders. As the head of USHG’s Community Council, he helped to raise over $4 million dollars for various charitable organizations.

In late 2019, Terry and his family moved to Great Barrington, Massachusetts where they own and operate Granville House, a five-guest room Bed & Breakfast. In his spare time, he also continues to share his passion for all things service related as a hospitality leadership coach. He has spent the last seven years serving on the Board of Directors of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. In 2022 he was elected to serve as Secretary to the Board.

Creative Director, Beyond Recreation

Michael Jay Gardner

Michael Jay started his performing career like many who pursue this type of work: by accident. He received a BA in Psychology from Emory University, where he also learned how to juggle, play various musical instruments, and find comfort and joy playing on stage as a four-year cast member of the nation’s oldest college improv troupe.

Michael worked as a healthcare clown with The Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit and was the Resident Clown at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. He has also toured internationally with Britney Spears on her Circus World Tour and with Cirque du Soleil, playing the Handyman clown in KOOZÅ. Michael is also incredibly proud to have worked with Cirque du Monde, an outreach program of Cirque du Soleil that teaches circus arts to at-risk and underserved youth. He is currently the Creative Director of Beyond Recreation, a summer camp consultation and staff training company he founded with his wife, Anne Henningfeld.

Camp Trainer and Consultant, Evolution Mentoring

Jeff Leiken

Jeff is a Master Practitioner of NLP, Co-Creator and Master Trainer of the cutting-edge HeroPath ® program, author of the acclaimed book Adolescence Is Not A Disease and popular keynote speaker and trainer for organizations who work with youth. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling, a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from the State of California, served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Francisco Graduate School Of Education, and has guest lectured at Stanford University. He has served as a trainer and consultant with over 300 Summer Camps across North America and China. He has helped train over 60,000 parents, teens and professionals in the youth development field.

Chief Executive Officer, Campfire Circle

Alex Robertson

Alex is the CEO of Campfire Circle, a not-for-profit charity that provides year-round social and recreational programs for children living with serious illness and their families. Alex serves a Board of Directors, and leads a passionate staff of 95 team members who support over 1,000 volunteers to fundraise and implement programs that reach 3,000+ families annually. He has spent his career developing and implementing programs for kids with life-threatening illnesses in Canada, the US and abroad. A life-long camper, Alex jumps into the cabins as a camp counsellor every summer.

Pamela McPhee Founder and Executive Director at The Brown Center at UNH; Executive Coach and Principal at Windhorse Leadership

Pamela McPhee

Pam was the Executive Director of The Browne Center, www.brownecenter.com from 1987 – 2020. She is faculty emeritus of the University of New Hampshire, and was the Equine Assisted Mental Health and Learning Graduate Coordinator at Prescott College. Pam holds a M.S.W. from the University of Connecticut and doctoral work through Prescott College. She has had a varied career working for business, civic and educational institutions. Her focus is on helping individuals and groups develop their own deliberate culture through inter and intra-personal skill development, group facilitation and coaching. She enjoys co-creating effective learning environments.

In 2010, the International Association for Experiential Education honored Pam with the Michael Stratton Practitioner’s Award-their highest award given to practitioners. ‘Pam demonstrates that an individual practitioner can bring about significant change and provide a positive lasting impact on the lives of her students, participants and clients.’

Dr. Thomas Frazier

Professor of Psychology at John Carroll University; Executive Vice-President for Virtual and Clinical care, Quadrant Biosciences; Board of Directors, Autism Speaks

As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Frazier has been involved for more than 17 years in evaluation, treatment and research, with a focus on improving autism identification; new treatment approaches; creating and refining measures of autism symptoms; translational genetic studies; and quality of life in people with autism and their families. Dr. Frazier has published more than 130 peer-reviewed papers and numerous conference presentations.

From 2017-2020, Dr. Frazier served as chief science officer of Autism Speaks, where he was responsible for overseeing all science initiatives, including the MSSNG genomic research project and the Autism Care Network. His four-year tenure as chief science officer was a key driving force in Autism Speaks’ efforts to be a catalyst for life-enhancing research breakthroughs.

Dr. Scott H. Kollins

Chief Medical Officer, Akili Interactive

Dr. Scott Kollins spent more than 20 years on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Duke University School of Medicine, where he maintains an adjunct faculty appointment. He was also the co-lead for the Digital Health Solutions Initiative at the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI). In this role, Dr. Kollins worked with more than a dozen digital health and digital therapeutic companies to develop clinical studies and provide scientific and regulatory guidance. Dr. Kollins was most recently the chief medical officer for Holmusk, the world’s leading real-world evidence company focused on behavioral health.

Dr. Kollins’ research has spanned a number of areas, including human psychopharmacology, ADHD across the lifespan, nicotine and other substance use disorders, and clinical trials. He has published nearly 200 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. Over the past 20 years, his research was supported by seven different federal agencies, including the NICHD, NIDA, NIMH, NIEHS, NINDS, FDA, and EPA. Dr. Kollins has been ranked among the Top 100 Psychiatry faculty members in the U.S. with respect to NIH funding and also served as principal investigator on more than 50 industry-funded clinical trials, including Akili’s STARS-ADHD trial published in The Lancet Digital Health. Dr. Kollins is an elected member of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence and a fellow of both the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the American Psychological Association Division 28 (Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse). He has served as a reviewer for a wide range of US-based and international granting agencies. Dr. Kollins is a former associate editor for the Journal of Attention Disorders, is the ADHD section editor for the Journal of Child Psychiatry & Psychology and has reviewed for more than 50 different peer-reviewed journals. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of North Carolina.

Dr. Kollins received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Duke University in 1992 and earned his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University in 1995 and 1997, respectively. He completed his clinical internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he served as chief intern. Following internship, Kollins joined the faculty of the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University for three years, before joining the Duke faculty in 2000.

Dr. Robert Melillo

Founder, Brain Balance

As a clinician, professor, brain researcher and bestselling author, Dr. Robert Melillo has been helping children overcome learning and developmental challenges for over 30 years. His areas of expertise include: autism spectrum disorders, PDD/NOS, ADD/ADHD, OCD, dyslexia, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, bipolar disorder, and other mental, attention, behavioral and learning disorders. He is also an expert in diet, nutrition and neuroimmune disorders in children and adults.

In 2004, Dr. Melillo published Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: An Evolutionary Perspective, a working theory textbook on developmental disabilities. In 2009, Dr. Melillo’s published his best-selling book Disconnected Kids that brings a fundamental and new understanding of how to address these issues through his revolutionary Brain Balance Program ®. He has since published two additional best-sellers, Reconnected Kids and Autism — The Scientific Truth About Preventing, Diagnosing and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders. His most recent released is The Disconnected Kids Nutrition Plan.

Dr. Robert Melillo is the creator of the Melillo Method™, his holistic approach to treating patients with a broad spectrum of brain related disorders. The Melillo Method™ is used to identify brain imbalances and treat many symptoms of mental, attention, behavioral, and learning disorders in patients of all ages.

Amy O’Dell

CEO and Founder, Jacob’s Ladder and AHAVA

Amy O’Dell is the Founder and CEO of Jacob’s Ladder, a non-profit school and research center in Roswell, Georgia, and AHAVA, a digital platform for human restoration and growth (releasing in 2023). A leading healthcare innovator and global pioneer in special needs education, neurobiology, and development, Amy gives people with neurobiological delays or disorders a clear path to hope, healing, and transformation amidst the obstacles they face. Her groundbreaking methodology, the Interpersonal Whole Body Model Care (IWBMC) model, harnesses the extraordinary ability of the brain to heal and develop new capacities at any age. Amy’s greatest passion is to help provide restoration and uncover a potential most would overlook. Amy is also the author of the forthcoming book, Free to Flourish.

She holds a degree in Activity Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Clemson University. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and South Carolina and also has extensive experience in a variety of clinical settings. Beginning as an intern with Shephard Spinal Center in Atlanta, she has held the positions of Director of Activity Therapy and the Director of Adolescent Psychiatric Services at Woodridge Psychiatric Hospital in Clayton, Georgia.

Following the birth of her son, and recognizing that he would require additional help and support to succeed, Amy’s focus shifted in order to care for Jacob’s unique needs. She began intensive training on the Neurodevelopmental approach, cumulating in certification as a Neurodevelopmental Consultant. This training led her to further research and develop the Jacob’s Ladder Methodology, incorporating the process of evaluation, program design, and therapeutic implementation into a cohesive model.

After founding Jacob’s Ladder in 1998, Amy has had the privilege to serve over 4,000 children with diagnoses ranging from developmental delays, seizure disorders, genetic or chromosomal diagnoses, or emotional/social/behavioral disorders. After realizing that the need for therapeutic interventions is not limited to the United States, she is currently developing an additional arm to Jacob’s Ladder – one with a global impact. Thru the creation of a global ministry, Jacob’s Ladder hopes to reach children from impoverished nations who may not have access to modern medicine. By aiding children and their families both local and abroad, Amy hopes to continue improving the quality of life and inspire HOPE for more children and their families.

Dr. Kevin Pelphrey

Harrison-Wood Jefferson Foundation Scholars Professor of Neurology and Professor, Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia

Dr. Kevin Pelphrey is the Harrison-Wood Jefferson Foundation Scholars Professor of Neurology and Professor, Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. As a neuroscientist, his research investigates the brain basis of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The goal of his research is to understand the causes of autism to help get the right treatment to the right individual at the right time. Dr. Pelphrey is also the Principal Investigator of the NIH Autism Center for Excellence—Multimodal Developmental Neurogenetics of Females with Autism network that spans the University of Virginia, George Washington University, Children’s National Health System, Yale, UCLA, University of Southern California, University of Colorado at Denver, and University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital. His contributions to the field have been recognized by receipt of a NIH Scientist Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health, a John Merck Scholars Award, the Microsoft Corporation’s Breakthrough Award and the American Psychological Association’s Boyd McCandless Award for distinguished early career theoretical contributions to Developmental Psychology. Dr. Pelphrey is the father of five children, including two children on the autism spectrum. As a father and advocate, he serves at the request of the Secretary of Health and Human Services as a public member of the Federal Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

Jackie Breitenstein

Program Manager, SHARE Military Initiative and Complex Concussion Clinic, Shepherd Center

Jackie Breitenstein is the Program Program Manager for the SHARE Military Initiative and Complex Concussion Clinic at Shepherd Center. The SHARE Military Initiative provides comprehensive rehabilitation for post-9/11 active duty and separated service members with diagnoses and/or symptoms of mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and co-occurring mental health issues (such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc). Services at SHARE are provided at no cost to the service member. Each client receives an average of 12 weeks of comprehensive treatment followed by one year of transition support from a Life Coach who will travel to the homes and communities of clients once they return home from SHARE. In her role, Jackie oversees the daily operations, clinicians, and clients with the SHARE program. Jackie has been employed at the Shepherd Center since 2009, and provided case management and transition support services to patients after discharging to their home communities until her position with SHARE in 2014. In addition to her role at SHARE, Jackie serves on the Board of the Atlanta VA Mental Health Advocacy Council and as a co-leader of Vetlanta’s Healthcare Pillar.

Prior to working at Shepherd, Jackie worked with adolescents in residential psychiatric and residential settings for 7 years. Her roles included Recreation Therapy/Activities Supervisor at the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, and a Recreation Therapist at Inner Harbour/Youth Villages in Douglasville. Her career path was inspired by her work as a Ropes Course Facilitator/ Supervisor at Texas Lions Camp.

Jackie has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master’s Degree in Recreation Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Taya Kyle

Executive Director, Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation

Taya Kyle is the widow of late U.S. Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle commonly known as the American Sniper after the title of his New York Times Best Selling memoir of the same title. After the book was made into Academy Award winning film directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Bradley Cooper, Taya published her New York Times bestselling memoir American Wife. With humor and vulnerability, Taya recounts the tremendous highs and lows in her unpredictable life as the wife and now widow of an American hero.

Following the murder of her husband Chris Kyle, Taya founded the Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation (formerly Chris Kyle Frog Foundation) where she volunteers her time as Executive Director. The foundation continues Chris Kyle’s legacy serving God, country and family. With a team of people behind the mission and donations coming in across the globe, the Taya and Chris Kyle Foundation is helping first responder and military families not only survive their life of service, but thrive.

Taya resides in Texas where she is first and foremost a woman after God’s heart and a mother of her two children. She is a public speaker inspiring others to find light in the midst of darkness. As she articulates the trials and tribulations of love, war, faith and renewal, Taya helps others realize they are not alone.

Taya is also a Fox News contributor, author with new books in 2018 and 2019, and is currently working on two other television projects.

Jake Schick

CEO, ONE TRIBE FOUNDATION

Jacob Schick is the Chief Executive Officer for One Tribe Foundation (formerly 22Kill), an organization and community that combats suicide by empowering veterans, first responders, law enforcement officers, frontline medical workers and their families through traditional and non-traditional therapies. Jacob is a third generation Marine who epitomizes service and sacrifice.

After a triple-stacked tank mine detonated below his vehicle in Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2004, Jake suffered compound fractures in his left leg and left arm; multiple skin, ligament and bone losses; varying burns; partial loss of his left hand and arm; amputation below the knee of his right leg, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Jake has undergone 46 operations, 23 blood transfusions, and countless hours of rehabilitation. Jake will tell you his physical injuries weren’t the worst that happened to him. For years he dreaded his TBI and PTSD diagnosis; a common mindset among warriors. “Physical pain reminds you you’re alive, mental pain tests your will to stay that way”, is a saying that Jake says often in regards to suffering mentally.
Jake has become a staunch advocate for maximizing the potential in people from all walks of life and shares his story and the effects of being severely wounded at public speaking engagements throughout the country to motivate people to be better tomorrow than they were today, and raise awareness to the epidemic of the 22 warriors that die by suicide every day.

A passionate and fearless leader whose quick wit and stories of intestinal fortitude have a profound impact on everyone he meets, Jake has appeared on James Gandolfini’s HBO special “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” as well as “60 Minute Sports” and various other local and national venues. Jake also plays a role in Clint Eastwood’s production of “American Sniper” and will also be appearing in Bradley Cooper’s production of “A Star is Born” in May. You can read Jake’s Open Letter To Warriors and his eloquent wisdom on resilience in Psychology Today.

Liza Zwiebach, Ph.D.

Clinical Director, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program

Dr. Liza Zwiebach is the Clinical Director of Emory Healthcare Veterans Program (EVHP). EHVP treats conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), anxiety, and depression related to military service. Treatment is free and confidential for eligible post-9/11 veterans and service members living anywhere in the United States regardless of discharge status, deployment history, or length of service.

Dr. Zwiebach is a licensed psychologist in the state of Georgia. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Dr. Zwiebach completed clinical training at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Medical Center in Bedford, MA, and at Bellevue Hospital Center, in New York City. Her background includes work with active military and veteran personnel, as well as with law- enforcement personnel.

Christmas Abbott

Professional Athlete, Branding Advisor, Transformational Guru and Motivational Speaker

National Best Selling Author of “The Badass Body Diet” and “The Badass Life”, NASCAR Pit Crew Member, CrossFit Games Competitor, Weightlifter Competitor, Reality TV Star, Motivation Maker, and Transformation Guru, Christmas is not your average fitness enthusiast. Christmas has trekked through dark paths to find her biggest light, living a life worth living and inspiring others to find their light. Through struggle she found fitness and a new spirit that she came to be known as a true Badass.

Kristina Carillo-Bucaram

Creator, Fully Raw

Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram is a pioneer in the local, organic food co-operative movement. The founder of the largest raw, organic produce co-operative in the U.S., she has been 100% raw for over nine years. An exemplification of all that she wishes to create, she is a leading visionary in the raw movement, especially in Houston, TX.

She attended both Vanderbilt University and Rice University, and she graduated from Rice University on the top 5% of her class in 2009 with a triple major. One of her degrees is in Kinesiology, specializing in Health Science. I wrote my thesis paper on Raw Foods and Fasting. Since then, she has been involved highly in the movement of Organic Horticulture, Permaculture, and Co-operative Communities.

Kristina’s inspiration for being FullyRaw came after she was able to rid herself of Hyperglycemia at the age of 18 eating nothing but a low fat raw vegan diet consisting solely of fresh fruits and vegetables with few nuts and seeds. After being a direct understudy of 20+ year raw fooder John Rose, she interned and worked under Dr. Graham at his health events in Seattle and in Costa Rica. She has lived in the Dominican Republic and in Costa Rica, and she has become an avidly enthusiastic runner who runs at least 6-8 miles a day!

At the age of 20 before she graduated college, she started the non-profit organization called Rawfully Organic. This organic produce co-operative in Houston, Texas grew from 12 people in her living room to thousands of families in the greater Houston city limits. Rawfully Organic feeds hundreds of families each week and focuses on the benefits of eating diets high in raw fruits and vegetables while making organic affordable for all. The co-operative stays true to its mission to support families in the Texas community to supply an abundance of organic produce to help them achieve their raw, vegetarian, or vegan lifestyle.

She is the author of The FullyRaw Diet and also the creator of her latest company called FullyRaw Juice, LLC.

Dr. Gina Gonzalez-Johnson

CEO of South Atlanta Integrative Medicine, CEO of Smart Pilates ATL

Dr. Gina Gonzalez Johnson, D.O. is a board certified family physician who is passionate about preventive medicine, integrative medicine, nutrition and fitness.

She was born in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands after her grandparents emigrated there from Puerto Rico. She developed a passion for fitness early on as well; she was in a dance company, played basketball and ran track and field in high school and college. In 1992, she was selected by the Olympic committee to represent St. Croix at the Barcelona Olympics as an ambassador and Olympic hopeful. She finished out her college career as a 3x All-American in the hurdles and long jump and won the George Hansell scholar –athlete award at commencement. In 1999, she graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry—School of Osteopathic Medicine with top honors in Primary Care and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Prevention is the driving force Dr. Gonzalez Johnson uses to help many of her patients. She believes that doctors are no longer spending quality time with their patients educating them in ways that they can truly understand. If a patient is not motivated by their doctor’s words, actions, and compassion, they will never benefit from their office visit. Dr. Gonzalez Johnson chooses to be a leading example for her patients. In April 2016, she opened up South Atlanta Integrative Medicine along with a fitness and wellness studio, Smart Pilates ATL where she could help patients move, nourish and de-stress their bodies. She truly wants her patients to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. In essence, she wants to walk with them on their path towards complete health. Or, some might say, run.

Tighe Brown

President, Walking Softer

Tighe Brown is the President of Walking Softer, with over 12 years of leadership and expertise in the youth wellness, food systems, and nonprofit space.

Formerly, Tighe was the President and a founding team member of the national nonprofit Big Green (The Kitchen Community) working to help create, build, and implement a scalable and successful outdoor educational program for schools with Learning Gardens. Her passion for this work comes from her background in Sustainable Food Systems and Environmental Education. Previous to Big Green, Tighe worked in the for-profit sustainable food systems sector specifically in the natural food industry where she focused and supported early growth, start-up companies. She has also spent time teaching environmental education and coaching youth sports. Tighe was a 2018 Forbes 30 under 30 finalists and with Big Green, received the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr Business Award for the state of Colorado. Tighe earned and a B.S in Conservation and Resource Studies from The University of California, Berkeley.

Kelly LeVeque

Founder, Be Well By Kelly

Kelly LeVeque is a functional nutritionist, wellness expert, and celebrity health coach living in Los Angeles, California with her husband and two young boys. Be Well grew out of Kelly’s lifelong passion for health, the science of nutrition and overall wellness. Guided by a practical and always optimistic approach, Kelly helps clients improve their health, achieve their goals and develop sustainable habits to live a healthy and balanced life.

Kelly is extremely passionate about the science of human nutrition. Driven by the desire to help her clients, and her own intellectual curiosity, she studies the latest research, evaluates competing theories and reads everything. Most importantly, she uses that knowledge to make individualized recommendations for her clients.

Kelly loves to cook. She believes in real food, real ingredients and a clean diet. The Be Well kitchen is constantly buzzing. Kelly loves creating tasty, clean, nutrient-dense recipes and dishes. She loves sharing them even more. Before starting her consulting business, Be Well By Kelly, she worked in the medical field for Fortune 500 companies like J&J, Stryker, and Hologic, eventually moving into personalized medicine, offering tumor gene mapping and molecular subtyping to oncologists. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and completed her Post Graduate Clinical Nutrition education through UCLA and UC Berkeley. Kelly is a regular contributor for numerous health, wellness and lifestyle publications. She rounded out her education with a number of other certifications including being certified as a Health Coach through The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, certified as a 200 Hr Yoga Instructor though American Yoga School and NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT)® through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog

Integrative Physician, Author, Educator, and Founder of Medicine Lodge Ranch: A Natural Medicine Academy

Tieraona Low Dog, MD is a physician, author, and educator. She practiced herbal medicine, midwifery, massage therapy, and martial arts (she holds the 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do) before earning her medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Her unique background set her apart from most conventionally trained physicians. Patients sought her out for her broader way of viewing health and healing.

President Bill Clinton, the National Cancer Institute, HRSA’s Bright Futures, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine were just a few to appoint her to their advisory councils. Dr. Andrew Weil, MD asked her to run the Fellowship training program for physicians at the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, where she trained ~700 clinicians. She was a founding member of the American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy for Women’s Health.

Dr. Low Dog is one of the foremost experts in the United States on the safe and appropriate use of botanical remedies and dietary supplements. She has overseen the evaluation panel for supplement/botanical safety at the United States Pharmacopeia, including joint reviews with the Department of Defense, for the past twenty years.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Low Dog has published 50 research articles in medical/science journals and written 24 chapters for medical textbooks. She has worked with many companies, helping them to craft safer, innovative, and effective products in the natural products space. She has been honored with many awards from academia, public health, and industry throughout her 40-year career.

Tieraona (tier-oh-nay) brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience to all that she does, but it is her rare ability to take complex scientific and medical information and make it highly accessible to the everyday person that makes her such a trusted friend and resource to so many, as well as a beloved physician for her patients. With her warm and down-to-earth style, Tieraona has been invited to speak at more than 600 conferences, reaching more than 50,000 people every year with her message of healthy nutrition, sensible dietary supplement use, integrative medicine, compassionate care, and deep ecology. She has authored five books, including four with National Geographic; Fortify Your Life, Healthy at Home, Life is Your Best Medicine, and Guide to Medicinal Herbs.

Tieraona lives on a small ranch in the beautiful mountains outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she grows more than 40 medicinal herbs in addition to her vegetable garden. She spends her free time hiking with her husband and beloved Shepherds, riding her horses, and lovingly tending to the chickens.

Dr. William Wong

Professor of Pediatrics-Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine

Dr. William Wai-Lun Wong’s main research involves studies of dietary supplementation to prevent chronic diseases, intervention of childhood obesity, and energy metabolism under healthy conditions and diseased states.

Dr. Wong designed and tested the effectiveness of community-based, summer camp-based, and school-based programs to prevent childhood obesity, particularly among minority children. He is also very interested in the safety, efficacy and optimal dosages of dietary supplements to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes.

Padraig Barry

Chief Strategy Officer, Hole in the Wall Gang Camp

Padraig Barry is the Chief Strategy Oﬃcer for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a role he has held since 2019. Prior to that, Padraig spent 5 years as Camp’s Chief Program Officer. He has worked at the Support Center, SeriousFun Network serving in many capacities domestically and abroad, though his relationship with Camp and the network dates back nearly two decades.

Padraig began his career with our sister camp, Barretstown, Ireland in 1995. After two seasons, Padraig joined the Gang in 1997, running the woodshop for the spring and summer programs. A few years later, Padraig relocated to the United States for a full-time position at Camp as the Assistant Camp Director (Residential Life), before heading back to school and then joining the SeriousFun Network.

C. Russell Davis

Executive Director, North Georgia Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc.

C. Russell Davis is Executive Director of the North Georgia Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc., and has served the churches in the conference for over 15 years. He leads a team responsible for the ministry and facilities of Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, for Grow Day Camps and the Experiential Leadership Institute, and for the newly launched Shoreline Camps that have the capacity to provide life-changing experiences for over twelve-thousand children, youth, and adults each year.

In his twenty-eight years leading camping ministries, he has served camps in Virginia, Oklahoma, and South Carolina prior to coming home to Georgia. He has served as Chairperson for the Association of United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, has led and designed workshops and events for a variety of United Methodist and American Camp Association regional and national conferences, was been a visitor for the American Camp Association for twelve years, and served as a representative to the ecumenical Outdoor Ministries Connection. He attended Georgia Southern College in Statesboro during the Erk Russell national championship years and attended seminary at the Candler School of Theology at Emory.

He is married to Rebecca who is a development professional consultant, currently working with Prevent Blindness of Georgia. They have two adult children, Sam and Libby.

Sarah Heller

Teaching Associate, University of Washington College of Education and Instructor, University of Washington Botanic Gardens

Sarah is an environmental educator with over a decade of experience creating, building, and teaching nature-based programs. She received a BA in Human Ecology from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine then returned to Seattle to purse a year of hands-on graduate work at IslandWood where she earned a certificate in Education, Environment and Community. From there she completed her Master’s in Science Education at the University of Washington. Sarah spent six years at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens growing and building education programs. She developed and then directed their summer camp program for 5 years which now serves 500 kids every summer.

In 2013 her dream to open a school became a reality and she co-founded Fiddleheads Forest School, the pioneering nature-based preschool in Seattle where kids learn and grow outside all year round. Sarah is passionate about getting kids outside and connecting with the natural world through play, science and adventure.

Leigh Longino

Chief Operating Officer, Children’s Flight of Hope

Children’s Flight of Hope provides flights to specialized medical care for children in need. With compassionate and collaborative commitment, we “fly for their lives” serving children across the nation and internationally.

Leigh is the former COO and CEO of Camp Corral, leading the national organization through formative years of growth, advocacy, operational foundation growth and strategy, serving more than 30,000 children of military heroes through transformative summer camp experiences.

Leigh resides in Raleigh, NC with her husband, whom she met at Camp Sea Gull/ Seafarer, and three daughters. Together as a family they enjoy traveling, hiking, sailing and preparing for the next adventure.

Allison Frazier, MA, BCBA, COBA

Founder, Elevate Learning

Allison Frazier is a seasoned Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 14 years of experience in the field of behavioral health. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas including direct behavior therapy from toddlers to adults, consultation services for both private and public schools, training for parents and teachers, community education initiatives, and clinical supervision.

Previously, Allison served as the director of a local hospital’s outreach department where she also led their summer program. She has also held a role as a school administrator at a special education school, where she founded and directed their nationally recognized camp program.

Allison founded and led a multidisciplinary behavioral health agency, providing services to children and adults in various settings such as homes, schools, and communities. Additionally, she has shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at John Carroll University, Ursuline College, and Lakeland Community College.

Recently, Allison has established Elevate Learning, a platform aimed at delivering intervention services to children within school settings and offering ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services in-home environments.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Allison contributes to the community as the vice president on the board of trustees at the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.