Epigenesis Corporation is dedicated to promoting the general health and wellness of all people in the world through advocacy, education, research, and service. We are the first global organization established to capture, curate and disseminate academic, scientific and user-friendly research and applications in the new science of epigenetics with an emphasis on cognitive decline.  Epigenesis is poised to present a behaviorally based protocol that integrates research around nutrition, exercise, brain/mind, emotion, environment, and spirit.  Valid and reliable tests are available on this website or at dementiafaqs.com.

INTRODUCING OUR TEAM

Barry K. Spiker, Ph.D., FOUNDER of Epigenesis – Barry is the Founder, CEO and visionary leader for Epigenesis Corporation and EpigenesisCorp.com, its website. EpigenesisCorp.com aggregates, curates and disseminates scientific research regarding the science and application of epigenetics. Barry is an educator, teacher, innovator, and management consultant. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University (summa cum laude) in 1972, a Masters in Arts from the Graduate College, Ohio University in 1973 and his Ph.D. from the School of Interpersonal Communication at Ohio University in 1979. In addition, Barry has completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard, MIT, Columbia, the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California. Barry has been a college professor and most recently directed dissertations for Northcentral University students. (Barry was recently cited in NCU’s Higher Degrees, Fall 2015 issue).

For over 20 years he was a senior executive in three of the world’s most prestigious management consulting firms with a heavy emphasis on the health-care and biotechnology sectors. Barry has authored and co-authored over 100 publications in trade and academic journals and has been invited to write for several trade publications such as Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business Week, Boston Globe and AARP Magazine. In addition, he has co-authored 5 bestselling books in Organizational Communication. Barry’s personal story as to how he came to work in the emerging science of epigenetics is profiled elsewhere in this website (see Dianne Price’s article on epigenetics). For nearly 5 years, he has consulted with leading authorities around the world and written extensively regarding the new science of epigenetics. He has come to understand epigenetics as a trans-disciplinary field that incorporates holistically the body, mind, spirit, environment, and emotion. Barry believes that this balance can lead to mitigating disease and disorders and lead all life into a place of abundance, happiness, health, and well-being. He currently is directing research in epigenetics focusing on dementia, autism, stress mitigation and the epigenetics of aging.

The epigenetic work has informed his current project which offers a behavioral, non-invasive, evidenced-based, protocol for dementia.  See dementiafaqs.com for free testing.

Shannon Anderson, Ph.D., LMFT, NCC – Dr. Shannon Anderson has over 20 years of experience in the behavioral healthcare and higher education fields. She has an extensive background treating a variety of behavioral health issues. Her areas of expertise include trauma, psychopharmacology, family and couples therapy, and assessment and treatment of severe mental illness. Shannon has served as Clinical Director in a variety of settings, including a large adolescent residential treatment center/therapeutic school, an intensive outpatient program for severely mentally ill young adults, and other community healthcare settings. Having spent 15 years as an educator of counselors and marriage and family therapists, she also enjoys clinically supervising behavioral healthcare professionals-in-training.

The mind-body-environment connection has always been an area that has fascinated her. She has long believed that the body has the capability to heal itself more than we typically allow it to; we just have to figure out how to take care of ourselves and “get out of our own way” to allow this healing to take place. Epigenetics is an area through which she believes these abilities can be activated, and she will help develop, research, and implement new health-promoting programs that will include best practices from a number of integrative wellness disciplines.

Dr. Anderson has a Ph.D. in Human Development, emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Utah, and a National Certified Counselor in the United States. She currently resides in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area.

Jill Blackwell, Ph.D., LPC – Jill is an award-winning educator, faculty member at two universities, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Dr. Blackwell is also a health and wellness consultant delivering health and stress management seminars to groups and individual counseling – please see her website at www.jillblackwell.org.

She is a published author of two popular audio CDs: Stress Management 101: Imagery Exercises to Promote Sleep, Creativity, and Overall Health and Stress Management; and Stress Management 202: Imagery Exercises to Promote Relaxation, Coping, and Overall Health; two books: The Dissertation Strategy – Instruction Manual, and Laments for Hobbes. Her most recent peer-reviewed journal publication was in the Journal of Management, Spirituality, & Religion.

Dr. Blackwell is a knowledgeable practitioner with a unique talent in taking another’s perspective, identifying appropriate problem-solving strategies, and promoting feelings of personal adequacy and empowerment. She provides counsel in a kind, compassionate, and growth promoting manner. She supports Lazarus and Folkman’s conceptualization of stress as the interaction between stressors and an individuals’ unique understanding of the potential stressor. By viewing potential stressors in this way, Dr. Blackwell helps her clients feel better, solve current problems, and also develop resources to stress-proof themselves for the future.

Dr. Blackwell received her both her Ph.D. and a Master of Arts Degree from DePaul University. Her thesis was on the topic of ameliorating memory problems in old adults. Her doctoral dissertation was on the topic of maternal emotional expressiveness on child expressiveness and sociometric status. Her current research interests include stress management techniques on health ratings and life satisfaction across the lifespan; the impact of medical diagnoses and prognosis on coping with illness; the efficacy of core relaxation techniques and an integrative medicine/wellness approach; and predictors of postpartum depression. She is passionate about mitigating child and animal abuse and neglect.

Ted Coonfield, ABD – Ted retired from the Board of Directors of Kitty Hawk Airlines, the largest non-integrated cargo carrier in the world. He was a senior officer at Kitty Hawk for a number of years; previous to that appointment he served clients nationwide as a management consultant. He specializes in start-ups and business development, leadership, building effective boards, quality improvement strategies, merger integration, and the management of change. His clients have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to many smaller companies, specializing in transportation, manufacturing, engineering, and high tech firms.

He has taught thousands of executives and managers in management and leadership skills and facilitated hundreds of quality improvement teams in diverse industries. He has worked on start-ups and mergers dealing with corporate communication, executive recruitment and retention, integration of information systems, board governance, and HR policy and practices.

He has 16 years experience in government, running training and consulting for the State of Oregon with 5000 managers and 48,000 employees. For years, Ted was founder and CEO of a wine company that developed and marketed award-winning Oregon wines.

Ted has been a keynote speaker at national conferences and has published both academic and popular press articles on communication and change management, one of his articles appeared in the top e-commerce monthly on involving employees in high tech companies as they move to comprehensive e-commerce solutions, and another on communication as dialogue in the boardroom.

Since “retirement,” Ted became a certified Master Chocolatier, wrote a memoir about the mid-seventies, and volunteers with a number of non-profit organizations, including founding and being Emeritus Chair of the Board of Directors of the Hillsdale Farmers’ Market and Past President of the Neighborhood House Board. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and has two grown sons.

Elizabeth Curtiss-Cabell Ph.D., NBCT Elizabeth’s childhood certainly influenced the adult she has become. Elizabeth began figure skating at the age of 4 and moved away from home at the age of 9 to pursue her dreams in skating. Through her youth, she learned the importance of tenacity, goal-mindedness, and the pursuit of personal achievement. Skating and its lessons are still with her today.

After high school, she began coaching skating and attended the University of Delaware. Elizabeth fell in love with teaching through coaching. After only 2 years on campus, she changed her major to education and was employed to teach children with dyslexia and other reading complications as well as becoming a peer tutor for college students with reading difficulties. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education, Elizabeth became a special education teacher.

Only 6 months after earning her degree, she began her Masters of Education in Instruction and Curriculum at Wilmington University. Elizabeth spent the next few years teaching or consulting in various settings in the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Elizabeth has taught elementary, middle, and high school students in traditional public schools as well as public separate schools. She has worked with students with 11 out of the 13 disabilities under IDEA and developed unique educational programs for individuals with high functioning autism and dually diagnosed high functioning students.

In 2010 Elizabeth earned her National Board Teacher Certification and began working on her Doctor of Philosophy degree. Elizabeth was introduced to Dr. Barry Spiker when he became her dissertation chairperson. With Dr. Spiker’s guidance, she was able to develop, implement, and evaluate a program that integrated epigenetic principles in an autism support classroom for students with high functioning autism. Her results showed a generalized difference in student stress responses and increased peer interactions. This innovative work prompted her interest in epigenetics and to get nominated for the dissertation of the year.

Elizabeth currently works privately with individuals of all ages who have high functioning autism or the related disability and conducts speaking engagements on epigenetics and its impact on individuals with high functioning autism. In her practice, she uses epigenetic principles to help people improve social, vocational, or academic experiences so that they can live fuller lives and achieve their personal goals.

Dennis Egan, JD – Mr. Egan is a graduate of University of Michigan School of Law and Northern Michigan University. He is an attorney practicing in Kotz Sangster Wysocki P.C.’s Detroit office.

Mr. Egan’s practice is focused on commercial litigation and arbitration, with subspecialties in complex federal litigation, class action defense work, trade secrets and unfair competition, and representation of securities broker/dealers, futures commission merchants and their registered representatives in court, arbitration forums and in enforcement proceedings. He has successfully represented clients in matters across the country, including New York, Arizona, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Kentucky. He is a regular speaker at the Midwest Securities Institute and has served on the faculty at arbitrator training sessions for the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Glenn A. Graham, SB – Glenn Graham graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Glenn is a product development, business operations and IT professional. An entrepreneur who has founded multiple companies in engineering, consulting and human resources, and has worked for multiple Fortune 100 companies, Glenn has worked in technology for companies in numerous industries. Previous positions with IBM, Ford, GM, Gartner Group, Benchmarking Partners, Thomson Financial Services, and a number of other firms provide a broad background of experience. From healthcare to automotive, recruiting to pharmaceutical, and both commercial and government organizations, he has broad experience in applying technology to companies and clients around the world.

First growing up on a farm in Indiana then becoming an engineer with his bachelor’s degree from MIT, he has worked to understand complex relationships between often disparate elements and find ways to apply technology to support human activities. One of his specialties is process and data modeling. Author of several books and articles, including an encyclopedia published in the US and Europe, Glenn presents at technical conferences and has been awarded a US patent.

Glenn is CEO of Nouveau Group, Inc. developing custom web-based business applications for domestic and international clients. He is also COO for Success-DNA which provides CareerDNA and related suite of tools for clients in multiple countries. And in what little spare time he finds, he enjoys a number of hobbies and is an officer in his local H.O.G. Chapter.

Michael Harrison, MBA, JD – Michael Harrison brings more than 25 years of experience working with organizations ranging from Fortune 10 corporations to small start-up companies. His background and expertise bridges the gaps between engineering, business, and law. Michael has held management positions with two large business consulting firms, Accenture and Deloitte, and worked as a Director of Supply Chain Management with Monsanto. He currently manages a private law and business advisory firm, the M J Harrison Law Firm, PLLC.

Michael’s areas of expertise include organization design and development, technical process design, project management, human resources, operations management, contracts, and intellectual property portfolio management. Michael has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois, an MBA from Southern Methodist University and a J.D. from the Arizona State University College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Texas, Arizona, and Tennessee, and is a licensed Patent Attorney by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Colleen Hunsaker, DO, Chief Medical Officer – Colleen holds degrees in Physics & Biology with honors from the University of Pittsburgh. Following Medical School in West Virginia, and additional postgraduate training in California she served as a Naval Medical Officer and worked in the challenging field of Emergency Medicine for nearly twenty years. Upon leaving the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander she continued in this field working in inner-city Los Angeles for many years as an attending staff physician and also as an Asst. Director. She later worked as an ER physician in Hawaii for six years. She became a Board Certified Fellow in Emergency Medicine in 1991 and holds certification in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine as well.

As her interest in administration and health law started to grow she chaired the Committee on Emergency Medical Services for LA County and was the delegate to the California Medical Association where issues included funding for the treatment of indigent patients, disaster preparedness, specialty coverage in trauma center’s, and issues related to COBRA and EMTALA.

During her extensive career as an emergency medicine physician she saw and studied the devastating effects of aging, many caused by lack of self-care, lack of preventive medical care or no medical care at all, or a lack of knowledge about the aging process and the incredible advances that have been made in this field. She then entered into the extensive study of anti-aging medicine and integrative medicine utilizing the best of conventional medicine combined with natural alternatives and multiple spiritual modalities that have a very strong influence on health and well being. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine.

Currently, Dr. Hunsaker is a principal investigator in an ongoing clinical trial related to the immune response. She is an avid equestrian fan and former competitive rider. She has one son, Todd, who after completing his post-baccalaureate studies in Neuroscience with honors then completed a Fulbright scholarship to study Neuroimaging in Germany. He is currently working at Stanford in Neuroscience.

Eliot Jekowsky, Ph.D., MD, MBA – Eliot has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, as a provider and a medical director for a large health insurance company. He studied protein synthesis in prokaryotes at M.I.T. leading to a Ph.D. in biochemistry, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical chemistry at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Mass. He was the Assistant Director of Clinical Chemistry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass for two years before pursuing more clinically related interests by enrolling in the University of Miami Ph.D. to M.D. program, where he obtained an M.D. degree in two years. This was followed by an internship and residency in primary care internal medicine at Cambridge Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. After completing his residency and becoming board certified in internal medicine, he began practicing emergency medicine, eventually obtaining board certification in that specialty as well. He worked full time as a staff ED physician as well as holding a position as Associate Director.

Dr. Jekowsky enrolled in an executive M.B.A. program while continuing to practice, receiving an M.B.A. in High Technology from Northeastern University. This led to an opportunity to join a health insurance company in Rhode Island as a physician reviewer and then to a position as an associate medical director at an insurer in Massachusetts, where he currently holds the position of Associate Medical Director for Medical Policy and Regulated Lines of Business. A major initiative in medical policy has been the appropriate utilization of genetic testing. As a result of his training and experience, Dr. Jekowsky has a broad view of the clinical needs for medical testing and treatments, the science behind the tests and procedures in genomic medicine, and knowledge of the business processes required for successfully bringing products to market.

Jacqueline Knight, BA – Since her days on Madison Avenue and through her years as an editor, journalist, and ghostwriter, Jacqueline Knight has been a leader in developing and directing public information, social media, public and community relations campaigns for Knight Owl Communications.

Both unique and cutting edge, her innate talent for copy and content development, combined with her genius for creative ideas and focused approach to customer-centered relationship management, has made her a much sought after team member for more than 29 years. Hungry for her next big accomplishment, she joins Epigenesis where she brings a unique understanding of the impact of our vision.

Linda Larkey, Ph.D. – Linda’s degrees are in Organizational and Intercultural Communication from Arizona State University, with a BA in Business/Human Resource Management. Over the past 18 years, she has been funded as Principal Investigator in over a dozen research grants (totaling over $8 million) from numerous local and national agencies, including four large, multi-year research grants from the National Institutes of Health. She was a member of the Arizona Cancer Center and faculty at the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona for 15 years, and currently is a full professor at the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University and Research Affiliate of the Mayo Clinic and member of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.

Dr. Larkey has highly honed skills in leading workshops designed to help work teams communicate for effective achievement of vision and goals and address challenges of diversity. She teaches individual skills for shifting to grounded, physiologically healthful states designed to boost cognitive function (memory and concentration), creativity, and positive relationship building for achieving results in the workplace. She is a Sr. Trainer in Qigong and Tai Chi and certified to teach Tai Chi Easy Community Practice Leaders through the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi. Additionally, she is a certified HeartMath System, Resilience Advantage trainer, applying these health and performance building skills to organizational culture change and Resilient Leader training.

Dr. Larkey has been engaged at the state and national level in challenging and changing health policy through coalition building. Her primary research interests are testing theory-based methods of communicating health messages to underserved/low-income populations, especially Latinos, using narrative “storytelling” methods to promote cancer screening and primary prevention behaviors; community-based participatory research practices; and examining mind-body methods of alleviating persistent symptoms, such as fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, in cancer survivors.

Also, Dr. Larkey is applying her long-time personal interest and training in integrative medicine to research Meditative Movement as a category of mind-body exercise. In particular, she has launched studies to examine the quality of life, cardiovascular health, weight loss and psychoneuroimmunological effects of Qigong and Tai Chi among older adults and cancer survivors.

Heather Miller, Ph.D. – Heather has served for over 11 years in the role of IRB co-chair, IRB chair and Director of IRB Management and Operations for universities. Heather is passionate about research and research ethics and has extensive training for over 11 years around the federal regulations regarding protecting human participants in research. In addition, Heather has worked online and in the face-to-face environment-supporting faculty in various roles for over 10 years. Specifically, Heather has created research programs and residency programs for both on the ground and online universities. Working with Wiley Publishing Heather has created faculty support for faculty taking their on-the-ground classes and putting them in an online environment for a successful student experience and a practical approach for faculty.

Heather earned her Ph.D. in Biology Education from the University of Northern Colorado where she focused on exposing students to ecology and the natural sciences while helping train K-12 educators. She earned her Master’s degree in Rangeland Resources, from Oregon State University where she studied invasive grasses. Her undergraduate degree is from Washington State University, where she studied wildlife biology. In her spare time, Heather hangs out with 2 kids, 3 dogs, 3 rabbits and 2 guinea pigs while training for marathons and boxing.

Ted Naeckel, BSE, MBA, JD – Ted Naeckel is a patent and trademark attorney and has practiced before the United States Patent and Trademark Office since 2004 with the firms Withers & Keys out of Atlanta and Ingrassia, Fisher & Lorenz out of Scottsdale. During that time, Ted has prosecuted U.S. patent applications in the nanotechnology, automotive, aerospace, and telecommunications industries for a number of Fortune 500 companies. He has also prosecuted patent applications in a number of foreign countries for his clients.

Prior to his passing the Patent Bar in 2004, Ted was a professional investor for major insurance companies and pension funds including ING Investment Management and TIAA-CREF where he managed multi-billion dollar securities portfolios. Ted specialized in the structuring of privately placed, highly complex asset-backed securities and other types of sophisticated debt instruments.

Prior to work in the private sector, Ted spent 20 years in the active duty Navy and Navy reserve from which he retired as a Commander (O-5). During that time, Ted was a Command Duty Officer aboard the Middle East force Flagship (USS LaSalle). Ted holds a BSE in Electrical Engineering from Tulane, an MBA from Indiana University and a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State. Ted has two teenage children both of which are in high school in Phoenix. Ted and his son are both Eagle Scouts.

Rick Nida, Ph.D. – Rick brings a wealth of experience in investor/media relations based on a thirty-five-year career with leading public companies, major universities, and state and federal governments. Trained in organizational communication and quantitative research methods at Ohio University, he earned his doctorate in1976.

In his corporate career, he served as a public relations/investor relations executive with several public companies across a number of different industries and geographic locations marketing shares of common stock to individuals and professional investors/institutions. He gained his initial corporate experience at Phillips Petroleum Company. Later, he served in investor/media relations roles at Payless ShoeSource, the nation’s largest footwear retailer with more than 5,000 stores in the U.S., helping to take the company public as a spinoff from the May Department Stores. Also, he was the primary investor/relations executive at Rentrak Corporation, a major distributor of entertainment media; and two coal mining companies: Foundation Coal Company and Alpha Natural Resources, both of which were listed on the NYSE. Other corporate experiences include managing marketing, risk, and crisis communication plans.

Rick is an adjunct dissertation advisor for the School of Business and Technology Management at Northcentral University. He has held full-time academic positions at Ohio State University, West Virginia University, and Emporia State University. Plus, he has served as an adjunct professor at five undergraduate/graduate universities and three community colleges. Working as the principal investigator and/or the project manager for several states and/or federally-funded research efforts, he has consulted with a wide range of clients on survey research methods, data systems design, program evaluation, and interviewing techniques.

He currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Michelle Pate, MA, MBA – Michelle is a California-born and raised Wellness Program Director, Marketing Writer/Editor and Motivational Coach who develops programs that help people be healthy and happy.

She earned an MBA and a BS in Business Management as well as an MA in Holistic Counseling Psychology. She has also completed training programs in wellness coaching, yoga and Zumba teacher, mind/body fitness trainer, leadership, presentation skills and internet marketing.

Michelle brings a well-rounded, diverse resume to Epigenesis, having over 25 years of solid work experience and education in wellness, technology, entertainment, and professional counseling. Her focus in business is productive communication processes and effective marketing programs. Her focus in psychology is influencing positive and healthy human behavior. These two fields integrate to provide valuable programs that appeal to the wellness market.

Her strengths are in-depth business acumen and research skills as well as emotional and psychological intelligence for consumer’s needs with health and wellness products. She also possesses high-level presentation and communication skills and is skilled in business strategy, development, and program management.

Michelle’s corporate background for nearly ten years was in high technology, where she created successful marketing and sales programs for companies such as Hewlett Packard and Cisco Systems. She then moved into the therapeutic field providing mental health services for government programs through the department of corrections and county drug rehab services. She has most recently worked with several entrepreneurs in the ever progressing wellness coaching field helping them develop business processes and public presence.

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys yoga, weight training, and dance. She also has acted on stage with the Tech Street Players and other professional groups.

Specialties: wellness, health, fitness, counseling, motivational coaching, therapy, leadership, film, TV, entertainment, marketing communications, public relations, creative projects, writing, editing, presentation training, communication, computers, networks, Internet, and social media.

Jeannine Ray, PhD – Jeannine has been in the field of psychology since 2005 and has extensive experience counseling individuals and families involved in the juvenile justice system, providing ABA therapy in home and schools to clients with Autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, and providing therapy for a wide variety of psychological conditions in private practice.

She is a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in Ohio and California, where she currently practices. She earned her doctoral degree in Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine in 2016 from Northcentral University where she conducted research on the factors which contribute to posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans. In practice, Doctor Ray utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, clinical hypnotherapy, and other therapeutic modalities. She is a member of the American Psychological Association-Division 19 and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Ben Spiker, BS, CFP, CRPC – Ben Spiker is the President and Co-Founder of Shore to Summit Wealth Management, LLC. Since 1998, Ben has worked to guide physicians, business owners, families and many others through complex wealth management situations as they pursue their personal and financial goals. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®), Ben has come face to face with the harsh emotional and financial realities faced when a loved one experiences dementia. Ben has participated in several industry educational initiatives surrounding financial gerontology and the impact of dementia on a family’s financial life.

Recognizing the groundbreaking work Epigenesis is doing to address this disease, Ben joined Epigenesis in early 2016 where he hopes to bring his personal financial planning expertise to the comprehensive solution, Epigenesis strives for.

Ben currently volunteers as the Vice President of Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope, Inc. Ben is passionate about the organization’s mission to empower future leaders of Africa through mission trips focused on education, health programs and the construction of preschools and medical centers in outlying villages of Ghana.

Ben attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s City, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. In his free time, Ben enjoys boating, reading, coaching his son’s football team as well as the multitude of activities that go with raising his two active sons, Aidan and Rylan and daughter, Annabelle. Ben, his wife, Brittany, and the children reside in Severna Park, Maryland.

Jo Stone, MFT, Ph.D. – Has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University and a masters in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from Phillips Institue and a masters in Communications from Boston University. Jo has over 30 years of experience in her field.

In 1964 after visiting Marrakesh, Morocco she was so appalled by the living conditions and the state of the children, the impact was life-changing. After returning Jo set up a group of classmates and teachers who were willing to volunteer their time in Roxbury, the poorest neighborhood in Boston. Their mission was to help children with tutoring, homework and to bring art into an area whose school systems had none. It was then that she knew her life would be in service to humanity.

Since then Jo has always volunteered for organizations such as, Save the Children, The Make-A-Wish Foundation and of late she is a board member and facilitator for Northern Arizona Restorative Justice an organization that works with juveniles who are 1st-time offenders, their families, and communities to bring about restorative resolutions.

After completing her Ph.D. she was invited to present her research at an international conference at M.I.T. Jo also taught psychology classes at Los Angeles Community College.

Jo began private practice in 1978 in California. Her goal has always been to help guide individuals, couple and families through challenging life transitions by enriching their communication skills, teaching tools for a positive outlook and a healthy approach to living. Her practice included counseling families dealing with life-threatening illness, working with at-risk teens, their families, women in transition, She also facilitated a senior women’s group coping with late life challenges.

In 1989 Jo moved to Sedona, AZ, and opened Sedona Counseling Group. The group was comprised of several therapists with different specialties whom she supervised. Her private practice consisted of working with Verde Valley School, Oak Creek Ranch School, and West Sedona School to counsel at-risk teens. She also consulted for Northern Arizona Speech and Hearing counseling spouses and families of hearing impaired seniors.

Hollie Kopp Toppel Whiting, Ed.D, M.A.T, B.S.M.T., A.S.C.P. – Since 1989, Hollie has been an adjunct and professor and researcher including Arizona State University currently in the College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovations, and other universities, teaching master and undergraduate courses ranging from Healthcare, Biology, Anatomy, and Physiology, Psychology, Critical Thinking, Strategies for Success, and Education. Hollie’s dissertation is on Behavioral Epigenetics Application and Leadership Effectiveness.

She is writing books on Mindfulness Teaching, Behavioral Epigenetics and Mindfulness, Behavioral Epigenetics and Environment, Behavioral Epigenetics and Physical and Mental Health and Behavioral Epigenetics and Spirituality. Her post-graduate work has been at Duke University in Mindfulness, Self-actualization, and at Harvard, the Science of Meditation. She has been a university administrator developing courses, training, and mentoring professors. She started her career as a Medical Technologist working in hospital labs. She has owned and operated a chain of retail stores, several delis and coffee shops. Also, Hollie has her real estate license.