VIA Character Strengths

Perseverance, Social Intelligence, Leadership, Perspective, Honesty

Personal Mission

To provide people with the knowledge, tools, and skills that promote flourishing.

Bio

Devon is an author, speaker, podcast host, and childhood cancer advocate. He is a former NFL Professional Athlete, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Penn State University All-American, and TED Speaker. Perhaps most importantly, Devon is Leah’s dad, helping her publicly “beat up cancer” and embarking on a pediatric cancer-fighting journey. 

A snapshot of his accolades speaks volumes about his purpose, his heart, his life’s mission – the 2012 53rd overall pick of NFL Draft, the 2015 Jimmy V Espy Award for Perseverance, People Magazine’s 2016 Dad of the Year, the 2017 Penn State Alumni Achievement Award for most successful alumni under 30, and 2019 American Icon Award Recipient. He has thrived amidst adversity and always stayed in the game. 

As a presenter, Devon has the rare ability to capture the hearts and minds of audiences while delivering memorable speeches, filled with actionable insights, that lead to individuals becoming Playmakers in the game of life and business. Many of the most well-known organizations on the globe, ranging from the FBI, Proctor & Gamble, Chick Fil A, and Virgin, have chosen Devon for their most important events, when they're in need of a winning playbook to help their organization build resilience and perform at the highest level.

Devon is the Founder & CEO of the Still Strong Foundation, a nonprofit that financially assists families battling childhood cancer with household bills such as mortgages, car payments, and utilities. He has an advanced degree in the science of wellbeing from the University of Pennsylvania where he serves as an assistant instructor in the culminating capstone course of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree program.

VIA Character Strengths

Perspective, Curiosity, Hope, Leadership, Gratitude

Personal Mission

To use the science of positive psychology to help others recognize and harness their unique gifts and strengths to enhance their self-efficacy and well-being so they can pursue their dreams to their fullest potential.

Bio

KC White was elected Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees in 2022 after serving on the board since 2005. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 3, KC has been a committed volunteer and inspiring advocate for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation since childhood, speaking at her first Foundation event at just 9 years old.

As a founding member of the Foundation’s Adult Advisory Council, she served as its chair from its inception in 2014 until 2022. KC also co-chaired the first BreatheCon, an annual virtual conference for adults with CF. In 2020, she envisioned and created ROSE UP, a national virtual fundraising event led by a committee of adults with CF.

After graduating from the University of Richmond in 2001, KC embarked on a nationwide, 28-city tour to visit every Major League Baseball stadium. Her Tour for a Cure raised tens of thousands of dollars and educated millions about CF. That same year, the CF Foundation presented KC with the prestigious Alex Award, honoring her as a role model for others living with the disease. She is also a recipient of the Michael Brennan Courage Award from the Boomer Esiason Foundation, recognizing her tremendous courage in achieving her life goals. 

KC earned her Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 and currently serves as an assistant instructor in the program. Additionally, she is the Head Varsity Women’s Lacrosse coach for the Chagrin Falls Tigers in Ohio. KC and her husband, Justin, have one son, Mac.

VIA Character Strengths

Honesty, Social Intelligence, Love, Humor, Justice

Personal Mission

To help people and organizations thrive in community by building resilience to prepare them for the worst life can throw their way and cultivating growth and goal orientation in the aftermath of adversity, failure, setbacks, trauma, or grief.

Bio

Mark O’Brien is a non-profit executive and cross-sector consultant with over fifteen years of experience in aligning policy, practice, and people to successfully achieve ambitious goals that make life better for individuals and communities. With a background in public policy, social science, and systems innovation, Mark excels at guiding collaborations to uncover practical solutions to seemingly intractable problems. As an experienced trainer and educator Mark is a skillful communicator with a knack for making complex issues and information accessible for all stakeholders. Mark is a natural convener with a long history of leading diverse coalitions and partnerships. His greatest professional satisfaction comes from supporting individuals and organizations to discover and harness their inherent strengths, especially in times of adversity. 

Mark is the founding partner of Springlake Solutions LLC, where he provides expert advice, technical assistance, program planning and implementation support, and policy analysis to mission-driven organizations working in behavioral health and public safety, executive director of Trauma Informed, Inc, where he provides strategic direction to a developing organization delivering training and education in the areas of trauma, trauma-informed care, and posttraumatic growth, and an assistant instructor of applying positive psychology in institutions at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Mark received a B.S. in Law and American Civilization from Towson University, a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

VIA Character Strengths

Love, Gratitude, Hope, Zest, Curiosity

Personal Mission

To empower leaders to cultivate holistic well-being for themselves (me), foster strong connections, collaboration, and psychological safety among their teams (we), and champion a culture of well-being, mattering, belonging, and inclusivity within their organizations (us). Through evidence-based curated training, interventions, and Executive/Leadership Coaching, guide leaders and their teams to develop greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Leaders who prioritize their own and others well-being create subcultures conducive to growth and thriving. I aim to catalyze this positive change, enhance organizational performance, and foster flourishing at every level.

Bio

VIA Character Strengths

Love of Learning, Gratitude, Awe, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Zest

Personal Mission

To help individuals and teams thrive through the application of science to impact performance, well-being and relationships. Through education, guidance, and advocacy, I aim to inspire others to harness their strengths, cultivate optimism, and navigate life's challenges with resilience and positivity. My mission is to contribute to a world where individuals thrive emotionally, socially, and psychologically, leading fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. 

Bio

Dr. Kimberly Dickman is an assistant professor at the Center for Character and Leadership Development at the Air Force Academy. Her research focuses on human connection, healthy relationships, positive psychology, and emotional intelligence and how these critical skills influence human performance, leadership development, and well-being. 

As an award-winning instructor, she teaches in the Biology Department (Human Sex and Sexuality) and the Behavioral Sciences Department (Applied Positive Psychology). During her engaging presentations, she uses the science of our incredible brains and bodies and the scholarship of teaching and learning to help transform thinking and behavior to improve our personal and professional lives. She believes that learning is a life-long adventure but knowledge alone is not enough. Helping others to use knowledge to improve life is her goal as an educator.

Masters in Applied Positive Psychology (2022). University of Pennsylvania, PA. - Post Doctorate Study Human Sex/Sexuality (2015). University Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. - Doctorate in Educational Leadership (2012). Argosy University, Honolulu, HI. - Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling (1998). University Central Texas, Killeen, TX. - Masters of Arts in Educational Psychology (1991). University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (1989). University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado.