HERE Team Members
Jen Armstrong, MSc, and HERE Co-Founder
Co-founder of Here, Jen leads families and the providers who support them in yoga, mindfulness, creative and brain building activities. Jen’s sessions include elements of breathing, restorative poses, building resilience and healing. Jen also develops the HERE curriculum and train-the-trainer programs. As a teacher of yoga with a background of psychology and support work, Jen understands the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for us all at any age. Come and share the space with us! (Master of Science, Developmental and Educational Psychology, 8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course, Trained facilitator in Roots of Empathy, The Parent Nurture Program, Teen Talk Parenting Program, Restorative Approaches, Motivational Interviewing and Solutions Focused Therapy. Speaker: Buffett Early Childhood Institute PD For All, “Brain Building Techniques For Parents And Children: Integrating Mindfulness, Meditation, And Yoga,” London City of Westminster "Reducing Parental Conflict," Family Support Hammersmith & Fulham market for early childhood education providers, London Mindful Living Show.)
Anne-Marie Avalon
Anne-Marie Avalon is a HERE team member who leads sessions for our ReConnect “Flow Through Summer” program along with our other programs in Nebraska, including being the lead trainer for our rural Nebraska mindfulness grant in partnership with UNO, UNMC-Munroe-Meyer Institute and UNK. Anne-Marie is a registered youth and adult yoga instructor (E-CYT, E-RYT), a certified hypnotherapist with the International Association of Counselors and Therapists, and is trained through Mindful Schools in Los Angeles to teach mindfulness and meditation to youth. She specializes in working with the trauma-informed community, at-risk children and veterans. Anne-Marie also spoke on behalf of HERE at the 2022 NECC Elevate Conference, speaking about evidence-based mindfulness activities and exercises that bring calm, connection and healing to children and those who support children.
Maddy Barla
Maddy is a HERE team member as our Spanish translator for many of our programs and projects, including most of the Buffett Educare Schools Spanish mindfulness programs, and the Spanish mindfulness workbook recently completed for Buffett Educare educators.
Maddy’s background includes completing her Bachelors of Science, Secondary Education World Language - Spanish (May, 2019)
● Secondary Spanish Teacher
● Montessori Spanish Educator
● Mutual of Omaha Guest Speaker - “Second Language
Acquisition”
Brandy Broadway
Brandy leads ReConnect parent and youth sessions as a HERE team member, including presenting at the recent ReConnect Parent Town Hall. Brandy has served families in the Omaha community for over 20 years for the following organizations: Omaha Public School- Safe Schools Healthy Families Program, Central High School, Monroe Middle School truancy prevention program, Urban League of Nebraska, Heartland Family Services- Family Works program, Carol’s House of Hope, ResCare, Boys Town, MCC, Charles Drew- Omaha Healthy Start, NorthStar Foundation- Academic Elementary Manager (developed a Resiliency program centered around mindfulness in elementary school boys.) Masters in Elementary Education. Brandy currently serves as the North Omaha Area Director for YoungLife Omaha.
Lindsay Decker
Lindsay is a HERE team member who has led sessions with our partnership with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, and is also a member of the HERE Coalition. "10 years ago, after struggling with anxiety as a young adult, Lindsay's yoga journey began when her grandpa recommended that she first try meditation. After noticing the positive effects of meditation, meditation soon led to yoga. Lindsay became amazed at the new relationship she formed with herself through the practice of yoga and the power of the mind-body connection.
Lindsay is now a 500-hour certified yoga teacher. In addition, Lindsay has completed 24 hours of training with the Center for Trauma and Embodiment Yoga Program, providing her with the skills to integrate a trauma informed lens into a yoga class. Lindsay has a heart for making yoga accessible to her community and enjoys partnering with local organizations to bring that vision to life. You can expect Lindsay’s classes to be gentle and fluid. She views herself as the guide and works to empower students to be their own teacher of their practice."
Rita Eyerly, Omaha
Rita is a HERE team member who primarily helps support families at the Ronald McDonald House. She calls her studio, “Young At Heart” and we are so grateful for her!
“I began my yoga journey in my mid-50’s for exercise and stress relief and have never turned back. The strength of yoga for my body and mindfulness developed through breath work and asasna’s has seen me through a move to a new state, two knee replacements, stressful jobs and much more.
In early 2020, I fulfilled a dream by becoming a 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher through Evolve to Harmony in Omaha.
During the aging process, I have become passionate about learning and teaching all body types and ages. I believe each body is unique in structure and seeks movement and rest. My classes focus on slow movement, with yin and restorative poses. My focus is designing classes specific to my student’s needs.
My wish is that each student leaves class feeling stronger and more relaxed both physically and mentally.”
Kate Francis, London
Kate has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years, and began her teaching journey 5 years ago. She completed her 200hr YTT in 2015 with Sun Power Yoga in London, and not long after having her own children, qualified as a children's yoga teacher to share her passion for yoga with children of all ages (Yogabeez). Kate loves working with children and is fully qualified to teach yoga to ALL ages including babies, kids, teens and adults. Kate also teaches both pregnancy & post-natal yoga and is a qualified baby massage & baby yoga instructor.
Greg Graber
A mental performance coach and educational leader, Greg teaches mindfulness-based mental skills to sports teams, schools, and various organizations around the world. He is the author of Slow Your Roll- Mindfulness for Fast Times, which topped the Amazon charts upon its release. In addition, he is a popular keynote speaker.
Greg has worked with many top sports programs, including: the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, LSU, VCU, Rice University, Marquette University, The University of Memphis, The University of Alabama, The University of Texas, The George Washington University, and many others. His extensive work with elite athletes includes Ironman triathlon finishers, Leadville 100 endurance athletes, Major League Soccer goalkeepers, NFL players, and even an Olympic bobsledder.
Greg often does corporate trainings and presentations, and he has worked with many organizations such as Hilton Worldwide Hotels, Shamrock Foods, The National Association Of Disability Representatives, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Germantown Police Department, and the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Greg's work has been featured in the New York Times and on ESPN, and he has presented at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
A former long-time principal at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, Greg now serves as the Director of SEL & Mindfulness, where he developed the Unplugged Mindfulness Program and the Daily Focus SEL Program for students and teachers. He consults with other schools on developing similar programs. These collaborations have included top schools such as: Deerfield Academy (Deerfield, MA), Episcopal High School (Alexandria, VA), The Graded School (Sao Paulo, Brazil), and public school systems including Germantown (TN) Municipal School District.
Greg volunteers in his hometown of Memphis by teaching a weekly mindfulness class at Church Health and frequent workshops at Temple Israel. He also leads retreats at Flowering Lotus Meditation Center.
Aneta Grabiec, London
Top-performing Wellbeing Consultant, acknowledged by the Royals, the award winning published author and executor of wellness programs and education, including webinars and sessions to corporate clients and individuals.
I am a Psychologist and Wellness Educator with demonstrated success in developing and deploying wellbeing strategies for better stress and time management, nutrition, mental wellbeing, sleep and rest. Also, the award winning published author for my debut book: How To Get Pregnant: Shortcut To Your Fertility at www.howtogetpregnantshortcut.com
• I am Mental Health First Aider Trainee for the employees with a decade of corporate experience.
• I am adept at delivering training on various topics, including wellbeing, nutrition, sleep, stress, sitting disease, immunity, mindfulness, and communication.
• I am skilled in planning, organizing, and conducting wellness talks and webinars for employees.
• I am proficient in developing, retaining, and growing a book of business by developing long-term mutually beneficial relationships with clients and key decision makers.
• I am an NLP specialist with proven success leading and directing health and wellness programs for employees to ensure greater productivity.
As my professional career continues to evolve, I remain steadfast in my belief that collaboration is the key to business success therefore, on a daily basis I am committed to building positive relationships with interdepartmental teams, senior management, clients, and key stakeholders to realize strategic business goals.
Nedu Izuegbunam
HERE “Flow Through Summer,” HERE Coalition team member, and Husker Athletics Counselor, Izuegbunam’s work focuses on assisting student-athletes, both in individual and in group settings, in developing and enriching skills towards performance enhancement and mental health. Izuegbunam currently works with the Huskers’ bowling, cross country, swim & dive, track & field, women’s gymnastics and wrestling teams. Izuegbunam helps oversee programming for substance-use and is the liaison between the Sport Psychology Department and Life Skills Department. Master of Education Degree in Athletic Counseling, and remained one more year to complete course requirements for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Worked with UCONN students and clients as a Program Lead to help promote wellness through holistic behavioral healthcare.
McCall Kelly
McCall is a HERE team member who helps lead our ReConnect Youth Triage and Misty’s Angels sessions. “I'm a health and wellness professional centered around helping people in our communities to live a healthier lifestyle by focusing on a holistic approach. I am passionate about inspiring and encouraging others towards overall better health.” McCall is a Certified Personal Trainer, Registered 200 Hour Yoga Teacher, Holistic Life Coach, and the current Maple Street & Butler Gast YMCA Health and Wellness Director.
Top 5 Strengths:
*Communication
*Harmony
*Positivity
*Adaptability
*Achiever
Skills:
*Team Building
*Communication
*Effective Listening Skills
*SMART Goals
*Motivational Interviewing
*Behavioral Coaching
*Health & Wellness Management
*Motivational Leadership
*Youth Fitness
*Functional Movement
*Yoga
*Program Design
Dana Olson (Dyksterhuis)
Co-founder of Here, Dana is dedicated to our mission of building strong, peaceful, resilient hearts through the magic of being here. Dana is an Omaha native, graduating from Mercy High School and then the University of Nebraska-Omaha in Broadcast Journalism. She is a serial entrepreneur and is a UK Government/Tech Nation Exceptional Talent Visa Alumni (one of 200 in the world granted the Visa in 2016). Other life moments that led her to create HERE with Jen: Seattle Techstars/Microsoft Alumni (one of 10 teams out of 300 in the world chosen for the accelerator) for her first startup, Fanzo, Seattle "Female Founder to Watch." (Women 2.0) and founder of BoastHouse (creative development, marketing and communications consulting). Dana’s other career chapters include being a broadcast news reporter at Omaha WOWT/Channel 6 + Corporate and Non-profit Public Relations, Marketing and Communications at organizations including Qwest Center Omaha Arena and Convention Center (now ChiHealth Center) and Qwest Communications in Washington. Current and Past Philanthropy: London Hammersmith Brackenbury Village Residents Association, The Nebraska Medical Center Auxiliary Board, American Cancer Society, Volunteer Co-Founder of the Midlands Humane Society, The David Spence Cancer Foundation and Nebraska Cancer Network.
Rob Reid
“I’m a dad who teaches yoga aiming to inspire others to experience the benefits of yoga on the mat and in their everyday lives.” Rob teaches family yoga, as well as runs Yoga for Men classes in Bristol that are designed specifically for the male body. These classes focus on improving flexibility, developing balanced strength, increasing stamina and relieving stress. These classes also provide a safe and welcoming environment for men to prioritise their physical and mental health & wellbeing with like-minded men.
Rob also leads HERE Om:Pop Family Yoga and Mindfulness Session in London, Hammersmith & Fulham.
Carole Westerman
Carole is a HERE team member who leads our youth sessions at ReConnect, with Misty’s Angels and other community organizations, and is a HERE Coalition team member too.
“My name is Carole Westerman, and I’m so delighted that the Universe brought us together. We must have lessons to learn from one another. I’ve been practicing Yoga since 1995, and teaching since 2005. I’ve practiced in a slender body, a curvy body, and every size in between. I’ve practiced through the highs and lows of my life including; marriage, career changes, pregnancies, parenthood, dreams come true, broken hearts, injuries, post-surgery, personal growth, family crisis, and love. I’ve taught thousands of students from all over the world, and seen thousands of different bodies and body types on the mat. No two of us are alike. All are welcome.
Whatever brings you to Yoga, I will do my best to hold space for you to have your own experience. My life experiences and extensive education inform and influence what I teach and how. Yoga is my life. It nourishes and feeds me and my love for learning, travel, cooking, nature, the ocean, my daughters, and my husband. I invite you to be curious, to explore every nuance of being human, and to accept yourself as you are. That is the true Yoga, both on and off the mat.
My most influential teachers: Shiva Rea, Paul Grilley, Bernie Clark, and Tom Myers. Additionally, I have gathered thousands of hours of training with many of the world’s Master Teachers in Yoga and Meditation, I feel blessed to have studied with too many to mention.
My education and training: I am registered with Yoga Alliance at the highest level they currently offer, ERYT-500. I have a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Psychology, and I have been certified in; Thai Yoga Massage, Thai Reflexology, and Master Reiki. I am also a Clinical EFT Tapping Practitioner.”
MaryBeth Winner
MaryBeth is a HERE team member who leads our program at the Ronald McDonald House Omaha, as well as other HERE sessions in the community. “I love teaching the classes that give people an opportunity to find stillness and self-awareness—Gentle, Stress Relief, Restorative and Beginners. I have studied and practiced yoga for 16 years. The one thing I know is, there is always more to know. Our practice evolves as we grow and change and age. What served us well in younger days may not be the thing we need now, and that is ok.
I have learned it is ok to not always have an edge, meet a challenge, or achieve a particular pose to textbook accuracy. One can have a very effective and even transformational experience on the mat by paying attention to the subtle experience. The journey, and being restfully aware of all that happens on it, has become the goal. The mental strength and flexibility gained with a regular practice have become much more important than the physical benefits. My joy is to be able to share what I have learned along the way, and be a guide for students to learn to accept and love themselves right where they are -- all growth and transformation starts there.”
Frank Wolfe
Frank is a HERE Team Member who was a part of our inaugural team who brought mindfulness trainings to the Buffett Educare Schools. Born and raised on a small farm in eastern Nebraska, Frank’s mom instilled in him compassion and kindness for the earth and all living beings. He was raised with a grounded, practical approach to life that shines through in his classes. Most recently, Frank partnered with Denise Muller to create Sutra Yoga & Meditation in Omaha, Nebraska. They feel across the world people are waking up to the power of meditation and mindfulness in daily wellbeing. Sutra exists to empower people with effective tools to navigate life in a busy modern world. Sutra is a community focused on spirituality, personal growth, and ethical living – offering classes in movement and stillness all geared toward enhancing your personal journey. In March of 2017 he studied with Judith Hanson-Lasater and earned his Relax and Renew® Level I certification. He is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, which acknowledges the completion of a yoga teacher training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS).