Skye Jackson

Program Analyst

TSHC Team

Read My Shine Hope Story

Skye Alex Jackson is a senior at Brown University, studying English and Entrepreneurship. She is passionate about equitable education for all and supporting youth through literacy, leadership development, and access to diverse storytelling.

Skye is also an aspiring screenwriter and the founder of Handwoven Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding literacy access by providing literacy kits, creating classroom libraries, and equipping students and teachers with diverse books.

In addition, she is running an afterschool program for Providence youth, focused on leadership in today’s digital age, helping students build confidence, communication skills, and civic engagement through media literacy and storytelling.

Favorite Stress Skill: Stair Master
Non-negotiable Happiness Habit: Alone time, Clean home, Cooking
Current Stretch Goal: Moving to LA


Stella

Stella Vance

Program Analyst

TSHC Team

Read My Shine Hope Story

Stella Vance is an undergraduate student at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Justice and Peace Studies with a minor in Religion, Ethics and World Affairs, and is inspired by The Shine Hope Company’s mission and effort towards peace and justice globally. She is passionate about education as a tool to advance social justice and is currently doing research at this intersection. Stella is originally from Montana, where she grew up spending time outdoors with family, friends, and lots of animals!

  • Favorite Stress Skill: Walking in nature
  • Non-negotiable Happiness Habit: Gratitude
  • Current Stretch Goal: Explore education’s role in identity formation and building equitable societies.


Rick Yang HS

Rick Yang

Intern

Rick Yang

Read My Shine Hope Story
Rick Yang HS

Rick Yang (he/him) is a first-year student at Harvard College, civic entrepreneur, public health researcher, and mental health advocate. Through his two organizations, SchoolSight and Frontiers of Fulfillment, he has collaborated with over a dozen senators and US representatives, secured over $125,000 in grant funding for the development of wellness spaces, and reached over ten thousand students across 30 US states through advocacy and lobbying workshops.
Rick has published research in peer-reviewed journals and spoken at national health conventions and research meetings. He has advised organizations centered around youth wellbeing, including Youth Move National, New York State PTA, and New York Public Health Association’s Board of Directors, Mental Health America’s Youth Leaders Council, Work2BeWell’s Student Advisory Council, and Strong365’s Teen Advisory Board. He received The Jed Foundation’s 2024 Student Voice of Mental Health Award, was named NTTAC’s 2023 Youth Mental Health Champion, and has been featured on the Washington Post, NBC News, and ABC News.


our-team-Shannon-Ehmsen

Shannon Ehmsen

Technology Lead

Shannon Ehmsen

User Experience, Harvard Medical School

Shannon Ehmsen is a Graphics Designer / Assistant with the 4D Nucleome Data Coordination and Integration Center and Park Lab’s Clinical Genome Analysis Platform (CGAP). Ehmsen recently graduated with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Studio Art from Northeastern University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in 2019 and started at the Park Lab soon after.


our-team-Mic-Fariscal

Mic Fariscal

Creative and Production

Mic Fariscal

Read My Shine Hope Story

Michael, also known as “Mic”, is the Creative and Production Team Lead at The Shine Hope Company. He played a significant role in creating materials for The Shine Hope Company’s program, Hopeful Minds, Hopeful Mindsets, Hopeful Cities, and editing episodes for The Hope Matrix. 

Mic holds a degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He is a young professional with more than 5 years of expertise in web and graphic design, social media, email marketing, and general virtual assistance. With his abilities, he was able to manage and lead a lot of corporate projects. 

Mic enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also loves bowling, whether with family or just by himself. He is also passionate in serving as a servant leader, sharing love and hope for youth and young adults in a catholic charismatic community in the Philippines. 

  • Favorite Stress Skill: deep breathing, listening to music, and laughter.
  • Non-negotiable Happiness Habit: exercising, bowling, watching favorite series, gratitude
  • Current Stretch Goal: Establish a consistent sleep pattern while achieving work-life balance to enhance overall well-being.


our-team-Veronica

Veronica O'Brien, MA, MS

Research Analyst

Veronica O'Brien, MA, MS

Read My Shine Hope Story

Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate, Georgia Southern University

Veronica O’Brien is a clinical psychology doctoral candidate whose research is focused on mindfulness meditation and substance misuse. In addition, her clinical interests lie in neuropsychological assessment and she plans to pursue advanced training in neuropsychology following graduation. Before pursuing her doctoral degree, Veronica worked as a licensed mental health therapist for children and youth, providing crucial mental health services within an underserved area.


DR Crystal Bryce

Crystal Bryce, PhD

Director of Research

Crystal Bryce, PhD

Associate Dean, Student Affairs, University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine

Dr. Bryce received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, and PhD in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. Prior to joining UT Tyler School of Medicine, she served as faculty member at Arizona State University, where she worked with undergraduate students within the classroom and as the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs within her department.

She also has extensive experience conducting and publishing research that focuses on individual and contextual factors that influence well-being, hope, and academic outcomes, and advanced statistical approaches to examining salivary biomarkers.

Dr. Bryce is excited to work with and support medical students as they navigate medical school.


Dr. Dan Tomasulo

Dan Tomasulo, PhD

Advisor

Dan Tomasulo, PhD

Psychologist, Professor, Speaker, Author of NYT Best Seller Learned Hopefulness. Academic Director at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute (SMBI), Teachers College, Columbia University.

Dr. Tomasulo is the Academic Director and core faculty at the Spirituality Mind Body Institute (SMBI), Teachers College, Columbia University, and is on the teaching staff at the University of Pennsylvania where he works with Martin Seligman. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology, MFA in writing, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Review Editor for Frontiers in Psychology special section Positive Psychology, Dr. Tomasulo was also recently honored by Teachers College, Columbia University with their 2021 Teaching Award.

Sharecare honors Dr. Tomasulo as one of the top ten online influencers on the issue of depression. His award-winning memoir, American Snake Pit (2018) tells of the first experimental group home releasing inmates from America’s most notorious asylum, Willowbrook. His book, Learned Hopefulness, The Power of Positivity To Overcome Depression, is hailed as: “…the perfect recipe for fulfillment, joy, peace, and expansion of awareness.” by Deepak Chopra, MD: Author of Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential. Martin Seligman, Ph.D., author of Flourish, adds: “This is the best go-to book on how to use hope to relieve your depression.”

Dr. Tomasulo recently published his new book entitled “The Positivity Effect: Simple CBT Skills to Transform Anxiety and Negativity into Optimism and Hope”. Learn more about the new book here.


Kristy Stark

Kristy L. Stark, MA, EdM, BCBA

Advisor

Kristy L. Stark, MA, EdM, BCBA

Kristy is a Behavioral Scientist, licensed K-12 Administrator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Consultant, and Entrepreneur. Kristy has served as the Clinical Director of a non-profit organization for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, and as a consultant to state mental health agencies and university teaching centers.

Kristy was an instructor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan and is now adjunct faculty in PA. Kristy holds an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University, where she co-founded an education technology start-up at the Harvard Innovation Lab. She has served as a board member on the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Innovation and Ventures in Education Organization, and on the leadership team for the Behavioral Insights Student Group at the Harvard Kennedy School. She additionally holds an M.A. from U of M and a B.A. from OSU.

Kristy has presented her work at Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and the United Nations headquarters in NY. She has spoken internationally on child development, mental health, and behavioral insights and design. Kristy is passionate about disseminating evidence-based, prevention-focused programs for children and families.


Steve Shell

Steve Shell, MBA

Advisor

Steve Shell, MBA

Steve Shell has been working as a Vice President at Renown Health for 3 years. Renown Health is part of the Hospitals & Physicians Clinics industry, and located in Nevada, United States.