Suniya Luthar is a professor emerita at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College whose research has explored vulnerability and resilience in children and families. Dr. Luthar has been featured on CBS's award winning program "Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley." Dr. Luthar was also featured and quoted in TIME magazine, "“If you are going to foster anyone’s wellbeing, the first thing you have to do is make sure there is a dependable support network around them,” says Suniya Luthar, professor emerita at Columbia University Teachers College. “Resilience rests fundamentally on relationships.” A pioneer in resilience research, Luthar has studied kids who came from disadvantaged communities and experienced tough events in childhood, such as living in poverty or having a parent with mental illness. She and her fellow researchers wanted to know why some children thrived while others did not.

Dr. Luthar as been honored and recognized by the American Psychological Association, New York Academy of Science, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Society for Research in Child Development, and the Society for Research on Adolescence.

David’s diverse career as an educator, performer, producer, recording artist, inspirational speaker, worship leader and mental health advocate has taken him to all 50 states, 19 countries and 4 continents. David's comes from a family of talented musicians and artists including his father Don, who was chair of the department of music at the University of Montana, and brother, Academy Award winner actor J.K. Simmons. David has performed live with Alice Cooper, Bob Hope, The USO and members of REO Speedwagon, A-ha, Tower of Power and Sly and the Family Stone. In addition he has performed with The Phoenix Symphony, The Schubert Kirche Orchester (Vienna), and the Vancouver BC Symphony Orchestra. David currently serves as Founder and Executive Director of The UBU Project, a performing arts education outreach organization specializing in social/emotional arts integration residencies. He is the father of one son (Niko, an opera singer in Minneapolis, MN) and makes his home in the Phoenix West Valley and Sac County Iowa with his true love Tamara Treat.

Rick Miller, Founded The MASTERS Institute in 2005 while serving as President of Kids at Hope. This truly unique event captures the spirit of the proverb, "It takes a Village of 'Treasure Hunters' to raise and educate a child." Rick's research, principles and practices have been adopted in 22 states, the District of Columbia and three countries. His work is revolutionizing the science of hope and its application to child and youth development and cultures. Rick has received the ASU Visionary Award, City of Phoenix, Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream award, and the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Medal. Rick has published five books including The Soul, Science and Culture of Hope and Youth Development from the Trenches.

Tiffany is a social entrepreneur, youth advocate, innovation consultant, humanitarian volunteer, Dharma practitioner, and the founder of Soul Seated Journey, a youth development nonprofit delivering rich and powerful wellness programs to help resilient youth in our local communities access their innate power, activate hope, and unleash their potential. Tiffany's work is rooted in her lifelong commitment to social justice and equity as a Taiwanese immigrant., She is dedicating her career to ensuring all young people can access opportunities that unlock their purpose, passion, and potential.

Spencer has designed and facilitated programs for mental health organizations that use art, play, and music therapy; groups that dealt with relationship building, relaxation, creative visualization, sexuality, personal safety and values clarification; and therapy sessions for individuals, groups and families. In 2009, Spencer created, The Buzz, an original, innovative and interactive alcohol education program for the University of Arizona, now utilized at other universities.

Dr. Ashworth is the quintessential

Treasure Hunter. Shawn is a specialist with Anne Arundel, MD Schools Safe and Orderly Schools Department. Her passion & knowledge about what's best for kids inspires and empowers others. Shawn strives to assist all students in reaching high levels of academic achievement while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.

MPOWRD is the most profound and replicable program for teen intervention and prevention today. Its value is a reflection of the fact that MPOWRD was created by teens who were looking for a “better way”, an opportunity for hope. If we listen to their voices; if we follow their guidelines; if we provide the opportunity that they developed for all teens, regardless of social, economic, political or cultural differences, then this generation will be better prepared to meet the challenges that surrounds it, both today and in the future.

Jordan Chaney is a poet, speaker, writer, and artist residing in the Southwest while serving on multiple boards in his home state in the Pacific Northwest. Since 2009, Jordan has mentored youth in arts and community-leadership in schools and in youth detention centers from Washington to Arizona.

Kristin and her son, Eric are storytellers who have lived their stories. With courage, humor, and poignancy they invite you into their lives - "From Hopelessness to Hopefulness - A Story to Inspire."

Dr. Freeman is a true and proud treasure hunter and a 2022 recipient of the "HOPE Honors Medal." Dr. Freeman became the Littleton Elementary School District Superintendent in 2006. The district actively develops leadership at all levels to help leaders learn to constructively manage change. Dr. Freeman speaks and presents at professional meetings; serves on educational organization and department of education advisory committees in the areas of public policy and testing and accountability; has served on numerous professional committees and boards; and has been an active member of professional associations.

Each year the MASTER's Institute recognizes individuals and organizations whose courage, vision, purpose, and passion are keeping hope alive. This year's honorees represent how a village and its villagers can create and activate Hope b y BELIEVING-CONNECTING-TIME TRAVELING. HOPE truly honors the HOPE Honor Medal Recipients for 2022.

Trish Valentin is the principal at H.L. Suverkrup School, Yuma, AZ. HLS is a true neighborhood school of Hope with many families seeing several generations attending elementary school.

H.L. Suverkrup is the No. 1 ranked elementary school in the City of Yuma and serves am 517 of the happiest, brightest, and most enthusiastic children around. Every child sets academic goals for themselves and works hard with their treasure hunters on campus to reach their goals and prepare them for a future full of opportunities. Trish is called upon regularly to facilitate Kids at Hope training for her district, workshops, state, and national conferences.

Stacy Ledvina is a Social Work Supervisor and a Treasure Hunter at the Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Human Services Department. Stacy has been a leader in evidence-based practices in youth justice and has successfully used Kids at Hope as an evidenced based, strategic-cultural model which reverses the “youth at risk” paradigm by establishing a holistic methodology that engages youth and their families. Stacy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stacy is also a consultant, working across the country, with youth justice and probation agencies on the implementation of evidence-based practices. Stacy's Kids at Hope leadership is recognized locally, statewide and nationally.

Tim D. Hardy served as the Director of the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center for over 23 years, with the responsibility of administrating ten separate divisions, including a charter high school. As director, Tim oversaw a $10 million-dollar annual budget for the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center, which employs 137 employees, and numerous volunteers. He is also responsible for a 68-bed juvenile detention facility.

Tim also served as President of the American Parole and Probation Association and is the founding Chairman of the Kids at Hope Yuma, AZ Chapter.

Tim has been instrumental in leading the Kids at Hope movement in Yuma, AZ, and nationally. He is regularly called upon to facilitate KAH training across the US.

Tim graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Sheila Mendoza is the principal of Salida del Sol School in Yuma, AZ. Salida del Sol is home to over 710 happy, eager, and energetic roadrunners and time travelers. The school serves pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Its staff of treasure hunters work hard with students and is committed to providing each student with high-quality instruction to help ensure that every child succeeds, No Exceptions.

We provide all-day kindergarten classes because we realize how important that time is for young students. We are very excited about the academic impact that it has on our students.