Bernard Hoffman, Special Consultant on At-Risk Issues was a staff member with the Neshaminy School District in Langhorne, Bucks County, PA since 1958. In his almost 40 years at Neshaminy, he served as classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, administrative assistant to the superintendent, assistant superintendent, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, deputy superintendent, superintendent as well as a commissioned office of the state since 1975. Mr. Hoffman worked with students, staff and administration and directed the daily operations of the district. He has also worked extensively with the community, agencies and media. Mr. Hoffman's experience also includes directing a mental health consultation service in the U.S. Army, a member and chairperson of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and a member of numerous state alcohol and drug committees.

Christopher Kennedy Lawford's first book was about his recovery from alcohol and heroin. Now, Lawford has a new book out, Moments of Clarity: Voices From the Front Lines of Addiction, a compilation of 42 essays by ordinary people and celebrities including Martin Sheen, Susan Cheever, Alec Baldwin and Judy Collins, describing moments that led them to reach out for help.

In it, he describes his own "moment of clarity" on Feb. 17, 1986. He was standing at the windows of a brownstone in Boston and realized his addiction had reached the point of hopelessness.

He dedicates the book to his father, actor Peter Lawford, and cousin David Kennedy, and "all those who die from this disease so the rest of us can get sober."

Background: Age 53, son of late actor Peter Lawford and the late Patricia Kennedy Lawford, the younger sister of President John F. Kennedy. Degrees from Tufts, Boston College and Harvard. Has worked in politics and the movie industry.

Now: Consultant with Caron Treatment Centers, a non-profit provider of addiction treatment. Divorced, has three children, lives in Marina Del Ray, Calif.

Sylvia Lafair, PhD, is President of CEO (Creative Energy Options, Inc.), a global consulting company focused on optimizing workplace relationships through her exclusive PatternAware™ Leadership Model. Dr. Lafair, who was a practicing family therapist, took her talents into the work world and has revolutionized the way employees react and teams cooperate. Dr. Lafair is the author of “Don’t Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family Patterns that Limit Success” published by Jossey-Bass. This is the first book to explore what happens when patterns originally created to cope with family conflicts are unleashed in the workplace. She has also written numerous articles for trade publications and national magazines.

As an executive coach and leadership educator, she has more than 30 years of experience with all levels of management from leading corporate officers of global companies to executives of non-profits and owners of leading family-owned businesses. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and has taught at Hahnemann University.

As a workshop leader or keynote speaker, Sylvia engages audiences with her natural storytelling ability. She weaves her knowledge of what makes a business successful using real life stories about workplace cultures. Her thought-provoking messages leave audiences with information to take back to the office and immediately put into practice.

Mary Jane Saras, LCSW, is the Vice President of Leadership Development for CEO (Creative Energy Options, Inc.), a global firm dedicated to transforming your world of work through leadership development, coaching and consultation. Ms. Saras conducts training and educational programs on leadership, team building, conflict resolution, communication and workplace relationships. As a social worker, her experience includes ATOD education and prevention, SAP Team Member, and D & A counseling to children in families with substance abuse.

She is proficient in engaging audiences of 25 to 400 people. As an educator and social worker she brings unique skills to the world of work in learning how to manage the people maze in every business. She holds a BA from Clemson University and a MSW from Marywood University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Pennsylvania and has extensive experience in group development and group process. She helps groups become teams with great communication skills and the ability to solve problems together as a team.

Megan Augustine is enthusiastic, passionate and driven, just a few words to describe Megan Augustine when speaking about Internet Safety. Megan has spent the last 3 years of her career presenting to educators, parents and students about Internet safety and technology education. All of her workshops / seminars are centered around three critical subject areas; cyber safety, cyber security and cyber ethics. 

Megan received her B.S. from East Stroudsburg University in Media and Communications and Technology and a Masters of Education and IT Certification from Kutztown University. She is currently employed full time by the Penn Manor School District as a Technology Analyst.  

Megan is the founder of MAKKMEDIA, an Internet Marketing and Web Design Firm that helps people and businesses achieve their goals through innovative technology solutions. Services include: web design and Internet marketing, multimedia and graphic design, digital photography and Internet/Cyber safety workshops.  Megan formerly of Mountaintop, PA is a current resident of Berks County, PA.

JoAnne Owens-Nauslar has spent thirty-nine years promoting the benefits of healthy active living and is considered one of the nation’s most vocal personalities on issues of physical activity.  “Dr. Jo” promotes concepts such as (1) living in a peak performance body has numerous benefits, (2) you don’t stop exercising because you grow old, you grow old because you stop exercising, (3) No Deposit…No Return-You must invest in your own well being, and (4) Secure your own mask first so you can be a great role model for children and youth.  As an active volunteer for the American Heart Association, Lincoln Public Schools, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, women’s heart health, and the Girls & Women in Sport Recognition Day, her days are filled with activity.  JoAnne and husband Red, raise Texas Longhorn cattle, quarter and paint horses, llamas and goats at Big-E-Nuff Ranches west of Lincoln, NE and Newcastle, WY. 

"Dr. Jo" has numerous recognitions, accolades, awards, and honors, but it is not necessary to dwell on those things.  She spends her days thinking of ways to find champions for schools and community efforts that will promote healthy active living.

B.S-Chadron State College (NE), 1970

M.P.E.-University of Nebraska-Lincoln-1976

John Bailie has worked with the IIRP's SaferSanerSchools program to bring restorative practices to hundreds of schools, including those in at-risk areas of New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore.  John is a frequent presenter at international conferences and events and appears in several documentaries on restorative practices.  His training and consulting work also includes that with juvenile probation and children and youth agencies, as well as church and religious communities.  Having completed graduate level work in theological studies John is well versed in the connection between restorative practices and faith. 

John is also an experienced restorative conference facilitator in adult and juvenile cases, including those involving felony-level offenses.  John spent many years as a counselor for troubled and at-risk youth at a day-treatment alternative school operating entirely according to restorative practices.  He also helped organize nationwide and community campaigns for economic and social justice in support of the rights of the homeless and the working poor.  He specialized in creating and mobilizing community networks and coalitions.  John brings to his work a thorough knowledge of labor issues and challenges faced by marginalized communities.  John received his master's degree as part of IIRP's first graduating class.