Vision Training Speakers

Clay Roberts

As an entrepreneur, author, consultant, and national speaker, Clay Roberts has provided recommendations for asset development training, consulting and technical assistance; conducted studies on asset development in education; and completed a book and video about asset development in education.

Mr. Roberts is the founder and President of Roberts and Associates, a company dedicated to the development of healthy, contributing young people. He is formerly the C.E.O. of Comprehensive Health Education Foundation (C.H.E.F.).

A program developer, trainer, and speaker, Clay Roberts has produced five national model programs, including Here’s Looking at You, 2000®, a K-12 drug education program; Natural Helpers, a peer-helper program; and Get Real about AIDS©, a 4-12AIDs prevention program. Clay and his prevention programs have been highlighted on NBC’s “Today Show;” PBS’s “Frontline.” “Hour Magazine,” and in Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, and Instructor Magazine.

Clay has been a consultant and keynote presenter in over 35 states and in several foreign countries.

For additional information on bringing Clay to your community, click here.

Search Institute Trainers

Shelby Andress

Home State: Minnesota

Shelby Andress is a national leader in facilitating organizational and community change that promotes the well-being of adolescents and children.

Andress, who developed Search Institute’s asset-based planning services for community initiatives and large-scale organizations, has served as a consultant, facilitator, speaker, and trainer with executives, boards, and communities in more than 450 locations in 40 states and Canada. These organizations have included community collaborations, mental health agencies, health care organizations, community and social services, faith communities, educational systems, foundations, and government organizations. She is currently developing national training programs for facilitators and planners who work in asset-building communities and organizations.

For additional information on bringing Shelby to your community, visit Search Institute.

Matthew Barnes

Home State: California

Matthew Barnes currently serves as an assistant principal at a comprehensive high school in northern California. He specializes in curriculum and program design and has experience in conducting trainings on asset building in school communities as well as introductory Developmental Asset workshops.

Matthew has employed the Developmental Asset model for years in the schools with which he has worked. As a trainer with Search Institute, he draws on these experiences to share a practical, hands-on approach to the assets. His ability to offer this practical approach to the asset model allows schools and school communities to see the potential of asset-rich schools and establish a connection with a practicing educator. Matthew delights in working with multiple schools to explore ways to integrate assets into school communities.

For additional information on bringing Matthew to your community, visit Search Institute.

Chris Beyer

Home State: Colorado

Chris Beyer is an educator, community organizer, and trainer with expertise in the areas of Developmental Assets, community mobilization, Student Assistance Programs, Safe and Drug Free Schools, prevention, and linking the assets with Positive Behavioral Support (PBS).

As a contract trainer for Search Institute, Beyer serves as a public speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth in schools, starting community-wide asset-building initiatives, or creating community change on behalf of youth. She consulted with Search Institute in the development of the education sector trainings Building Developmental Assets in School Communities and Deepening Developmental Assets in School Communities.

For additional information on bringing Chris to your community, visit Search Institute.

Jim Conway

Home State: Wisconsin

Jim Conway is an author, consultant, and veteran trainer with over 20 years’ experience providing training and consultation to youth-serving professionals and volunteers in organizations in the United States and abroad. He also served for over 15 years in leadership roles of various programs for children and adolescents.

As a senior trainer, Conway represents Search Institute as a public speaker and trainer for organizations and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth, starting a community-wide initiative, or creating organizational and community change on behalf of youth. Conway’s other areas of special expertise include early adolescent development, parent education and program planning and assessment.

For additional information on bringing Jim to your community, visit Search Institute.

Tim Duffey

Home State: Maine

As a senior trainer for Search Institute, Duffey serves as a public speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth, starting community-wide asset-building initiatives, or creating community change on behalf of youth. He also assists Search Institute in developing effective models of community mobilization and training.

Duffey currently serves as President of Vision Training Associates, the authorized provider of Search Institute’s Training and Speaking Services throughout North America. He also provides leadership to Search Institute’s efforts to respond to international requests to explore the Developmental Assets framework in their unique cultural context.

For additional information on bringing Tim to your community, visit Search Institute.

Deborah Fisher

Home State: Washington

In addition to being a Search Institute Trainer, Deborah Fisher is a writer and consultant on children and family issues, and specializes in Developmental Assets and positive youth development.

As a speaker, Deborah has taught a variety of audiences around the country about Developmental Assets with an emphasis on sharing practical lessons, tips, and stories gleaned from her work and writing. Audiences have included the Allen County (Indiana) Superior Court Conference on Youth, the YMCAs of Indianapolis and Greater Seattle, the Search Institute National Conference, the New York State Office of Children & Family Services Strategic Collaborative County Planning Conference, Assets for Colorado Youth, and the School’s Out Washington Annual Conference.

For additional information on bringing Deborah to your community, visit Search Institute.

Sandra Harris

Home State: Illinois

Sandra Harris is a motivational speaker, leader, trainer, and consultant with strong background and experience in Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, leadership, organizational management, cultural competency, group dynamics, children, and youth ministry. She has worked extensively with diverse audiences and communities, especially in the areas of families, adolescents and children.

Sandra serves as a contract trainer for Search Institute and has been providing leadership for local communities and organizations using the asset model for over 10 years. She played a key role in launching the initiative and in management of training and consulting as Associate Director for Assets for Colorado Youth. Harris currently provides leadership for Abundant Assets Alliance, a partnership with YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada and Search Institute where she works with local YMCA teams and communities towards becoming asset rich environments.

For additional information on bringing Sandra to your community, visit Search Institute.

Angela Jerabek

Home State: Minnesota

Angela Jerabek is an author, presenter, and the Building Assets Reducing Risks Program (BARR) Coordinator for the St. Louis Park Schools (Minnesota). She has also served as a consultant at the Minnesota Institute of Health in Moundsview, MN.

Agela has conducted presentations nationwide on the BARR Program, including over 50 conferences such as the National Prevention Network Conference, National Superintendent’s Conference, and the Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth National Conference.

Jerabek developed the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) Program to address academic failure, truancy, discipline and chemical use in schools utilizing Search Institute’s Developmental Assets research. The BARR program received one of six 2005 National Exemplary Prevention Program Awards and was listed in the National Registry of Effective Practices and Programs (NREPP) in 2009.

For additional information on bringing Angela to your community, visit Search Institute.

Don MacIntyre

Home Province: British Columbia

Don MacIntyre is a high school principal, an author, and a trainer with expertise in the areas of asset building in schools, and student leadership. As a trainer for Search Institute, MacIntyre serves as a public speaker and trainer for schools, organizations, and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth, starting a community-wide asset-building initiative, or creating community change on behalf of youth.

He has been instrumental in the development of leadership programs that integrate schools and the community they serve. He has been a presenter at the Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth Conference and has spoken to numerous schools, groups, organizations and communities interested in building a base of support for young people through the asset-building model. Don has also brought the asset-building message to educators abroad through work in Seoul, North Korea.

For additional information on bringing Don to your community, visit Search Institute.

Doug Pederson

Home Province: Saskatchewan

Doug Pederson has worked for 23 years in the nonprofit sector in Regina, Saskatchewan. Throughout his career he has developed and supported programs for youth, adults, and Aboriginal groups.

As Regina’s original Asset Champion, Doug is the founder of the Alliance of Asset Champions and the HC • HY Regina & Area initiative. Under his leadership the Alliance has gained the support of numerous community-based organizations, school boards, and many levels of government. Provincially he has encouraged people, young and old, to take an interest in the Developmental Assets having delivered and/or organized asset building workshops for over 3,000 people since 2005.

Pederson has worked tirelessly to promote the Developmental Assets in Regina and across the province of Saskatchewan for the past four years. As the former Chair of the Alliance of Asset Champions, Pederson actively engages individuals and agencies to unite with a common vision; an asset rich community where all youth are valued and thrive. Recent workshops for various government agencies have resulted in widespread interest in many new areas across the province.

For additional information on bringing Doug to your community, visit Search Institute.

Marilyn Peplau

Home State: Wisconsin

Marilyn Peplau is an educator, speaker, consultant, and trainer with expertise in the areas of the Developmental Assets, Student Assistance Programs and Healthy Communities * Healthy Youth initiatives.

As a contract trainer for Search Institute, Peplau serves as a speaker, trainer, and training program designer for organizations (especially schools) and communities interested in building Developmental Assets for and with youth, starting a community-wide asset-building initiative, or creating community change on behalf of youth.

Peplau assisted Search Institute in developing the Building Developmental Assets in School Communities training, and Change of Heart school retreat. With a passion for writing, she’s contributed to countless Search Institute resources, including Great Places to Learn, You Have to Live It, Pass It On, What Young Children Need to Succeed, and Your Classroom: Simple Ways to Create a Positive Learning Climate.

For additional information on bringing Marilyn to your community, visit Search Institute.

Roberto Rivera

Home State: Illinois

Roberto Rivera brings a distinct message of how to effectively engage and marshal young people, regardless of age, to adult, youth and mixed-age audiences. Roberto has been recognized for his work mobilizing young people by former president Bill Clinton, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, and others. His greatest joy comes from working with educators in activating genius and inspiring hope in students that are labeled disadvantaged.

Roberto motivates and inspires audiences through a combination of research, data, and powerful story telling, leaving audiences with enlightened minds and motivated hearts.

For additional information on bringing Roberto to your community, visit Search Institute.

Flora Sánchez

Home State: New Mexico

Flora Sánchez is a consultant, presenter and trainer, facilitator, nationally certified counselor, and educator with extensive knowledge and experience in the Developmental Assets model of Search Institute. Other expertise lies in the areas of community mobilization, youth development, conflict resolution and mediation, and cultural diversity.

Sánchez has practical expertise in applying the Developmental Assets framework. As former coordinator of the New Mexico Network of the Healthy Communities • Healthy Youth initiative, Sánchez facilitated and supported local leadership in New Mexico communities as they developed initiatives to support positive youth development.. She was a founding member of her local community initiative, YouthFirst, The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community. Sanchez also worked to implement positive youth development policy through her elected position on the New Mexico State Board of Education.

Contracted by Search Institute since 1995, Sánchez has provided trainings in 48 states, Canada, Brazil, Bermuda, and South Korea, China, and Albania.

For additional information on bringing Flora to your community, visit Search Institute.

James R. Vollbracht

Home State: Arizona

James Vollbracht is a trainer, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience empowering individuals, communities, and organizations to support the positive development of youth.

As a senior trainer for Search Institute, Vollbracht is responsible for educating communities, organizations, and individuals about Developmental Assets and for helping them design strategies to build these assets for youth.

Vollbracht has been the keynote speaker at national and regional conferences across the country, Governor’s Conferences, and at kick-off presentations & trainings for school districts, the Canadian Parks and Recreation National Conference, and the Illinois State Educator’s Conference. He recently presented to the National Association for Partnerships in Education and the Girl Scouts of America. A recent presentation was carried live over CFAX Radio in Victoria, British Columbia, to an audience of more than 20,000.

For additional information on bringing James to your community, visit Search Institute.

Erin Walsh. M.A.

Home State: Minnesota

Erin Walsh is a popular, dynamic, knowledgeable speaker on topics related to media’s impact on children, families, and communities. Erin combines the latest research with warmth, humor, and practical advice. Her experience with young people and up-to-date knowledge of youth culture and trends makes her an invaluable translator on issues that often split parents and their kids along a generational divide.

Erin has special expertise in a variety of subject areas including body image and the media, brain development, adolescence and youth development, social media, and video game violence.

For additional information on bringing Erin to your community, visit Search Institute.