The iRise Leadership Institute provides leadership training, educational resources, financial support, and awareness in suicide prevention.
Below is a list of the iRise Leadership Institute Board Members who will be taking turns in contributing their individual wisdom to The Teen Mentor on a monthly basis:
Kristie Knights is the Founder and CEO of iRise Leadership Institute, a Licensed Psychotherapist in private practice, Collaborative Practitioner in Civil and Divorce Law, Professional Speaker, Author, and Vice President of Global Sisterhood, a Non-Profit 501 (c)(3). In her private practice, she guides hundreds of clients to lead a life of joy and purpose from here, locally in the U.S., and as far away as Israel, England, Australia, Germany, India, and Switzerland. Kristie currently sees clients in Mars and Pittsburgh offices.
Kristie is the co-author of Inspired Entrepreneurs: A Compilation of Women’s Triumphs in Business and Life. She is currently in the initial stages of writing a book titled UnSung Heroes: Deconstructing Suicide Through Stories of Triumph. It will provide a platform for those who have contemplated or attempted suicide to share their stories so they may inspire others to live. She has also written 100+ articles for a variety of web-based companies on self-growth. Currently, she writes for Inspiring Lives Magazine.
As a collaborative Practitioner, Kristie works in collaboration with lawyers and clients to resolve divorce matters out of court. The collaborative process provides an environment of healing instead of trauma that occurs in the litigation process of divorce. Kristie also provides educational video resources to clients during the divorce process through her internet channel Life Lessons on PittsburghBizTvShows.com.
She is a member of the Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, International Coaching Federation, Pittsburgh Professional Women, National Board of Certified Counselors, National Speakers Association, American Counseling Association, Women of the North, and graduate of Women’s Leadership Academy and B-School. Kristie is committed to serve and lead others from a place of leadership, love and vulnerability. For additional information, visit kristieknights.com.
Paula Miles is a graduate of Clarion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. She is a leader in multiple education and religious sectors. Having spent years cultivating her skills and relationships through family, friends and Christian faith; iRise Leadership Institute allows her to apply her connections and many difficult life experiences to help eradicate suicide. Most recently, Paula was a contributing author to the anthology, Unsung Heroes; Deconstructing Suicide Through Stories of Triumph, published in December, 2016.
Kerrie Boydman is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. In her practice, Kerrie offers counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families to help clients improve their quality of life, explore areas causing them discomfort and identify and reduce feelings of shame. Her areas of specialization include substance abuse/dependence, relationships, trauma, abuse, domestic violence, emotionally stressful medical conditions and a variety of mental health diagnoses.
Kerrie received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh with a Certification in Mental Health and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ohio State University. Kerrie has worked as an adjunct faculty member in the Counseling Department at Carlow University. She accompanied veterans on a therapeutic white water rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with a Pennsylvania based nonprofit organization, “Canyon Heroes.” She also currently facilitates meetings for the “Women of the North,” a group of female private practitioners in the greater Pittsburgh area.
Kerrie is passionate about her work in the mental health field. It provides her the opportunity to serve others with a wide range of needs and conditions. In addition, as someone whose life has been affected by suicide in many ways, she believes that iRise has a powerful message and the ability to change the world.
To contact Kerrie Boydman LCSW, please visit www.counselingpa.com or call 412-444-5062.
Mark Lutz is a graduate from Geneva College’s Youth Ministry Department. He has served in various roles at New Life Christian Ministries, a large church in Saxonburg PA for the past seven years. Since June of 2016, Mark has been serving as the Discipleship Pastor and as a Lead Team member at New Life. He has spent the first decade of his professional life studying leadership, building teams, and striving to become a better communicator.
He is currently serving with iRise to help the organization partner with churches and schools. He has a beautiful wife named Jennifer and they are expecting their first child in June of 2017.
Scott Cunningham, MEd, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor who approaches his work with energy and commitment to excellence. His broad experience includes counseling adults, couples, families, adolescents and children in a variety of settings.
Blessed with many talents, Scott has also applied his clinical skills as an administrative and public relations professional for Pittsburgh human services organizations. He currently is in the role of Clinical Supervisor at Pittsburgh Mercy as well as a therapist at Samaritan Counseling Center.
He has also served as Program Coordinator for Resolve Crisis Network where he oversaw the clinical and daily operations of the mobile crisis department and the Child and Adolescent Crisis Team Intervention Services. Additionally, he served as the Director of Social Services for foster care, Compliance/Quality Analyst at Wesley Spectrum Services and Director of Clinical Care at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital.
Among other specialties, Scott is certified in Chemical Dependency Counseling, ASIST Suicide Intervention, Crisis Intervention Stress Management and Comprehensive Crisis Management. Moreover, Scott earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling Education from the University of Pittsburgh and his Bachelor’s of Science in Christian Counseling from Fort Wayne Bible College.
Jenn Glassbrenner is proud to be Secretary for iRise Leadership Institute. Jenn graduated from Duquesne University with a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She taught at the university level for over a decade and also founded a private practice in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Taking a step away from the mental health field to raise her family, Jenn found ways to give back to her community through a leadership position with the local chapter of a national support community, Mother’s and More, which serves women transitioning in and out of the workforce. She also served as Vice President, President and advisor for the Baker Elementary PTA.
After surviving a bout with cancer in 2008, Jenn refocused on two passions: natural health and travel. She currently coaches people on natural solutions through essential oils and co-owns UnTangled Travel, LLC.
Jenn is humbled to play a small role in the work of iRise Leadership Institute. Seeing first hand the effects of depression in her life, she is dedicated to bringing an end to the isolation and stigma of mental illness.
ARTICLES BY THE iRISE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE