MAPP Alumni Bios
Following are bios of graduates from the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dana Arakawa, ’06
After spending a year working for the John Templeton Foundation, Dana has just left Philadelphia to start a two month learning adventure in Peru. She is on scholarship at the InterExchange Foundation and is studying Spanish for one month and then will be volunteering with children for a month. Prior to the MAPP program, Dana received her B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, where she majored in International Economics.
Iris Bloom, ’07
Iris is a writer, massage therapist, self-defense instructor, stress reduction educator, and promoter of somatopsychic vitality -- the feeling of aliveness -- for all beings. She is exploring using mindfulness and other practices to enable abusers to overcome abusiveness and to empower high-conflict couples to de-escalate and rebuild love. She envisions Positive psychology not as a building, but as a mandala; creating a future which is happier, fairer, and lower carbon, caring for All Our Relations.
Kathryn Britton,’06
After working with IBM, Kathryn started a coaching business, Theano Coaching, to work with individuals. As part of this work Kathryn has recently developed a manual that includes 4 self-assessment questions to help groups set goals for improving their work climate, as well as descriptions of relevant positive interventions and instructions for running workshops to help people brainstorm about the actions they want to take.
Sarah Campbell, ’07
Sarah Campbell is currently working as a training and organizational development consultant for a small firm in Washington DC. Prior to her completion of the MAPP program, Sarah earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Her professional interests include performance coaching, employee engagement, leadership, strengths-based focus and resilience. Email: sarah1320@gmail.com
Derrick Carpenter, ’07
Derrick graduated from MIT in 2004 (where he rowed as a varsity lightweight) with a BS in math and minors in psych and economics. After college he spent a short time working at Harvard's psych department and then as a construction laborer, which helped him to fund a 9-week, 2000-mile cycling tour of central Europe in the spring of 2005. Interested in the connection between sports and positive psychology, after graduation from the MAPP program Derrick embarked on another tri-country bicycle tour to raise funds for the MAPP alumni scholarship program.
Joanne Cavanaugh, ’07
Joanne is a New Jersey native and works for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). She holds two degrees from the University of Penn: a BA in Biology and the MAPP degree. Her future plans include becoming a certified coach, bringing positive psychology to children, and combining her knowledge of positive psychology and sales together to make GSK the most positive place to work.
Sulynn Choong, ’06
Sulynn applies positive psychology in youth counseling and character development classes, as well as in consulting (organizational change initiatives, M&A communications, conflict resolution, team building, morale-lifting workshops, etc.) Sulynn aims to raise awareness of positive psychology applications, and to impart practical knowledge for everyday flourishing, by eventually setting up a network for all MAPP alumni and positive psychology practitioners which will be presented across Asia through actual or virtual exposure. Sulynn also has a B.Econ (Monash, ICSA (Aust.), and a B.S. in Psychology.
Aren Cohen, ’07
Aren's coaching practice, ARC Coaching, works with individuals to help them harness and utilize their strengths. Formerly Vice President of Business Development at FundingPost, Aren has also worked at Scripps Ventures, the Guggenheim Museum, CBS, Inc. and two entrepreneurial companies: Skoodles, Inc. and Concrete Media Construction. She has also been a consultant to numerous start-up businesses. Along with her MAPP, Aren has a BA magna cum laude from Harvard University and an MBA from New York University. Aren is currently serving the MAPP Alumni Association as Treasurer.
Deborah Cohen, ’07
Deborah Cohen, Ed.M. taught HS English for eight years and Hatha yoga for eleven. She was trained in Karma Kids Yoga and Yoga Ed programs, the Penn Resiliency Project, and a positive psychology Program for HS Students. She has run a Hatha yoga teacher training school for 4 years and worked as a section leader for Tal Ben-Shahar’s Positive Psychology course at Harvard. She is currently working with the Harvard Medical School as project leader of a research study measuring the impact of a public school Yoga Ed program, and collaborating on a project to bring mind-body curricula into schools in Massachusetts.
Anthony DeLuca, ’07
Anthony owns one of the most successful consumer bankruptcy firms in the State of Nevada and is a legal consultant for Fox 5 television in Las Vegas where he appears weekly on their news program. He is also the host of his own radio talk show on KDWN AM 720. Anthony received his BA from the University of Scranton, JD from Temple Law School, and Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in Las Vegas Nevada with his wife Miriam, along with their two year old child, “Little Anthony.” Their family expects to add a little girl in February of 2008.
Amy Donovan, ’07
Amy earned a BA in Spanish and Art History from Vanderbilt University in 2004. After graduating she started a consulting business catering to college freshmen employing positive psychology principles to combat the anxiety associated with "rushing" and joining a sorority. In her spare time she volunteers as a yoga teacher to middle school children and is an agency-signed commercial fashion model.
John A. “Sean” Doyle, Jr., ’07
Sean is a poet, lawyer and consultant. In his law practice, Sean specializes in high conflict negotiations and has assisted clients in navigating thousands of disputes. He also has secured asylum for torture victims, defended individual’s privacy rights and lobbied for stronger child protection laws. Sean works with law firms on leadership development and with individual lawyers on how they want to live their lives, and in finding meaning in life and work.
Margaret Dukes, ’06
Margaret has an MBA and has held management positions in financial services, wholesale distribution, and consumer products industries. She maintains certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and strives to create collaborative work environments fostering teamwork through recognition of strengths. She is a member of the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and is currently taking a hybrid distance learning course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to be a Career Development Facilitator.
Christine Duvivier, ’07
Christine has a background leading large-scale change in Fortune 50 companies and non-profits. She is the founder of Impact Partners, a strategic consulting firm established seven years ago to coach individual executives and management teams in leading positive change. She is a motivating speaker and gave the keynote for Microsoft East Women’s Conference. At Penn last year, she studied strengths in low-performing teens and uncovered exciting opportunities—and damaging myths—in educating all children. She holds an MBA with Distinction from Cornell and a MAPP from Penn.
Helene Finizio, ’07
Helene is a Project Manager for the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Her extensive research background includes interests in psychology, neuroscience and cardiology. Currently she is pursuing the integration of positive psychology with a variety of physical counterparts, such as neurological functions. She is heading the development of an empirical study of Psychological Energy, and is interested in the various routes to energetic expression available to the individual, groups and organizations. Additionally, Helene works as a meditation coach.
Sherri Fisher, ’06
Sherri combines 20+ years experience in PK-12 education with Positive psychology to uncover engaged learning and working solutions for both individuals and organizations. She is a principal of three education-related businesses: Student Flourishing, provides strength-based education management coaching for students and families; Flourishing Schools, in collaboration with MAPP colleagues Dave Shearon and John Yeager, offers workshops, consulting and coaching integrating best practices in education with cutting edge positive psychology research; and Right Fit Career Design, provides executive coaching to individual educational leaders and school-based work teams. She recently became a PRP teacher facilitator and started the MAPP Education Special Interest Group (EdSIG).
Karen A. Garman, ’07
Karen Garman, Ed.D is a medical educator and certified human performance improvement expert with 20 years of experience in the delivery of a variety of professional development programs for public and private healthcare organizations. As Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center of Applied Research in Education at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, she also coaches physicians in becoming better teachers. Her research is in the development of positive emotions and strengths in medical students using positive feedback, as well as training health care providers in the positive interventions that benefit cancer survivors post cancer treatment.
Deb Giffen, ’07
Deb Giffen is Director of Executive Programs at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she designs and oversees a broad portfolio of business leadership, strategy and marketing programs for senior executives in global organizations. She is a Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF), a graduate of Martin Seligman’s Authentic Happiness Coaching Program, and maintains a small private coaching practice. Deb has served on the board of Coaches Certification Institute, designed and led coach training programs and enjoys bringing a positive, strengths-based focus to all her endeavors.
Margaret Greenberg, ’06
After spending the first 15 years of her career in corporate Human Resources, Margaret founded The Greenberg Group, an organizational effectiveness consulting practice, in 1997. She specializes in coaching executives and teams using a strengths-based approach. Margaret is recognized by the International Coaching Federation as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) trained in the co-active coaching methodology. Most recently Margaret has been sharing the results of her research study, “Optimistic Managers and Their Impact on Productivity and Employee Engagement in a Technology Organization” with corporate audiences.
Nicholas Hall, ’06
Nicholas is the founder and Principal of Greenwich Academic Coaching, a private academic coaching and tutoring company. He has taught at the collegiate level and teaches courses in well-being and Positive psychology in Fairfield County, CT and Westchester County, NY. His Master’s thesis focused on character strengths and person-occupation fit and his follow-up work aims to find out which character strengths stand out in people who view their particular occupation as a calling. He is currently studying for the GREs and is researching schools for a Ph.D. in clinical/organizational psychology.
Jen Hausmann, ’06
Jen currently works as a project and communications manager for David’s Bridal, a nationwide retail chain of bridal and special occasion apparel located outside of Philadelphia. She is in the process of creating a new role at her company concentrating on associate development using a strengths-based approach. Introducing practical applications of positive psychology into a corporate retail environment is also one of her primary interests. Previously, she has held positions in retail management, buying, product development and public relations. Jen has also received undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.
Yasmin Headley, ’07
Yasmin is a trained and accredited psychotherapist and coach living and working in London. She holds a number of degrees and certifications including an MA, Dip HG, Ad Dip, MAPP and UKCP. She has a particular interest in positive psychology and its use in Psychotherapy and coaching. She is currently working on an IRB approved online survey at www.positivepsychology.info which explores the concept of a complete life. Yasmin is currently serving the MAPP Alumni Association as Secretary. Contact: yheadley@integrative.com.
Sasha Heinz, ’06
Sasha is currently a student at Teachers College, Columbia University’s Doctoral Program in Developmental Psychology. She is working under Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn at the National Center for Children and Families. Previously, she worked as a project coordinator for the Families and Work Institute’s national early child development campaign. Sasha received her B.A. in anthropology from Harvard.
Ted Hubbard, ’07
Ted is the Director of Behavioral Services at Support, Inc., where he has worked with developmentally disabled adults for 17 years. He writes intervention plans and trains people in positive behavior supports. He is establishing a new department that will disseminate facets of applied positive psychology such as appreciative inquiry and life coaching. He lives in Superior, Colorado with his wife, Cristina, and children, Simon (8) and Arielle (10).
Emma Judge, ’06
Emma is the founder of Positive Organizations and is applying the principles of Positive psychology to the world of work through coaching, leadership development, and links with academia. Previously, she was an HR professional and consultant. Emma is also a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of East London on the first MAPP program in Europe and is involved in a project in the UK to bring the skills of Resilience to teachers and pupils through the Penn Resilience Program.
Yukie Kamiya, ’06
Yukie lives in Tokyo and works for Triumph Company in recruiting total produce business and HR consulting. Yukie received her BA from Soka University of America in Orange Country and majored in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Social Behavioral Science.
Richard Le, ’07
Richard is working on becoming a certified coach and facilitator for employees who are transitioning into new careers. His interest in Positive Psychology started with his reading of Martin Seligman's "Learned Optimism." He is looking to apply what he has learned to the business environment, specifically with development of a resilience and strength program
Sandra Lewis, ’07
Utilizing 20 years of leadership and organizational development, Sandy is passionate about educating businesses and individuals in the tenets of positive psychology; employing the power of positive emotion and strengths to change organizations and individuals through appreciative methods. Sandy is currently piloting a positive psychotherapy program with at-risk and incarcerated females, advising corporate and non-profit businesses and boards, teaching career efficacy to prison inmates, and serving the MAPP Alumni Association as President. Contact: sandra_c_lewis@yahoo.com.
Rob Mack, ’07
Rob is a former Big 5 Consultant for Deloitte Consulting and a professional model and actor with Wilhelmina Models and LA Models & Talent. He's currently building his speaking and coaching business and shopping his happiness-themed television show and book.
Senia Maymin, ’06
Senia is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Positive Psychology News Daily, a 25+ author daily news site about the latest research and applications of positive psychology. Senia is an Assistant Instructor to Martin Seligman for his Positive Psychology course in the MAPP program during Fall 2007. Furthermore, Senia works with individuals and companies to bring positive psychology tools to businesses. Senia has a background in entrepreneurship (past President of two high-tech start-ups) and finance (Morgan Stanley, hedge fund). She completed her AB in Mathematics and Economics at Harvard University, her MBA at Stanford University, and her MAPP at U Penn.
Morgan McCarthy, ’07
Living and working in New York, Morgan is currently a Sales trainer at Google – and her work is as much fun as one can imagine. She loves all forms of communications, loves to be inspired and fill her life with people who share similar interests.
Carmella Miller, ’07
Carmella’s career includes fifteen years of experience in human resources and business management. She currently oversees all aspects of human resources as the Human Resources Director for a global clinical service organization providing medical image management services for clinical trials. In addition to MAPP, she holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Arcadia University and a professional certification in Human Resources. Carmella’s key interest lies in applying the methods of Appreciative Inquiry to facilitate positive and productive change in organizations.
Caroline Miller, ’06
Caroline is a performance coach, author and motivational speaker who works with clients and organizations all over the world on the connection between happiness and goal accomplishment. "Creating Your Best Life: The Ultimate Life List Guide" (Sterling 2009) is an outgrowth of Caroline's capstone project from the MAPP program, and it is the first mass market, self-help book to connect the science of happiness with the science of goal accomplishment. Caroline is regularly featured in the media and has appeared on over 100 radio and television shows in the last twenty years, as well as on the covers of newspapers and magazines. She is the author of six books, and her "Positive Tip of the Day" has been featured on XM Radio since 2007. Caroline also mentors coaches on how to add Positive Psychology to their practice, and teaches at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies on "Positive Psychology and Coaching.
Peter Minich, ’06
Peter, MD, Ph.D., MAPP, is a surgeon, author, educator, and physician coach. In addition to his medical training, he was awarded a doctorate with distinction in organizational leadership from Vanderbilt University. He has co-published, “Sick Patients Sicker System, How Clinician Leaders Become System Healers” with Terrence Deal. In addition to his surgical practice he lectures extensively on leadership and Positive psychology. He is currently working on his second book, which provides a positive practical approach to influencing organizations. His life’s mission is to improve the quality of care delivered in hospitals. Visit www.clinicianleader.com.
Shawna Mitchell, ’06
Shawna serves as the Director of Academics at College Track, a San Francisco non-profit that targets low-income high school students who have the desire but lack the resources and support to attain higher education. Her objectives at College Track are to systematically and holistically grow the academic department with an emphasis on individual excellence, scholastic achievement, and intrinsic motivation. Shawna holds a MAPP from U Penn, a MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and a BBA in Marketing from The College of William and Mary.
Alma-Jean (A J) Trave Monteverde, ’06
AJ is a consultant and educator. She earned an MS and PhD from the University of Illinois and a BS from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Her focus is on programs that improve the quality of life for individuals, families, consumers, and organizations. AJ is also on the board of directors of the National Organization of Italian-American Women (NOIAW). Her background includes working in financial planning, teaching, government, and community service.
Giselle Nicholson, ’06
Giselle works at Blue Garnet Associates as a strategic consulting analyst to help organizations increase their social impact. Currently, Giselle is conducting research to develop an impact assessment model on how microfinance loans impact the well-being of micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries. Recently she has also started business planning for a small social enterprise. Giselle received her BA from New York University in psychology and sociology, studied international financial management and Chinese law in Shanghai, and Renaissance art history in Florence. Her areas of interest include economics and happiness, social innovation, sustainable development, work engagement, leadership, and coaching.
Gloria Park, 06
Gloria is currently a third-year doctoral student at Temple University in Kinesiology/ Sport and Exercise Psychology. She received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Villanova University, and was a competitive figure skater for over 14 years. Currently, she is employed as the Project Coordinator for Pediatric Oncology Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and as an Assistant Instructor in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include bridging positive psychology and sport performance consulting, broader applications of positive psychology in the pursuit of promoting mind/body health and wellness with individuals and communities, neck-down positive interventions, and youth development through sport and physical activity. Email: parkg7@gmail.com
Gordon Parry, ’06
Gordon’s career in Human Resources spans twenty years with roles in all functional disciplines of HR at the business unit and corporate level. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Personnel Administration, Master in Business Administration, and MAPP from U Penn. Additionally, he holds professional certifications in Human Resources, Compensation, and Benefits. Gordon currently serves as Senior Vice President of Talent Development for a global Fortune 500 firm with 29,000 employees in 42 countries. His key area of interest is aligning unique individual and group strengths with the needs of the organization facilitating movement along the continuum of job, career and calling resulting in enhanced engagement and performance.
Elizabeth Peterson, ’06
Elizabeth is a research assistant and consultant for Aspirant, a firm that uses positive psychology research to enhance executive leadership and foster culture change at Fortune 500 companies. She also works as an educational consultant for schools interested in introducing positive psychology into their curriculum. She is currently applying to psychology Ph.D. programs, where she hopes to conduct research on the mechanisms that foster adolescent well-being. Prior to MAPP, Elizabeth received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University.
Leslie Pitner, ’07
Leslie is an orthodontist in private practice in South Carolina. Wearing braces takes self-efficacy, hope and an optimistic view of the future; traits she hopes to teach patients with her MAPP degree. Currently, Leslie is working on a book and wants to bring the principles of positive psychology to the field of dentistry and health care through teaching and consulting.
David J. Pollay, ’06
David is a syndicated columnist with North Star Writers Group, creator and host of “The Happiness Answer™” television program, an internationally sought after speaker and seminar leader, and the author of “Beware of Garbage Trucks!™ - The Law of the Garbage Truck™.” He is the founder and president of TheMomentumProject.com, a strengths-based training and consulting organization with offices in Delray Beach, Florida and Washington, D.C. David is also the associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Economics degree from Yale University. Email him at david@themomentumproject.com.
Radhika Punshi, ’07
As a Human Resources professional, Radhika has a penchant to establish workplaces of meaning and engagement. She is currently working with Hewitt Dubai and consults with clients in the Middle East on HR Best Practices. Radhika holds two Master’s degrees (MAPP, and an MA in Applied Psychology from India), as well as a BA in Psychology. She is passionate about disseminating positive psychology globally and supports the newly formed International Positive Psychology Association as part of the Board of Directors and the MAPP Alumni Association as Vice President radhikapunshi@hotmail.com.
Gregory Quinting, ’07
With a doctorate in chemistry and specialty in magnetic resonance, Greg’s science and technology background are the foundation for his present interest and work in innovative organizational leadership. Diversions such as screenwriting taught Greg that his passion is in drawing upon recent advances in positive psychology to help build quality of life for scientists in the workplace and to broaden that which he learns through those endeavors to help improve quality of life overall.
Tom Rath, ’06
Tom is co-author of “How Full is Your Bucket” and StrengthsFinder 2.0. Tom works at Gallup as the Global Practice Leader for the Clifton StrengthsFinder. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Lola Rokni, ’07
Lola spent around 13 years in software companies as a software engineer and group leader in various departments and positions. She gradually became more interested in finding ways to help people fulfill their potential. To that end she also studied mediation and management. She is currently seeking employment that will take advantage of her varied experience in software companies, her positive psychology education and her enthusiasm to improve well-being of people in workplaces as well as business productivity.
Marie-Josée Salvas, ’07
Those who have worked with Marie-Josée say that perseverance, passion and humanity characterize all that she does. Her career highlights include a wide range of teaching experience, from formal university instructing to corporate coaching and fitness training. She also has a financial management background in one of Canada’s largest banks. Marie-Josée believes that life balance is important. Connecting with loved ones is an acted-upon priority. She now disseminates positive psychology through her newly formed LLC, Optimal Living.
Gail Schneider, ’07
Gail found the MAPP program after a brief stint as an attorney in a large New York City law firm and a 20 year career in banking. She left her job as an Executive Vice-President at JPMorgan Chase in search of a path that would use her strengths and experience to create greater meaning in her life and help others do the same. She is currently writing a book about her life in corporate America and the journey of self-discovery that followed her leaving. She is also designing workshops incorporating positive psychology principles for individuals in mid-life who are navigating career and other important transitions.
David Shearon, ’06
In addition to his MAPP degree, David N. Shearon has a J.D. from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in Communications from the University of Tennessee. Dave administers the mandatory continuing legal education and other Supreme Court programs in Tennessee and has served on the Board of Education for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. He is focusing on applying positive psychology to attorney well-being and K-12 education. Dave also works with John Yeager and Sherri Fisher on conducting Broadening and Building Positive Emotions and Character workshops for school facilities.
Jordan Silberman, ’06
Jordan began his career as a pianist, and studied at the Eastman School of Music. Since changing paths in 2002, he has presented lecture-recitals on music cognition research; authored and co-authored articles on healthcare communication, psychology, and proteomics; presented research at conferences; patented a fundraising method; and completed two marathons. Currently, Jordan is in medical school at the University of Rochester and is exploring the stories of physiology and the modifiable causes of biopsychosocial wellness.
Angus Skinner, ’06
Angus is an Associate Consultant for the Centre for Confidence and Well-Being in Scotland (http://www.centreforconfidence.co.uk/). Angus is also a visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde.
Yakov Smirnoff, ’06
Yakov is teaching a course at University of Missouri called “Happily Ever Laughter.” He is also writing a column for AARP Magazine, the magazine with the largest readership in the world – 38 million readers. The column is called “Happily Ever Laughter” as well. People write in and ask Yakov questions, which he answers and gives them advice. He is also writing a book entitled, “The Age of Enlaughterment.”
Julie Snyder, ’07
Julie is the Principal of Leadership Beyond Limits, LLC, a coaching and consulting company focused on building positive business cultures. She offers 23 years of human resources and cultural transformation experience from three industries: retail, manufacturing and healthcare. She has worked in small and large organizations facilitating change from project work to mergers, acquisitions and system-wide cultural transformation. Her focus is on bringing the most current research on maximizing human potential to leaders and organizations: Contact: julie@leadershipbeyondlimits.com.
Stig Soloy, ’07
Stig is currently director of Soløy Eiendomsselskap AS which is a property development / management company in Oslo, Norway. Stig has a broad base of experience from the construction business, finance, and property development business. He holds an MSc in engineering and business administration from NTH, an MSc in economy and business administration from NHH, a BA of Psychology from UIO, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from Penn. In the future he plans to divide his professional attention between property and financial investments, and on developing a center for leadership and human flourishing to serve the Scandinavian market. Contact: stig.soloy@gmail.com
Diana Stratigakis, 06
Diana is a health coach for Whole Health Management. She is delivering wellness programs and coaching employees around changing health behavior. Diana is also working on starting her own coaching and training business. She has a psychology degree from George Washington University, and has worked as the Clinical Research Coordinator for the SELF Study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, as well as the Resource Coordinator for the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Bob Szybist, ’07
An elementary educator and the founding director of an environmental education summer camp, Bob has taught students from grades K-12 both in the US and the UK. Bob has been developing innovative educational and mentoring programs for K-8 students in both the private and public sector since 1999. Bob also regularly conducts teacher development trainings and educator workshops with schools and non-profit organizations. In his current capacity of Director of Program Development, Bob develops and oversees programming for the Community Education Alliance of West Philadelphia.
Yee-Ming Tan, ’07
Based in Hong Kong, Yee-Ming has her own executive coaching practice working with multinational clients throughout Asia. She is a happiness mentor to many of the executives she works with through her mindset and coaching workshops. Her book, “Start Your Own Ripple Effect” became a bestseller and she also publishes a series of inspirational coaching tools under the brand Ripple Cards. (www.ripplecards.com)
Joanna Thompson, ’07
British stockbroker Joanna Thompson enjoys the psychology of markets. She is a mentor and qualified Life Coach whose hunger for greater breadth and an academic underpinning led her to the MAPP program. Joanna, together with Julie Snyder, developed a Transformational Leadership Workshop as a Capstone project and she is committed to introducing positive psychology in the city.
Douglas B. Turner, ’06
Doug is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Washington, DC Metro Division of Balfour Beatty Construction. Doug oversees all aspects of human resources including: leadership, management, employee training and development, team development, employee recruitment and retention, employee relations, and compliance. In the past, Doug has been a Director of Human Resources at Fannie Mae and has worked with the American Red Cross at the National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Doug holds a MAPP from U Penn, a master’s degree in management from National-Louis University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from Brigham Young University.
Kaori Uno, ’07
Aside from her hope to matriculate into a Ph.D. program that encompasses clinical psychology and positive psychology, Kaori’s long term goal is to disseminate positive psychology to Japan, and in the process bridge the gap between academia and the popular market. She will launch the endeavor by publishing a Japanese translation of Christopher Peterson’s “A Primer in Positive Psychology”. She received her BA in philosophy, and was formerly a teacher. She eventually wants to integrate her counseling experience with leprosy patients into further research.
Miriam Ufberg, ’06
Miriam is the manager at Yoga Works in New York City, which is part of the first national family of studios. She is a registered yoga instructor with a focus on scoliosis and spinal fusions. Mimi completed her BS in Marketing from the University of Maryland and worked for 5 years as an Advertising Executive for clients such as Volvo, British Airways and the Financial Times. She completed her MAPP where she focused on positive organizational development, leadership authenticity and the role of meaning in life and character strengths for emerging adults.
John M. Yeager, ’06
John, Ed.D, MAPP is Director of the Center for Character Excellence at The Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana. Prior to joining Culver, he was on faculty at Boston University and an associate scholar in BU’s Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character. John consults with schools on the inclusion of character education in academic, leadership and athletic programs through his collaboration with Dave Shearon, and Sherri Fisher in Flourishing Schools, an organization that integrates best practices in education with cutting edge positive psychology research. John’s research focuses on the relationship between character strengths and well-being in adolescents and adults. He is the author/co-author of Character and Coaching – Building Virtue in Athletic Programs, and Our Game: The Character and Culture of Lacrosse.
Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, ’07
Emiliya is preparing for a Ph.D. in Naturopathic Medicine from the University of Bridgeport. Working as a yoga instructor, life coach and speaker, Emiliya's goal is to empower others with natural resources and positive psychology to help them live richer, healthier and meaningful lives. Emiliya has eight years in the entertainment industry as a dancer, motivator and company co-owner and uses this background and energy to keep her presentations dynamic. She is also the creator of www.PositivePsychArticles.com, an online database for positive practitioners and searchers. Contact: emiliya@emiliya.com
Jason Zellner, ’07
After graduating from Berkeley in 2002 with a degree in History, Jason enrolled in post-baccalaureate psychology courses and quickly developed an interest in positive psychology, long before he knew that this field even had a name. In the last few years, Jason has worked at a five-star restaurant and a boutique management consulting firm, as well as a few part-time jobs. In August of ’07, Jason embarked on a tri-country bicycle tour to raise funds for the MAPP alumni scholarship program. In the future, he hopes to contribute to both the research and the application of Positive psychology.
Karen Zong, ’07
Karen holds an undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature, an MBA, and a Master of Organization Psychology. Karen has worked for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, PDI in the US and China, and, more recently, Wal-Mart Global Procurement as Overseas People Director. In 2007 Karen started working for Microsoft leading talent management and leadership development in the Great China region. Karen is committed to promoting and spreading positive psychology within organizations in Asia.