Kevin Gogin

Strengthening my practice:
Professionally: I am privileged to work with a gifted – and fun – group of professionals with whom I can both consult and collaborate. In addition, I spend time trying to keep current with research and others doing similar work.

Personally: I relish and enjoy my family and friends, and look forward to spending time with them, doing everything from going to movies, ballet, theater, and eating really good food.

Person/experience who has inspired me:
No one person has inspired me, but I am glad to walk in the footsteps of so many pioneers who have preceded me. These are the people who fought for the rights of those with HIV, who were gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender, and who did it with a smile. Also my first trip to Italy in early 1984 changed my life.

Ilsa Bertolini

Something you do to strengthen your practice: 
Watch other professional development to steal their great ideas.

A person/experience that has inspired me:

Participating in StoryCorps with my grandparents, which inspired me to expand my listening skills and learn to record family stories.

Interesting/fun fact about yourself:

Collegiate soccer career as a Goalkeeper left me with knees of an octogenarian.

Rebecca Woodland

Something you do to strengthen your practice:
I work with others to take risks and try new approaches. I also read a bunch, most recently Michael Quinn Patton's new book Developmental Evaluation.

Someone/experience that has inspired you:
The talented and dedicated practitioners and professionals who are working together to tackle some of society's most complex and pressing issues. Their commitment and passion inspire me. On a personal note, having the privilege of being a mom keeps me in the present and joyful. One of my favorite quotes... "To be playful and serious at the same time is possible, in fact, it defines the ideal mental condition."  - John Dewey

Interesting fact about you:
I was the play-by-play analyst for the UMass men's basketball team from 1989-1991. Go Minutemen!

Phyllida Burlingame

Something I do to strengthen my practice:Think about all the different ways people have a stake in health education, and try to reach out beyond the usual suspects to develop new allies.

A person that has inspired me:
A mother in Southern California who became an advocate for comprehensive sex education in her children’s schools after seeing the gender bias in the existing abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum. She told me she didn’t want her sons to be taught in school that boys had no control over their actions and girls bore all the responsibility for saying no. She fought successfully to remove that curriculum from her district, joining with teachers to educate the community and the school board.

Here’s an unusual fun fact about me:
A photo of my hair is on the cover of the novel The Virgin Suicides.

Milagros Garrido-Fishbein

Something you do to strengthen your practice:I try to stay in the loop on current best practices in the field, while also reviewing new and innovative research.  In addition, I find feedback an essential part of refining and improving my practice.

A person/experience that has inspired you:
One of the most influential experiences of my life was the time I spent serving as an advocate for youth living in a sprawling pueblo joven in my hometown of Arequipa, Peru.  During this time, I witnessed both the struggle and resilience of young people in challenging situations.   Working closely with these youth inspired me to work in the field of HIV/Teen Pregnancy prevention.

Interesting/fun fact about yourself:
I am a culinary adventurer.  Some of my most wild meals have included: monkey brains, tarantula, and grub worms.  Who wants to meet up for lunch?

Vanessa Geffard

Something you do to strengthen your practice:
Ask for guidance from others I admire and who are extremely talented and skilled. I also make it a point to ask for and build from constructive and supportive criticism.

A person/experience that has inspired you:
My grandmother. At 98, she was able to survive the earthquake in Haiti, along with an amputation that took place under a makeshift tent amidst all the chaos and lack of medical supplies. She shows strength and intense faith everyday- and to know that she survived that, it lets me know that anything is possible if you have enough faith, support from ones that you love, and hope.

Interesting/fun fact about yourself:
I love traveling and started playing the piano at five-years-old.

Dave Reynolds

I am inspired by:
Constance McMillen--a youth activist from Itawamba County, MS.  She wanted to take her girlfriend to prom and wear a tuxedo--causing an uproar in the school district, prom cancellations, lawsuits and far more heartache than any young person should ever have to face.  Constance's story garnered national media attention about how hard it can be in many areas of the country for LGBT students, but that they can make a difference.

A fun fact about me:
I am a die hard dodgeball player.  I play in several leagues over the course of the year and have won several season championships.

Deb Christopher

Something I do to strengthen my practice:I meet monthly with a grassroots professional learning group – a group of motivated, trusted colleagues who have a passion for continuous learning. 

Fun Fact:I ran in the New York City marathon.  I have been seen twirling a burning baton.