Upcoming events:

Not Alone 

1) Beyond the Bell Program for JAMS middle school

Presenting 1 Tuesdays a month from January through April in 2025.

2) iLEAD Leadership Symposium

Community Social Work Impact

February 20 – 21, 2025 at the Historic Park Inn in Mason City, Iowa

3) Mason City Non-Profit Panel Discussion: Uncharitable

Donating with purpose with a focus on improvement .

Rethinking what it means to give back.

February 27th. Muse Norris Center, 12- 2:30pm

4) North Iowa Leadership Program

Leadership Panel Discussion, April 16th, 2025, 11am to 12:30pm

5) Lake Mills Elementary School Emotional and Mental Health Day

Two Sessions on "Building Resilience and Well-Being."

Session One with Students and Teachers

Session Two with Families

May 1st, 2:00pm and 5:30pm 2025

2024 EVENTS

1) John Adams Middle School:

2) Black Hills Recreation Leadership Laboratory: Keynote Speaker

3) Grand View University: Grand Views Event

4) Association of Community Professionals in Nebraska October Conference,

Compassion 

Talk Share

The Moment

SPEAKING EXPERIENCE:

  • Many Faces of Mental Health Conf, Sioux City, IA

  • Tennessee Alternative Education Conf, Murfreesboro, TN

  • The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

  • Cleveland Teen Challenge, Perry, OH

  • WCCAA Conference, Milwaukee, WI

  • Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Christian Haven, Wheatfield, IL

  • Gateway-Longview Facility, Williamsville, NY

  • Waldorf University, Forrest City, Iowa

  • Iowa APSE Conference, West Des Moines, IA

  • Cunningham Children’s Home, Urbana, IL

  • Happy Awesome Healthy Expo, Oelwein, IA

  • Iowa Association of County Treasures, Mason City, IA

  • IACP Conference, Coralville, IA

  • Berea’s Children Home, Berea, OH

  • Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Behavioral Health Affiliate of Iowa Conference, Des Moines, IA

  • Wisconsin DeMolay State Conclave, Kohler, Wi

  • Waukon Middle and High School, Waukon, IA

  • Independence Junior/High School, Independence, IA

  • Roncalli High School, Manitowoc, WI

  • Marquette Catholic Schools, Bellevue, IA

  • Crestwood Junior and High School, Cresco, IA

  • Take Charge Conference, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Community Mental Health Night, Waukon, IA

  • West Marshall Community Schools, State Center, IA

  • Starmont Community Schools, Arlington, IA

  • Iowa Watch's Fringe, Iowa City, IA

  • Iowa Watch's Glory Days, Iowa City, IA

  • Iowa Watch’s Holiday Horror Stories, Iowa City, IA

  • Community Mental Health Night, Cresco, IA

  • Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA

  • Community Mental Health Night, Calmar, IA

  • Cedar Rapids Tedx, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Community Mental Health Night, Fayette, IA

  • Home for the Holidays Story Telling Event, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Stories from the Heart: Reimagining Home, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Mitchell County Schools, Osage, IA

  • Iowa Falls Community High School, Iowa Falls, IA

  • Clear Lake Public Library, Clear Lake, IA

  • Iowa Alternative Education Conf, Davenport, IA

  • Community Mental Health Day, Eldora, IA

  • Community Mental Health Night, Kalona, IA

  • 8th Grade Mental Health Day, Prairie Point, Cedar Rapids, Ia

  • Risky Business Conference, Ames, IA

  • Dioceses of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA

  • Four Oaks, Cedar Rapids, Ia

  • Together We Can Conference, Des Moines, IA

  • Community Event, Mason City, IA

  • Lutheran Services of Iowa, Waverly, IA

  • Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City, IA

  • College Community School District, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • St Luke’s Hospice, Cedar Rapids, IA

  • Catholic Schools of Waterloo, Waterloo, IA

  • Grand View University, Des Moines, IA

  • Grand Valley Public Library, Orwell, OH

  • Coalition for Family and Children, Des Moines, IA

  • Amanda the Panda Grief Org, Des Moines, IA

  • Don Bosco Catholic Schools, Gilbertville, IA

  • YMCA of Cedar Rapids Area, Coggon, IA

  • Foundation Two, Cedar Rapids, IA

Credentials:

  • Executive Director of 43 North Iowa-

  • Master of Public Policy 2017, University of Northern Iowa

  • 2023 Distinguished Alumni award winner from Grand View University

  • Top Workplace Culture Iowa winner 5 years in a row 2019-2024

  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion 2005, Grand View University

  • 22 years of experience working with at-risk youth, the intellectual disability community, and the mental health population

  • 21 years of experience in public speaking

  • A lifetime of experience battling and moving on from my struggles

“Students loved John’s impassioned style and accessibility. The students commented it was inspirational, educational, and a story every college student should hear.”
— Professor
“Wow, how fragile we are and how important it is to continue to reach out for help. As a mom it was encouraging to know connecting with my teen is important.”
— Mother
“John spoke to our youth with honesty and passion about life experiences. He shed light on important issues for our youth providing hope and healing all night long.”
— Youth Director