Meet TXABC Team
Chairman of the Board – Greg Wright
Greg attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA with a degree in computer science. He is engaged in fund raising and developing partnerships with similar organizations and businesses that support our anti-bullying mission.
Executive Director – Chris Wright
Chris attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX with a degree in business administration. He is passionate about finding anti-bullying solutions that support kids, teens, families, educators, and entire school systems.
Quiya Stewart — Associate Director of Communications
Quiya Graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. She is a strong advocate for bullying prevention and spreading kindness in the community as it has always been a passion of hers. Currently sits on the board for the Texas Anti-Bullying Coalition and hopes to contribute stricter bullying polices in hopes to keep the schools safe.
Kae Thomas - Director of Social Media and Marketing
Kae attended Georgia State University to obtain a degree in Journalism. She is responsible for managing the social media and marketing department. She has always been passionate about educating the youth in the effects of bullying. Ultimately Kae strives to provide healthy alternatives and inform the youth on safe ways to intervene, speak out, and protect victims of bullying while remaining safe themselves.
Tiffanie Ware — Administrative Assistant
Tiffanie attended Towson University in Towson, MD and pursued a degree in psychology. She works diligently to construct grants and proposals in order to receive funding for the organization's goals of creating a safe and positive school atmosphere.
Consultants
Tom Thelen is a Certified Trainer in Youth Mental Health First Aid, a program by the U.S. Department of Behavioral Health. In 2005, Tom graduated from Grace Christian University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree. Tom then went on to write three books for students including Victim proof, Teen Leadership Revolution, and the upcoming 2020 release: Mental Health 101.
Dr. Kirleen Neely holds a PhD in Counselor Education from St. Mary’s University. She is a licensed Professional Counselor and an approved Counselor Supervisor. Dr. Kirleen has worked in the mental health field for over twenty years and has been the chief executive officer of Neely Counseling Center since 2001. She currently manages the day-to-day operations of her counseling center and serves as an adjunct professor for St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
Dr. Kimberley Orsten Hooge, aka Dr. OH, received her PhD in Psychology, specializing in Cognitive Neuroscience, from Rice University. She loves research, teaching, and all things brain-related, and works as an independent research consultant. She has co-authored numerous publications on topics such as pediatric brain injury, resilience in at-risk youth, and visual perception. She is an adjunct lecturer for The University of Texas at Dallas.
Dr. Elliot Kagan earned his PhD from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University in New York. As a School Psychologist and a New York State Licensed Psychologist, He specializes in clinical treatment and school-based services. Dr. Kagan worked for many years at Suffern Middle School in New York, where he served as a school psychologist and coordinator for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
Norma Canals obtained her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University and has been working as a Licensed Social Worker for over 16 years. She has provided drug prevention and grief counseling for middle and high school students, and has led student groups focusing on anxiety and depression. In her current position at Pearl River School District, Mrs. Canals provides critical advocacy and support to students and families from diverse backgrounds who require assistance navigating the education system. She is a Certified Trainer in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), and she runs diversity training for both staff and students.
Kiesha Jackson is an award-winning mental health expert and advocate. As a suicide loss survivor, she turned her personal tragedy into triumph, and created Caleb’s Kids. Founded in 2016, Caleb’s Kids’ mission is to create a transformative educational experience for families focused on mental wellness and preventing suicide completion through innovative and evidence-based program delivery. Kiesha is a proud graduate of The University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and Central Michigan University where she earned a Master of Science in Health Administration.