Brandon hails from Carlisle, PA, and has called State College home since 2016. An avid gamer, Brandon's passion for play extends beyond the screen into the world of improvisation. He is a dedicated improviser who directs, teaches, and performs with Happy Valley Improv in State College, PA. In addition to his on-stage work, Brandon serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for Happy Valley Improv, where he is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

Dawn Rosenbaum MHS, PA-C is a seasoned physician assistant with a career spanning over a decade in healthcare. As a dedicated healthcare professional, they have brought compassionate care and medical expertise to countless patients throughout their career.

In addition to their medical practice, Dawn is a prominent figure in the entertainment world as an original company member and Company Director of Happy Valley Improv. With their leadership, Happy Valley Improv has grown into a thriving community, enriching the local arts scene with creativity and laughter.
Dawn proudly identifies as non-binary, advocating for inclusivity and representation within both the healthcare and arts communities. Their diverse background and commitment to excellence make them a valued member of both fields, embodying a holistic approach to health and creativity.

For almost three decades, John Francis has been a planetwalker, traveling the globe by foot and sail with a message of environmental respect and responsibility (for 17 of those years without speaking). A funny, thoughtful talk with occasional banjo.

Experienced Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Strong professional skilled in Environmental Awareness, Policy Analysis, Science, Social Media, and Editing.

As a visionary leader at the forefront of championing educational equity and fostering inclusive academic environments, my impactful journey at Penn State University spans over a decade of dedicated service. Holding the esteemed roles of Associate Vice Provost and Affiliate Associate Teaching Professor, I specialize in workshop facilitation and clinical mental health counseling and supervision utilizing this expertise to drive meaningful change within the educational landscape.

In addition to my roles, I have led the Bias Response Network across Penn State, spearheading efforts to address bias incidents and promote a culture of respect and inclusivity on campus. 

Committed to developing innovative anti-bullying strategies that create safe and supportive work and educational climates, I orchestrate collaborative efforts to transform institutional practices and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

As a former large-lecture instructor at Penn State University, I discovered that my true passion for education lies in mentoring students in a small group or one-on-one setting. While I enjoyed my time at Penn State, I realized that managing large-lecture classes of 750+ students did not provide the fulfilling mentoring moments I craved.

That's why I founded Tierney Education - to help individuals unlock their potential and achieve success on their own terms. My primary focus is weekly mentoring sessions to help students at Penn State succeed with the support of my extensive on- and off-campus connections. 

Beyond my work as an academic coach and economics tutor in State College, I am heavily involved in the local community. As a co-owner of Happy Valley Improv and the Blue Brick Theatre, a board member of the Arts Festival, and a founding member/former board member of 3 Dots Downtown, I am committed to positively impacting my community.

Jim Ott has been a school psychologist with the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency out of Bettendorf, Iowa, since 1984. He has served a variety of schools in rural Jackson County for his entire career. Jim is the co-founder of the City of Dubuque’s Circles Initiative, which is applying Bridges Out of Poverty Concepts at the community level through workshops, trainings, and Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World groups. Jim also presents Emotional Poverty workshops. He has been a national consultant with aha! Process since 2010.

John has been piloting small aircraft for over 43 years. He maintains antique training airplanes from World War II in his free time and is the proud owner of a WWII war bird aircraft.

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He is a member of the Iowa City, Iowa A.M. Rotary Club and also served as District Governor for Rotary District 6000. In 2021, John was one of only three Rotarians worldwide to be awarded the 2020-2021 "International Service Award for a Polio-Free World" by The Rotary Foundation. Like Peter, John is also a member of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians.

John is now retired, having spent his career as CEO of City Carton Recycling, based in Iowa City, Iowa. John attended the University of Iowa and then served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1976. Two years of his service to our country was as a crew member on board an AC-130 aircraft in Thailand.

Currently the interim Executive Director at PeaceJam, Lauren is a leader in the social impact field, specializing in program and event management. She works in capacity-building for youth with global NGOs and has cross-sector experience with government, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and higher education.

Her "superpowers" include partnerships, team building, strategic thinking, project management, intercultural engagement, and facilitating meaningful experiences.

Her background in theater and love for the arts informs her work style—she is an experienced public speaker, host, and facilitator who enjoys creative and interactive processes. She engages with global teams using a culturally sensitive and locally informed approach. She speaks Spanish and has lived in Colombia, Guatemala, and Argentina.

Find out more about PeaceJam here: https://www.peacejam.org/

Maurice Browne’s broadcasting career began at the Midwestern radio station KOWH-FM in Omaha, Nebraska, where he played R&B and jazz. He then traveled to Trenton, New Jersey and became program director at WTNJ-AM, and later moved to Philadelphia to work as an announcer at WDAS-FM. 

While at WDAS, Maurice introduced a segment called the "Midnight Special" that aired Sunday nights, where he featured interviews and the music of popular R&B artists including Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, Lou Rawls, Phyllis Hyman, Ramsey Lewis, and others. After he left WDAS Maurice worked in television as a reporter and anchor in several cities including Philadelphia.

Maurice also worked in public relations for several large institutions where he produced training videos and presentations. But throughout the many facets of communications he has experienced, his first love has always been radio.

Peter is an experienced pilot and has been piloting small aircraft for over 47 years. 

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Peter is a Funeral Director and President of Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids, IA.  He is an author, and a mental health professional.  He is recognized for his work on aviation disasters and is internationally known for his work in critical incident stress management and the psycho-social impact of disasters.

He has served as a volunteer for 19 years as national media spokesperson for the American Red Cross. He has been interviewed on Good Morning America, Oprah, Weather Channel, Fox News, the British Broadcasting Company and Aljazeera.

Peter is the recipient of numerous national awards of distinction that includes the National Public Spirit Award. American Legion Auxiliary. Previous recipients include Ronald Reagan, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ann Landers, and Dr. Robert Schuller.

I am an award-winning communications creative, writer, and brand strategist passionate about collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. My strength is my diverse background. I have experience in leading workshop design, creating brand partnerships, and translating written stories into visual comm that influences culture. 

Additionally, I am an innovative problem solver inspired by research, that drives trend and forecasting analysis. My calming energy and transformational leadership abilities are consistently requested to serve the community in hosting and speaking capacities, leveraging my cross-cultural communication skills that build a culture of belonging.