My Guest on this episode is Stephanie Ahles the Co-Founder and CEO of EmpoweringYOU. She is an expert in effectively leading and managing organizations with a facilitative leadership style that prioritizes collaboration and inclusivity. Stephanie's expertise extends to participatory engagement methods and is certified as a Technology of Participation (ToP)® facilitator and mentor trainer. With over 20 years of experience in County government, Stephanie specializes in leadership and organizational development, change and project management, along with strategic planning.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.ahles

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ahles-68528b41/

SAMHSA Guide: https://www.samhsa.gov/resource/ebp/community-engagement-essential-component-substance-use-prevention-system

Blog: https://nashp.org/engaging-with-people-with-lived-experience-in-opioid-settlement-decision-making/

My Guest in this episode is Georgina Lafoe who is on staff at the Community Engagement Institute at Wichita State University and represents their Prevention Initiatives. Her story begins as a drug endangered child but today her life is thriving and demonstrates resiliency. She loves to build relationships with people who love to help people. Outside of CEI, Georgina enjoys traveling and visiting new cultures and cities. She adores her two nephews and spending time watching them encounter this world as new. Georgina also loves a good movie every now and then (preferably scary).

Greg Puckett a native southern West Virginian with a passion for prevention. He has worked tirelessly to bring special projects and initiatives to his community. He led the charge to support funding for Teen Courts throughout West Virginia, serves on several state committees and on the Board of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), where he is a past recipient of CADCA’s National Advocate of the Year award. For the past decade, he has traveled throughout the United States to train communities on sustainability, and locally has worked to revitalize his hometown of Princeton, West Virginia. Through the “Princeton Renaissance Project” the group has been actively using culturally effective change strategies to revitalize its local downtown theater. The project is also a community engine to reduce substance misuse, reinvigorate hope in its young people, and engage the future, while embracing its past.

He is the father of two children, Lauren, and Joseph, who keep him dedicated to making positive changes and leaving a legacy for the next generation to follow.

• Email: greg.puckett@strongcommunities.org
• Website: http://strongcommunities.org/
• LinkedIn: @gregpuckettwv

Community Toolbox: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/promotion-strategies/overview/main