- 2025 -
Leadership & Happiness Symposium
Exclusive Leadership Event for Superintendents
You’re invited to this exclusive leadership event focused specifically on the needs School District Superintendents and Administrators.
Why Happiness?
Happiness is an essential investment for leaders as a cornerstone of professional success and personal fulfillment.
Prioritizing happiness enhances resiliency, sharpens decision-making, and equips you to face the challenges of leadership with grace and effectiveness.
Happiness directly impacts productivity, creativity and loyalty–all of which contribute to a positive and dynamic workplace culture and builds a more connected community.
This One-Day Event Will Provide:
- Understanding of the neuroscience behind the most effective leadership skills
- Strategies to build a culture of happiness in your schools.
- Immediately impactful applications, resources, and best practices
Additional Highlights Include:
- Connecting and networking with Superintendent peers
- Discussing innovative solutions for employee retention and recruitment
- Learning crucial skills to cultivate thriving schools, contented staff, and successful students
Uplevel your leadership style to inspire, enlighten, and sustain.
Krestin Bahr
Superintendent,
Peninsula School District
Krestin G. Bahr is a transformational education leader serving as Superintendent of the Peninsula School District (PSD) in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she leads a vibrant community of 9,000 students and staff across 17 schools bringing her passionate belief in the power of education to create positive change. Since joining PSD in 2021, her dynamic leadership has driven remarkable growth, including the opening of four new schools, comprehensive remodeling of two middle schools, and establishment of three Mastery-Based Arts Impact Schools.
Under her leadership, PSD has garnered national recognition, including selection as an AASA “District to Watch” in 2024 and being named one of only three districts nationwide to receive the 2025 Innovative Technology Integration award from the Center for Digital Education and National School Board Association. Her expertise in educational innovation has led to speaking engagements at the AASA AI Super Summit 2025 (Tampa) and AI Innovation Summit 2025 (Seattle).
Prior to PSD, Krestin served as Superintendent of Eatonville School District from 2013 to 2021, where she launched the innovative GRITS farm program and earned recognition as a Google Reference District. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as WASA President, working with the Governor’s office to develop crucial resources for schools across Washington state.
A lifelong learner, Krestin holds a Superintendent Certification from Washington State University, a Master of Education from City University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Pacific Lutheran University. She serves on the AASA Governing Committee and Executive Committee representing the West Coast and was appointed to the Professional Educator Standards Board by the Governor. Her innovative leadership has earned her two nominations for AASA Superintendent of the Year and the 2023 Leader of Distinction Award from the Washington Association of School Business Officials.
Shae Rohrer
Director, School & Community Advocacy,
Cook Center for Human Connection
With 20+ years in education services, Shae finds fulfillment in innovative teaching and learning work, along with helping generate collective impact so that better education and societal progress can occur. Along with some varied adventures in small-market radio, music, and film, Shae started his career as an educator, tutor, and mentor for at-risk youth. He then helped extend the reach of Pearson Digital Learning, a pioneer in specialized education technology resources, where he also served in sales and services leadership. He diversified his experience by joining forces with nonprofit and mission-driven organizations focused on literacy and mathematics (Waterford Institute, MIND Research Institute, Curriculum Associates). Shae oversaw state-level initiatives and catalyzed partnerships between businesses and nonprofits.
He lives in Colorado with his wife Cathy, three children (Ella, Conley, and Violette), and two cats (Ronnie and Bug). He delights in the arts, sports, community, and the connections between people, places, and things!
Grace Brown
Sr. Manager of Curriculum & Program Development,
Cook Center for Human Connection
Grace Brown, a dedicated advocate for nationwide mental health, joined the Cook Center for Human Connection with extensive expertise in implementing strategies for student achievement. As an Implementation and professional development expert, she’s coached educators in over 800 classrooms across the US.
Grace seamlessly combines deep expertise with a talent for simplifying and making complex concepts compelling. Grace crafted the curriculum for “My Life Is Worth Living” mental health web series and offers innovation that countless educators and administrators have implemented. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and a Graduate Certificate in Early Educational Leadership from Harvard.
Michelle Bartsch
Vice President of Education,
Cook Center for Human Connection
Michelle Bartsch, as Vice President of Education at Cook Center for Human Connection, has been a leading force in mental wellness and non-profit initiatives across communities, schools and organizations nationwide for over 15 years. Her visionary work in developing ParentGuidance.org — a no-cost mental health resource—has been crucial in providing essential support to thousands of schools and millions of families over the past 4 years. Michelle also played a key role in the creation and launch of My Life is Worth Living, the first animated web series focused on youth mental health and suicide prevention. Additionally, she pioneered the Leadership & Happiness Symposium, an initiative that equips essential executive school and community leaders with the tools to make systemic improvements to their communities’ mental health cultures.
A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Michelle focuses on youth mental health initiatives and critical mental health support for staff, families and communities. Her voice has driven change at both state and national levels, championing the importance of education, leadership and human connection. Michelle holds a master of Science in Education and Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas Wesleyan University.
Symposium Partners
Agenda
Thursday
November 7 - Leadership & Happiness Symposium
12:00 - 12:30 PM
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch (provided by Cook Center for Human Connection)
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Symposium Overview: Jenna Trowbridge, Director of Advocacy, School and Community Impact
2:00 - 3:30 PM
The PANAS Quiz: Grace Brown, Sr. Manager of Impact & Curriculum, Cook Center for Human Connection
3:30 - 3:45 PM
Break
3:45 - 4:45 PM
Solving The Happiness Equation: Grace Brown
4:45 - 5:00 PM
Mission For Mental Wellness: Anne Brown, President/CEO, Cook Center for Human Connection
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
Friday
November 8 Leadership & Happiness
7:00 - 8:00 AM
Group Photo Op – Hike/Fun Run/Walk View the Tetons hosted by Dr. Gillian Chapman
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Continental Breakfast (provided by the Cook Center for Human Connection)
9:30 - 10:30 AM
Neuroscience’s 4 Secrets Revealed: Michelle Bartsch & Grace Brown
10:30 - 11:15 AM
- Gillian Chapman, Superintendent, Teton County School District, Jackson Hole, WY
- Carolyn Synan, Chief Student Services Officer, Park City School District, Park City, UT
- Anne Brown, President/CEO, Cook Center for Human Connection
- John Heim, Assistant Lecturer, University of Wyoming
11:15 - 11:30 AM
Closing Remarks: Gillian Chapman, Anne Brown, Paul Richins, and Jenna Trowbridge