Hosted by Peninsula School District
Leadership & Happiness Symposium
Exclusive Leadership Event for Superintendents
Join Us for an Exclusive Leadership Experience Tailored for Superintendents
Step into a powerful opportunity to elevate your leadership, expand your professional network, and gain practical strategies that support your district’s continued success.
Uplevel Your Leadership Style to Inspire, Enlighten, and Sustain
- Understand the neuroscience behind the most effective leadership skills
- Acquire practical strategies to foster a culture of happiness and purpose in your district
- Discover insights to support your well-being and leadership journey
- Take away immediately impactful applications, resources, and best practices
Networking with Superintendent Peers:
- Connect, collaborate and exchanging ideas
- Discuss innovative solutions for employee retention and recruitment
- Gain crucial skills to cultivate thriving schools, contented staff, and successful students
Happiness is:
- an essential investment for leaders
- a leadership advantage that sets you apart
- the cornerstone of professional success
- the fuel for personal fulfillment
- the foundation of resilience
- the key to clear, confident decision-making
This event is built for superintendents who are committed to personal growth, peer connection, and making a lasting impact across your school community.
Gain the leadership advantage.
Reconnect with your purpose.
Strengthen your network.
Here’s what attendees are saying about Leadership & Happiness…
“This session was very informative and came at a time where we are facing low morale in
our building. I am excited to take this information back to my staff and start
shifting mindsets and climate.”
“The experience really helped connect some dots. Always helpful to hear from colleagues about their priorities and challenges.”
“Being challenged to reevaluate what I am pouring myself into that may not be contributing to happiness was very meaningful to me. ‘What you live in is what you live out’.”
Movie Screening “The Upstanders”
This two-day event also includes a special screening of the “The Upstanders,” a documentary about resilience, attention, and the power of connection to end bullying.
Watch the Trailer Below
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.
Jeff Snell
Executive Director,
WASA
Jeff Snell, Ed.D. brings over 30 years of experience in public education to his role as Executive Director of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). His career has included roles as coach, math teacher, associate principal, principal, deputy superintendent, and superintendent.
Jeff resides in Southwest Washington with his wife, Suzie, an elementary school counselor in the Vancouver School District. Their three children are all connected to public education—Mackenzie and Stephen are special education teachers, and Micah is currently a high school student.
A passionate advocate for public education and community, Jeff has held leadership positions at local, regional, and state levels, focusing on educator and leadership development, technology integration, and student-centered programming. His doctoral research, School District Leadership: A Partnership Between Central Office and School Leadership, explored how alignment and collaboration between system-level and school-based leadership can improve outcomes for students and staff.
Jeff is also the Executive Director and co-founder of Micah’s Miles, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Inspired by his son Micah, the organization raises awareness and funds through inclusive running events and community engagement initiatives.
He holds a B.S. in Mathematics Education from Boston University, and both an M.A. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Washington State University.
Sunny Cheng, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
University of Washington, Tacoma
Dr. Cheng is a psychiatric and mental health nurse and nursing
scientist focused on improving behavioral health outcomes for
diverse communities. With clinical training from Taiwan and a Ph.D.
from the University of Washington, her work bridges research,
education, and practice. She leads projects that integrate mental and
physical health care, support family caregivers through digital tools,
and enhance youth mental health services in schools through
community-driven partnerships.
Lucas McIntyre, MD
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Medical Director,
MultiCare’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program
Lucas McIntyre, MD is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and founding Medical Director of MultiCare’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program. He runs an educational series for Pierce County school counselors on a variety of mental health topics and received the Tacoma Public Schools Shining Star Community Partner Award for this work. He is a member of the Pierce County Behavioral Health Advisory Board.
Scilla Andreen
CEO,
Impactful Networks & Filmmaker
Scilla Andreen is the CEO and founder of Impactful Networks, an award-winning filmmaker, and a passionate advocate for mental health literacy in schools. Through story-driven programs like the Creative Coping Toolkit and the AI companion GiGi, her organization equips students, educators, and families with tools to navigate anxiety, belonging, bullying, and digital wellness. Her work is used in thousands of schools across the U.S. and abroad to normalize conversations around mental health and create safer, more connected learning environments.
Paul Richins
School and Community Advocacy Director,
Cook Center for Human Connection
As a passionate advocate of K12 Mental Health, wellness, and leadership, Paul has over
25 years of experience in the K12 field of education as a teacher/professor, content
consultant, and leadership trainer – all specializing in empowering student achievement
through technology, health and wellness, leadership, and science. After teaching at the
college/university level, Paul made the transition to working for some of the biggest
educational publishers in the world – Pearson, McDougal Littel, Scott Foresman, McGraw
Hill etc – as a content consultant and in sales. He has presented and trained teachers
across the country in some of the largest and smallest K12 school systems. He is an
engaging presenter, trainer and leader sensitive to the dynamics of what impacts and
affects students achievement and outcomes – and how to get students/teachers there.
Paul is a passionate outdoor athlete, has coached many high-level club and travel
sports teams, has co-founded two non-profit organizations and is a proud dad and
grandpa to his amazing family. He is an aspiring author with many books in outline
format – in short, he loves what he does and he does what he loves.
Symposium Partners
Agenda
Thursday September 18, 2025
~Afternoon Activities 1:30pm - 5:00pm~
1:30 – 1:45 PM
Registration/ Check In
1:45 – 4:30 PM
WELCOME & AFTERNOON SESSIONS
4:45 PM
CLOSING & EVENING INSTRUCTIONS
5:00 PM
HOTEL CHECK IN
Thursday September 18, 2025
~Evening Activities
6:00pm - 9:00pm~
6:00 PM
DINNER in the Commons room provided by Aramark
7:00 PM
MOVIE SCREENING in the gym followed by panel discussion
8:30 PM
STUDENT DRONE SHOW outside on the field
Friday September 19
~Day Activities
8:00am - 1:30pm~
8:00 AM
BREAKFAST provided by Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition
8:15 - 11:45 AM
MORNING SESSIONS
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
WORKING LUNCH provided by Cook Center for Human Connection
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:30 PM
CLOSING