Havenwood Academy is staffed by some of the best personnel in the industry. With extensive educational backgrounds and many combined years of experience, the team at Havenwood provides the best opportunities for your daughter to heal.
Leadership Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Ken Huey, Ph.D.
Ken Huey completed a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Purdue University in 2002. Dr. Huey’s first job after that doctorate was in...
Dr. Ken Huey
Chief Executive Officer
Ken Huey completed a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Purdue University in 2002. Dr. Huey’s first job after that doctorate was in an adolescent residential treatment setting as a therapist. That job changed the course of his career. In that setting, where almost all of the variables impacting a teen were controlled, positive change became a likely outcome instead of a surprise.
Being adopted himself, Dr. Huey was always drawn to the large population of other adoptees in residential treatment. He ultimately became convinced that this population needed specialty care and in November of 2006, Dr. Huey founded Calo. Calo was and is a specialty program for adopted youth who have a significant trauma history. Calo grew to a 200 plus employee organization with about the same numbers of teen clients served each year.
After selling his ownership in Calo Dr. Huey enjoyed semi-retirement for a number of years. After some time off he began looking for a career and team fit in the residential world and became acquainted with Havenwood. He joined Havenwood as Executive Director in October of 2020.
Dr. Huey and his wife, Bev, are the parents of 6 children. They welcomed their third grandchild into the family in December of 2020.
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Christina Hauritz, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Christina Hauritz
Clinical Director
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Nathan Hofeling
Nathan Hofeling has been in the treatment industry for over seven years and has been involved in various areas of the business, including direct care, case management...
Nathan Hofeling
Director of Admissions & Business Development
Nathan got his start at Havenwood Academy after receiving his Bachelor’s in Accounting at Southern Utah University. Nathan Hofeling has worked in the treatment industry for over eight years and has been involved in various areas of the business, including direct care, case management, insurance, marketing and admissions, risk management and other areas. As a result, he has a well rounded knowledge and experience base of the business and best practices. He has worked tirelessly to grow the reputation of Havenwood Academy and the benefit that we can provide as a program. He has always had a desire to serve and help others to improve their situation. He is always thinking about what is best for everyone involved. He has 6 younger siblings and together, they all learned how to serve and have experienced the joy that comes from serving. He and his wife, Kelly have three wonderful kids.
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES & LICENSING
Janie Sabin
Janie handles all of the compliance at Havenwood Academy, which she feels is a great fit for her background in law. She also handles the Human Resources...
Janie Sabin
Director of Human Resources & Licensing
Janie handles all of the compliance at Havenwood Academy, which she feels is a great fit for her background in law. She also handles the Human Resource department at Havenwood Academy, which she has learned to love. While at Havenwood Academy, Janie has seen the other side of adoption and what families go through once the adoption is finalized.
Janie Sabin is a paralegal. Janie has worked in a law firm as a paralegal for 12 years. Janie has experience in business law, family law, criminal law, contract law and adoption law and is passionate about laws and regulations.
Janie attended Southern Utah University where she received a degree in criminal justice with a legal studies minor. Immediately after graduating from SUU, Janie started working at Hofeling, Wayment and Marchant, LLP handling criminal, corporate and adoption law. Janie has seen the law work for couples who are were unable to have children of their own.
Janie has 2 active young boys and loves to spend time with her family outdoors camping and playing board games. When Janie is not with her family you will find her reading, doing puzzles or planning
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Albert Behling
Albert began working in leadership positions with youth and young adults in 2006 for the Boy Scouts of America where he created an aquatics program and ran it for several...
Albert Behling
Program Director
Albert began working in leadership positions with youth and young adults in 2006 for the Boy Scouts of America where he created an aquatics program and ran it for several summers. Since that time he has worked with youth and young adults in Eastern Europe, wilderness programs, and in residential programs.
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp is so excited to be part of the academic team here at the Havenwood Academy. Mr. Sharp recently retired after 30 years of successful teaching and...
Scott Sharp
Education Director
Scott Sharp is so excited to be part of the academic team here at the Havenwood Academy. Mr. Sharp recently retired after 30 years of successful teaching and administration in the public education system in the state of Utah. His most recent assignment was as the Assistant Principal at Cedar City High School. He loved his career in education, and working as an assistant principal and principal in both elementary and secondary education, has prepared him now to work at Havenwood Academy.
Mr. Sharp has 2 children and 9 grandchildren and loves spending time with them. 3 of those 9 grandchildren are adopted so he understands some of the challenges that come with that. He loves spending time with his wife MaryAnn and being outdoors, jeeping, camping and hunting. He loves music and played professionally in a country band for many years. He recently has taken up playing the bagpipes and loves performing. He and his wife have served, each summer, over the past 8 years as directors of a bagpipe band in Nauvoo Illinois.
Mr. Sharp and his academic team are working hard to enhance and build upon the great educational system already in place at Havenwood. He has already helped put P.E., College and Career Readiness and other curriculum and programs into the schedule. His team is working hard to make the school day more exciting and rigorous and giving the girls as many opportunities to learn and grow as possible.
Clinical Team
CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Christina Hauritz, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Christina Hauritz, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Clinical Director
THERAPIST
Maria Salsberry, LCSW
Maria Salsberry grew up in Southern California, she spent most of her time caring for her daughter and spending time with family. In 2006, Maria felt she hit a...
Maria Salsberry, LCSW
Therapist
Maria Salsberry grew up in Southern California where she spent most of her time caring for her daughter and with family. Maria reached a crossroad in her life and moved to Cedar City, Utah, where she began working in treatment centers. Maria’s time as a line staff and mentor to adolescent girls inspired her to pursue an education in social work.
In 2012, Maria graduated from the University of Phoenix and entered the Graduate Program of Social Work at the University of Utah in 2014. In graduate school, Maria further developed her passion of working with adolescents and their families and graduated in 2016 with a Master’s of Social Work. Since that time, Maria has been actively providing therapeutic services to adolescents and their families. Maria joined the Havenwood team in 2019.
Maria has worked in many different settings including outpatient, in-home, residential and with the foster care system. She has expertise in treating adolescents struggling with trauma, attachment, anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, family conflicts, substance abuse and trauma.
THERAPIST
Kyle Peterson, CMHC
Kyle is a native of Cedar City and grew up hiking some of the most beautiful country in the world in Southern Utah. Kyle is an Eagle Scout, a deeply spiritual person, an avid...
Kyle Peterson, CMHC
Therapist
Kyle is a native of Cedar City and grew up hiking some of the most beautiful country in the world in Southern Utah. Kyle is an Eagle Scout, a deeply spiritual person, an avid inviter, one who is accepting of all people from all walks of life. For the past 4 years Kyle has lived near the Canadian border in Minot, North Dakota. Kyle enjoys biking in the snow, CrossFit, playing and teaching the piano, and spending time with his wife and children, especially doing things outdoors. Future goals for Kyle include pursuing a PhD, hiking the Zion Narrows with his kids, coaching a swim and waterpolo team, and getting his tennis and golf game back. Kyle says, “Listening to others is a supportive way that helps develop important life skills brings the kind of satisfaction to my life that is difficult to describe with words. I crave learning and am constantly on the lookout for ways to improve and develop my knowledge in any way that I can.”
THERAPIST
Ashley Phillips
Ashley was born in Las Vegas, NV and spent most of her life in Texas where she completed her undergraduate degree. Ashley recently moved to Cedar City, UT...
Ashley Phillips
Therapist
Ashley was born in Las Vegas, NV and spent most of her life in Texas where she completed her undergraduate degree. Ashley recently moved to Cedar City, UT from Las Vegas, NV to be closer to family. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and staying healthy and active. Ashley completed her undergraduate in psychology at Sam Houston State University. She then completed her first masters in military psychology from Adler University where she focused on PTSD and MST. Since then, Ashley has been working on completing her masters in social work at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has spent the majority of her career in a correction setting, working with adults who suffer from mental illness. She wants to continue to work with individuals who struggle with PTSD, specifically with children and adolescents.
THERAPIST
Charity Lynch
Charity grew up in the mountains of California right outside of Yosemite National Park. She completed her undergraduate degree from Brigham Young...
Charity Lynch
Therapist
Charity grew up in the mountains of California right outside of Yosemite National Park. She completed her undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University Idaho in marriage and family studies. Charity also completed certifications in child advocacy, marriage and family counseling, and marriage and family education. Charity is currently attending Western New Mexico University where she is completing a Masters of Social Work. Charity has had the pleasure of completing her bachelor’s degree internship with Havenwood and is now completing her practicum for her Masters here as well.
While completing her bachelor’s degree, Charity was a team lead here at Havenwood and has been able to make great relationships with staff and clients throughout the almost 2 years she has been here.
Charity has made Havenwood staff family literally her husband Matt Lynch works as a Hedge Hog here at Havenwood and they love supporting and joking with each other throughout the workday.
RECREATIONAL THERAPIST
Brad Lundell, CTRS, TRS
Brad grew up spending most of his time in the outdoors. He would spend each summer working at a High Adventure Base near Yellowstone National Park in his...
Brad Lundell
Experiential Coordinator
Brad grew up spending most of his time in the outdoors. He would spend each summer working at a High Adventure Base near Yellowstone National Park in his early years. There, he attained many wilderness skills and ran high risk activities like backpacking, rock-climbing, boating, and other experiential activities. He then found himself working at a wilderness therapy program where he spend several years being a Field Guide and building the experiential side of the program. Brad finished his undergraduate degree in the spring of 2021. He then came across recreational therapy. At this point he knew it was something he would be passionate about and wanted to do so he went back to school to get his CTRS so he could then be a recreational therapist. Brad loves the outdoors of the Cedar City area and enjoys spending his time going biking, camping, climbing, and other outdoorsy activities.
NEUROFEEDBACK TECHNICIAN
Shauna Clark
Shauna is Havenwood's Neurofeedback Technician and works along side the clinical team. She loves to make...
Shauna Clark
Neurofeedback Technician
Shauna is Havenwood's Neurofeedback Technician and works along side the clinical team. She loves to make people smile and has a wonderful positive outlook that she brings to Havenwood daily. Shauna is a Native to Cedar City, UT and is a loving wife and mother to six beautiful children. She enjoys spending time with her family, her horses, dirt bikes and anything outdoors.
Admissions Team
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Nathan Hofeling
Nathan Hofeling has been in the treatment industry for over seven years and has been involved in various areas of the business, including direct care, case management...
Nathan Hofeling
Director of Admissions & Business Development
Nathan got his start at Havenwood Academy after receiving his Bachelor’s in Accounting at Southern Utah University. Nathan Hofeling has worked in the treatment industry for over eight years and has been involved in various areas of the business, including direct care, case management, insurance, marketing and admissions, risk management and other areas. As a result, he has a well rounded knowledge and experience base of the business and best practices. He has worked tirelessly to grow the reputation of Havenwood Academy and the benefit that we can provide as a program. He has always had a desire to serve and help others to improve their situation. He is always thinking about what is best for everyone involved. He has 6 younger siblings and together, they all learned how to serve and have experienced the joy that comes from serving. He and his wife, Kelly have three wonderful kids.
ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR
Lynn Smith
Lynn has spent the last 18 years working with parents of troubled youth but only after placing her own child in a program. She is very thankful for the help that is available...
Lynn Smith
Admissions Coordinator
Lynn has spent the last 18 years working with parents of troubled youth but only after placing her own child in a program. She is very thankful for the help that is available. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel. She wants you to have the courage to take the next step in getting the help your daughter needs. Lynn loves to spend time with her family of 10 children, 29 grandchildren and a few great grandchildren too. Family is her life. In what spare time she has she loves to yard sale in the summers and has become an avid house plant lover with over 75 plants. When you talk to Lynn she wants you to know she knows how it feels to take the next step. It is extremely hard to do. But usually the right thing is hard. She is looking forward to helping guide you through.
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Ammon Clark
Ammon Clark is our Marketing Coordinator here at Havenwood Academy. He has lived here in Utah his whole life. He has Spina Bifida and has spent all his lifetime...
Ammon Clark
Marketing Coordinator
Ammon Clark is our Marketing Coordinator here at Havenwood Academy. He has lived here in Utah his whole life. He has Spina Bifida and has spent all his lifetime in a wheelchair. However, he hasn’t let it hold him back from achieving his dreams, and inspiring others to do the same.
Ammon has a couple mantras he always likes to say, "Dream Big” and "Look on the bright side”. To help spread his message of positivity and help others realize that no matter how hard their life is they can always push themselves become the best person that they can be. He came to Havenwood Academy this year to help spread his messages of positivity and perseverance; not only to youth we help but throughout our community and organization as a whole.
Ammon has 11 wonderful siblings and 2 parents that he loves spending time with. He also enjoys spending most of his free time editing pictures on photoshop, learning new things on YouTube, watching old musicals, and keeping up with all his friends on Facebook.
Academic Team
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Scott Sharp
Scott Sharp is so excited to be part of the academic team here at the Havenwood Academy. Mr. Sharp recently retired after 30 years of successful teaching and...
Scott Sharp
Education Director
Scott Sharp is so excited to be part of the academic team here at the Havenwood Academy. Mr. Sharp recently retired after 30 years of successful teaching and administration in the public education system in the state of Utah. His most recent assignment was as the Assistant Principal at Cedar City High School. He loved his career in education, and working as an assistant principal and principal in both elementary and secondary education, has prepared him now to work at Havenwood Academy.
Mr. Sharp has 2 children and 9 grandchildren and loves spending time with them. 3 of those 9 grandchildren are adopted so he understands some of the challenges that come with that. He loves spending time with his wife MaryAnn and being outdoors, jeeping, camping and hunting. He loves music and played professionally in a country band for many years. He recently has taken up playing the bagpipes and loves performing. He and his wife have served, each summer, over the past 8 years as directors of a bagpipe band in Nauvoo Illinois.
Mr. Sharp and his academic team are working hard to enhance and build upon the great educational system already in place at Havenwood. He has already helped put P.E., College and Career Readiness and other curriculum and programs into the schedule. His team is working hard to make the school day more exciting and rigorous and giving the girls as many opportunities to learn and grow as possible.
TEACHER
Heather Lopez
Heather Lopez is the Physical Education and Health teacher at Havenwood Academy. She graduated from California State University – Fullerton with...
Heather Lopez
Teacher
Heather Lopez is the Physical Education and Health teacher at Havenwood Academy. She graduated from California State University – Fullerton with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in teacher education. Mrs. Lopez earned her teaching credential in 2017 and has experience teaching at the secondary level. Her focus is on creating a safe space for students to work on their physical health while gaining the necessary tools to live healthy adult lives.
Mrs. Lopez is driven and passionate about physical education and having a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Working at the Havenwood allows her to give back and be part of beautiful personal journeys. She makes each of her students feel like they have a purpose and a voice. Mrs. Lopez lives in Cedar City, Utah with her husband and young daughter. She enjoys being outdoors, shopping, and spending time with her family.
TEACHER
Erin Ashdown
Erin is a teacher and the Curriculum Specialist here at Havenwood. She grew up in Northern Utah but moved to the Pacific Northwest after High School...
Erin Ashdown
Teacher
Erin is a teacher and the Curriculum Specialist here at Havenwood. She grew up in Northern Utah but moved to the Pacific Northwest after High School. She graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology.
After graduation Erin began her career working with adolescents at the Parry Center for Children-an RTC in Portland, OR-where she was a direct care staff and Treatment Team Leader for 2 years. It was during her work in residential treatment that Erin realized her passion for working with adolescents and decided to pursue a graduate degree in Education. She went back to Pacific University and graduated with her Master’s degree in Secondary Education and earned her teaching credentials in 2008. She has taught middle school Social Studies, Language Arts, PE, and Science as well as Social Studies at the high school level in Oregon, Arizona and Utah.
Erin is a self-described nerd and loves everything about school. In fact, she never had a favorite subject because she liked them all too much. Erin came to Havenwood after a 2-year maternity hiatus from the work force. She wanted to get back to the work that she is most passionate about, working with adolescents in a school setting. At Havenwood she is able to work with students that need extra support and also teach all of the school subjects instead of just one.
Erin’s experience working in residential treatment and in the public school system gives her a unique viewpoint and understanding of her students’ needs in the classroom.
Erin has lived and traveled all over the world and plans to visit 6 of the 7 continents before she dies; she’s currently at 3. She enjoys the outdoors and Cedar City is the perfect setting to get outside and be active. She loves to camp, hike, snowboard and just generally be outside. Erin lives in Cedar City with her husband, young daughter and a boxer named Daisy.
TEACHER
Stephanie Pender
My name is Stephanie Pender; I am a teacher here at Havenwood Academy and I have been with this company for a year and 7 months. I graduated from...
Stephanie Pender
Teacher
My name is Stephanie Pender; I am a teacher here at Havenwood Academy and I have been with this company for a year and 7 months. I graduated from University of West Florida with a BA in psychology.
Before moving to Cedar City, UT, I lived in Florida my whole life and I grew up on the beach. Even with living on the beach for 22 years, I was never able to learn to surf. I tried one time and rode it like a boogie board to the land and broke the tail fin.
In my classroom I make sure the clients feel safe, heard and trusted. While in class we take time to get to know one another and get to take Harry Potter quizzes or do themed Harry Potter discussions about the books and movies. The entire classroom is decorated in Harry Potter and all of the kids get to write their “Hogwarts letters” to their future selves. When the graduate, they take them and get to read it for years to come.
A fun fact about me is that I have visited 33 states and played volleyball for 11 years.
TEACHER
Teri Yool
Teri Yool
Teacher
TEACHER
Jessica Gardner
My name is Jessica Gardner, I am a paraprofessional at Havenwood Academy and a student at Southern Utah University. I am originally from Henderson, Nevada...
Jessica Gardner
Teacher
My name is Jessica Gardner, I am a paraprofessional at Havenwood Academy and a student at Southern Utah University. I am originally from Henderson Nevada, however I move to Cedar City in 2015, I have found my forever home.
My journey with Havenwood began as a mentor for the academic shift. That is what led me to my current position. I have two favorite parts about teaching, the first is helping the kids believe in themselves by believing in them, and the second is witnessing the lights come back into their eyes, with each passing day.
When I'm not busy at school or at work I really enjoy playing softball and hanging out with my boys- my husband Kurtis, my stepson Mekai, and my son Gavin.
Medical Team
NURSE MANAGER
Lisa Anderson
Lisa started her career as a Recreational Therapist and has spent many years working with adolescents. In 2015 she returned to school to complete a...
Lisa Anderson
Nurse Manager
Lisa started her career as a Recreational Therapist and has spent many years working with adolescents. In 2015 she returned to school to complete a second Bachelor’s degree in nursing. She has been working as a youth treatment nurse since graduating from the Southern Utah University nursing program. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s program and is working toward becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Lisa enjoys gardening, sewing and reading, especially listening to audiobooks so she can multi-task. Born and raised in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Lisa loves spending time outdoors with her husband and four children.
NURSE
Shavonne Harris
Residential Team
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Albert Behling
Albert began working in leadership positions with youth and young adults in 2006 for the Boy Scouts of America where he created an aquatics program and ran it for several...
Albert Behling
Program Director
Albert began working in leadership positions with youth and young adults in 2006 for the Boy Scouts of America where he created an aquatics program and ran it for several summers. Since that time he has worked with youth and young adults in Eastern Europe, wilderness programs, and in residential programs.
ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR - STAFFING
Bryan Cook
Bryan Cook is the Assistant Program Director for the Havenwood Academy, working with and beside the Program Director to meet the needs of the program...
Bryan Cook
Assistant Program Director - Staffing
Bryan Cook is the Assistant Program Director, specifically over residential staffing. His primary role is providing safety and containment during the evening, night and weekend hours. He provides staff their training and scheduling as well as programming and schedules for the clients during those times. He has been in the industry for over 5 years starting as a youth mentor, and through his dedication and work ethic has been able to move up to his present position. Through this tenure, he has found his passion, which is to help and give back. His previous work experiences and life experiences have prepared him for where he is today. He spent 21 years in manufacturing working his way up into management positions, which helped him develop skills such as patience, time management, mentoring, teaching and training. At the end of his manufacturing stint, he was responsible for over 200 associates and their training needs. In that position, he learned that he had a gift for training and coaching people to be successful and gain personal confidence in the abilities to grow and develop their skills. His professional achievements include earning a Foundations of Leading Certification, along with a Training and Development Diploma from Langevin Train the Trainer company. After some life and career-changing events in 2015, he found himself in the behavioral healthcare industry teaching and mentoring youth and realized this was his passion and what he wanted to do for the rest of his career.
ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR - STUDENT RELATIONS
Jessi Marchetti
Jessi has always had a love for working with adolescents and has worked with youth since she was in high school. After high school, she worked in a middle school as...
Jessi Marchetti
Assistant Program Director - Student Relations
Jessi has always had a love for working with adolescents and has worked with youth since she was in high school. After high school, she worked in a middle school as an aid where she helped run the SPED classroom. In 2014 after spending time in retail and food service management, Jessi decided to go back to her love of working with youth. She applied at Havenwood Academy and was hired in January of 2015. While at Havenwood, Jessi has worked as the receptionist, Program Director Assistant, and in her current role as Assistant Program Director - Student Relations. As an Assistant Director, she spends her time ensuring that all the needs of the clients are met. This includes coordinating everything from hygiene items, to home visits, to clothing purchases, to communicating with parents. Since being hired she has reignited her passion for working with youth.
When she’s not working, Jessi can be found surrounded by family. Jessi enjoys spending her days with her husband and two young children. She loves watching her daughter dance, and is often seen traveling to Las Vegas to enjoy the warm weather, family, shopping, and good food.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
Julie Foster
Ask anyone who knows Julie Foster and they will tell you, “She can be found in the Kitchen”! Julie joined Havenwood Academy as the Executive Chef in November...
Julie Foster
Executive Chef
Ask anyone who knows Julie Foster and they will tell you, “She can be found in the Kitchen”! Julie joined Havenwood Academy as the Executive Chef in November of 2018. Born and raised in Cedar City, Utah, her love and passion for the culinary arts began early on from humble beginnings as she was taught the basics of cooking and baking from her beloved Grandmothers. Upon entering the workforce at age 15, Julie began working in the food industry learning all positions and aspects of food and service. At the age of 24, while working on her associate’s degree from Dixie State College, she was offered a cooking position at The Meadows Retirement Facility in St. George. Within a few months, she was promoted to the Executive Chef position which lasted for ten years. During this time she was provided with an excellent opportunity to travel to Seattle Washington and work side by side with other outstanding Chefs to further her knowledge and expertise in the industry. Throughout a 34 year career, Julie has worked in four long-term care facilities and assisted living centers as the Executive Chef, and four years experience working at a treatment facility for youth, all in St. George, Utah. She is knowledgeable in hiring and training staff, purchasing, receiving, meal planning, production, and food safety regulations.
Julie lived in St. George, Utah for 27 years after graduating from High School. She is married, and has four beautiful daughters. She is also the Grandmother of three girls. In 2007, she moved back to Cedar City to be closer to her family. Julie enjoys the great outdoors, and the beautiful mountains of southern Utah. Her Hobbies include Hiking, Fishing, Gardening, Sewing, Writing Poetry, and she sings at weddings and funerals. Her Greatest passion in life has been her ability to cook delicious meals not only for those she serves in her work life, but also for her family and loved ones during holidays and family reunions. In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot, and a Mom! Julie loves her job working for Havenwood Academy and strives to be an inspiration to everyone and make a positive difference in their lives. She has become known as Grandma Julie, and she can be quoted as saying: THE SECRET INGREDIENT IS ALWAYS LOVE!
STUDENT ADVOCATE
Jessica Wilcken
Jessica is one of the Student Advocates here at Havenwood. She is one of the first people each client meets and typically the last one they see as they discharge...
Jessica Wilcken
Student Advocate
Jessica is one of the Student Advocates here at Havenwood. She is one of the first people each client meets and typically the last one they see as they discharge or graduate the program. Jessica works closely alongside the Assistant Program Director- Student Relations, ensuring that the students' needs are met. This includes things like hygiene items, packages, preparing for visits and more.
Jessica is from Southern Utah but has lived all over London and southern England where she provided service work. Most of Jessica’s life has been spent working in customer service including real estate, medical and dental offices. Jessica believes that this job found her. She had never thought to work residential but Havenwood presented itself and she took the opportunity to try something new.
She loves working at Havenwood Academy and has no plans on leaving anytime soon! When Jessica is not working, she is being a mom to her daughter and 2 dogs.
Team Leads
TEAM LEAD
Paige Buchanan
Paige Buchanan works as a Team Lead for Swing 1 at Ranch. She was born and raised in North Carolina and brought up by her single mother of 3 children. Paige’s mom...
Paige Buchanan
Team Lead
Paige Buchanan works as a Team Lead for Swing 1 at Ranch. She was born and raised in North Carolina and brought up by her single mother of 3 children.
Paige’s mom taught her how to overcome anything and everything as long as she put her mind to it and worked for it. She also gave Paige a safe place to share her successes, struggles, and never gave up on her.
That’s what Paige wants and aims to be for all of her residents. She wants to push them to be successful but be there for them when they fall and help them pick themselves back up. Paige strives to teach them what her mom taught.
TEAM LEAD
Sina Sekeni
Sina Sekeni started her career at Havenwood Academy in January of 2021. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she began mentoring troubled...
Sina Sekeni
Team Lead
Sina Sekeni started her career at Havenwood Academy in January of 2021. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she began mentoring troubled youth at the age of 18. Having gone through her own share of obstacles growing up; Sina knew she wanted to be an anchor of support for younger girls experiencing some of the same experiences she went through as a young child.
Sina grew up in Church, she derived from a long lineage of Pastors. However, despite her family's dedication to ministry she came from a neighborhood where gangs, drugs and alcohol was a heavy influence on the youth. Therefore, with the aspirations to become someone better she moved to Tonga and attended Queen Salote College; an all girls boarding school in 2009. With the learning experiences that school instilled in her, Sina returned to the USA where she began mentoring troubled youth like herself in Salt Lake City from 2011 till 2014.
Sina moved to Claremont, California where her Father was currently a Pastor at a Church in Hawthorne, Ca. Her passion to work with youth lead her to mentoring the Tongan troubled youth in the cities of Hawthorne and Inglewood in hopes that she can prevent them from losing hope on higher education and the belief that there are opportunities out there that awaits them.
In 2020 she decided to move to Cedar City and was informed about Havenwood Academy and its program by a good friend, Paini. Sina knew what she can bring to Havenwood Academy and the youth. However, she soon realized that Havenwood Academy was a place where she not only could help the youth realize their potential, but that it was a place where she would also find healing in the relationships she had gained. Sina is now a Team Lead and desires to continue to empower the youth to be an advocate of their lives and capabilities.
TEAM LEAD
Destiney Kearns
Destiney Kerns was born and raised in Northern Utah. She had her first child before moving to Cedar City 4 years ago and began working in treatment helping teens. Since then...
Destiney Kearns
Team Lead
Destiney Kerns was born and raised in Northern Utah. She had her first child before moving to Cedar City 4 years ago and began working in treatment helping teens. Since then, she has added another baby to her family. Destiney has a joy of the outdoors and can be found hiking with her two little ones.
She loves adding in her passions of the outdoors while working with teens. If you don't find Destiney enjoying the outdoors you can find her traveling and trying new things.
Destiney takes pride in her approach she uses with the teens she works with. She gets down on their level, joking around with them, while giving them tough love. She strives to teach them how to trust, self love, love for life and have healthy attachments.
TEAM LEAD
Miranda Staggs
Miranda Staggs works as our Academic Team Lead during the day to take care of things at the school. She has been at Havenwood for about...
Miranda Staggs
Team Lead
Miranda Staggs works as our Academic Team Lead during the day to take care of things at the school. She has been at Havenwood for about a year and a half. She is from Kearns, Utah but met her husband here in Cedar City, they’ve been here ever since. Miranda loves music, animals, and her job.
HEDGE HOG
Kenye Jim
Kenye was born and raised in Pohnpei, Micronesia where she earned an Associates in Business Administration. In order to further her education...
Kenye Jim
Team Lead
Kenye was born and raised in Pohnpei, Micronesia where she earned an Associates in Business Administration. In order to further her education, she moved to the United States of America in 2016. Kenye moved to Cedar City and attended Southern Utah University, where she earned her Bachelors in Economics.
Kenye started working with troubled adolescents back in 2017, starting as a mentor and then progressed to the position of supervisor. In the summer of 2021, Kenye decided to make a career change and utilize her academic background. She moved to Las Vegas to work in Logistics where she worked as an account representative. After 3 months, Kenye realized she missed the culture of the treatment industry and meaningful work.
Kenye transitioned back into the industry as a mentor working with troubled young men. After a year in Vegas, Kenye moved back to Cedar City and accepted a position as a Professional Youth Mentor (also known as Hedgehog) with Havenwood Academy.
Kenye works closely with the Havenwood team to ensure the clients are supported and progressing. She coaches the clients on communication, problem-solving, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, accountability and integrity. Kenye also understands the power of having fun and enjoying what you do. She tries to incorporate fun ways of learning and relationship building where she can.
Kenye has two older sisters and one younger brother who she is grateful to have in her corner. Growing up, Kenye had a rocky relationship with her siblings because she always identified as an “angry child”. She uses what she’s worked to overcome to empathize with the clients and show that the past does not define you. Kenye values communication and advocating for your needs and has undergone tremendous growth as she practices skills both at work and in her personal life.
When she is not sharpening her professional skills, Kenye loves to play the guitar and ukulele as well as going on spontaneous adventures around southern Utah with her friends.
HEDGE HOG
Amber Hudgins
Amber began her life in middle eastern Ohio before moving to Las Vegas at age 15. She later moved to cedar City and has been there for about 11 years now. Amber loves...
Amber Hudgins
Team Lead - HedgeHog
Amber began her life in middle eastern Ohio before moving to Las Vegas at age 15. She later moved to Cedar City and has been there for about 11 years now. Amber loves the small-town life. After facing the challenge of residential treatment herself, she learned many tools and coping skills. One of her personal favorites was Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which she uses daily. While in treatment, Amber found that she had a passion for helping others. She regularly volunteers at a local treatment center in Cedar City that specializes in substance abuse. In addition, Amber is a part of a service-driven mentor group focused on helping the community. She is heavily involved in the mentor group, and assists in the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and the Sub for Santa Toy Drive every year. Amber spent the last four years in various management positions where she learned how to run an effective team while meeting the specific needs of each individual team member. She started her work here at Havenwood Academy in April of 2020. She started off as a youth mentor and was shortly after moved up to Academic Team Lead. She works alongside the academic team to ensure the safety of clients and staff while also helping with the emotional needs of clients. Amber assists with therapeutic groups on occasion and enjoys teaching and learning new coping skills right alongside our clients. Because of Amber’s personal experience in treatment, she is able to connect with and support clients in a unique and personal way.
HEDGE HOG
Matt Lynch
Matthew Lynch was born and raised in Southern California. He met his wife here in Cedar City in 2008 and had three children, two girls and a boy. They ended up moving to Texas for a few...
Matt Lynch
Team Lead - HedgeHog
Matthew Lynch was born and raised in Southern California. He met his wife here in Cedar City in 2008 and had three children, two girls and a boy.
They ended up moving to Texas for a few years while Matthew worked as a Semi-Truck Driver for 13 years. But before that, Matthew worked at a couple youth homes here in Cedar City and Provo, Utah. He stopped driving for a living when he remembered how much he enjoyed his time working with youth.
Matthew put in an application to join Havenwood and it became a well loved career. He is married to Charity Lynch, who also works at Havenwood as one of the therapists. They both enjoy their time here at Havenwood and with their children.
TEAM LEAD
Lisa Couts
Lisa Couts is from San Diego CA. She has lived in Cedar City for 7 years now and loves our little town. Lisa is a psychology major at SUU and absolutely...
Lisa Couts
Team Lead
Lisa Couts is from San Diego CA. She has lived in Cedar City for 7 years now and loves our little town. Lisa is a psychology major at SUU and absolutely loves working with youth. She enjoys building relationships with her kids and feels like she is able to connect with them due to her past. Lisa has 5 beautiful children and they are her everything. Lisa works hard to be a little better each and every day.
TEAM LEAD
Leo Telford
Leo Telford is the Team Lead for weekdays grave shifts here at Havenwood Academy. His biggest priority and goal is to be professional in all of his duties and to build...
Leo Telford
Team Lead
Leo Telford is the Team Lead for weekdays grave shifts here at Havenwood Academy. His biggest priority and goal is to be professional in all of his duties and to build a solid foundation for our clients with safety and trust.
Leo’s biggest accomplishment in his life is his enlistment in the United States Marine Corp, which were the best years of his life. Leo’s children are also some of his biggest accomplishments.
He is currently finishing his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Southern Utah University.
The Life of a Mentor
Many facilities in this industry have a hard time keeping staff/mentors for long. We have been increasing the average length of mentor employment every month for years. We focus on this because our mentors are the backbone of our program. The life of a mentor is never easy, but if given the right support, it can be full of meaning.
At Havenwood we believe one of the best things we can do for our kids is building a healthy culture amongst our staff. Our residential staff make or break us. Just like we want to provide high quality treatment for our kids, we also want to provide a high quality employment experience and recruit the best people to come and join us.
Eric Allred was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. He grew up on a family farm where he learned the value of work. He graduated from Rigby High School and attended Rick’s College, now known as BYU-Idaho. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University, received a master’s degree in organizational behavior and human relations from the University of Phoenix and a second master’s degree in marital and family therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. Eric has been involved in Rotary and was president of a local Rotary Club. He enjoys being with his family and doing outdoor activities such as fly fishing.
Chase was very fortunate to start in this industry as a struggling 17 year old kid looking for a mentor and something to be passionate about. Wilderness therapy was Chase’s first stop in this industry and was truly a transcendental experience for him. Chase has an enormous love for this line of work and the power that it has in creating change in everyone involved. Chase’s biggest belief is the power a mentor, strong, healthy relationships, and accountability can have on anyone, especially youth. Taking a very relational approach to his work, Chase has always been very relatable to the students he works with. Being able to understand and relate to a vast variety of the same struggles as a lot of the students he works with has been able to help him continue to grow, learn, and teach. Chase believes that with great rapport and trust, he can use his experience to continue to coach and train new staff, and has the ability to find those staff with the passion for this industry, and help them grow. His love and passion can be felt the moment you talk with Chase about this industry and he passes that on to others he works with. In his spare time you will find Chase cheering for the Eagles, Yankees, and Mavericks, hanging out with his brother, learning more about Eastern Psychology, and continuing to grow and learn.