OUR TEAM

Matt joined Be Strong in August 2016 and assumed the position of Program Director in 2018, allowing him to maximize efficiency and productivity for proof of concept and cost within projects and programs in ever-evolving social issues. Leveraging his data management and optimization expertise, coupled with outcome-driven mentality, Matt led the development of Be Strong’s custom, automated software system and management tools that prioritize relationships, while advancing at scale, and meeting long-term operational strategic plans. The implementation of these solutions enabled a lean team to successfully expand and sustain Be Strong’s Student State Representative program and global event participation at a rapid pace and has equipped the organization to meet an ever increasing demand.

Matt is passionate about connecting young people and community members to the sustainable resources available through Be Strong that he, himself, needed as a young person and applies daily. 

Now, as Director of Operations, Matt is responsible for Be Strong’s day to day operations, analyzing operational processes and performance, and seeking solutions to improve efficiency and consistency, at the intersection of relationships, technology and innovation.

Jesula Jeannot is the Program & Growth Manager at Be Strong, where she manages the organization’s programs, initiatives, and partnerships. A certified Executive Project Manager, JJ specializes in project planning, execution, and evaluation, ensuring Be Strong’s initiatives effectively support and empower young people.

Her journey with Be Strong began in 2017 as one of the first Student State Representatives. She later served as a speaker on Be Strong’s Speakers Bureau, interned with the organization, and now oversees its programming efforts.

JJ holds a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Communication from Florida State University. With a passion for diversity, inclusivity, and strategic growth, she is committed to expanding Be Strong’s impact and equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Izzy Kalman, a school psychologist and psychotherapist with over four decades of work experience, is a pioneer of the resilience approach to bullying. He has also been the world’s most prolific critic of the conventional, legalistic approach to bullying, correctly predicting that it will only intensify the bullying problem, while raising a generation of emotionally fragile children.

With a pragmatic, more psychologically sound approach, Kalman specializes in equipping people with the wisdom to deal with aggression on their own, using compassion and humor. His techniques exploit the genius of children to help them transcend victimization and recoup their self-confidence, happiness and excitement for life.

Izzy has taught his simple, yet powerful, approach to tens of thousands of mental health professionals, educators and bullying speakers, has produced numerous books and videos for dealing with bullying, and is the lead author of the Be Strong Bullying Prevention and Resilience Program.

Raxon brings diverse talents and superb skills to Be Strong. She was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and is a mother of four and advocate for mental health. Raxon earned her AA in Psychology and her Bachelor of Science in Human Services & Social Work.

With over a decade of proven success in planning, advancement, partnerships, and various forms of project management, Raxon is consistently exceeding expectations through outside-the-box thinking. For Raxon, the box doesn’t exist.

Her heart for the work of Be Strong originates from her own personal experience coming to the United States and experiencing social challenges and discrimination. Raxon is applying her talents to improve the country she has grown to love, as a trusted voice at the intersection of corporations and philanthropy.

Sharon has been working for Broward County Public Schools for over 22 years.  She was recognized as Employee of The Year at Deerfield Beach High School in 2006, 2012 and 2017. She majored in Early Childhood education in college where she earned an Associates Degree in Child Development.  After directing a pre-school for over 6 years, Sharon decided that working with high school aged children was her passion.  Sharon is currently the office manager of the Beach House at Deerfield Beach High School.

The Beach House offers mental health support and includes a food pantry, hygiene closet, and clothing closet for the students and community of Deerfield Beach. Be Strong is a founding partner and champion of the Beach House, which has allowed Sharon to become close to the work of Be Strong. Driven by her passion to help families across the US, Sharon is now a member of the Be Strong programming team.

Sharon met her first and only love at the age of 18; they are married and have two beautiful daughters. Her love and passion for children, and her will to fight for children and young adults in need, shows each and every day.

Carolynn is passionate about connecting with people and spreading love and kindness throughout her community. Additionally, she and her husband Jeremy are long-time supporters of Be Strong.

Armaan Sharma, an alumnus of Be Strong Student State Representative Program, is excited to start the next chapter in his Be Strong journey!

Armaan is currently attending San Francisco State University and majoring in Cinema, with plans of becoming a screenwriter and director after graduation. Armaan’s passion for storytelling began at an early age, and he believes that stories hold the power to allow us to experience the world through new perspectives. This appetite for creating empathy drove him to become a Be Strong Student Representative – a mission he will continue with Be Strong and beyond.

Armaan knows first-hand how strongly a moment of authentic human connection can impact someone. Through his work with Be Strong, Armaan hopes to inspire others to spread empathy through their communities.

Rohan is an alumnus of Be Strong’s Student State Representative Program and is thrilled to remain a part of the Be Strong community and help new Representatives! In addition to serving as a State Representative for California, Rohan served as Co-President of his high school’s We Dine Together club and is most proud of the Club’s emphasis on fostering empathy and inclusion across campus. He is entering his first year at UCLA and will major in political science. After graduating he plans to attend law school and become a human rights attorney.

Rohan first learned about Be Strong and We Dine Together after watching the CBS News story and is amazed by how far that simple action led him. He encourages all State Representatives to practice taking seemingly small acts of kindness daily and is excited to see how far that will lead them!

Yes, Rohan’s parents saw Lord of the Rings. No, they did not name him after the Kingdom of Rohan!

Joshua joined Be Strong in October 2016 as a volunteer and early-stage champion. He served as the Co-Founder, former President, and first Student State Representative of the Be Strong program at just 11-years-old. Joshua graduated from Santa Monica College with Honors and received an AA Music Degree at 17-years-old, he will be completing his Ethnomusicology B.A. from UCLA in June 2025.

Joshua is passionate about the efforts and impact of Be Strong, leading with experience, integrity, wisdom, and resilience. As a young adult, he provides innovative information and insights as Be Strong tackles present day issues that negatively affect youth. Looking ahead, Joshua eagerly awaits more lives being saved and improved through this work. Mobilizing student agents of change within communities is crucial to completing our goal of contributing to a future upon which we can look back fondly.

“Imagining change without limitations can lead to a kaleidoscope of possibilities.”
~Joshua Apparicio

Cori began working with Be Strong in 2019, connecting school partners with Be Strong’s LIVE Tour educational events and ongoing resources. Be Strong’s work to strengthen young people’s mental, emotional, and relational health resonates strongly with Cori, as she’s known the impact of mental health challenges, losing her mother to suicide. The devastating loss of her mother at a young age made raising awareness and offering help to those struggling of the utmost importance to Cori.

Cori is a mother of three amazing kids and has been married for 17 years. With children in both middle and high school, she recognizes many of the difficulties students face today. Cori is passionate about connecting children and families with opportunities to become better equipped for the inevitable challenges of life, and to understand they are not alone in those challenges.