Answer - TISHE 2.0 Core Staff

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

TISHE 2.0 Core Staff 2012

Mark Huffman, M.T.S., is a consultant and trainer in sexuality, organizational development and leadership. Previously, he served as vice president for organizational development, education and training at Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee (PPMET). In 1987, Mark helped establish PPMET’s peer education theatre troupe, the PG-13 Players. He trains facilitators for Our Whole Lives, a curriculum developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Churches of Christ. He holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School. From 1982 to 1986, Mark lived in Nagoya, Japan, teaching English at a junior high school and a kindergarten.

Kurt Conklin, M.P.H., M.C.H.E.S., is the director of programs at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS). He provides sexuality training, technical assistance and other capacity-building services to schools, health departments, community-based organizations and national non-governmental organizations. His prior employers include Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Health Education, the Temple University Department of Public Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He holds master’s degrees in public health and history, both from Temple University.

Kenya S. Masala, co-director of the Source Consulting Group, is a national organizational development consultant and trainer. He has worked with multi-national corporations, schools and community organizations for the last 15 years, facilitating training seminars, leadership development programs and outdoor adventure experiences. He also designs and develops multimedia curricula and interactive presentations. Kenya is a REMO endorsed rhythm program facilitator and recently produced and directed the powerful Interactive Theatrical Experience: Za Boom Ba! He is the published author of the international classic rhythm activity book, Rhythm Play!™ and has also released his second album, Spacious Time. With a charismatic style and effusive energy, he engages participants in highly effective and authentic growth. He ushers groups through the hard work of deepening and expanding excellence and inspires them to celebration.

Nora Gelperin, M.Ed., is a national leader in the field of sexuality education, who has 18 years of experience developing and conducting training workshops for teachers and professionals nationwide. She has been recognized for her expertise in the field with a 2010 Mary Lee Tatum Award from the Association of Planned Parenthood Leaders in Education and a Health Teacher of the Year award presented by the New Jersey Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Ms. Gelperin has taught undergraduate sexuality classes at Temple University, Montclair State University and St. Peter’s College and serves on the executive council for the Society of State Leaders in Health and Physical Education. She oversees Answer’s Sexuality Education Training Initiative and is also founder of the organization’s annual Training Institute in Sexual Health Education (TISHE). Ms. Gelperin has been on the forefront of providing highly interactive online workshops for professionals. She developed Answer’s three dynamic online workshops “Sexuality ABCs (Abstinence, Birth Control and Condoms),” ”STD Basics” and most recently “LGBTQ Issues in School.” Ms. Gelperin earned her Master of Education in school health from Temple University.

Elizabeth Schroeder, Ed.D., M.S.W., is an award-winning, internationally recognized expert in the field of sexuality education and youth development. She has trained thousands of youth-serving professionals, adolescents and parents around the world. She is frequently asked to comment on national sexuality education issues in the media and is one of the most sought-after keynote presenters at national and international conferences on sexuality education. Dr. Schroeder is a co-founding editor of the American Journal of Sexuality Education and has written extensively about sexuality and relationship issues. Her most recent publication is the four-volume book series, Sexuality Education: Past, Present, and Future.

Maureen Kelly, A.C.S.E., A.C.S.C., C.F.L.E., is the Vice President for Programming & Communications with Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes where she has taught and trained locally, nationally and internationally for over 17 years. Maureen is designated as a certified family life educator by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) and a certified sexuality educator and counselor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and proudly served for nine years on the Sexuality Information and Education Council of United State (SIECUS) Board of Directors. She was named as one of Ithaca’s “40 under 40” young professionals and one of Training Magazine’s 2008 Young Trainers to Watch and served as a 2008-2009 Ladder to Leadership Fellow with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Kelly is the proud founder of Planned Parenthood’s Out for Health: LGBT Health & Wellness program. Maureen has published many articles and books, including My Body, My Rules: The Body Esteem Sexual Esteem Connection. She has also created many media projects, which have won international awards and honors, including a Telly Award and a Bronze World Medal from the New York Film Festival.