Please welcome the three newest members of our staff! Megan Langlais and Sarah Bunner join as Adolescent Health Educators, and Brittany Magee will serve as our Coordinator of Communications and Development.
We are excited to have them on board and look forward to the enthusiasm and knowledge each of them bring to the team!
Meet Megan!
Before joining LifeSmart Youth, Megan worked with kids, with a focus on children’s behavioral (mental) health and the impacts of trauma on learning and development. She earned an AS in Human Services from Ivy Tech and a BS in Civic Leadership from IUPUI.
Title: Adolescent Health Educator
Favorite quote: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.” – Dalai Lama
How does LifeSmart’s mission speak to you?
I believe that our children need love and knowledge to thrive. And I believe that knowledge about their bodies and sexuality is both vital and often overlooked. My hope is that I get to be a small part of helping the next generations feel empowered.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first few months at LifeSmart?
I hope to learn our Making a Difference!® program, and to get a complete picture of how all of the LSY programming happens. I am excited to learn more about the special projects that everyone works on and to start contributing to our organization.
What are you most excited about joining the LifeSmart team?
The organizational culture is just amazing! I’m also excited to get through the training and start working with the kids. And I’m also eager to learn more about the LifeSkills® program for 9th and 10th graders because while I love kids of all ages, I have a real soft spot for that age group.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I’m an avid, if novice, mountain biker. We try to go as often as we can and if we are planning to travel, we will probably be taking our bikes. We also like to backpack, hike, kayak and/or hammock, pretty much anything outside — yes, all year round.
What is your favorite desk decoration and why?
My desk is covered with pictures of my loved ones, mostly my son and partner. Those two make my life radiant, and I like being able to see them. It’s instantaneous, just look at those wonderful people that I get to love and I’m all warm fuzzies even if it’s still a hard task. It’s a nice reminder that even tough days are good days because of the people in my life.
Meet Sarah!
Before joining LifeSmart Youth, Sarah worked in the field of addiction treatment and recovery, first as an Adolescent Guidance Specialist then as a Case Manager. She earned a BS in Public Health Community Health from the IUPUI Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. Sarah’s education and work have focused heavily on policy change regarding people living with HIV.
Title: Adolescent Health Educator
Favorite quote: “…all things of one’s life—the ragged, the jagged, the lilting and the soaring—all can be used as life’s energy.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes from Women Who Run with the Wolves
How does LifeSmart’s mission speak to you?
I value and respect young people and believe they deserve accurate information and healthy lives. I know that providing accurate information to young people is the first step in helping them to make informed decisions, and I am excited to be a part of delivering that information in a supportive, nonjudgmental capacity.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first few months at LifeSmart?
I hope to make strong connections within my work team and feel empowered as an educator. I hope to become fully comfortable in the classroom and begin to allow my strengths and “teacher flair” to develop within the organization.
What are you most excited about joining the LifeSmart team?
I have loved working with young people in my career so far, and I am thrilled to be working with them again in such an exciting capacity. I really believe in our younger population, and I am excited to provide them education on such important issues. I am also truly impressed with this team of educators and staff, and I can’t wait to get to know each of them better.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work I prefer to be outdoors as much as possible. I love hiking, foraging, swimming, kayaking, camping, herbalism and botany. I am currently enrolled in a yearlong Master Naturalist course through the Department of Natural Resources. I am a social person who loves to get to know all kinds of people. I also love personal development, so I spend a lot of time thinking about and working toward becoming a healthier, happier, and kinder person.
What is your favorite desk decoration and why?
My favorite desk decoration is a picture of my father looking proudly down on me as I graduated kindergarten. My father passed away this year and this picture is a good reminder to me of my roots, and the love and support that surrounds me always.
Meet Brittany!
Before joining LifeSmart Youth, Brittany worked as a marketing associate and freelance writer; creating magazine articles, blog posts, annual reports, social media strategies, etc. for association and healthcare clients. She earned her MS in Journalism from Northwestern University.
Title: Coordinator, Communications and Development
Favorite quote: “Find a group of people that challenge and inspire you; spend time with them, and it will change your life.” – Amy Poehler
How does LifeSmart’s mission speak to you?
Kindness, empathy, respect, inclusion, and facts make up the core of LifeSmart Youth and each of our programs. I strongly believe the promotion and teaching of each of these will only have positive impacts on kids and our communities, now and in the future.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first few months at LifeSmart?
I want to further promote LifeSmart Youth’s position as an expert in health education, and our message so more people across Indiana know about the great work our team does every day!
What are you most excited about joining the LifeSmart team?
I love being around people who are passionate about what they do, and our Health Educators and staff are dedicated to creating a positive impact in our community. It’s great to be a part of an organization that cares.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
I spend a lot of time doing improv with a local improv comedy troupe and participating in community theater. Whenever I can, I love to be outside — going for a walk or just reading. I also love to spend time with my family and friends as much as possible.
What is your favorite desk decoration and why?
My desk décor is minimal right now, but I plan to bring in pictures of my favorite artwork soon. I studied art history and love going to Newfields whenever I can. Art is always a source of inspiration for me!