Speaker Bios

Henry Yampolsky

Henry Yampolsky is a mediator, peace educator, conflict coach and TEDx speaker who serves the Hokie nation as the Assistant Director for Education, Outreach, and Conflict Resolution in the Office of Equity and Accessibility. Henry has worked with hundreds of complex conflicts around the world and had also practiced civil rights and labor and employment law in Philadelphia. Henry has spoken and lectured at the Columbia University School of Law, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and at the Sattva Summit in Rishikesh, India. Henry's TEDx talk on identity, connection, and dialogue is available on TED.com and on YouTube.

Reese Ramos

Through personalized coaching and guidance Reese Ramos strives to empower Hokies to navigate beyond problems to options that may resolve their situations. Prior to joining Tech in 2019 Reese has worked as an Ombuds in just about every sector of industries having worked with the National Park Service (government), Earthjustice (non-profit), Sandia National Laboratories (corporate) and UCLA (academic).

Bryan Hanson

Bryan Hanson is an ombuds, educator, mediator, facilitator, and leader in the field of conflict engagement. Bryan serves the Virginia Tech community as the ombuds for the Graduate School. In this role, Bryan works with members of the Graduate School community so they may engage in and manage conflict in a constructive way. This is achieved through conversations aimed at creating a greater understanding of the university system and a deeper awareness of productive ways to communicate the concerns related to the conflicts experienced.

Ana Agud

Ana Agud is the Manager, Work/Life Program for Hokie Wellness. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Christopher Newport College and her Master of Public Health from Virginia Tech. She is a certified Health and Wellness Coach, Koru Mindfulness instructor, and a Worksite Wellness Specialist. Ana is also FEMA certified. In her free time, Ana enjoys relaxing with her family, two cats and dog and cheering on the Hokies at games!

Lauren Shelor

Lauren Shelor is a health educator with Hokie Wellness. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Radford University and completed a post-graduate dietetic internship with Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her professional experience includes medical nutrition therapy counseling for disease management and prevention, working with population health initiatives, and designing health education programs. Lauren is passionate about spreading kindness, writing, and promoting positive body image.

Trish Haak

Trish Haak is a veterinary clinical social worker located in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital within the VM-CVM to provide support, crisis intervention, grief education, referrals and resources to animal owners. She works as a member of the veterinary health care team to support difficult decision-making, end-of-life care, and the grieving process. She provides workshops and rounds on wellbeing and effective client support and communication with veterinary students, staff, house officers, clinicians, and faculty. She received her Masters of Social Work in Clinical Practice at the University of Washington-Seattle and has provided mental health services within hospital, university, school, and research settings. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Trish enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter, son, Husky, yellow Lab, Silver Tabby, and back-yard chickens.