2025
SENG Board of Directors
Denise Michele Hicks
President
Arizona
Champion Area: Global Awareness
& Access for All
Denise Michele Hicks is originally from a Blue Star Military Family of Chicago, Illinois. She is the former President of the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented. While in Chicago Public Schools, she participated in gifted programming and STEM enrichment services. She is an alumna from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and Northwestern University working to continue her family legacy of service in public science, public education, and public health. As President of SENG's Board of Directors and member of The Arizona Gifted Collaborative, she will continue to work with our SENG Scholars and NAGC's Special Programs which will include STEM, Javits-Frasier Scholars and the Dr. Martin Jenkins Scholars. She has completed her advanced certifications in Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Currently, while working on her doctoral studies in STEM Ed Leadership, she serves at Arizona State University in the Center for Bio-mediated, Bio-inspired Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, ASU ACCESS Educational Program Initiatives and US Military Academies Advising Team for Arizona’s Congressional 3rd District.
Kristin Ashley
President Elect
Louisiana
Champion Area: Holistic Health
Focus Area: Mental Health & Wellness
Kristin Ashley is a gifted adult passionate about helping people heal, recover, and create happiness as they cross the thresholds of life’s challenges and joys. A holistic health clinician, registered yoga therapist (C-IAYT), and registered yoga teacher (500-RYT) with a background in clinical psychology, crisis and suicide prevention, English, yoga, holistic health, and pain management. Kristin is crossing a new threshold of her own as she is a new business owner of The Holi Land, her holistic health clinic where she will offer clinical yoga therapy and holistic health services both in-person and online. Kristin lives near New Orleans, Louisiana with her cat, Mina.
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Dr. Lin Lim
Past President
Southern California
Champion Area: PG2e, EDI, & Workplace
Focus Area - APA
Lin holds a doctorate in human development psychology (Boston University), an Academic Graduate Certificate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching (Johns Hopkins University), and Twice-exceptional Education (Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education). Her parenting journey with her complex outlier children has led to her current interdisciplinary academic interest and focus on synthesizing cultural, attitudes, and conceptual thinking around extreme complex outliers into practical applications. She is an international presenter and keynote speaker on topics including education, diversity, twice-exceptionality, giftedness, interdisciplinary social science, human development, and psychology. She is active in gifted-related diversity equity awareness and advocacy. She is a Dean at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education, founder of a non-profit Quark Collaboration Institute, served as President at SENG 2021-2023, and currently serves as the immediate past president at SENG.
Shaunne McKinley
Secretary
Arizona
Champion Area: Diversity & Educators
Focus Area - PD
Shaunne McKinley a graduate of Arizona State University, has been in education for over 20 years, and is currently a Gifted Specialist in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a National Elementary Honor Society advisor, in addition to being a leader and mentor in the school district. Shaunne is a member of Arizona Association of Gifted & Talented and active within her church community. She is dedicated to meeting the needs of all gifted learners academically and emotionally, including promoting awareness to gifted families. She is married to a Marine Corps veteran and has two adult sons. Her youngest son was identified as a gifted learner in second grade, which began her journey to learning more about giftedness.
Kristy Peloquin
Treasurer
Texas
Champion Area: Educators - Higher Ed
Focus Area: Finance and Fundraising
With a fierce love of helping others, Kristy’s career has always gravitated towards public service. After earning her MFA in poetry and creative writing from Texas State University, she began working for the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC) as their first-ever staff member. She assisted commissioners in establishing April as Holocaust Awareness and Remembrance month in Texas. After her time with THGC, Kristy went on to serve as an assistant professor of English with Austin Community College for over eight years, during which time she was nominated multiple times for awards in teaching and published several works. Currently she is an adjunct professor of English at Huston-Tillotson University, an HBCU in Austin. Kristy also created curriculum for and co-led therapeutic creative writing programs for a grief and loss counseling center. In 2018, Kristy published a book of poetry which explores the complexities of secondary trauma on individuals and society. Kristy also works in development for the Texas Historical Commission, overseeing key diversity initiatives and supporting multiple capital campaigns, writing grants, and working to secure philanthropic funding for state-wide historic preservation projects and programs. She is at work on her second book of poems and on a memoir.
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Lisa Sticca-Conrod
Officer at Large
Connecticut
Champion Area: 2e & Parents
Focus Area - Legal
Lisa Sticca-Conrod is an attorney, professor, professional tutor, educational consultant, and executive functioning coach who has taught for several colleges and universities over the last 20 years in various disciplines, including Law, Ethics, Economics, Leadership, Management, Strategy, and Math. She holds a JD From Quinnipiac University, an MS Educational Psychology (Gifted and Talented Development) from the University of North Texas, Graduate Certificates in Neurodiversity, Executive Functioning, and Autism from Landmark College, as well as undergraduate degrees in Economics and International Studies, with minors in Spanish and Music Theory. Lisa has published several textbooks and other academic materials. Currently, Lisa holds Executive Board leadership positions in three non-profit organizations that advocate for the needs of the gifted and neurodiverse populations. She is currently Vice-President and General Counsel of Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (GHF), head of GHF Press and GHF Dialogue (Journal), Vice-President of the Connecticut Association for the Gifted, and is the Finance Chair-elect for SENG, where she has also served as the Northeast Regional Coordinator for Liaisons.
Dr. Jeffrey Tsang
Director
Australia
Champion Area: Gifted Adults & PG
Focus Area - APA
Jeffrey Tsang, PhD FRSPH FIMA SMIEEE WEMT, earned their doctorate in applied mathematics (evolutionary game theory) at the age of 23 from the University of Guelph, Canada. They have previously led SENG to a fiscal surplus in the face of the pandemic, and are returning to serve again as Treasurer for the 2023–24 term. Dr. Tsang is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health and the Institute of Mathematics & its Applications, and Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Professionally, they are a Wilderness EMT, are pursuing CPA licensure, and have worked as a senior software engineer at Google, quantitative researcher at a Wall Street firm, bioinformatics professor, and choir section lead. They have also represented Canada in the World Junior Bridge Team Championships, hold a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo, and have summited Mt. Aconcagua (22,837ft) in Argentina. Dr. Tsang recalls being introduced to SENG in 2005, when it was a rare resource that was accessible for support and guidance at a critical juncture in their journey. Giving back as Trea- surer, their primary goal is ensuring SENG’s organizational sustainability in serving future generations.
Rianne van de Ven
Director
Netherlands
Champion Area: Gifted Adults
Focus Area - International
Rianne van de Ven (1971, the Netherlands) is a social entrepreneur specialized in gifted adults. After a career in Telecom, ICT, and banking she started her own company as a professional coach in 2007. First part time, next to her job at a large Dutch bank, but since 2016 she is fully self-employed and works as an author, speaker, trainer, supervisor, and teacher on the subject of gifted adults. She started a second company where she provides professional services for gifted adults in the workplace together with 40 colleagues, both employed and freelance. She is the author of the book “Giftedness in practice. Strengthening personal leadership in gifted adults.
Dr. Ciminy St. Clair
Director
Pennsylvania
Champion Area: Educators
Focus Area - Systems
Dr. St. Clair earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Penn State University. She taught first grade before moving to Norwin School District where she has been in the gifted department for over 18 years. She has coordinated the gifted programs for grades K-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. She holds her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, her Gifted Endorsement, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership through Liberty University focusing on underachievement in the gifted population. Most recently, she served on the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) board for six years and is the current past president of the organization. She is a true advocate for gifted individuals and is an active member of PAGE, NAGC, and SENG. She is an international presenter on topics including gifted education and advocacy, twice-exceptionality, and LGBTQIA+.
Dr. Gayle Bentley
Director
Southern California
Champion Area: 2e & Parents
Focus Area - SCG
Gayle Bentley holds a doctoral degree from Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education. She has taught in the public schools since 1999 and currently serves as the Innovative Learning Coordinator at Community Roots Academy in Laguna Niguel, California. She is the founder of The Bentley Center, a place of resources and support for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. She is also the mother of three PG/2e sons. She serves on the boards of Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) and the California Association of the Gifted (CAG) and regularly presents at gifted and 2e conferences. Her first book (written with Dr. Lin Lim), is Using Picture Books to Help Little Ones Learn About Themselves.
Nisia Patalan
Director
Colorado
Champion Area: Educators & Parents
Focus Area - Editorial
Nisia Patalan has been an educator for 26 years and a gifted person for far longer! Her specific professional focus is the identification and service of gifted students from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse populations. Nisia loves sharing knowledge and busting myths about what it means to be gifted. She is a Gifted Education Regional Consultant in Colorado, the Director of Gifted Education for the San Juan BOCES, and owner of Spark Education LLC. Outside of work and her work on the SENG board, you’ll find her running around in the mountains, making jewelry, and spending time with friends and family.
SENG Staff
Adam C. Laningham
Executive Director
Arizona
Dr. Stephanie Sanschagrin
Manager
Arizona
Jayme Fitzpatrick
Bookkeeper
Arizona
SENG Community Coordinators
These are volunteers who have stepped up to help our board members with our various initiatives. More information coming soon!
Dr. Nereida Prado
Outreach & Partnerships
California
Dr. Nereida García-Prado is a dedicated and collaborative equity-centered educational leader and GATE Program Specialist with expertise spanning TK-12 instruction and gifted education. With a background as a dual-immersion teacher, instructional coach, program specialist, adjunct professor, and experience in the non-profit sector, Dr. García-Prado brings a unique blend of skills to creating transformative, student-centered, and culturally responsive learning environments. She is committed to empowering educators to support all learners in finding joy in learning while fostering academic excellence through engaging and innovative approaches.
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TBA
Parents
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Dr. Neily Snook
Educators & Conference
New Mexico
Neily Snook, Ph. D., graduated from Grand Canyon University, where she earned her doctorate in general psychology with an emphasis in cognition and instruction. She is the immediate past president of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted. Dr. Snook is a gifted education coordinator for her school district and provides gifted services for elementary students. She is also an adjunct instructor for San Juan College, working with pre-service and alternative licensure teachers. As a gifted adult, parent of a gifted child, and gifted education teacher, Dr. Snook recognizes the need to support educators working with advanced atypical learners.
Cherin Escher
SENG Community Groups
Texas
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Katerina Tsomi
Practitioners
Greece
Katerina Tsomi, M.A., M.Sc. is a Person-centered play therapist and psychotherapist who has a full-time private practice in Athens, Greece. She works mainly with exceptional people of all ages using a strength-based lens which is influenced from positive psychology and humanistic approaches in psychotherapy. She is also an SCG facilitator, a doctorate student at Bridges Graduate School in Cognitive Diversity and a mum of two gifted boys, one of whom is twice-exceptional.
Maureen Montanía
Practitioners
Paraguay
Maureen holds an MSc in Health and Clinical Psychological Sciences from Birkbeck University of London (2022), awarded through the Chevening Scholarship for emerging leaders, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Psychology from Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción” (2019), funded by the university’s Academic Excellence Scholarship. She is the Lab Coordinator at Aikumby, Paraguay’s first centre for giftedness and creativity, and a researcher on three national projects funded by the Paraguayan National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). Additionally, she lectures at Universidad Católica and Universidad Comunera in Paraguay, serves as a peer reviewer for the Gifted & Talented International Journal, and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the National University of Asunción. A co-founder of R-Ladies Asunción and the Association of Gifted Professionals of Paraguay (REDPAC), Maureen received the Princess Diana Award in 2022 for her scientific-humanitarian efforts and was honoured as an Illustrious Citizen of Fernando de la Mora in 2023, alongside a tribute from the Paraguayan National Congress for her contributions to scientific research.
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