Christian Moore, M.S.W.
Founder
christian@whytry.org

Christian Moore is an internationally renowned author, speaker and advocate for at-risk youth.  The WhyTry Program he authored has proven to be one of the most effective ways to teach the critical social and emotional skills that determine the success and happiness of individuals facing life’s challenges. 

The WhyTry Program is now in use in thousands of  schools, correctional facilities and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, and Australia and continues to be one of the fastest growing intervention programs for at-risk youth. 

Christian grew up in the Washington, D.C. area in a family of twelve children.   By the second grade, Christian had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, conduct disorder, and severe learning disabilities.   Despite overwhelming obstacles, Christian rose from special education to receive a master’s degree in social work. 

His work with youth like himself lead him to the realization that they usually lacked only one thing to experience the same success he had: hope.   The WhyTry Program delivers the key social and emotional skills that open the door to hope in a way that is both easy to understand and powerful.

When he is not traveling the world inspiring audiences, he is home with his family in the Rocky Mountains.

Hans Magleby
Co-founder and CEO
hans@whytry.org

Working with  Christian Moore, he developed the WhyTry Program. His talent and experience in visual arts and product development has been key to the creation and success of the WhyTry Program.

Hans Magleby has a background in fine art, education and business.  He studied fine art at Brigham Young University and was a part time faculty member from 1996-1999 teaching classes in painting and computer art. During that time he also worked as the art director for a multimedia software company.  In 1998 Hans started a successful Internet company that grew rapidly to support and service over 2 million customers.  Since leaving technology, Hans has been working full time for WhyTry Inc., continuing the development of practical tools to teach and motivate at risk youth.

Hans has worked with youth for several years as a volunteer for various community and religious organizations.  He currently volunteers time teaching a drop out prevention class with the WhyTry Program in a local high school.

Hans has consulted for numerous groups of educators, corrections staff and mental health professionals across the United States, Canada and Australia.   He has presented the WhyTry Program materials and approach in numerous conferences and training seminars.

J. Allen
President
jallen@whytry.org

J. Allen is an international presenter on social and emotional education.  His experience includes 20 years as a volunteer working with at-risk youth, youth in custody, and foster children.  He has been a passionate advocate for youth, and an innovator in technologies for helping youth move from failure to success.  

After receiving his degree in journalism, he started a career as a technology entrepreneur that lead him to start nine high-tech companies.  In 1988 he installed the first document imaging system in the White House and spent four years working with the White House and other large agencies in Washington, D.C.On the Board of Directors since the founding of WhyTry, Inc., J. became president of WhyTry, Inc. in 2003 to shepherd the organization through its next phase of growth, as the WhyTry Program tries to reach millions of children all over the world. 

Bruce Bushnell
V.P. Training
bruce@whytry.org

Bruce Bushnell has over 26 years experience as a high school counselor helping youth succeed. Working with WhyTry Inc. since its earliest days more than eight years ago, Bruce developed the experiential activities used throughout the WhyTry Program.  Bruce is not only a top-rated presenter, he probably has more hands-on experience using the WhyTry Program with kids than anyone on Earth. 

Bruce is a gifted presenter who has the ability to reach people in profound ways.  Bruce’s trainings are both practical and passionate.  He knows first-hand the challenges of working with youth, and he knows the unique rewards of changing someone’s life.   Bruce provides over 100 days of training every year, from Anchorage to Miami. 

In addition to being a pioneer of the WhyTry Program, Bruce has a master’s degree in education and has received many honors and awards, including Utah Counselor of the Year in 2001, and the Drug-Free National Award presented by President Bush in the Rose Garden in 1991.

Cristal McGill, Ph.D.
Trainer
cristal@whytry.org

Dr. Cristal McGill has been a sought-after presenter internationally for over 10 years and has been working with WhyTry for the last three years.   Her dynamic (and frequently hilarious) trainings combine her intensive understanding of learning modalities with her blazing personal energy to create a powerful learning experience for educators.
Cristal’s WhyTry trainings demonstrate how to influence the chemistry of the learner’s brain to boost attention, learning, and recall, as well as improve discipline and create a non-threatening learning climate.    The multi-sensory approach of WhyTry has fit perfectly into the context of her academic and professional experience.
Cristal received her doctorate in education from Arizona State University, where she continues to teach when she is not presenting somewhere in the world for WhyTry or Impact Learning.


Karyn Holt
Conference Coordinator / Presenter
karyn@whytry.org

Karyn Holt has proven her leadership as a school counselor, serving as a past president of the Washington School Counselors Association, and in her work with individual students.   Her exceptional organizational skills and her passion for helping youth have come together to help WhyTry grow in Washington and the Northwest.  Karyn coordinates WhyTry trainings and conference events that both instruct and revitalize  professionals in education.   Karyn is also a brilliant and engaging presenter who can connect with people and bring them together to discover new ways to reach youth.  In addition to her professional experience, Karyn holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Notre Dame.

Kevin Card
Trainer / Presenter
kevin@whytry.org

Kevin Card has been a high school counselor for over 23 years. Kevin, together with Bruce Bushnell, developed the experiential activities used throughout the WhyTry Program. Kevin has been recognized for his outstanding commitment to youth. He has helped develop many of the techniques used nationwide by schools which have adopted the WhyTry Program.

Scott White
Office Manager
scott@whytry.org

Scott is responsible for making sure that everyone gets where they are supposed to, when they are supposed to be there—a significant task given the over 400 event days WhyTry provides every year.  Scott holds a BA in art, and enjoys wearing amusing t-shirts.

Hayley Behrmann
Conference Coordinator / Office Assistant
hayley@whytry.org

Hayley Behrmann is conference coordinator for WhyTry, Inc.  Hayley manages the overwhelming WhyTry calendar with ease and grace.  Hayley is also primarily responsible for shipping WhyTry product.   She is a student at Brigham Young University.  She enjoys walks down the shore, quiet evenings by the fire, and New Jersey.

Reynie Sandoval
Presenter / Musician

Reynie Sandoval is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an MSW from Brigham Young University. Reynie is the clinical director for the Sundance Academy, a residential school and treatment facility, and teaches social work at Utah Valley State College. Reynie is also an accomplished musician, and wrote and produced music for the WhyTry Program.

Guy Golightly
Presenter / MusicianGuy

Golightly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a counselor at Provo High School in Utah for the last 6 years.  Before that, he worked in Denver, Colorado as an elementary school Social Worker.  He has been using the Why Try Program for several years, and has also written some music to go along with some of the concepts.   You might see Guy presenting WhyTry at a conference, or you might hear his music on an upcoming WhyTry CD for elementary school ages.