A United Vision

Rebekah’s Angels consists of a team of hardworking, passionate people that are ready to make their impact on the world. Each person brings a unique skill set to the foundation as well as a personal relation to trauma, that will be key to the overall success of the organization.

Our Values

Our Team

Rebekah Gregory

,

Founder

In the Spring of 2013, Rebekah Gregory’s life was forever changed by an act of terrorism that shook the entire world. A bystander at the Boston Marathon, along with her five-year old son, Rebekah was 3 feet away when two bombs went off 14 seconds and 200 yards apart. The explosions claimed Rebekah’s leg, but certainly not her fighting spirit.

Since then, Rebekah has become a force to be reckoned with. She has inspired audiences all over the world including the Ambassador of the Holy See in Rome, Italy, the United Nations, Asics, ESPN Women’s, and has been featured in thousands of media outlets which includes blogging for People Magazine and Runners World.

In 2017, Rebekah wrote her first book “Taking My Life Back,” in which she details the attack, and her courageous fight back from pain to finding her purpose. Shortly after, she launched Rebekah’s Angels Foundation, which she and her husband created to provide funding for mental health treatment to children and families suffering from trauma. 

Through speaking and coaching, Rebekah travels the world sharing lessons of strength and tenacity with audiences of all sorts. Through her gift of humor and ability to share from a deep and personal place, she reminds people that while they may never get blown up by a bomb at a marathon, everyone has life blow up in their face. And there is still life to be lived, even if you are on your last leg!

Rebekah and her college sweetheart-turned-husband Chris, live in Tampa, Florida with their two beautiful children, Ryleigh and Noah.

Tiffany Willis

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Executive Director

Tiffany Willis is a Tampa, FL native. She is a graduate of University of South Florida where she received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Tiffany worked for Hillsborough County Schools for 3 years before taking on her previous role as Chief Executive Officer at a 501c3 non-profit charity.  Through partnerships with over 32 businesses, Tiffany was able to increase revenue over 400% in the 4 years with the organization and helped over 473 recipients.  While organizing philanthropic enterprises, Tiffany has been able to forge many trustworthy relationships within numerous communities.  Her experience makes her a vital commodity within any organization that wants to grow exponentially in order to help those in need.

Chris Varney

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Director of Business Development

Chris Varney is the Director of Business Development and has a decade of successful experience in managing others as well as handling high level contracts with top company executives. He found his passion for working with children & families in need of therapy through the personal experience of his wife Rebekah and son Noah.

He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and is currently pursuing his Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida. Previously, Chris worked as a Territory Sales Manager in the Oil, Gas, & Mining Industries.

He enjoys traveling, golf, exercising, watching the Kentucky Wildcats, and spending time with his wife Rebekah, son Noah, and daughter Ryleigh.

Angela Carden

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Director Of Child Therapeutic Services

Angela Carden is a Pastor’s wife who resides in Florida with her husband in their almost empty nest. Angela, a graduate of the University of West Florida has a Bachelor degree of Interdisciplinary in Social Science with a Specialization in Children and Society. Angela is a lifetime member of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honor Society.

Angela works as a court appointed child advocate for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Before her current position, Angela worked as a Forensic interviewer of abused children. She has also successfully completed training with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on Forensic interviewing of children and Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Investigations. Angela has completed “Darkness to Light”, a sexual abuse prevention training program.

Tina Gregory

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Administration/Fundraising Coordinator

Tina Gregory is a wife, mother, and loving grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren. She has an extensive career in administration and office management, and has fifteen years’ experience providing thorough and skillful managerial support to senior executives.

In 2004, Tina started her own home based childcare business, worked as a unit secretary at Kosair Childrens Hospital in 2006, and later helped to open, and establish a new pediatric practice in East Louisville. Tina has spent her life taking care of others, in and out of the work place.

In 2013 when her daughter, Rebekah, and her grandson Noah, were injured in the Boston Marathon bombing, she became a full-time caregiver while they recovered in her home. This allowed Tina to see how crucial it is for people suffering from PTSD to get the adequate treatment they need.

Jennifer Schubert-Akin

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Board Member

Jennifer Schubert-Akin is Chairman and CEO of The SteamboatInstitute, an organization she co-founded in 2008.  Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and received her M.B.A. from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Jennifer was the CFO of a large health and human services firm in Austin and later founded a small business consulting firm in Steamboat Springs, working with a variety of non-profit organizations and small businesses.  Beginning in 2014, Jennifer assumed a full-time role as Chairman and CEO of Steamboat Institute.

Jennifer is a graduate of the Leadership Program of theRockies and served on that organization’s Advisory Board for several years. In2013, she and her husband, Rick Akin, received the “Leaders in Action” award from the Leadership Program of the Rockies in recognition of their work in founding and establishing The Steamboat Institute as a nationally recognized leader in advancing conservative thought and policy.  

Jennifer is a member of the Advisory Board for theUniversity of Colorado Center for Western Civilization, Thought and Policy; the10-member Selection Committee for the Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought& Policy at CU-Boulder; the Advisory Board for the Ed Snider Center forEnterprise & Markets at the University of Maryland; and the Advisory Board ofDocs 4 Patient Care Foundation.  

Jennifer previously served as a Community Representative on the Steamboat Pilot & Today editorial board, Steamboat Marathon Committee, and Tax Policy Advisory Board appointed by Steamboat Springs City Council.

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys competing in triathlons and trail running with her 4-legged children, Boomer and Cruiser.  She has completed 3 Leadville Trail 100-mileRaces and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.  In 2019, she completed her 25th consecutiveBoston Marathon, earning membership in the Boston Marathon’s exclusive QuarterCentury Club.  Making each mile count,Jennifer has raised $142,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society along the way.

Board of Advisors

Dr. Diego F. Hernandez

Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Expert

Dr. Diego Hernandez is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with a focus on  health, wellness, and human performance. He is an trauma expert, Master ART Therapist and Lead ART Trainer.

Dr. Diego is the Clinical Director of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Research at the University of South Florida and past Clinical Director of the Military Trial of ART at USF. He is co-author on the peer reviewed ART publications. With 20 years of mental health experience and a combat trauma expert, Dr. Diego works privately and on retreats with active duty military and Veterans. His practice emphasis is with Combat Veterans as well as active duty with emphasis on Special Forces. He currently is a retreat Behavioral Consultant with Warrior Mission at Ease. He is on the medical advisory boards of the Camaraderie Foundation and H.O.O.A.H. and has provided consultation with Mission America, Wounded Warrior project, and the Lone Survivor Foundation.

Dr. Diego has spoken and co-published internationally on ART and has spent sixteen years teaching at university level with experience in designing online curriculum, trained and supervised masters and doctoral level therapists. Teaches mindfulness, relaxation and mediation skills for coping in a human performance context, both to enhance performance and mange specific stressors or illness.

His private practice is located in Tampa Florida. Where in addition to working with Veterans he works with athletes and business professionals, his practice is wellness and performance oriented. Dr. Diego works collaboratively with nutritionists, physicians, and other professionals to comprehensively address chronic illness and medical trauma such as, anesthesia awareness, medical misadventures, surgical, anaphylaxis and loss of limb or mobility.

In addition to workshops and public speaking, Dr. Diego supervises doctoral level students in a clinical training program, and maintains a private practice in Westchase. Dr. Diego is a dynamic and interactive speaker who can help direct your own efforts to live well.

Yolanda Harper

CO-FOUNDER, TRAUMA AND PTSD SPECIALIST

My name is Yolanda and emotions are my superpower. I’m a therapist by trade — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma and post-traumatic growth — but my most meaningful work is to bear witness to people’s stories of struggle, strife, grit, and growth. I believe we can connect more deeply with others when we are truly connected to ourselves. I hope to see us restore some balance in our lives and remember the importance of being imperfectly human.

I’m the Founder and Director of Harper Therapy, a perfectly imperfect business owner, therapist, researcher, trainer, and teacher.  I’m also a wife and mom to three human children and two therapy dogs — Goldendoodles Toby and Hobbes. I’m a daughter, a sister, a friend.  Like yours, my life has not been easy. Wounded healers are the fiercest Hope-Holders, and that is the sacred space I offer to you — that of hope and possibility.

The formal fine print — I’m a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. I’m a Master Accelerated Resolution Therapist and am a Certified Trainer for the therapy. I’m Level II Gottman Trained, bringing the Gottman’s 40 years of research into sessions for couple’s therapy. I’m a Certified Daring Way Facilitator™ and use Brené Brown’s 15 years of research on shame resiliency, vulnerability, and connection so that we can wrap our common experiences into words that make sense. As a brain geek, I’ve also trained in neurofeedback, so my approach is a nice blend of emotions, thoughts, brain science, and research.

As a brain geek, I’ve also trained in neurofeedback, so my approach is a nice blend of emotions, thoughts, brain science, and research.

Chris Long

LCSW

Chris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Approved Supervisor. His certifications include Master Accelerated Resolution Therapist and Trainer, Clinical Trauma Expert/Professional, and Professional Educator. Over the last 10 years he has worked on multiple published clinical research projects at the University of South Florida and has consulted with and trained providers in all branches of the Armed Forces, First Responders, Hospice, and with the Hillsborough County Public School System.







"Trauma creates change you don't choose,

but healing is about creating change you do."

Rebekah's Angels is Proud to Partner with: