Our Team

Founder & CEO

Kylan Veibell

Kylan grew up in Utah and graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Operations Management in 2012. He has worked for several large companies including La-Z-Boy, Schreiber Foods, and Toyota. Currently, he leads a team at Vivint Smart Home focused on building organizational and people capability through the deployment of tools, systems, processes, technologies, and products. Kylan currently lives in Lehi, Utah with his wife Dana and two kids, Leighton and Beckham. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, exercising, reading, and being outdoors. Kylan’s purpose in life is to empower, motivate, and inspire the development of humanity so that, together, we will actualize our highest potential. He enjoys leading others and using his influence to help others develop and restore their lives. Kylan’s passion for mental health stems from an eighteen-year addiction. He has had to learn how to overcome addiction, repair relationships, and confront anxiety and depression throughout his life as a result of the decisions he made at an early age. Kylan founded Overt Foundation in January 2019 as a way for him to help others who are struggling with the same mental health circumstances he experienced throughout his life and provide a path for others to become the person they want to be.

Favorit Color: Teal

Dream Vacation: Travel the world for an entire year.

Director of Communication

Izel nwogbe

Izel grew up in the United Kingdom, where she moved to at a young age, from Turkey. Today, Izel enjoys the Arizona sunshine with her husband and son. In her marketing career so far Izel has been working in finance, developing and executing digital campaigns. As a natural helper, organizer, and listener, Izel wants to effectively communicate the importance of mental healthcare and rebuke the stigma behind needing support. This drive comes from witnessing the difficulties those close to her have gone through.

Favorit Color: Red

Dream Vacation: Singapore

Director of Education

Cody seehagen

Cody grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and is a graduate of Utah Valley University with a degree in International Business. He has spent his post-grad career with Vivint Smart Home – first as a Field Operations Manager and currently as an Operations Process Manager. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, golf, tennis, and snowboarding. Codee’s passion for mental health comes from personally experiencing the challenges that anxiety and other mental or social pressures create in our day-to-day lives. He enjoys helping others find relief in being open and trusting in the guidance of trained professionals.

Director of Community

Ben Roberts

Ben grew up in Maryland and recently graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Global Supply Chain Management. He has interned for multiple non-profit organizations working on projects related to ethical supply chain management practices. He currently works at Vivint Smart Home and lives in Provo, Utah with his wife Haley. He enjoys playing soccer, ping-pong, tennis, and spikeball as well as camping, hiking, skiing, and reading. He enjoys helping people become their best selves and enjoys working to help solve problems around mental health to ensure that people can live fulfilling lives. Ben joined the Overt Foundation in April of 2019 and works to help ensure that things run smoothly and that people are getting the help they need.

Director of People

Jyllian shepard

Jyllian is a Michigan native and a graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a concentration in early childhood development. Jyllian started her career in human services working in different roles and areas within direct service. Over time her career has evolved into taking on various human resource roles in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors. She later went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Employee Relations from Penn State University. Jyllian is a firm believer that happiness is found in helping others. Her passion for driving mental health awareness stems from the mental health challenges she has personally and professionally witnessed, from those who are suffering, and how the negative stigma around mental health has created unnecessary obstacles for those facing mental, emotional, and social pressures. Her goal is to drive the organization’s mission by empowering others to share their stories and build a team of support.

Favorit Color: Green

Dream Vacation: Bora Bora

Director of Technology

JJ Gonzalez

JJ grew up in South Texas and earned a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas-Pan American.  He has furthered his education and experience by earning PC Pro, Network Pro, and Security Pro certifications.  JJ has always had a passion for sharing and teaching and is currently an Adjunct Instructor at Texas Southmost College in the CIS department where he teaches courses in PC Hardware and Networking.   JJ is also a software engineer and enjoys designing and building custom solutions to connect systems and improve workflows. JJ is passionate about helping and has helped at his church and the local community over the years.  He believes that education is a critical cornerstone for improving the outlook for those struggling with mental illness or physical/chemical dependencies. 

Director of Operations

Richard Whitmarsh

When Richard had younger children he loved to recognize the characteristics of himself and his wife in his children. As his children have matured, he has recognized more of himself in his children, including various experiences with mental health issues. This is his opportunity to learn more, and encourage others to be more open with their challenges. Richard has lived a life of service all of his adult years; with his church and helping with various non-profits. Serving with Overt is his opportunity to learn more, and encourage others to be more open with their mental health challenges.

Director of Legal

Sofia McDaniel

Sofia McDaniel is passionate about making the world a more equitable place. She holds a B.A. from George Mason University in Biology and a J.D. from Ohio Northern University. Sofia is also finishing up from M.P.H. from George Washington University. Sofia has had her own struggles with mental health and found peace through therapy. Sofia hopes that her work with the Overt Foundation can help bring peace to others as well.

Favorit Color: Sage Green

Dream Vacation: Dubai

Director of Contributions

brandon pritchard

Brandon grew up in Texas and currently lives in Provo, where he is studying at BYU. He is studying linguistics and completing coursework as prerequisites for several other postgraduate courses, including mechanical engineering, law and business school, finance, and maritime archeology. Though a full-time student, Brandon began working in management-level positions five years ago and has since developed a wide array of skills in positions in marketing and general business strategy, communications, advertising, IT, data and financial analysis, and full-stack software development/systems management while working in director-level positions with a mid-sized Texas law firm and a start-up wedding and event venue. Brandon has also worked with various small non-profit organizations over the past decade, developing and implementing programs for youth, framing out business and marketing strategies, and implementing advertising campaigns and events that have resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in additional revenue. Brandon enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and football when he isn’t on crutches or nursing some other injury. He enjoys serving others, and as a result of the anxiety, depression, and hundreds of panic attacks he has overcome in his life, seeks to help others around him to live healthier lives. He started with Overt Foundation with the goal of helping as many people as possible to overcome their challenges and be the best version of themselves that they can be.

Favorit Color: Dark Gray-Blue (the color of the ocean on a stormy day)

Dream Vacation: A massive road trip beginning in San Diego, traveling up the west coast, across Canada, down the East coast, and back across the nation through the deep south, eventually ending back in Utah.

Marriage & Family Therapist

Lori Cluff Schade, PhD, LMFT, AAMFT

Lori Cluff Schade, Ph.D., is a licensed marriage and family therapist and AAMFT-approved therapy supervisor running her own practice in Pleasant Grove, Utah. She is an adjunct faculty member in the marriage and family therapy department at Brigham Young University. For over three decades, she has practiced therapy alternately with raising 7 children and has published several peer-reviewed journal articles and a book chapter related to her profession. She specializes in couples’ therapy and recently published a workbook for couples to improve their relationships.

Marriage & Family Therapist

Matthew Montano, CFLE, LMFT

Matthew’s passion for therapy began early on in his life. Working through his own trauma at a young age, Matthew knows what the healing process looks like from all sides. Matthew’s healing has varied from adjusting to divorced parents to overcoming religious trauma. This has helped Matthew become more empathic towards his clients from all walks of life. Growing up in Central California, Matthew grew up with diverse populations and understands how various cultures, faiths, and upbringings can affect our everyday lives.

Marriage & Family Therapist

Melinda Barker, LMFT

Melinda Barker is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Family Therapy.  She has 18 years of experience practicing in Kansas, Arizona, Texas, and Utah.  Melinda’s expertise spans a diverse array of client issues, including marital conflict and intimacy issues, substance abuse, adolescent conduct disorders, eating disorders, depression and anxiety disorders, and children’s grief over divorce, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sexual addiction. She is a strong proponent of therapeutic techniques such as Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mindful Stress Reduction Therapy, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and has applied these techniques in a variety of contexts, including emergency room crisis counseling, clinical counseling, and group therapy for children who are emotionally and behaviorally disturbed.  Currently, Melinda owns/operates a private practice in Ogden, where she specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship counseling. Her professional activities include the clinical supervision of interns and post-graduate students and teaching workshops and courses on managing anxiety and depression, conflict resolution and anger management, effective parenting, overcoming pornography addiction, strengthening marriages, and stress management.

Fitness & Performance Therapist

chris clark, m.ed., ncc, lpc

Chris is a mental health, fitness, and wellness professional with several years of experience helping people make lasting lifestyle changes that facilitate growth and healing. He is the past-President of the Wyoming Counseling Association.  Chris specializes in health and athletic counseling to assist in improving performance and quality of life. Chris provided fitness services at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center for 7 years and provided health psychology services for Duke Integrative Medicine for 3 years.

Marriage & Family Therapist

Carey Larson, LMFT

Carey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has a private practice in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He grew up on a small farm in Northern Utah and has a passion for helping and working with others. Carey has experience and training in helping individuals and families with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and addiction.

Family Therapist

Steven Eastmond, LCSW