Our framework centers on a specific application: when support is consistent, people grow.

Mission Statement

LYNC improves outcomes by transforming how people understand and respond to human needs across families, schools, organizations, and communities.

Our Values

At the core of the LYNC Model are values that guide how we show up in every interaction. Unconditional Positive Regard ensures every person is met with dignity and respect. Active and Sustained Engagement reflects a commitment to stay present and consistent, especially when situations are complex. And Person-Led Journey keeps the individual’s voice, choices, and direction at the center of the work. We believe in Natural and Not Punitive Consequences, lending to a person led journey. Together, these values create a foundation for support that is steady, relational, and built to last.

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I am proud of all of our outcomes but for me seeing the families feeling supported, using the tools for themselves and their children and being able to support building strong and healthy relationships and interactions with all three sides of the Triangle is most rewarding (School, Family, LYNC with students in the center.)

My favorite part of using the LYNC Model of Care is transferring the knowledge and skills of the LYNC Model of Care to Educators, Social Workers, School Teams, Leaders, and observing them get outcomes.

Meredith Bieri

Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer

Casey Coughlin

Co-Founder, Chief Clinical Officer

I am most proud of the number of children and families LYNC has impacted over the last few years. Witnessing the ripple effect of positive change is very rewarding, and it makes me very enthusiastic about the future, and proud of our growing LYNC community. 

My favorite part of my work is when a participant reaches Choice in the LYNC Model of Care.This is often a time when they realize they control their own outcomes and can drive positivechange. This usually leads to significant self-reflection and consideration for changes thatimprove collaboration, strengthen safety and trust, and increase confidence.

What Sets Us Apart | Why The Model Works

The Values In Action

It’s not just a theory or a concept, we walk side by side with you.

The Model

We cut through the noise while connecting and taking the pressure off through collaboration and connection.

The Triangle of Support

We tap into the human desire for self-determination which leads to self belief.

The LYNC Check-In Process

We have a commitment to the people who are doing the hard work.

Meet the Team

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    Michelle Rieckmann

    LCSW, Executive Director of Clinical Services

    I have been with LYNC Academy since the very beginning! I have had the opportunity to be a part of wonderful student transitions, starting at the "Safety" stage of the LYNC Model of Care and progressing all the way through to "Empowerment."

    The most significant transition—and my proudest moment—was hearing that one of my students has done so well since transitioning back to school that her team eliminated the need for an IEP and any involvement in Special Education Services.

    My favorite part of using this model is hearing teachers, principals, family members, and others apply the exact same language. It helps create consistency among the team and reassures our students that everyone is truly working together!

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    Ben Pinkart - CSW

    Assistant Director of Clinical Services

    I am most proud of seeing the LYNC Model of Care and LYNC Check-In process expand from being a cornerstone of our school day at LYNC Academy to being implemented in a variety of public school settings as part of their school day. It has been great collaborating with teachers and staff to help students develop academic and social/emotional goals, and grow through the 

    process. I am eager to see LYNC applied in additional settings and continue producing outcomes! 

    My favorite part of using the LYNC Model of Care are those times when a student has engagedenough in the process and decides to take a turn getting up in front of the group to leadcheck-in. We don't necessarily require it, but when someone shows an interest, we look tocapitalize on the opportunity! In addition to indicating growth, confidence, and engagementthrough the Model thus far, it can be a great learning experience in terms of perspective and canhelp move students towards empowerment.

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    Macy Mellstrom

    Special Education Teacher

    This past school year I got the opportunity to work with a student who was experiencing seclusion from her classroom as a result of consistent unsafe behavior from the student. In working the LYNC model with the student we were able to rebuild safety and trust with the students peers and now they spend almost all of their day in the classroom with their peers on a daily basis.

    The LYNC Model of Care gives anyone the blueprint for how to create a safe environment for individuals, build trust, teach self-determination, work to collaborate, and ultimately help that individual feel true empowerment.

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    Tony Lochinger

    Youth Navigator

    One of the most rewarding outcomes is witnessing the growth in our students. Many students begin at LYNC with limited self-assurance, but by graduation, they emerge as confident individuals, fully equipped to navigate any challenge. 

    My favorite part is seeing our LYNC Model in action. As we help students navigate the Modeland identify what they need at each tenet along the way, I've seen a drastic shift in their overallwell-being and engagement in their own life choices.

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    Paul Jacob

    Business and Finance Manager

    As a counselor, foster parent and self-help author for much of my life, it has been euphoric to see the life-changing transformations many of our students have undergone while at LYNC Academy. Knowing how their increased confidence and coping skills will improve their futures is a huge gift for all of us who have had the pleasure of working with them. The ripple effect, also known as the butterfly effect, informs us that our work will have a generational impact. What greater reward could one ask for in a chosen career?

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    Andy McKeffry

    LYNC Model of Care Facilitator

    It means a lot to me to be able to serve my community in the ways that I care most about. 

    My favorite part of working within the LYNC Model of Care is the emphasis on safety, trust, andcollaboration. In the school setting, this means helping students feel supported and giving themspace to have choice and a voice in the process. I value the opportunity to work alongsidestudents and school staff to create an environment where students feel empowered and able togrow.

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    Dakota Bartlett

    Special Education Teacher

    I am most proud of the work that we do with our self-contained students. They work so hard and it is beyond rewarding to see them push through their struggles and come out the other end better human beings. 

    My favorite part of the work I do using the LYNC model of care is working with teachers that are stuck and down on their careers. Teachers work so hard every day to get successful outcomes from students. Behaviors are making that increasingly more difficult. After using the LYNC model of care, teachers are able to reclaim their classrooms leading to more successful student outcomes.

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    Kristen Harper - M.ED

    Vice President of Curriculum and Training

    Kristen Harper, M.Ed., serves as Vice President of Curriculum and Training, where she leads the design and implementation of high-impact, trauma-informed learning experiences across education, behavioral health, and community-based systems. With more than 20 years of experience spanning K–12, higher education, nonprofit, and federal settings, Kristen brings deep expertise in instructional design, workforce development, and systems-level training that translates evidence-based frameworks into practical, real-world application. Her work centers on aligning curriculum, coaching, and professional learning with values-driven practice, ensuring consistency, fidelity, and measurable outcomes for organizations and the people they serve. Grounded in both lived and professional experience, Kristen is known for building scalable training models that strengthen staff confidence, reduce burnout, and support sustainable, person-centered impact.

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    Jackie Korth

    Vice President of Operations

    I am most proud of helping bring the LYNC Model of Care from a vision that reaches a few to a goal of over one-million people. Assisting in aligning systems, and processes that actively create meaningful impact in people, businesses, and communities. We’ve turned an idea into a scalable movement that empowers individuals to become better versions of themselves and contributes to a more hopeful, connected world. 

    My favorite part is living the model daily, supporting my family and integrating its principles of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment into how I lead and communicate. It’s transformed me personally and given me a more intentional, effective way to show up in both business and life.

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    Bryce Bieri

    Director of Business Development

    Before joining LYNC, I spent my career in telecom and IT sales where monthly quotas were heavily stressed. Applying the LYNC Model of Care within the business development role has been a refreshing shift and one of my favorite parts of working for LYNC. Safety and trust always come first in every single interaction whether internal, external, or outside of work. I am extremely excited to get the model in the hands of every person possible.

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    Maggie Laye

    Community Experience Manager

    Over the past several years, Maggie is most proud of transforming LYNC’s online presence into a more engaging, human-centered platform—shifting from static content to meaningful storytelling that highlights real experiences, amplifies student voices, and fosters a deeper sense of community. This evolution has not only increased engagement, but strengthened trust and connection with families, partners, and the broader community. 

    What Maggie values most about her work is bringing the LYNC Model of Care to life through storytelling. She is especially passionate about creating content that reflects safety, trust, and empowerment—ensuring every piece of communication feels supportive, intentional, and aligned with the lived experiences of LYNC students. For Maggie, the most meaningful part of her role is knowing that the work she creates doesn’t just inform but it helps people feel seen, understood, and connected.