Founders & Board

Our Leadership Team

A Commitment to Excellence

Our board members are distinguished leaders in their fields, ranging from educators and psychologists to community activists and advocates for children’s welfare. Their diverse experiences and shared commitment to our cause fortify our efforts in providing exceptional research, training, and consultation services. United by a common vision, they play a pivotal role in guiding our organization towards innovative strategies that resonate with the wisdom of American Indian cultural traditions in nurturing respectful and courageous youth.

Together, we believe in empowering the discouraged, providing a beacon of hope not only to the youth we serve but also to the professionals dedicated to this cause. Our holistic approach merges time-honored wisdom with contemporary research, offering transformative experiences to promote resilience, respect, and personal growth. In doing so, we not only reclaim youth at risk but also honor and revitalize the spirit of communities and cultures, echoing the ancient principles of courage and respect that have guided generations.

Larry Brendtro

Founder and Director

Larry K. Brendtro, PhD, earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan specializing in children with emotional and behavioral challenges. He is director of Reclaiming Youth at Risk which provides research, publications, and training in strength- based approaches to youth, families, and communities. He is president emeritus at Starr Commonwealth in Michigan where he piloted the evidence-based Positive Peer Culture model which builds cultures of respect in education, treatment, and juvenile justice settings. He has wide experience as a youth worker, educator, and psychologist, and has taught at the University of Illinois, The Ohio State University, and Augustana University. The author of 18 books and over 200 articles, Dr. Brendtro joined with Lakota psychologist Martin Brokenleg and educator Steve Van Bockern to develop the Circle of Courage model which combines traditional Indigenous wisdom with emerging science of positive youth development. He trains professionals world-wide and is currently consulting with the Office of Refugee Resettlement on applying the Circle of Courage with children and youth from Latin America.

Martin Brokenleg

Founder

Martin Brokenleg, EdD, is architect of the Circle of Courage model which applies traditional Native child-rearing principles to challenges of today’s children, families, and communities. He is an enrolled member of the Rosebud tribe of the Lakota nation in South Dakota and holds a doctorate in psychology. He is Professor Emeritus at Augustana University where he and colleagues Larry Brendtro and Steve Van Bockern co-authored Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future. He is also a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School and has studied the impact of Western society on indigenous peoples, particularly cultural trauma. He served as director of Native Ministries and professor for the Vancouver School of Theology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Brokenleg is co-founder and Dean of the Black Hills Seminars. He is retired and resides in Victoria, BC.

Steve Van Bockern

Founder

Steve Van Bockern, EdD, is Professor Emeritus of Education at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He has been a teacher and principal and developed experiential alternative education programs for gifted students and those with emotional and behavioral problems. He helped establish the annual Black Hills Seminars and formerly directed Reclaiming Youth International. Extending his earlier research on Reclaiming Youth at Risk, his new book, Schools that Matter, applies Circle of Courage principles to create powerful learning environments where all students can thrive. He and Mark Freado have been active in strength-based assessment with youth in the justice system and those being excluded from school. Dr. Van Bockern has trained educators and youth workers in many nations.

Mark Freado

Board Member
Mark Freado, MA in Counseling and MA in Forensic Psychology, is Director of Growing Edge Training, LLC, Westerville, Ohio. He has a forty-year career in mental health, education, social services, program development, leadership, and training. He served in direct care and executive roles with Pressley Ridge and as director of the American Re-ED Association. For over 20 years, he has been a key leader in developing the reclaiming youth movement including serving as Director of the International Training Network for CF Learning, a program of Cal Farley’s in Amarillo, Texas. He and J. C. Chambers co-authored The Art of Kid Whispering: Reaching the Inside Kid. He is also co-developer of Planning Restorative Outcomes, a strength-based assessment model and serves as an expert witness in juvenile justice hearings. He provides professional development and consultation to organizations world-wide.

Robert Foltz

Board Member
Dr. Foltz, PhD, is a seasoned psychologist specializing in severe emotional and behavioral issues in adults and adolescents. He earned his doctorate from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and has over 15 years of experience in psychiatric and residential treatment settings around Chicago. His work focuses on integrating psychotherapy with psychopharmacology, particularly for conditions like schizophrenia. Dr. Foltz is renowned for his research in child and adolescent psychopathology and trauma, notably the Adolescent Subjective Experience of Treatment study. He regularly presents at prestigious conferences, including those of the American Psychological Association, and maintains an active private practice since 1999. Dr. Foltz also serves on the Advisory Board for the Association of Children’s Residential and Community Services.

Tamara Lunday

Board Member

Tamara Lunday, Ed.D., completed her doctoral studies at the University of South Dakota with qualitative research on perspectives of Native American youth on how schools can better engage Native American Students. She worked for over 33 years in a full range of direct service and leadership roles with the Flandreau Indian School which has been serving Native American students since the nineteenth century. Tammy is an enrolled member of the Sisseton- Wahpeton Oyate, Dakota Sioux. She is a member of the Turtle Island Learning Circle and Reclaiming Youth at Risk Boards: and participated in
developing the Moccasin Paths training program. She is co-author of Native Birthrights and Indigenous Science and Ohiyesa’s Path: Reclaiming Native Education (2012).

Tammy has presented to numerous organizations including The National Indian Child Welfare Association and the Bureau of Indian Education. Tammy currently works at South Dakota State University, as the Director of the Student Health Clinic and Counseling Services.

Celeste Uthe-Burow

Board Member
Celeste Uthe-Burow, EdD, received her doctoral degree in counseling psychology at the University of South Dakota and earned two master’s degrees in education administration and counseling and human resources at South Dakota State University. Prior to joining Augustana, Dr. Uthe-Burow has been in the field of education since 1985 serving as a teacher, principal, and district coordinator for the Sioux Falls School District. In addition to her work in the school setting, Dr. Uthe-Burow is a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Recently, she completed her coursework and clinical hours to become a registered play therapist. In the past, she has worked as a counselor for Lutheran Social Services where she served the communities of Mitchell, South Dakota, and surrounding communities as well as the Sioux Falls area counseling office. Current South Dakota communities in which she provides services include Viborg, Freeman, Harrisburg, and Sioux Falls.

Wendy Beukelman

Board Secretary & Training Coordinator
Wendy Beukelman is the Event & Training Coordinator for Reclaiming Youth. In this role, she facilitates the annual Reclaiming Youth Seminars, and schedules onsite and virtual training events for our skilled team of presenters. Wendy also manages the finances for Reclaiming Youth and coordinates the graduate credit registrations through Augustana University. Wendy graduated from Augustana University with a BA in Business Administration. She has been a part of the Reclaiming Youth team since 2007.