Dr. Frank Rojas

MEMBER

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Dr. Frank Rojas is a results-oriented leader committed to building profitable growth and return on investment domestically and internationally. Dr. Rojas advocates for providing access to post-traditional learners in post-secondary higher education globally. He enables universities across the globe to meet the needs of marginalized learners. Dr. Rojas creates value through a customer-centric approach to internal and external constituents. As an executive leader, he has an extensive background in start-up organizations. He is known for quickly impacting top-line revenue by developing and executing global go-to-market strategies.

Dr. Rojas believes in developing people with a systematic approach to helping up-and-coming leaders reach their full potential by leveraging their strengths while improving development opportunities. His leadership style is adaptable and proven in multi-national organizations with sensitivity to organizational and social differences while delivering results for parent organizations. He serves Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA, as their Vice President of Enrollment Management. In his span of care, Dr. Rojas leads the admissions, advising, student life, and athletic teams at Bay Path.

Dr. Rojas has earned a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Change through Fielding Graduate University. He has also completed a Master's in Organization Leadership through Fielding and an Executive MBA through Pepperdine University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from DeVry University.

Dr. Rojas is a board fellow for Latinos for Education, a non-profit whose mission is to develop, place, and connect essential Latino leaders in the education sector. Latinos for Education is committed to building an ecosystem of Latino advocates by infusing Latino talent into positions of influence. Dr. Rojas also serves on the board for the Latino STEM Alliance and the vestry for Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in Longmeadow, MA. Before moving to Longmeadow, MA., Dr. Rojas also served on the Executive Council and Strategic Taskforce for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and was a member of the Bishop’s Committee and the senior warden at Saint Thomas of Canterbury in Temecula, CA.

For self-care, Dr. Rojas and his wife ride Harley Davidsons, part of a motorcycle ministry called Black Sheep Harley Davidsons for Christ. This global motorcycle ministry aims to bring the Gospel to other motorcyclists. Dr. Rojas is seven years into his sobriety through the grace of God and the love and support of his family.

Fun fact – Dr. Rojas rode his Harley with his daughter from Murrieta, CA, to Brevard, NC, in the summer of 2019 while completing his dissertation.

Daniel Pfost LSW, CAADC, CTP

TREASURER

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You can call me “Dan”! I grew up in Kutztown, PA. While growing up, I swam competitively through grade school and my undergraduate experience at Kutztown University, earning All-Conference honors my freshman and sophomore years. An injury to my back derailed me my junior year, which caused me to miss the second half of that swimming season. I attended Kutztown University for both my bachelor's and master's degrees. My bachelor’s degree is in Political Science and my master's degree is in Social Work. I am currently a professional at an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program in Berks County. I am licensed in the Commonwealth of PA, am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Trauma Professional. I just recently completed training and have entry-level certification in Experiential Group Facilitation.

I am in long-term recovery, having gotten sober 12 years ago. While my sober journey did not exactly begin under the greatest of circumstances, my experience in recovery has led me to know that my worst day has become my best day. Recovery has brought me an advanced degree, a mortgage payment, a career, an upcoming marriage, and above all, a life of purpose and meaning. Any endeavor that seeks to promote recovery from addiction is a winner and I look forward to help supporting the vision of Powered By Transformation as a member of the board!

Lara Sturm

SECRETARY

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Titles:

• 2018 IPF World Masters Champion and best lifter overall
• 2017 IPF World Masters Champion
• 2015 IPF World Masters Champion
• 2014 GA USAPL’s Lifter of the Year
• 2014 IPF World Masters Champion
• 2014 IPF Masters World Bench Press Bronze Medalist
• 4-time Masters National Champion
• 2015 Open National Champion

Lara began her mental transformation in 1990 when she confessed to being powerless over alcohol and that her life had become unmanageable. In 2001, during a trying time in her life, she began her physical transformation through weight training and found the mental aspect of fitness greatly enhanced her mental outlook.

She competed in NPC Figure for several years until she found her way to a barbell in 2009. In 2012, when picking up heavy stuff started to really be fun, Lara decided to try competing in a USAPL Powerlifting meet. She got hooked from the start and now holds over 11 state records, including four American Records.

In September of 2014, Lara won the title of World Champion by competing at the IPF World Masters Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic. As a M1(40-50) lifter and a body weight of 138# she squatted 402lb, bench pressed 220lb, and deadlifted 380lb, totaling over 1000lb. This was enough to put her on the podium with a gold medal capturing her first World Championship title!

Lara also owned and operated a successful CrossFit gym for over 10 years and contributed to the transformation of hundreds of others in that time. Currently, she works for a financial software company, creating eLearning experiences for users and customers. Lara is thrilled to join our team to empower others to transform their lives through weight training.

Dr. Deborah Bucci

CHAIR

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Leadership requires us to be whole and resilient to engage with our fullest energy. Dr. Deb offers clients pathways to achieve results and live a healthy, rewarding life – providing practices, tools, and strategies for her clients to live well and lead well. Deb combines a lifelong interest in health and fitness with her commitment to learning and teaching to nurture growth and transformation.

Dr. Deb received her nursing degree from Owens Technical College, her BS in Human Development from The Ohio State University, her MA in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University, MA and PhD in Organization Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University. Her academic research on Well-being and the Future of Work was highlighted on Close Up Radio in March 2022 and presented at EDRA Annual Conference: Health in All Design 2022.

Heidi Reese, Certified Personal Trainer | Certified Recovery Specialist| Founder & CEO of Strong Like You Personal Training

FIT RECOVERY TRAINER

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Heidi Reese is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Recovery Specialist, and the Founder & CEO of Strong Like You Personal Training, where she helps adults 35+ build strength, improve health, and boost confidence through personalized, sustainable fitness. With a background as a high-level Executive Assistant in demanding corporate environments, Heidi understands the importance of self-care and resilience.

A competitive bodybuilder in the NPC and OCB Women’s Wellness divisions, Heidi’s passion for fitness and recovery is rooted in her own transformation. In January 2025, she celebrated nine years of sobriety—a milestone that drives her mission to empower others physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Heidi offers in-person and online coaching that combines resistance training, nutrition education, and mindset work. Her approach is grounded in encouragement, accountability, and the belief that “you don’t have to be strong like them—just be Strong Like You.”

She also serves on the Advisory Committee of Hope & Coffee Coatesville, using her lived experience to reduce stigma and support the recovery community through outreach and advocacy.

Certifications
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Recovery Specialist

Torri High, ISSA

FIT RECOVERY TRAINER

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In 2013, after nearly two decades of struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, and alcohol abuse, Torri changed the story she told herself.

A Mother and a Partner, she knew she needed different and that she would be a force if she could turn her life around. She desired to use that energy to be her own hero and then help those who were still suffering.

Running out of options, Torri entered treatment for her eating disorders through mental health court. She began her transformation studying health and wellness after this experience. Her son, who is one of her hero’s, was THE catalyst to her change. Torri spent hours in the library learning how to build muscle, nourish her brain through whole foods and how exercise played an important role of not only physical transformation, but the mental and emotional sides too. Torri took this knowledge and began implementing these healthier habits into her life. This new lifestyle would be what changed the trajectory of her LIFE. This is where putting down the drink, once and for all took place. This was the second ‘pivotal’ moment of Torri’s recovery.

December 22, 2013 the obsession of escape was wiped from Torri’s existence. By putting down alcohol, she also began picking up healthy habits. These included, eating more protein, drinking more water, taking vitamins and lifting weights. It did not take long for Torri’s frail frame to take on a drastic change. She was hungry, literally, for more. Torri began to love parts of her body, that she once bullied herself over. She began to look forward to challenging herself with the iron.

She began to trust herself and build confidence. Torri, then began to face her demons, fall into her reality and heal the trauma that she kept trying to escape. She began to see her worth and wanted to share her life and experience with others.

After years of self-study, being her own Guinea pig, Torri knew she had to bring her recovery into other’s reality. She knew her struggle and her survival would be another’s survival guide.

In 2018, after her second MIRACLE child she found a nutrition tracking app that would help her refuel her body, build more muscle and keep her moving forward. She also began working with

a personal coach. She quickly fell in love the fitness community and lifestyle.

Torri took her passion to the next level and became an advisor for a fitness company. She has helped hundreds of men and women on their own journey. Through helping others, she has fallen particularly in love with helping women find their FREEDOM, too. She teaches women how to find FOOD freedom through FITNESS. There is FREEDOM in TRANSORMATION!

After working two years as a personal trainer for a local gym, Torri knew it was time she followed her vision and started her own business fitness business.

In 2022, HighSoul Fitness LLC was born. Torri now operates her own studio gym. While all client goals are different, the common denominator is “better”. She helps her clients discover and unlock their potential, while dismantling behaviors no longer serving them. Torri will tell you, her addictions have forged this road for her, to show others IT can be done, and “you are

WAY more powerful than you know! There is FREEDOM through Fitness, as long as you are WILLING to change the story you tell yourself.”

Certifications
Nutritionist
Personal Training
Powerlifting