Adam Cortez

Bay Area, CA

With over 15 years of experience in technology and education, Adam brings a wealth of expertise to every project. He’s served on multiple boards, including the Lions Club and various nonprofit organizations. He has a strong family legacy within the California Teachers Association. 

Adam is also deeply committed to mentoring the next generation, having guided students at San José State University, San Diego State University and Carnegie Mellon University. Whether it’s through tech innovation or educational outreach, Adam’s passion for community and lifelong learning shines through.

Kat Tan

Big-Hearted Facilitator

Kat Tan is a depth-oriented therapist in training whose practice is rooted in soulfulness. The word psychology comes from the Greek psukhē, meaning “soul” — and Kat sees her work as the art of tending to the soul. She offers a compassionate, supportive environment where self-discovery, healing and growth can unfold. With deep reverence for the richness of the human experience, Kat holds space for people to explore the complexities of being alive and ride the rollercoaster of life with courage and curiosity.

With a background in clowning and improvisational theater, Kat brings play, presence and a spirit of delight to her facilitation. She leads with heart, intuition and a commitment to creating spaces where people can feel safe, connected and seen.

At Soul Shoppe, she weaves her passion for healing and humor into her work with students, empowering them with tools for emotional awareness, empathy, communication and connection. Her aim is to help young people grow their inner resilience and navigate life with more grace and ease — in relationship to themselves, their communities and the world around them.

Ken Scheible

Bay Area, CA

Ken currently works at encouraging and reminding adults to play, creating opportunities for them to participate in scavenger hunts, game shows and team-building games. Think “summer camp” or “elementary school field days” but for grown-ups — because he believes the world can be a little kinder and more connected if we all remember what it’s like to let our inner child out to play.

Ken has also worked as a diversity workshop leader and facilitator for Challenge Day, a violence prevention program that delivers heartfelt and life-changing programs to middle and high school students across the United States. The program promotes messaging and lessons of inclusion, acceptance and celebration of differences, similar to the Soul Shoppe philosophy but aimed at older students. 

Ken has always been committed to giving voice to those who may not know how to speak up for themselves. He not only believes in empowering young people to have the courage to defend themselves and others but in equipping them with the tools to do so. This is why he has been a long time advocate and supporter of the Soul Shoppe mission and vision, since its inception. He’s deeply honored to serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

Ken has devoted much of his spare time to volunteering at his daughter’s school on the PTA Board, as well as coaching her volleyball teams, although she has recently surpassed the skill level at which he can meaningfully contribute! 

Asher Lyons

Big-Hearted Facilitator

Asher Lyons, serving as the executive director of Medicine Theater, is devoted to facilitating liberation and healing through the art of original story creation. Over the past 23 years, Asher has immersed himself in the practice of supporting youth (particularly marginalized, inner-city youth and those with indigenous lineages) in finding their voice and healing through storytelling. His journey has been profoundly influenced by his integration into indigenous families and communities, guided by the wisdom of indigenous elders who entrusted him with the mission of reuniting youth with their ancestral practices under tribal mentorship.

Rooted in two decades of learning from storytellers across the Americas, Asher’s work is richly informed by diverse cultural traditions. Central to his mission is the commitment to reconnecting youth with Indigenous Wisdom Keepers and storytellers. Following the guidance of his indigenous relatives, he passionately supports underserved youth in rediscovering their heritage and identity.

Asher has been teaching original story crafting to youth for over 20 years, starting in 2003 as an instructor for the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s Youth Theatre Project. This experience solidified his belief in the transformative power of collaborative story creation. It was this experience that sparked the vision for Medicine Theater, where he remains dedicated to empowering youth to craft and perform their own productions. Asher’s journey reflects his unwavering commitment to cultural preservation, community empowerment and the profound influence of creative expression in nurturing personal and collective growth.

Natasha Ickes-Saman

Bay Area, CA

Natasha Ickes is a Resilience Strategist, award-winning author and multi-passionate entrepreneur whose work spans across leadership development, coaching and community service. As a 4x TEDx speaker and holder of a Professional Communications Certification from Harvard, Natasha brings her expertise in resilience and leadership to help individuals and organizations navigate change and thrive in the face of adversity.
 
As the founder of Shear Passion Salon in Oakland, Natasha combines her passion for beauty with her commitment to community. She provides free haircuts for the unhoused and mentors young women of color, guiding them to overcome societal challenges and embrace their full potential. Her dedication to service has earned her numerous accolades, including a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the California Senate and a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Known for her belief that “to whom much is given, much is required,” Natasha brings this philosophy to every aspect of her life. She’s committed to creating lasting, positive change.
 
In her spare time, Natasha embraces adventure as an avid traveler and adrenaline junkie. Whether skydiving over the Bay Area or ziplining through the jungle with her children, she continually seeks new experiences that challenge her and expand her horizons.