Lauren Hines Roselle founded ESTEEM (formerly Lauren Hines & Associates Assault Prevention Programs and ESTEEM Self Reliance Self Protection) in 1991. Her original interest was in self-defense and assault prevention, and over the years she found that communication was the key component in safety and that many self-defense conversations gradually circled back to the topics of verbal and nonverbal communication; with this in mind, she developed the organization to include a variety of communication consultants and professionals who share her vision of enhancing interpersonal communication and effecting social change.
Lauren has provided programs to a diverse array of corporations, organizations, colleges, elementary, middle schools, and high schools, reaching thousands of participants with her lively and enthusiastic presentations. Specializing in personal safety, assertiveness training, sexual harassment prevention, and self-defense, Lauren trains students to use their bodies, minds and intuitions to foster safety skills and enhance communication. What she enjoys most about teaching seminars and workshops is witnessing the transformation that occurs when participants are empowered with new communication tools. The bigger the crowd, the happier and more energized Lauren is, knowing that her influence is that much broader at the end of the day.
When she’s not offering trainings and workshops through ESTEEM, Lauren can be found at Cal State Fullerton, where she currently teaches in the Speech Communication Department and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Communication.
Jen “Fred” Mahlke earned her M.A. in Human Communication Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and Rhetorical Studies and her B.A. in Human Communication Studies with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and Argumentation from California State University, Fullerton. Jen teaches part-time at local universities and also works in the private sector to help improve communication. While working with local schools (K-8 and 9-12) Jen created a successful and inspiring seminar series on Differentiated Instruction to educate and encourage teachers. Jen has also created a long running speaking series, “Improving Family Communication” that she presents at local schools and parenting groups. Jen uses her professional knowledge combined with her teaching and parenting experience to create an enthusiastic learning environment that focuses on the importance of integrating effective communication skills into every aspect of life. When working with ESTEEM, Jen focuses on family communication, teacher training, and public speaking. She finds it rewarding that ESTEEM allows her to teach many people during different stages in their lives. Jen spends most of her time being mom to her two elementary school-aged boys. Jen and her firefighter husband enjoy being involved parents at their children’s school and volunteering in their community, Diamond Bar.
Jennie M. Balise holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and an undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies. Jennie has been an instructor with ESTEEM since its inception, teaching self-defense, conflict transformation, parenting and communication trainings. Additionally, Jennie has presented conflict transformation, leadership, and parenting trainings to national audiences in California, Wisconsin, Texas and Michigan. Prior to joining ESTEEM, Jennie coordinated Intervention services for the Los Angeles County Rape and Battering Hotline (LACAAW). Jennie is dedicated to sharing and practicing the skills of Non-Violent Communication, using the model of Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., and is passionate about combining NVC and self-defense skills to empower people to build safer communities. She brings a breadth and depth of experience working with adults, teens, children and families, as well as enthusiasm and commitment, to her work with ESTEEM. She particularly enjoys witnessing transformation as participants learn the skills she teaches in the ESTEEM program.
Matthew Harris originally hails from Stockton, California. He has been a public speaking champion and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors degree in Theatre. In 2000 Matthew was a founding member of Equal Opportunity Productions, an educational operation that brought art programs to underfunded schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area and eventually in Cuba. Matthew enjoys being a self-defense instructor with ESTEEM, especially working with both boys and girls as both an instructor and padded assailant. Matt’s passions lie in conducting seminars and teaching classes that involve promoting confidence, self respect and empowerment to any and all who seek it.
Alisha Serrano is a human resources professional with specialization in recruitment, selection, and training. Her background also includes administration of a professional development program and training programs in a variety of areas including harassment and discrimination prevention and interviewing skills. Ms. Serrano holds a master degree in Speech Communication with emphasis in organizational and instructional communication and a bachelor degree in Business Administration. Ms. Serrano’s work with ESTEEM centers on using communication skills in instruction, interviewing, and harassment/discrimination prevention.
Jude M. Whitton holds a Master’s degree in Human Communication, with a specialization in Interpersonal Communication and an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies. Jude has an engaging personality and a passion for teaching and informing others in various areas of communication. More specifically, she specializes in public speaking, intergenerational communication, classroom communication and management, relational aggression in girls, bullying, and other aspects of interpersonal communication. What Jude finds most rewarding about sharing her knowledge with others is not only seeing the transformation of the students’ behavior throughout various sessions with her, but also hearing about how the knowledge gained has impacted them directly in their lives. When not working with ESTEEM, Jude teaches Communication Studies at several Southern California colleges. In her free time Jude enjoys reading, traveling, gardening and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Kelly Keepers graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of La Verne with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology. She was a member of the award-winning ULV debate team, coached by internationally renowned speech and debate expert, Ian Lising. As a composition consultant at the Chaffey College Writing Center, Kelly has facilitated study groups, leading students of varying ages in activities that foster communication skills and thoughtful, intentional cooperation. Working with ESTEEM provides Kelly with many opportunities to reach young adults by teaching them valuable communication and safety skills. She also enjoys volunteer work with young women to encourage development of self-esteem and appreciation for their inner beauty and personal worth. Native to Southern California, she enjoys participating in demonstrations in support of social justice and striving to broaden her social consciousness and minimize her ecological footprint while sampling the worldviews of various faiths. And when she’s not working with Esteem, Kelly is a Beatles-obsessed, avid clearance rack shopper with a budding interest in politics and a strong dislike for Monopoly; she loves spending quality time with her husband, family, and friends.
Cassandra Carlson has a B.A. in Human Communication studies with a concentration in Intercultural Communication. She is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Human Communication with an emphasis on Social Influence and Persuasion. Cassandra has worked for Nexwave, an international youth program in Perth, Australia. Her specific team focused on creating, facilitating, and delivering health education seminars to high-school students around Australia. The topics of Personal Identity, Eating Disorders, and Family Communication were her primary focus. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2004, she volunteered as a youth worker in Redlands, CA, hosting youth discussion groups and participating in youth mentoring. Being a survivor of an eating disorder in high school, she now has a strong desire to assist teens and adults in developing their self-image, identity, and character. Cassandra also spent four years studying and training international service teams in intercultural communication and service. Her trainings included coverage of cross-cultural communication competence, dealing with culture shock, cross-cultural service, and training in specific cultural customs of the service locations. Her work has taken her to Thailand, India, Romania, and Panama. Cultural background plays a significant role in the development perceptions of self and others. Her work with ESTEEM allows Cassandra the opportunity to follow her passion in bridging the communication gaps that cross-cultural encounters can leave behind.
Mary Bleier became involved in teaching full contact self-defense and anti-abduction skills to women, young adults and children in 1994 and is still passionate about helping people to become fully empowered. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies/Psychology from Antioch University and is on the core faculty at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Mary believes in doing everything she can to create a safer and more just world and is excited to be a part of the ESTEEM team.
Lauren has provided programs to a diverse array of corporations, organizations, colleges, elementary, middle schools, and high schools, reaching thousands of participants with her lively and enthusiastic presentations. Specializing in personal safety, assertiveness training, sexual harassment prevention, and self-defense, Lauren trains students to use their bodies, minds and intuitions to foster safety skills and enhance communication. What she enjoys most about teaching seminars and workshops is witnessing the transformation that occurs when participants are empowered with new communication tools. The bigger the crowd, the happier and more energized Lauren is, knowing that her influence is that much broader at the end of the day.
When she’s not offering trainings and workshops through ESTEEM, Lauren can be found at Cal State Fullerton, where she currently teaches in the Speech Communication Department and is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Communication.