Administrative Team
Jack Hinman, PsyD.
Executive Director
Jack Hinman comes to Moonridge Academy with many years of experience working in various residential treatment programs. He has years of clinical experience and has helped to grow and develop some exemplary girl's programs in Southern Utah. Read More
Jack can be reached at jack@moonridgeacademy.com
Jack Hinman, PsyD.
Executive Director
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT
Clinical Director
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT, LCMHC comes to Moonridge Academy with variety of experiences working in both residential and wilderness settings. Most recently Lacey was a lead clinician and trainer at New Visions Wilderness in Wisconsin. Read more...
You can contact Lacey at lacey@moonridgeacademy.com
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT
Clinical Director
Wendy Penrod
Admissions Director
Wendy went to school at Southern Utah University and earned a bachelor's of fine arts in classical acting. Wendy has been working with youth for over thirteen years. She has worked in both the private and public sector. She most recently worked at the Juvenile Justice Services. Read More...
You can reach Wendy at wendy@moonridgeacademy.com
Wendy Penrod
Admissions Director
Susan Mackert, M.Ed,
Academic Director
Susan has over 25 years of experience in education and leadership. She began her career as a junior-high teacher and then moved into the college arena where she taught business courses and managed the business and CIS program at Mohave Community College. Read more...
You can email Susan at susan@moonridgeacademy.com
Susan Mackert, M.Ed,
Academic Director
TJ Penrod
Program Director
TJ has been with Moonridge for over 13 years and loves it! TJ has worked in many positions at Moonridge Academy. Prior to becoming the Program Director, TJ taught Social Studies and worked as the Assistant Program Director at Moonridge Academy. Read More
You can reach TJ at tj@moonridgeacademy.com
TJ Penrod
Program Director
Jewly Krause
Operations Director
Jewly has over 15 years experience in Business and Relationship Management. As a Director of Operations - she was responsible for recruiting, training, and overall process improvement. Read more...
You can email Jewly at jewly@moonridgeacademy.com
Jewly Krause
Operations Director
Tawny Thomas, LCSW
Director of Outreach and Program Development
Tawny is Director of Program and Business Development for CERTS. Prior to this position, Tawny was the Executive Director of Kolob Canyon and Moonridge Academy for over 10 years. Read More
You can reach Tawny at tawny@certsgroup.com
Tawny Thomas, LCSW
Director of Outreach and Program Development
Karen Marchant
Office Manager
Karen attended Southern Utah University and earned a degree in Physical Education and Business Education. She used those skills coaching all of her children's sports teams as they were growing up. Read More...
Karen can be reached at office@moonridgeacademy.com.
Karen Marchant
Office Manager
Anndi Conder
Equine Director
Anndi Conder comes to Moonridge Academy with many years of Equine experience. Anndi has received training as an Equine Assisted Counselor. Anndi basically grew up on a horse learning to ride at a very young age. Read More...
You can reach Anndi at equine@moonridgeacademy.com
Anndi Conder
Equine Director
Clinical Team
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT
Clinical Director
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT, LCMHC comes to Moonridge Academy with variety of experiences working in both residential and wilderness settings. Most recently Lacey was a lead clinician and trainer at New Visions Wilderness in Wisconsin. Read more...
You can contact Lacey at lacey@moonridgeacademy.com
Lacey Heinzelman, LMFT
Clinical Director
Ashley Perez, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Ashley earned her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Originally from the Chicago area, Ashley has enjoyed living in the Midwest and now the Southwest. Read More...
You can reach Ashley at ashley@moonridgeacademy.com
Ashley Perez, LCSW
Primary Therapist
Kara Poole, MA, ACMHC
Primary Therapist
Kara has an MA in Mental Health Counseling from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. She also has over 12 years experience in the fields of adventure programming and group leadership. Read More....
You can reach Kara at kara@moonridgeacademy.com
Kara Poole, MA, ACMHC
Primary Therapist
Kirstin Pelela, MS, ATR
Primary Therapist
Kirstin received her Master’s Degree in a dual Art Therapy/Mental Health Counseling program at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. In 2020 she proudly became a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She has always had a passion for working with children and their families. Read More
You can reach Kirstin at kirstin@moonrisgeacademy.com
Kirstin Pelela, MS, ATR
Primary Therapist
Jack Hinman, PsyD.
Executive Director
Jack Hinman comes to Moonridge Academy with many years of experience working in various residential treatment programs. He has years of clinical experience and has helped to grow and develop some exemplary girl's programs in Southern Utah. Read More
Jack can be reached at jack@moonridgeacademy.com
Jack Hinman, PsyD.
Executive Director
Dr. Ryan Williams, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Williams is board certified in both psychiatry and pediatrics and has also completed training in child psychiatry as well as child abuse and neglect. He completed his adult and adolescent psychiatric as well as pediatric training at Tufts University in Boston MA, where he served for two years as the Chief Resident. Read more...
Dr. Ryan Williams, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Academic Team
Susan Mackert, M.Ed.
Academic Director
Susan has over 25 years of experience in education and leadership. She began her career as a junior-high teacher and then moved into the college arena where she taught business courses and managed the business and CIS program at Mohave Community College. Read more...
You can email Susan at susan@moonridgeacademy.com
Susan Mackert, M.Ed.
Academic Director
Nancy Ward
Math Teacher
Nancy Ward obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Southern Utah University. Nancy spent 4 years in college working with the Federal RTO Program at Southern Utah University, functioning as the mathematics tutor and often teaching for Student Support Services and Upward Bound. Read More...
Nancy Ward
Math Teacher
Ryan "Rev" McLean
English Teacher
Ryan "Rev" McLean is currently the English at Moonride Academy. Rev has been teaching for the past 3 years at Moonridge and for 7 years elsewhere. Read More...
Ryan "Rev" McLean
English Teacher
Ali Cecil
Social Studies Teacher
Ali Cecil has a Bachelors degree in History from Southern Utah University. She has over ten years of experience working as a mentor and shift lead in residential treatment. Ali was the art teacher at Kolob Canyon High School for one and a half years, in 2018-2020 where she created a classroom culture of encouragement, practice, and learning from mistakes. Read More....
Ali Cecil
Social Studies Teacher
Carter Miller
Science Teacher/Special Education Specialist
Carter Miller aka Coach, earned a Bachelors Degree in Special Education and Physical Education from Southern Utah University. He is currently in his 16th year of teaching. Read More
Carter Miller
Science Teacher/Special Education Specialist
Residential Team
TJ Penrod
Program Director
TJ has been with Moonridge for over 13 years and loves it! TJ has worked in many positions at Moonridge Academy. Prior to becoming the Program Director, TJ taught Social Studies and worked as the Assistant Program Director at Moonridge Academy.Read More....
You can reach TJ at tj@moonridgeacademy.com
TJ Penrod
Program Director
Jewly Krause
Operations Director
Jewly has over 15 years experience in Business and Relationship Management. As a Director of Operations - she was responsible for recruiting, training, and overall process improvement. Read more...
You can email Jewly at jewly@moonridgeacademy.com
Jewly Krause
Operations Director
Gwen Chartom
Medical Coordinator
Gwen has worked at Moonridge Academy for the past 5 years as a youth supervisor. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Southern Utah University (SUU). She has served as chair/co-chair of the Iron County Domestic Violence Coalition for the past 4 years. She enjoys being with a program that fosters growth, healing and discovery for younger teenaged adolescents. Gwen loves spending time with her family and anything outdoors!
Gwen can be reached at medicaloffice@moonridgeacademy.com.
Gwen Chartom
Medical Coordinator
Eddie Calamity
Asst. Residential Director
Eddie has worked at Moonridge Academy for 6 1/2 years. He loves the teamwork, watching the changes the students make and the environment at Moonridge Academy.
