OUR TEAM
LALA LAWHON
LaLa's childhood was marked by abuse and neglect, and at the age of 13, she entered the foster care system. While in the system, she saw a heavy focus on medicating trauma symptoms, rather than promoting true healing. Despite the challenges she faced, LaLa persevered and earned a degree in Sociobiology, with a focus on the foster care system. She went on to confront her own trauma and found healing, forgiveness, and clarity.
With her newfound insight, LaLa founded a trauma-informed summer camp to empower children in foster care to heal and move forward. Her long-term goal is to reform the foster care system to promote healing and allow children to reach their full potential. Through her work, LaLa seeks to provide hope and guidance to those who have suffered like she did and to help create a brighter future for all children in foster care.
LISA DIACIK
Lisa has dedicated her life to helping others, with a career spanning over three decades in various fields of service. However, it was a personal tragedy that led her down the path of holistic health coaching. In 2014, her son Jared was diagnosed with cancer, and Lisa quit her job to become his full-time caregiver. She dove into studies of Holistic Nutrition, determined to give Jared the best possible care. Through Jared's journey, Lisa discovered a greater purpose in life and became passionate about empowering others to achieve optimal health.
After Jared's passing due to a heart condition diagnosed in childhood, Lisa was inspired to carry on his legacy by creating a non-profit organization with the same dreams and aspirations that Jared always spoke of. Her mission is to provide accessible resources and education to people of all backgrounds, so they too can experience the transformative power of holistic health. With her expertise and compassionate approach, Lisa continues to help people make lasting changes in their lives, inspiring them to unlock their full potential for health and wellness.
TONI WATT
Toni Watt is a renowned expert in the field of child welfare and has made significant contributions to the study of trauma and foster care. As a Professor and Chair of Sociology at Texas State University, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children and youth who have experienced trauma. With a PhD in Sociology with an emphasis in Demography from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Watt has conducted extensive research that is both academic and applied, with the goal of developing best practices and improving outcomes for children in the foster care system.
Dr. Watt’s research has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Pro Humanitate Literary Award from the Center for Child Welfare Policy. This prestigious award is given to researchers whose work has made a significant impact in the field of child welfare and contributes to best practices for child welfare policy. Dr. Watt’s passion for her work and her dedication to improving the lives of children in foster care has made her a respected leader in the field, and her research has informed policies and programs that have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless children and families.
JARED BUCEY
Jared's life was a testament to the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite being born with a rare heart defect, he refused to let his condition define him. His early experiences with medical procedures and therapies instilled in him a deep appreciation for the value of good health, and he committed himself to learning everything he could about holistic nutrition and self-care.
Jared's journey took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 16. Refusing to accept the limitations of conventional treatment, he chose instead to embrace a more holistic approach to healing, changing his diet and working with alternative doctors to support his body's natural healing process. The results were nothing short of remarkable, and Jared went on to live a full and vibrant life, free from cancer for eight amazing years.
Tragically, Jared passed away in 2022 due to complications with his heart. But his legacy lives on through the nonprofit that his mother, Lisa, co-founded in his honor. Jared's dream was to help other children who were going through similar struggles, and this organization is dedicated to making that dream a reality. Through education, advocacy, and support, Rise Above the Clouds is working to empower children and families to live their best lives.
SASHA DEVORE
Sasha DeVore has nine years experience as a Therapeutic Social Behavior Skills teacher at the elementary level, working with children who have experienced an array of traumas and exhibit extreme challenging behavior. Sasha's behavior intervention program is informed by research based frameworks such as Trust Based Relational Intervention and Conscious Discipline.
As an alumni of foster care, Sasha is dedicated to guiding those children in the most vulnerable populations to a life of personal fulfillment and purpose. Sasha graduated from Texas State University - San Marcos with a Bachelor of Science in applied Sociology in 2012. She is a level two reiki practitioner as well as a certified Theta healer, and has a passion for inspiring young people to be the heroes of their own story through the science fiction novels she writes.