MEET THE TEAM
We’ve traveled near and far, sharing the power of H.O.P.E. and action with millions! Our focus is to educate society on the impact of hopelessness, build empathy and compassion in our youth, and develop young Sweethearts & Heroes to promote bystander empowerment through leadership roles.
OUR STORY
Starting as a motivational speaking organization, Sweethearts & Heroes has evolved through multiple platforms, including digital courses, space-repetitive youth leadership programs, and written works.
The Sweethearts & Heroes message is for all audiences, K-12, small and corporate businesses, educators, parents, counselors, and professionals in every walk of life. We deliver a unique perspective and action plan that changes any climate and culture.
Founder / CEO
TOM MURPHY
Tom Murphy is a dynamic and influential figure in the world of education, youth development, and social change. Founder of Sweethearts & Heroes, a national organization dedicated to combating hopelessness and inspiring action, Tom has built a legacy around empowering others with tools for empathy, H.O.P.E. (Hold On, Possibilities Exist), and positive change.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Tom was deeply influenced by his parents, who ran a small shelter and recovery home for those in need, instilling a lifelong passion for helping others. After graduating from Cooperstown High School in upstate New York, Tom became a distinguished athlete and All-American wrestler at the University of Brockport, taking second at the 1997 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. His athletic prowess extended beyond collegiate wrestling as he professionally competed in mixed martial arts and the UFC, with an 8-0 record and joining the Ultimate Fighter Season 2.
For 16 years, Tom built a successful career in the railroad industry, becoming a Corporate Director for Rail America and running their National Rail Traffic Control Center. During this time, he also became an entrepreneur, establishing some of Northern Vermont's premier businesses, including Twiggs: An American Gastropub and The Clothier. In 2006, Tom transformed his life's mission by founding Sweethearts & Heroes, pursuing it full-time in 2015.
Sweethearts & Heroes has reached over 2 million students and educators across the United States, delivering powerful presentations on empathy, HOPE, and personal action. Tom's work goes beyond traditional anti-bullying efforts. He provides engaging, interactive workshops that combine humor, storytelling, and practical strategies to build emotional intelligence and create cultures of belonging. The crux of the message emphasizes that everyone has the power to become someone’s Sweetheart by delivering H.O.P.E. and taking action to become a hero and alleviate the distress others experience.
A proud husband and father of four, Tom now calls Saint Albans, Vermont home. He travels the nation with his friend Rick Yarosh, continuing to spread their message of resilience, empathy, and positive change. As a sought-after keynote speaker and leading voice in youth development, Tom Murphy has transformed countless lives by empowering individuals to become community heroes. Tom's core philosophy remains rooted in the lessons learned from his parents: that everyone deserves support, H.O.P.E., and the opportunity to overcome their challenges. Through Sweethearts & Heroes, he continues to create a ripple effect of kindness, understanding, and meaningful action.
Retired Army Sergeant Rick Yarosh is a proud husband and father of two. Rick was deployed to Iraq in December 2005, where he spent nine months before being severely injured by an IED in Abu Ghraib on September 1, 2006.
For half a year, Rick recovered in the hospital at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, fighting through his 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 60% of his body. He had his right leg amputated below the knee and lost both ears, his nose, multiple fingers, and most of the function in both hands. Rick received the Purple Heart for his heroic service and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Since then, Rick has spoken to millions from all walks of life, including sports teams, schools, churches, the military, non-profits, and even on Fox News! His message of overcoming adversity and turning a negative situation into a positive one has made Rick one of the world’s H.O.P.E. experts. Today, Rick is happily married and can honestly say he is better than ever. The only reason he would change that fateful moment on September 1 is if he could bring back his brothers in arms who were lost in combat.
Rick yarosh
Co-Founder / H.O.P.E. Expert
Never forget Sgt. Luis Montes & SFC Anthony Venetz.
Pat is the director of the Sweethearts & Heroes B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leadership and SEL programs. He is a certified mental performance coach who works with teams to build a strong culture of belonging and helps athletes train their brains along with their game. He is also a gifted freestyle rapper who will occasionally ‘WOW’ students with his ability to rhyme off the top of his head based on things he has learned about them. Check out his new poetry anthology, Boredom School: For Those Bored in School, a ballad of goofy prose and deep truths on the monotonous trials of school and the students who are “bored” with the status quo.
Pat graduated in 2018 from the State University of New York at Oneonta and recently completed his Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology. Pat feels his greatest contribution to the team has been made in Circle. He has become an expert on the practice of Circle for building empathy and bringing people together through deep listening and making connections. Through understanding perspective-taking, emotional sharing, and moments of compassion, Sweethearts & Heroes Circles consistently improve culture in the classroom, the school, and the community at large.
Pat Fish
Youth Leadership Program Dirctor
LT. Matt Verducci graduated from the United States Naval Academy before being commissioned as a Naval Officer. A Qualified Surface Warfare Officer, he served onboard USS ESSEX and was primarily responsible for the safe navigation of the 253-meter warship. After three years in the surface fleet, he laterally transferred to the Navy Special Warfare Community, where he graduated as the Officer-in-Charge of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S) Class 331. (The Navy holds seven BUD/S classes annually.)
Verducci lives in Dana Point, CA. He has a strong Human Performance Business Development background and joined Sweethearts & Heroes to bolster their reach through new opportunities and direct efforts to spread the message of H.O.P.E. and belonging throughout the country!
Matt Verducci
Chief Operations Officer
Brian started working with Sweethearts & Heroes in 2019, and his involvement with the organization has grown each year. Now a full-fledged team member, Brian takes on any task Sweethearts needs, from writing books and guides to administrative tasks.
Brian grew up in Williamsport, PA, where he attended the Pennsylvania College of Technology, graduating with a bachelor's in Paralegal Studies in 2018. After realizing the legal field wasn’t for him, Brian joined Sweethearts & Heroes and spent 6 months on the road learning about their impact across the States. Today, Brian lives in upstate New York with his wife and their small family of pets, working daily to spread the message of H.O.P.E. and ACTION with the team.
brian Mckeon
Project Manager
Leon wears several hats for Sweethearts & Heroes but is primarily our Media Relations & Communications Specialist — or, as Tom Murphy calls him, “our press guy.” Leon is a print journalist-turned-brand journalist who worked for nearly 20 years as a multi-award-winning reporter and columnist (humor and serious) in Vermont and South Carolina. He covered Tom Murphy’s first professional MMA match in Massachusetts and has been associated with Tom ever since (much to Tom’s dismay, of course).
Leon is the author of five published books and lives in northwestern Vermont. He will happily discuss music and/or movies with you. Anytime.
Leon Thompson
Media Realtions
For the past 17 years, Jen has taught at Peru High School. She is on leave to work full-time with the Sweethearts & Heroes team! Four years ago, Jen became one of the first Sweethearts & Heroes B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leadership Champion Teachers at Peru and began the course with just six students. The program has now blossomed to over 100 students across three levels of leadership courses!
Jen graduated from Seton Catholic High School and Plattsburgh State University, earning a B.S. in Biological Sciences. After working a few years as a Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (Pfizer) chemist, Jen earned her M.S. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. She went on to teach biology for 20 years while also earning Graduate Certificates in Wellness Counseling (Cornell University), Social Emotional Learning (Quinnipiac University), and School Building Leadership (MCLA). She is currently finishing up her School District Leader Internship at Peru CSD. Her passion for destigmatizing mental health, building positive relationships, and creating an atmosphere where everyone is listened to and in a space of dignity embodies Jen’s personal and professional philosophy.
Jen Guay
Director of human skills & student engagement
Sweethearts & Heroes worked with Winton and his staff at Bay Trail Middle School for seven years in a row pre-pandemic and returned following the pandemic. Now, Winton supports the team by assisting schools with scheduling visits, utilizing the Hope Classroom, and with onsite Circle Training for educators.
Growing up in Potsdam, NY, the joy of teamwork and the desire to help others was instilled by his parents, who were also educators, and through his experiences in scouting (achieving Eagle Scout!). After graduating from Potsdam High School, Winton earned his B.S. from SUNY Geneseo, an M.A. from SUNY Brockport, and his Administrator Certificate from SUNY Oswego. As an educator with 32 years in middle-level education, Winton has been fortunate to teach many subjects, as well as working as an enrichment specialist prior to spending 18 years as Principal and House Principal at Bay Trail Middle School in Penfield, NY.
During his career, Winton served in union leadership roles and as a trainer for various educational programs. He celebrated Bay Trail Middle School's multiple designations as a National School To Watch from 2010 to 2019. Winton is a member of several educational boards, including the New York State Middle School Association and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.
Winton Buddington
Logistics & School Outreach Director
Josiah Mckeon
Josiah is a husband and father who likes physical activities such as volleyball, surfing, and running Spartan Races. Having worked with students before and with his prior experience being a camp counselor, Josiah discovered that working with students was far better than any occupation he could have, so of course, he jumped at the chance of assisting Sweethearts & Heroes in any way that he could. Currently, Josiah is a Circle Weaver in training and learning to cultivate SEL in his own life and in the lives of the students with whom he interacts.
Josiah graduated with a B.S. from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. Though his time with Sweethearts & Heroes has been brief, he has already seen the enormous impact that the message of H.O.P.E. and Circle practice has on students and teachers. He looks forward to the many ways he can dive in to help the team and the mission at hand.
Circle facilitator
Heather is the Sweethearts & Heroes 13 Pillows expert and a certified Circle Facilitator and Trainer. For the past 20 years, she’s taught at AuSable Valley High School. While teaching 9th-grade English, Heather created a curriculum around 13 Pillows for Affective Teachers for her B.R.A.V.E. freshmen students that encompasses as much mental health focus as it does literature.
Heather graduated from Hugh C. Williams High School and then Plattsburgh State University, where she participated in NCAA Division III cross-country and track, as well as the Student Senate. After earning her Bachelor’s in English and Master’s in Education, she spent two years teaching high school English before returning to her college town, where she has remained since 2002. Today, she is the proud mother of her daughter, living in Plattsburgh, NY. Her passion and drive to create an atmosphere where students can feel safe, find their voice, and strengthen their bravery is the foundation of her teaching style and one of the strongest tools in her Superhero tool belt.
Heather Gottlob
Affective Educator
Wyatt started practicing magic and illusions at the age of 5 and has nurtured a deep passion for the art ever since. He grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. His dedication to magic has led him to travel around the country from city to city. Some of these include Las Vegas, Boston, Salem, and many more! His goal is to continually improve and expand his repertoire, creating moments of amazement for audiences and sharing his passion for magic with the world.
Wyatt saw Sweethearts & Heroes in high school and attended several events and trainings with them. Now, he’s decided to join the Sweethearts & Heroes team, working with schools to train their students to deliver the foundational Sweethearts & Heroes message.
Wyatt Hackett
S.T.E.P. trainer / magician
The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.
— Mahatma Gandhi