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In Person
Pathways to Innovation Conference

Purpose Becomes Passion: Empowering the Next Generation Through Innovative, Tech-Enabled Student Support

Jeffrey A. Johnston, CEO at Brightn, Inc. & Founder
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Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Understanding the interconnected nature of mental health, financial wellness, and sense of purpose.

  • Practical strategies for implementing digital-age wellness solutions.

  • Research-based insights into adolescent’s unique challenges and opportunities.

  • Actionable frameworks for creating supportive, holistic youth wellness programs.

  • Methods for engaging young adults through gamification and technology.

Description

Drawing from both personal experience and professional expertise, Jeff Johnston shares a powerful narrative about transforming personal tragedy into a mission to empower young adults. After losing his oldest son, Seth, to Fentanyl at the age of 23 in 2016, Jeff set out on a mission to empower young adults to take back their mental health.

Unimaginably, in 2021 Jeff then dealt with the loss of his wife of 21 years, Prudence, to alcohol, addiction and ultimately grief. This just validated the road that Jeff is on to impact lives.

Diving head first into the current mental health challenges, Jeff discovered a critical gap in how we prepare students for life's challenges. This session explores an innovative approach to young adult wellness that integrates mental health, financial literacy, and purpose-finding - three crucial elements often overlooked in traditional education.

Presenters

Jeffrey A. Johnston, CEO at Brightn, Inc. & Founder
Jeff Johnston's life took a profound turn in October 2016 when his 23-year-old son Seth died from fentanyl poisoning. Rather than letting grief consume him, Jeff chose to transform his pain into purpose, leaving his successful financial services career to become a passionate advocate for youth mental wellness. Prior to this event, Jeff was the owner of a thriving wealth management firm situated in the heartland of America he founded in 1989. After starting his nonprofit, the Living Undeterred Project in 2020 and sharing his story through his book and podcast, tragedy struck again when Jeff lost his wife Prudence of 21 years to alcoholism in 2021, she was only 46. Determined, he embarked on a profound 20,000 mile, 95-day journey across America in a RV to break stigmas around mental health and substance use disorder. Today, Jeff continues his mission of hope through Brightn, a new mental wellness initiative for young adults. Jeff has guided thousands of individuals in improving their lives over the last 8 years.