Our Team

Mark A. Collin, MA, MFT Author/Founder
Mark is the author of the Toolbox Project. He is a thought leader and developer of the Toolbox Project and ongoing product development. Mark created Toolbox Project while working with disadvantaged children as a counselor in a K-8 school. He has been teaching, studying, and practicing in the field of humanistic, Jungian, and transpersonal psychology for over 40 years. Mark maintains a small private practice as a marriage and family therapist in Santa Rosa, California. Formerly a craftsman and builder of fine homes, the Toolbox Project metaphor came naturally to him.

Paula Davidson -Interim Executive Director

Laurel Collin -Chief of Operations
Laurel is our Director of Operations & Fulfillment and has been working for Toolbox Project since 2010. She is the first person you hear when you call our office and makes sure everything regarding Toolbox Project runs smoothly. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island.

Rhona Berens -Trainer and Consultant
Rhona began her journey with us as a parent in a Toolbox Project school in 2013, and has been a Toolbox Project Trainer since 2015. She is a “recovering academic” who taught at the University of California, Irvine for close to a decade. Rhona is also a credentialed Professional Individual & Relationship Coach, a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, and a Certified Sanity School Live Trainer. Rhona is a lifelong learner with a special interest in the fields of psychology and neuroscience.

Susie Stonefield Miller -Curriculum Writer/Editor
Susie works for Toolbox Project as a Curriculum Writer/Editor. She worked in education as an elementary school teacher and administrator as well as with the Developmental Studies Center in Oakland for many years. In addition, she is an artist and a certificated person-centered expressive arts facilitator. She has been consulting with us on and off since 2006 and has been an essential contributor to the ongoing work of Toolbox Project.  

Makena Collin - Consultant
Makena is headed back to graduate school, but she will stay on at Toolbox Project as a consultant. She has been involved with Toolbox Project on and off since the beginning. She has many years of experience in Early Childhood Education with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and French Studies and working towards a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development.

Jason Spencer -Trainer and Consultant

Peter Hwosch -Videographer/Filmmaker
Peter is our wonderful Videographer/Filmmaker who has been working with Toolbox Project since 2007. He has compiled thousands of hours of footage including interviews with students, teachers, and experts in the field of Whole Child Education and Social and Emotional Learning as well as classroom lessons involving Toolbox Project. Peter has captured the essential discovery and magic of Toolbox Project in transforming the lives of the children, teachers, families and their communities.

Consultants

Harry Jergesen, M.D.

Amber Caldwell