Dr. Leah Purpuri

I've been in the helping profession since 2009, starting as a counselor for about 6 or 7 years before transitioning into administration. Throughout my career in public education, I held broad-ranging administrative roles at both the district and building level, overseeing district testing, District 504, anti-bullying initiatives, and culture and climate efforts. In my most recent position, I focused on mental health efforts and crisis intervention. I'm particularly proud of having ushered my last district, Lacey, through 6 tragic student losses in one year - 2 by suicide, 2 by car accident, and 2 by student illness. I navigated those families through their grief and ensured they felt loved and cared for, including managing graduations for those who were graduating seniors and an 8th grader. I also recreated Ocean County Directors of Counseling and served as president for the past 3 years, and prior to that was president of Ocean County Personnel and Guidance Association. I've published two books as an editor on crisis and resiliency, and completed my dissertation on resiliency. Currently, I work as the Enrich Coordinator at America's Keswick, a historic ministry and conference grounds, where I serve as a marriage counselor, community group coordinator, provide individual counseling, conduct group counseling, and coordinate marriage retreats on the ministry grounds. I also started a women's ministry in the fall and have been leading retreats and events. My main areas of expertise are leadership and counseling - when I'm leading, I don't even feel like I'm working, it just flows out of me.