🎉Announcing the NEW Special Advisors Council of the Be A Friend Project!
- jennifer2156
- Sep 4
- 8 min read
July 26, 2025
Announcing an exciting milestone honoring our 10th anniversary: the launch of our NEW SPECIAL ADVISORS COUNCIL! We proudly welcome six inaugural members, each of whom has generously offered the strength of their name, voice, and professional reputation to amplify our youth-led movement for bullying prevention and kindness activism!
The Special Advisors Council is an honorary assembly of nationally recognized leaders and influential advocates who stand with the Be A Friend Project. With proven expertise in creating positive change, their trusted ALLYSHIP provides guidance, expands our reach, amplifies our impact, and fuels the courage of our student Upstanders working to end bullying, save lives, and build a more just, compassionate world for all children.
Although most need no introduction, read below (or click the link for our ABOUT US page) to read the power and passion each brings to the world, our mission and the life-saving work of our student Upstanders!
Profound gratitude to Judy & Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Lee Armitage, Maureen McCormick, Mark Bertolini and Emily Palmer! Each of you are a lifeline that tells every child who feels alone or afraid that they are seen, valued, and fiercely protected. Your presence gives us strength. Together, we are battling for a world where EVERY child can grow up safe, proud, and unafraid.
Judy Shepard
Matthew Shepard Foundation
2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom
We are deeply honored to welcome Judy Shepard to the Be A Friend Project’s Special Advisors Council. Judy is a mother, changemaker, and tireless advocate whose life was forever altered by the brutal anti-gay hate crime that took the life of her son, Matthew Shepard, in 1998. In the face of unimaginable loss, Judy - and her husband, Dennis - chose courage over silence by founding the Matthew Shepard Foundation to advance dignity, acceptance, and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
Judy authored the deeply moving and bestselling memoir, "The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed," sharing the personal and public journey that made Matthew a symbol of hope and equality around the world.
Her advocacy was instrumental in the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed into U.S. law in 2009 - landmark legislation that expanded federal hate crime protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and more.
In recognition of her tireless work to advance justice and inclusion, Judy received the 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Today, more than 25 years after its founding, Judy continues to lead the Matthew Shepard Foundation as its President and Chair - steadfast in her mission to erase hate and uplift LGBTQ+ people and allies nationwide.
In 2023, the Be A Friend Project was deeply humbled to receive the Spirit of Matthew Award - a powerful affirmation that our student Upstanders and staff are carrying forward Matthew’s legacy through our commitment to peer advocacy and bullying prevention, fueled by his same passion to build a kinder, more just world. Judy’s decades of advocacy to protect LGBTQ+ youth, promote dignity in schools and communities, and challenge hate in all its forms directly reflects the values that drive the Be A Friend Project.
Her leadership reminds us that change begins with courage, and that the voices of youth - especially those standing up for others - deserve to be heard and protected. As a Special Advisor, Judy Shepard’s presence amplifies our mission to end bullying, save lives, and empower young people to build a world rooted in kindness and justice - for all children.
Dennis Shepard
Matthew Shepard Foundation
We are deeply honored to welcome Dennis Shepard to the Be A Friend Project’s Special Advisors Council. In 1998, Dennis and his wife, Judy, experienced unimaginable tragedy when their son Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime that shocked the nation and galvanized a global movement for LGBTQ+ rights. In the wake of this loss, Dennis and Judy founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation, turning grief into an enduring mission to erase hate and advocate for the safety, dignity, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people everywhere.
As a longtime board member and now Board Member Emeritus, Dennis has spent over two decades traveling the country and world, speaking in schools, places of worship, police departments, and human rights forums to promote compassion and justice for all. His powerful voice and tireless efforts played a pivotal role, along with Judy, in the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed into U.S. law in 2009 - landmark legislation that expanded federal hate crime protections to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
Dennis has received numerous national honors - including the Harvey Milk Honors Medal and the Upstander Award from the Human Rights Campaign - recognizing his lifelong commitment to advocacy and education.
In 2023, the Be A Friend Project was profoundly humbled to receive the Spirit of Matthew Award, presented by Dennis and the Foundation - an affirmation that our student Upstanders are carrying forward Matthew’s legacy through youth-led activism, peer support, and powerful acts of kindness. Dennis Shepard’s unwavering advocacy exemplifies the power of personal testimony in combating hate. As a father who transformed loss into a national movement - and who has since dedicated his life to educating communities and promoting safety for marginalized youth - Dennis's presence on our Special Advisors Council strengthens the Be A Friend Project’s mission. His work affirms the impact of grassroots activism, youth leadership, and community solidarity in ending bullying and building a more just, compassionate future for all children.
Emily Palmer
Investigative Reporter
We are thrilled to welcome Emily Palmer – accomplished investigative journalist - to our Special Advisors Council. With over a decade of intensive reporting covering some of the nation’s most high profile criminal trials (El Chapo, R. Kelly, Anna Delvey), child welfare investigations, and systemic injustices, Emily brings a rare blend of rigorous research, empathy, and clarity to telling stories that matter and empowering communities.
A longtime contributor to The New York Times, Emily previously worked as a Senior Crime Writer at People Magazine. Her byline has also appeared in The Boston Globe, ProPublica, Cosmopolitan and ELLE. Her deep commitment to uncovering hard truths includes impactful work exposing child abuse, institutional neglect, and systemic failures that leave children unprotected.
Her groundbreaking work has sparked national conversations, such as a Boston Globe Spotlight series in collaboration with ProPublica that exposed lapses in child maltreatment reporting - demonstrating her unwavering commitment to challenging inequity and amplifying vulnerable voices. Emily’s membership in our council strengthens the Be A Friend Project’s mission: her investigative voice helps spotlight the unseen realities youth face, and strengthens our work empowering young Upstanders to stand up, speak out, and foster safe, inclusive schools and communities.
We are proud Emily has joined our Special Advisors Council, where her voice will help amplify the importance of youth-led bullying prevention and the urgent need for justice, safety, and dignity for all children.
@emilyepalmer
Maureen McCormick
Actress, Designer, Author, Singer
Maureen McCormick has become a powerful voice in the fight against the bullying of individuals with intellectual disabilities, using her platform to promote empathy, respect, and inclusion. Well known for her iconic role as Marcia Brady on "The Brady Bunch," Maureen has built a diverse career spanning TV, film, stage, and reality entertainment, including appearances on "Dancing with the Stars," "Celebrity Fit Club," and Broadway’s "Grease."
In 2008, she published her candid memoir, "Here’s the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice," which became a New York Times bestseller. Maureen has stepped beyond the spotlight to shine a light on an issue too often overlooked. Through heartfelt advocacy and public engagement, she stands as a fierce ally and beacon of inclusion, especially through her role as a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. Motivated by a deep personal connection - her older brother Denny has an intellectual disability - she brings both passion and purpose to her work.
Maureen uses her platform to combat hurtful, bullying language - calling for the end of the derogatory “R-word.” Her efforts not only raise awareness but also inspire others to lead with compassion, proving that kindness and understanding can break the cycle of cruelty and create a more inclusive world for everyone.
We are deeply honored to welcome Maureen McCormick to our Special Advisors Council, where her presence powerfully affirms our commitment to bring peer support to children with developmental disabilities, who are more than twice as likely to be bullied. As a beloved public figure and passionate advocate, Maureen lends not only her voice but her heart to the fight against bullying—celebrating every child for exactly who they are. Her allyship is a shining example of compassion in action.
IG @momccormick7
X @MoMcCormick7
Mark Bertolini
CEO Oscar Health
National healthcare thought leader
We are profoundly honored to welcome Mark T. Bertolini to the Be A Friend Project’s Special Advisors Council. A nationally recognized healthcare thought leader and the current CEO of Oscar Health, Mark leads with vision, compassion, and a relentless drive to improve lives.
At Oscar, he’s helping over 1.5 million members access more affordable, holistic healthcare - a mission rooted in the same values he carried as Chairman and CEO of Aetna, where he redefined the role of an insurance company as a force for community well-being. His extraordinary leadership also includes guiding Bridgewater Associates as Co-CEO, and contributing his expertise on the boards of Verizon, Thrive Global, and the FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation.
But beyond these roles, Mark is, at his core, someone who believes in using his power and platform to lift others - especially children who need it most. When Mark learned about the turning point the Be A Friend Project was facing in 2021, he offered guidance, and he took action. Mark facilitated strategic planning workshops and - through his Anahata Foundation - became a vital benefactor, funding our next chapter with a generous seed grant. His support is not just financial - it is personal, driven by a heart that sees every bullied child and every student upstander as worthy of protection, healing, and empowerment. In 2025, the BAFP awarded Mark with the inaugural Anahata Altruism Award (named for his foundation) and in recognition of this commitment.
In his courageous book “Mission-Driven Leadership: My Journey as a Radical Capitalist,” one reviewer writes, “It’s about never letting go of that which makes your heart sing.” For Mark, that purpose lives in “bringing ideas forward that help change the world.” And now, with Mark by our side, our students’ visions and ideas for creating a world without hate is lighting a path of hope, kindness, and strength for all kids.
Lee Armitage
Theater Producer
Pictured with son and actor, Iain Armitage
The Be A Friend Project is so proud to welcome Lee Armitage to its Special Advisors Council. A theater producer and mother to child star, Iain Armitage (known for his starring role in “Young Sheldon” and his early “Iain Loves Theatre” reviews), Lee is a passionate advocate for youth. Lee exemplifies what it means to be an adult ally in the fight against bullying.
As the daughter of former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, she brings a lifelong connection to public service and diplomacy - values that shine through in her dedication to kindness, empathy, and inclusion - and inspire our staff and student Upstanders.
For over seven years, the Be A Friend Project has been deeply grateful for Lee’s role as our trusted connection to Iain - supporting his involvement as an honorary Teen Kindness Board member and making it possible for the child star to follow his heart and stand in solidarity with bullied youth across the country.
As an adult ally, Lee sets the gold standard. Her steadfast support and guidance behind the scenes - and her belief in the power of youth to create change - make her an invaluable part of our team and our mission to end bullying through peer support and kindness activism.
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