It's Your Mind

Nicole Jon Sievers, MSW, LCSW, is an innovative problem solver, author, speaker, licensed clinical social worker, educator, and social justice advocate. For over 30 years, she has worked with youth and the systems serving them. Her diverse roles have included therapist, teacher, educational district consultant, Outward Bound instructor, and forensic consultant. Nicole is the founder and executive director of Stand for Courage (standforcourage.org). This bullying-prevention program employs stories, creativity, and popular culture to recognize students leading bystander action to eradicate bullying. In 2014, the SFC school-based program was honored by the American Psychological Association with a Visionary Award. In 2017, an academic study reported that victimization decreased by 69 percent when schools implemented SFC bullying-prevention practices. Building on her bullying prevention work, Nicole currently is a producer for an upcoming IndieFlix documentary entitled "The Upstanders," about the bystander's role in bullying prevention. Nicole also is the founder of Little Mercies (littlemercies.org), a nonprofit creating channels for simple kindness and for the distribution of essentials to ease the suffering of children living in the world's harshest conditions. The current focus of Little Mercies is migrant children awaiting court dates in U.S. border towns. Also an avid supporter of the arts, Nicole has served on the Seattle Music Commission since 2014, championing youth in music, community building, creative arts, and educational initiatives while promoting Seattle's vibrant music culture. She also is an Advisory Board member of the Origins Project Foundation, which strives to address the challenges of the 21st century through public events with thought leaders. She is joined on the Origins Project Board of Directors by Nobel Laureates, award-winning authors, distinguished scientists, artists, and business leaders. In addition, Nicole serves on the Advisory Board for Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care-Kenya. PECC-Kenya is an international collaboration committed to improving the management and outcomes of critically ill children in sub-Saharan Africa. Nicole lives in La Jolla, California. She and her husband, Eric, are the grateful parents of five sons.