Our Team
Krista Gregory / Founder and Director
Krista Gregory, MDiv, is the founder of the Center for Resiliency in Austin, Texas, at Dell Children's Medical Center and affiliate faculty at Dell Medical School. Krista is a Board Certified Chaplain who has worked in the healthcare field for over 30 years at the bedside with patients and parents, physicians, and healthcare professionals, both in pediatric and adult facilities. She founded the Center for Resiliency in 2016 to equip healthcare professionals with practical, relevant tools to support thriving in all aspects of life and work and to facilitate opportunities for authentic conversations. The vision of the Center is to promote systemic cultural change in medicine. Krista is a dynamic speaker, conference presenter, and thought leader in the field of wellness and resiliency.
Phoebe Long Franco / Research Scientist
Phoebe has a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and has spent her professional career developing curriculum and facilitating classes for academic, professional, and community groups. She started working with healthcare professionals in 2016 to develop and facilitate the program “Self-Compassion for Healthcare Communities.” In 2019, she began working full-time for the Center for Resiliency to head the research program and continue to create and facilitate programs that support healthcare professionals’ resilience. Her research and writing on self-compassion, resiliency, and professional well-being can be read in peer-reviewed journals such as Pediatrics; Journal of Clinical Psychology; Psychology, Medicine & Health; Journal of Pediatric Nursing; Qualitative Social Work; and the online magazine Greater Good.
Ryan Sullivan / Staff Support Specialist
Ryan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has worked in healthcare and mental health for over 10 years, serving in diverse roles across school systems, private practice, crisis response, and population health. From early on, Ryan was drawn to the intersection of individual experience and systemic structures—how people navigate personal challenges within broader organizational and cultural contexts. This perspective shaped his commitment to person-centered care that not only supports individual growth but also promotes wellbeing across settings.
In addition to his clinical work, Ryan has been deeply involved in efforts to strengthen teams and improve organizational practices. Whether through direct service or behind-the-scenes collaboration, he believes that fostering connection, communication, and clarity within healthcare systems creates the foundation for meaningful, sustainable practices—for both individuals and institutions alike.
Tommi Reel / Administrative Coordinator
Tommi serves as the Administrative Coordinator at the Center for Resiliency. She is our logistics queen, making sure that all of our trainings, events and retreats function seamlessly. More importantly, she connects healthcare professionals with the resources we offer and ensures that they feel heard and valued as humans. She came into healthcare out of the education arena having served educators and families supporting children in the school setting. Tommi is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in business.
The Center for Resiliency is a community of healthcare professionals and friends who believe in this work. We are who we are because of all of you. Countless have donated time and advice and suggestions and resources that have been incorporated into what you experience today.
Some have donated money. We hope you will consider joining them.
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