POINT SCHOOL PUERTO RICO

OUR TEAM

Meet the Team

Jillian
allen

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Jill Allen serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Point School Puerto Rico. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University in Secondary Education. Jill is currently working to obtain her Master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Bellevue University. Jill began her career working in therapeutic boarding schools, where she found a passion for working with those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After finding her passion, she then focused her efforts on becoming a Behavior Specialist where she helped middle and high school students improve their behavior in the school setting. While serving as Behavior Specialist Jill provided direct intervention, created school safety protocols, and served as the Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer. Jill has also worked at non profits throughout South Florida. Through her work with non profits, Jill advocated for services for clients within their communities and provided parent support and training.Throughout Jill’s experience she has focused on how to help staff and parents see client behavior as communication of needs. Showing both families and staff that if that if they look towards what is being communicated that we can find how to both decrease the behavior and more importantly help the client is Jill’s passion. She feels that with strong relationship building, clients feel safe to seek the help they need and will be more likely to accept feedback.

    Jill originally joined Point School’s partner program, Brightstone Transitions in 2017 upon moving to Georgia. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, reading, running, and travels back to New England to see family and friends. Jill Allen serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Point School Puerto Rico. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina University in Secondary Education. Jill is currently working to obtain her Master’s degree in Human Service Administration from Bellevue University. Jill began her career working in therapeutic boarding schools, where she found a passion for working with those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). After finding her passion, she then focused her efforts on becoming a Behavior Specialist where she helped middle and high school students improve their behavior in the school setting. While serving as Behavior Specialist Jill provided direct intervention, created school safety protocols, and served as the Nonviolent Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer. Jill has also provided in-home supports to clients and families as a Case Manager and Supervisor with Boys Town of South Florida. While at Boys Town, Jill advocated for services for clients within their communities and provided parent support and training.

    Throughout Jill’s experience she has focused on how to help staff and parents see client behavior as communication of needs. Showing both families and staff that if that if they look towards what is being communicated that we can find how to both decrease the behavior and more importantly help the client is Jill’s passion. She feels that with strong relationship building, clients feel safe to seek the help they need and will be more likely to accept feedback.

    Jill originally joined Point School’s partner program, Brightstone Transitions in 2017 upon moving to Georgia. In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, reading, running, and travels back to New England to see family and friends.

JASON
COX

CO-OWNER

  • Jason is the Co-Owner. He brings a wide variety of experiences and passions to the PSPR team. Jason comes to Point School PR with years of management experience in both therapeutic programming and summer camp programs.

    Jason takes an active approach to working with clients and their families, but his work does not stop at the admission process. He continues to be involved with clients and their families throughout their time at Point School Puerto Rico. A major focus of his work with young adults is helping them find and pursue their individual passions. Jason understands that this often leads to young adults finding newways to be successful. Jason received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in Southern Urban Minority Politics from East Carolina University. Jason enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. Jason enjoys taking his son on adventures across the country.

SEAN M. ROSE
M.ED.

FOUNDER/OWNER

  • Sean M. Rose, M.Ed. has more than 24 years of experience working with and advocating for the needs of families. He has held various leadership roles in the public sector, private programs and in municipalities. Over the years, he has successfully partnered with schools, clinical staff, educational consultants and community providers to help young adults overcome their mental health challenges.

JOsh Watson,
LCSW

CHEIF GROWTH OFFICER

  • Josh is the Chief Growth Officer for Brightstone and it’s affiliate program, Point School Puerto Rico. As the CGO, Josh has the primary responsibility of ensuring innovative, sustainable, and quality growth across all areas of the organization. He maintains a regular focus on marketing, branding, customer service, strategic development, referral relations and client satisfaction.

    Josh graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He completed his graduate work in 2003 at the University of Georgia, earning a master’s degree in social work. He has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2006.

    Josh is a Georgia native and has over 20 years of leadership experience in the behavioral healthcare field, including ownership and executive positions in young adult programs, adventure therapy programs, residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools. He has been a collaborative partner with Brightstone programs since 2014, serving on the planning committee to grow and expand The Autism Symposium, a nationally recognized event that brings awareness and innovative training to the field of Autism.

    Josh believes that strong organizational culture, solution-focused leadership, and authentic relationships are three key ingredients to any successful business. At the core, he is a people person and finds his greatest passion in elevating customer experience, leading cross-functional teams, brand management, and conflict resolution.

    Josh’s life values are aligned with faith, family, fun, and hard work. He enjoys spending time with his wife Cristen, two daughters Delaney and Lily Kate, and their Golden Doodle Baker Blu, traveling and doing all things outdoors. During his free time you will probably find Josh on the golf course, on the water, or cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Robert Baldassari

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • Robert is a highly skilled professional who brings a wide range of experience and mastery to this role. With an extensive background spanning over seven years working with participants in program settings, Robert has held various positions, including guide, staff development specialist, program developer, risk and compliance officer, and leader. Currently, he serves as the Program Director at Point School, where he plays a crucial role in contributing to the program’s development and success.

    “Over the many years of working alongside Robert, I have witnessed his ability to build rapport, connect and guide young adults. Robert is passionate about finding adventure and purpose in his life and has brought this enthusiasm to the participants and team at Point School,” says Caitlin Galt, Director of Well-Being.

    Before his career in wilderness therapy, Robert accumulated over 15 years of experience in ski instructing, earning notable certifications such as PSIA Level 2, AASI Level 1, and Children Specialist 1. Outside of work, Robert embraces his adventurous spirit by engaging in activities like skiing, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and ice climbing. He has taken on remarkable expeditions, including solo climbs of peaks like Mt. Gannett, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood. Currently residing in Puerto Rico, Robert enjoys the beaches, jungle, and culture of the area.

    With his diverse skill set and unwavering commitment to personal growth, Robert Baldassari brings his passion and expertise to the dynamic world of gap year programming.

CAITLIN GALT
LCMHC

DIRECTOR OF WELL BEING

  • As the Director of Well Being, Caitlin develops and implements wellness strategies for clients. She collaborates with the team and families to promote program effectiveness, assesses clients’ mental and emotional well-being, and develops treatment plans and goals.

    Caitlin is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with years of experience in wilderness, therapeutic programs, and outpatient therapy. When Caitlin is not working with our clients she is running her own private practice. She is the Owner and a Therapist at Fairbourne Group.

    Caitlin helps us continue our commitment to creating a healthy and supportive work environment for all clients and families.

Jennifer
melton, RN

REGISTERED NURSE

  • Jennifer Melton is the nurse for Point School. She has been on staff since October 2022 and serves as the liaison between Point School and its clients, and as prescribing physician. Jennifer graduated in 2008 from Brenau University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has been a Registered Nurse now for over 16 years, starting her career on the postpartum unit welcoming new babies into the world! Her other specialties have included pediatrics and family practice. When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending quality time with her husband  going to the lake, beach, church, and sporting events. 

Kristia
Jimenez

LEAD MENTOR

  • Raised in the beautiful mountains of Orocovis, Puerto Rico, Kristia joined our Point School team in 2024. Having lived and worked in several towns of Puerto Rico, such as San Juan, Carolina, Dorado and now Isabela, Kristia brings local insight and helps facilitate cultural immersion and adventure. Kristia graduated from University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising and a Minor in Cinema Production. It was during this time that Kristia fell in love with photography and traveling the world. Kristia thoroughly enjoys building relationships with our students and teaching them about Puerto Rico’s culture and customs.

Ben
Reid

LEAD MENTOR

  • Ben Reid has been living in Puerto Rico since 2021 and has served as a Point School Mentor since 2022. Before moving to the island, he served for seven years as the House Manager for a sober living house in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri. Ben has also been a licensed Massage Therapist for 9 years and maintains diverse skill-sets with a certification as a Reiki Practitioner, as well as completing extensive coursework in Non-violent Communication (NVC).

    As an outdoor enthusiast, he quickly fell in love with the island's diverse beauty, and for two years he has served as a member of the local non-profit, Rescate Playas Borinquen. He loves integrating service learning opportunities like these with Point School students. Ben holds a background in outdoor education; graduating from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), having worked as a Camp Counselor in Colorado with Sanborn Western Camps.

    Pursing the cultivation of mind, body, & spirit, Ben integrates Zen Buddhist and Stoic philosophy into his daily lifestyle. He journals and practices yoga daily and is a habitual meditator. He believes greatly in the powerful catharsis found in creative expression, and is currently working on publishing a book of his poetry.

    Working with Point School has felt like a true alignment of purpose and passion for Ben, and he aims to meet each participant with humility, compassion, and a deep belief in everyone's inherent transformation abilities. Each day at work he finds moments that bring to mind a favorite personal mantra, "forever the teacher, forever the student,” reminding him to remain humble, and that everyone, in each unfolding moment, has the ability to contribute something of value, and also the ability to learn and grow.

KATHY HALL
MS

SPANISH IMMERSION INSTRUCTOR

  • Kathy came to Puerto Rico to get her Master’s degree in Marine Biology at UPR 35 years ago, and has remained to wholeheartedly adopt the language and culture! She holds teaching certificates in Biology, Environmental Science, and Elementary Education, and almost finished a second Master’s in Environmental Science Education at UMET. She also is a certified surf instructor and coach with the International Surfing Association, and gives surf, snorkel, and SUP lessons. Kathy has taken most of her classes in Spanish, and has realized that learning another language is much easier in an immersion setting.

    Kathy is president of the Liga Ecológica del Noroeste, a nonprofit environmental group she cofounded in 1992, and vice-president of Rescate Playas Isabela, where she is in charge of the coastal water testing program. She has gotten students involved in both taking samples, and learning how to run them in the lab to measure bacterial levels. Kathy also works with endangered species such as sea turtles and corals, and enjoys every opportunity to get students involved in protecting them.

To the Young Men:

Once you step foot on the island, you will be immersed in a different culture and language. There will be new people, foods, and activities to experience. There will be room to grow in your strengths, passions, and future goals. Our staff will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone to become your best self. This experience is not only intense, it will be deeply gratifying if you are willing to test your vulnerability.

Are you up for the challenge?