Meet Our Team

          Founder 

Michael Perko

When Mike Perko was six years old, he nervously stepped on the ice in Ithaca, NY for his first youth hockey practice and promptly had an asthma attack. A coach knelt down, put his hand on Mike’s chest and gently talked him back to a state of calm. Mike never forgot this and has made it his purposeful work to embrace care and empathy in all areas of his life. 

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Dr. Mike Perko is a professor of Public Health Education at UNC Greensboro and the award‑winning author of How to EAT, LEAP, and SLEEP like a SUPERHERO! A winner of 15 teaching awards, he has delivered over100 invited talks, and been featured on ESPN Outside the Lines, NPR, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. Mike has testified before Congress, and has lobbied for greater access for physical education and nutrition.

The Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Southwest Guilford High School, Dr. Perko and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of Jack, an Army ROTC scholarship student at UNC–Chapel Hill, and Elena, a UNC–Chapel Hill student in the School of Journalism and Media.

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           Founder 

Stephen Hebard

Stephen Hebard, PhD, is the Co‑Founder of 500 Fist Bumps and CEO of The Hebs Group, where he helps organizations strengthen youth mental health by improving the everyday interactions that build trust and connection. He specializes in translating research into evidence‑informed programs, practical evaluation tools, and impact stories that support sustainable funding.

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With a PhD in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, his experience spans clinical practice, behavioral research, program evaluation, and product design. Dr. Hebard has secured more than $5M in federal and state grants focused on youth mental health and behavioral interventions. His scholarship includes work on mental health in sport, coach‑athlete relationships, and social‑emotional learning.

Stephen proudly coaches U8 academy soccer with NC Fusion and serves on the board of UNC Greensboro’s Department of Counseling and Educational Development.

Board of Directors

Ruby Brown-Herring

Ruby is the CEO of RBH Wellness Solutions, helping businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits build effective workplace mental health and employee‑engagement strategies. A collaborative leader and nationally recognized expert in corporate wellness and community mental health education, she partners with organizations to create healthier, more resilient workforces.

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With over 20 years of experience in program management and adult, continuing, and higher education, Ruby also serves on the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s National Trainers Corps, training Mental Health First Aid instructors across the country. She holds a BSW from UNC Wilmington and an M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina.

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Ruby lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband, Ty, and loves spending time with family and singing.

Board of Directors

Robert Black

Robert Jones Black is the Founder and President of the Generation Next Project, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth mental health. The great‑grandson of golf legend Bobby Jones, Robert blends his family’s legacy with a personal commitment to helping young people build resilience, confidence, and emotional well‑being.

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A former Division I athlete at Appalachian State University, Robert has built a career in sports and entertainment marketing, working with Fortune 500 brands and prominent figures including Evander Holyfield, Danica Patrick, Richard Petty, and film producer Larry Meistrich. He serves as Assistant Coach for Varsity Men’s Soccer at Page high school and proudly represents the mission of 500 Fist Bumps on its board of directors.

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Despite his lineage, Robert jokes that his golf game is best appreciated from the trees—but his love for the sport runs deep.

Board of Directors

Marlee Rindal

Marlee Rindal is the Executive Director of the Ragsdale Family YMCA, where she oversees the day-to-day operations and whole-heartedly subscibes to the YMCA's mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

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Certified in Mental Health First Aid

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Marlee's expertise related to 500 FB would be working with Ragsdale YMCA youth through programs like Summer camp, afterschool and sports.  We focus on developing our youth through programs and our character pillars of caring, honesty, responsibility and respect. 

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Board of Directors

Bill Steffen

Dr. Bill Steffen is a longtime educator and coach with more than 30 years of experience in collegiate coaching, sport psychology, and coach development.

A Senior National Staff Coach with United Soccer Coaches, he serves as Chair of the Ethics Committee and Goalkeeper Coaching Lead Educator, training thousands of coaches nationwide. He has coached at UNC, Duke, and the University of Oregon, and is currently an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Wingate University. An award‑winning educator, Dr. Steffen has published in leading journals and presented at USCCE, APA, AASP, and over 17 United Soccer Coaches conventions.

Passionate about fitness, he has completed the Grand Canyon rim‑to‑rim‑to‑rim. He lives with his wife, Refilwe, and their son, Will, a professional soccer referee.

Intern

Maria Golden

Maria Golden is a senior Public Health Education major at UNC Greensboro, with an associate degree in Physical Education from Herkimer College. She is passionate about using sports as a platform to support youth mental, physical, and social well‑being and plans to pursue a career creating safe, inclusive, and empowering environments for young athletes.

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An athlete herself, Maria has played basketball and tennis, strengthening her leadership and teamwork skills. She is deeply committed to service through her church, has earned consistent academic honors including the Dean’s and Chancellor’s Lists, and recently received an Activities Excellence Award for her work with children.