Who's who in the Dignity Index Course
Madeleine Jones
Madeleine Jones is a Higher Education Associate at the Dignity Index, where she leads efforts to embed dignity-centered practices within colleges and universities. She first joined the Dignity Index during its 2022 pilot at the University of Utah, where the project's impact inspired her to co-found Students for Dignity, a student-led initiative that brings dignity to campus conversations. Madeleine holds a multidisciplinary background in political science, psychology, and sociology from the University of Utah. During her academic career, she contributed to education and public policy through her work on the development team at the Granite Education Foundation and as an intern for the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel at the Utah State Legislature.
If you have questions or want to engage with someone regarding the course content, please feel free to contact Madeleine at madeleine@unite.us
The Course Instructor
Tim Shriver
CEO & Founder Co-Creator of The Dignity Index
Tim Shriver is married, a father of 5, the Chairman of Special Olympics International, co-creator of the Dignity Index, and co-founder of UNITE. Tim began his career as an educator and co-founded and currently chairs the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). He earned his undergraduate degree from Yale University, a Master's degree from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. He has produced 6 films, is the author of the NYT bestseller Fully Alive – Discovering What Matters Most, and co-editor of The Call to Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening.
Chief Strategist & Director of Research
Co-Creator of The Dignity Index
Tom Rosshirt
Tom Rosshirt is a co-creator of the Dignity Index. Previously, he was a high school teacher, a syndicated columnist, a Capitol Hill press secretary, and a Special Assistant to the President in the Clinton White House, where he was foreign affairs spokesman for Vice President Gore and national security speechwriter for President Clinton. Tom is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in Philosophy, and has a Master’s degree from Harvard, where he studied Human Development. He is co-founder of West Wing Writers, the Washington DC writing and strategy firm, and the author of Chasing Peace: A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience, published in 2025 by Penguin Random House.
Tami Pyfer
Chief External Relations Officer
Co-Creator of The Dignity Index
Tami Pyfer is the Chief External Affairs Officer for UNITE and co-creator of the Dignity Index. Tami leads the Dignity Index government and corporate partnerships. Before joining UNITE Tami served as Education Policy Advisor to former Utah Governor Gary Herbert, where she was involved in state level policy development, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement. She held local and state elected offices for 12 years including 4 years on the Utah State Board of Education. Tami’s professional training is in Special Education and before her appointment to serve on the Governor's executive team she taught at Utah State University in the Special Education teacher preparation program. Tami was a 2024 Emerson Collective Fellow – part of the Community Champions Cohort, and one of USA Today’s 2025 Women of the Year, representing Utah.
Meghan Monroe
Senior Program Associate
K-12 Education
Meghan Monroe is the Lead of the Dignity Index Youth Division, where she focuses on enhancing K-12 education implementation. Before joining Unite, Meghan gained extensive experience in education, serving as educator in Washington D.C. public schools. She has also worked in the EdTech space as a Learning and Development Analyst and Client Success Manager. Meghan is a proud HBCU graduate, where she holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Morris Brown College, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Howard University, and a Post-Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from George Washington University.
Kara Bryne