• The Nightingale Group is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to building better relationships by creating a culture where healthy ways of relating are learned, lived, and strengthened.

  • We believe that strong relationships, emotional intelligence, and resilience are not simply traits people are born with—they are skills that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened. In a rapidly changing world shaped by technology, social media, constant connectivity, and unprecedented access to information and influence, today’s adolescents are navigating a social and emotional landscape unlike any previous generation. While technology offers tremendous benefits, it also introduces new complexities, including social isolation, anxiety, impulsivity, bullying, distorted perceptions of relationships and self, and difficulty navigating the constant demands of digital life.

    The Nightingale Group exists to help young people navigate these challenges with better tools, stronger relationships, and more meaningful options.

  • Our primary youth initiative, EQ!UP, is a prevention-oriented program for high school students that develops practical resilience and emotional intelligence skills while strengthening peer relationships. Through interactive, age-appropriate education and skill-building, students learn strategies for emotional regulation, self-awareness, social awareness, communication, relationship management, conflict navigation, coping, and healthy decision-making. Rather than waiting until a crisis occurs, EQ!UP takes a proactive approach—bringing resources upstream so young people can develop the skills and relational foundations they need before entering adulthood.

    At the heart of our work is a simple belief: better outcomes begin with better ways of relating.

    • Engage — expose young people to better options for navigating life, relationships, emotions, and challenges.

    • Empower — equip them with practical skills and confidence to make healthier choices and build stronger relationships.

    • Establish — contribute to an emotionally intelligent culture where kindness, love, respect, and connection become the standard rather than the exception.

  • We seek to create environments where young people can safely explore difficult experiences, learn practical skills, practice healthier responses, and build confidence in their ability to navigate themselves and their relationships. By pairing education with supportive relationships, trusted adults, and opportunities for meaningful practice, The Nightingale Group works to strengthen the individual while also contributing to a healthier culture.

    Our work is guided by four core values: kindness, love, respect, and connection. We believe these values are most powerful when they are not merely taught, but authentically modeled, practiced, and integrated into everyday life.

MaryBeth Koenes 

Founder/Executive Director

MaryBeth Koenes (MBK) launched The Nightingale Group as an answer to the growing difficulties in developing resilience skills and forming meaningful, safe connections in today’s cultural climate. After experiencing her own hardships as a teen and young adult and watching her husband’s struggle with mental health and ultimately ending his life by suicide, her mission in life is to help people find the tools they need to improve their quality of life. She has a background in early childhood education, youth ministry, executive life coaching, and she holds a BA in Psychology. MBK is most proud of having the opportunity to be a mother to her two children and to use all she has acquired in life to help others find hope and experience love. She can most likely be found outside in either silent awe of Mother Nature or deep in conversation with someone she adores.

Karrie McNaughton

Board President

Karrie McNaughton joined The Nightingale Group because she believes young people deserve practical tools to help them communicate, cope with challenges, build healthy relationships, and become more resilient. As the mother of two teenage boys, she has seen firsthand how valuable these skills can be and believes learning them early can have an impact that extends far beyond adolescence. Karrie’s background spans corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness, and she holds an MBA, a BS in Economics and Business Administration, and an AS in Health, Wellness, and Fitness. In her free time, Karrie can usually be found climbing mountains, taking on endurance hikes, or satisfying her sweet tooth with something homemade from her kitchen.

Board Treasurer

Matt Bubel

Matt Bubel is a local Fort Worth business owner. Being in the gym industry for over 30 years, he has seen firsthand the value of discipline, resilience, and personal growth. As Treasurer of The Nightingale Group, Matt brings his business experience, practical leadership, and commitment to the organization’s mission. He is passionate about helping develop programs that give students the tools they need to navigate challenges, build healthy relationships, and develop the confidence and skills to succeed. Matt believes that equipping young people with these tools early can make a lasting difference in how they respond to life’s hardships and opportunities. He is proud to be part of The Nightingale Group’s work to help students build healthier, stronger futures. In his downtime, he is most likely playing sports or in the water.

Loren Doran

Board Secretary

Loren is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist who whose work has centered on helping patients and families communicate, connect, and navigate the challenges that can come with illness and life transitions. Her work has given her a deep appreciation for the importance of communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, and meeting people where they are. She brings this perspective to her role as Secretary of the Nightingale Group, where she is passionate about equipping young people with the tools to navigate challenges, build meaningful relationships, and approach life with confidence and compassion. Being part of the organization allows her to combine her professional experience with her passion for supporting and empowering the next generation. Outside of her work as an SLP and with the Nightingale Group, she enjoys volunteering and spending time with her husband and their beloved greyhound dogs.

Kristin Crawford

Board Director

Kristin Crawford brings a creative eye, an attentive presence, and genuine curiosity about the experiences that shape people. Her appreciation for beauty and thoughtfully designed spaces informs both her work in interior design, where she coordinates projects, and her continued work as a professional photographer, drawing on more than two decades of experience in portrait and production photography. Kristin is the mother of four boys, including two young adults and one in high school; the loss of her oldest son to childhood cancer profoundly shaped her understanding of grief, hardship, and the unseen stories people carry. She is drawn to The Nightingale Group’s work of creating emotionally safe relationships, supporting people through difficult seasons, and helping them feel seen and less alone; she brings compassion, careful listening, and a creative perspective to the board. She can most often be found traveling with family, spending time in nature, or sharing a meaningful conversation with someone she loves.

Board Director

Alicia Hardy

Alicia Hardy holds a degree in Education with a minor in Theology and spent many years homeschooling her four children while also working with nonprofits and ministries. An entrepreneur and creative, she owns a hotel in Bardstown, Kentucky, and previously owned and operated Kaden Lake Boutique. She has also worked on design shows, helping create hospitality experiences within the film industry. At the heart of Alicia’s interests is a deep curiosity about the inner world—why we think, feel, and ultimately do what we do. It is this desire to better understand people, their stories, and what shapes their lives that draws her to the mission and work of the Nightingale Group. When she isn’t working, creating, or learning, you’ll most likely find her at the beach on St. Simons Island.