Speakers Team

Soul-Aware Communicators for Your Service, Conference, or Event

Book an Emerge Speaker

Our speaking team is available for your service, conference, or event. Explore the team and their topics of focus below.

Robert Crosby, PhD, DMin

President / CEO

Dr. Robert Crosby’s teaming leadership principles and practices have enriched leaders and pastors across the nation, adding value to their organizational development. He has written several books, including The Teaming Church: Ministry in the Age of Collaboration, More Than a Savior, and The One Jesus Loves. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) and a PhD in Organizational Leadership (Regent University).

Special Focus: Team & Organizational Development • Soul-Care for Servant Leaders • Intimacy with God • Wholeness in Marriage • Parenting

Don Lichi, PhD

Vice President Emeritus

Dr. Don Lichi is a frequent speaker at both sacred and secular conferences, and seminars across the country. He is a seasoned clinician with years of rich experience in counseling and consulting pastors and leaders. Dr. Don directs the Ministers Enrichment Team at Emerge, a group of pastor-focused clinicians developing soul-care treatments for pastors and their families. He is also the co-author of Broken Windows of the Soul.

Special Focus: Faith-Based Counseling • Mental Health Life Skills • Overcoming Porn Addiction •  
Marriage Enrichment

Pamela Crosby, MA

Executive Director of Communications

Pamela Crosby is a certified life coach and oversees communications at Emerge. She speaks to leaders and women across the country of the many practical ways the Word of God empowered her to overcome depression and embrace life. Her master’s degree focus was on “the theology of work and calling,” which inspires her leadership, coaching, and speaking.

Special Focus: Theology of Work • Discovery of Calling • Depression and the YFactor • Embracing Mom Moments • The Teaming Marriage

David Blankenship, PhD, LPCC-S

Director of Clinical Services
Coordinator of Education & Addiction Treatment Partnerships

Dr. Dave Blankenship is a clinician, educator, and researcher focused on integrating cognitive neuroscience in counseling, diagnostic accuracy, and effective treatments for trauma. He has over 16 years of clinical experience and taught graduate courses for 7 years at the University of Akron. Dr. Dave oversees the development and growth of Emerge’s educational programs, and coordinates addiction recovery partnerships.

Special Focus: Education & Training • Trauma • Anxiety • Addictions

Matthew Knabe, MA, LPC

Director of Operations
Host of Experience Emerge Podcast

Matthew Knabe is a counselor to numerous teenagers and young adults at Emerge. A former touring guitar player in the Christian band, Sonicflood, Matt came into counseling through a healing experience of his own. He is the host of Emerge’s Podcast, ExEm (Experience Emerge), and a popular speaker on college campuses.

Special Focus: Trauma • Young Adults & Teens • Marriage & Family Counseling

Gary Underwood, MDiv, DMin

Director of Development & Ministry Partnerships

Natasha Biddings, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Jason Tourville, MA

Professional Counselor

Interested in Booking?

If you’re interested in booking a member of our speaking team, let us know and an Emerge representative will be in contact with you shortly.

Due to a local winter storm warning, Emerge Counseling Ministries will be closed Friday, January 19th and will reopen pending improved weather conditions. We are offering telehealth appointments only pending the clinician’s availability to do so.