Emily Svoboda is a Senior Operations Associate at the Center for Children and Family Futures, bringing over a decade of experience supporting adolescents and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges. As a former Clinical Director and therapist, she specializes in trauma-informed care, youth development, co-occurring disorders, and family-centered interventions. Her expertise informs her current role, where she leads staff development and onboarding, designs training curricula, and supports organizational learning. Emily also contributes to policy and procedure development aimed at enhancing cross-project collaboration and staff engagement. She holds an MS in Counseling and a BA in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. 

Michaela Fanelli, EdD candidate in Higher Education Leadership, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist. She currently serves as Manager of Professional Development and Learning at the League School for Autism, where she leads efforts to create inclusive professional development experiences for all roles. Michaela’s expertise spans autism, behavior, and special education administration, with a focus on applying evidence-based practices to design meaningful and transformative professional learning. 

Dr Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting settings, services and systems to create systemic change to the way that we work with those experiencing and living with, the legacy of trauma. Lisa has been working in and around Education and Children’s Services for over 35 years and combines academic knowledge and research with professional expertise and personal experience. Lisa has worked extensively with Social workers, Educators, Probation Workers and those in Adult Services, training and speaking to over 35,000 people around the world including in the US, Australia and Pakistan and across the whole of the UK.

Up until August 2025 Lisa was the Founder and Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Ltd leading a dynamic and creative organisation that provides a 'one stop' approach to delivering on research, consultancy and learning and development.   Lisa is still very much an integral part of TICS Ltd.

Lisa has produced multiple pieces of research for various settings and Lisa's own MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970's and 1980's. In February 2024 Lisa completed her DPhil research at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education. The research asked "How do care experienced adults who were also excluded from school make sense of belonging?"

Lisa is the author of the hugely successful and award winning book 'Conversations that make a difference for Children and Young People' (2021), 'The Brightness of Stars’ 3rd Edition (2022), and her most recent book, Weaving a Web of Belonging (2025).   Lisa's next book 'Caring for the people who Care' is due to be published in December 2025.

Robert E. (Bob) Lieberman has over four decades working with young people and families facing serious challenges, in a variety of capacities, including 28 years as CEO of Kairos Northwest. He has written extensively and is lead or co- author, and editor, of ACRC’s “Redefining Residential” papers, as well as co-editor of two books on transforming residential interventions. He chairs the Outcomes Workgroup of the Building Bridges Initiative, is certified by Massachusetts General Hospital as a trainer in Collaborative Problem Solving and is a certified Master Trainer in the NEAR sciences. He is currently President of Lieberman Group, Inc. and trains and consults across the country and internationally.

Dr. Robert (Rob) Anda graduated from Rush Medical College in 1979 and received his board certification in internal medicine in 1982. He holds a Masters degree in epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin.   In 1984 he was accepted into the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he conducted research in disease surveillance, behavioral health, mental health and disease, cardiovascular disease, psychosocial origins of health-risk behaviors, and childhood determinants of health. Rob is the author of more than 200 publications, and has received numerous awards and recognition for scientific achievements. 

In the early 1990’s, Rob began a collaboration with Dr. Vincent Felitti at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego to investigate child abuse as an underlying cause of medical, social, and public health problems. This effort lead to a large-scale study funded by the CDC to track the effects of childhood trauma on health throughout the lifespan, called the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). Rob played a principal role in the design of the study, and serves as its co-principal investigator and co-founder.

The ACE Study is the most important public health discovery of our time. Findings from the ACE Study have resulted in more than 70 publications in major medical and public health journals. The ideas from this work are now influencing the design of similar research around the world. ACE Study findings have been presented at Congressional Briefings and numerous conferences around the world.  The ACE Study is being replicated in numerous countries by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is in use to assess the childhood origins of health and social problems in more than 25 U.S. states.

After a decade of service to the CDC as a senior scientific consultant, Rob turned his focus to speaking and consulting with leaders in public health, medicine, corrections, judicial and social service systems and with local, state, national, and international organizations about the ACE Study. He has appeared in national newspapers and television networks and is frequently invited to speak about the ACE Study and his experiences around the country working on applications of ACE Study concepts.

Rob is co-founder of ACE Interface, a company that provides education, analysis, facilitation, and products focused on helping people to develop Self-Healing Communities that prevent ACEs and improve well-being. He and his work are highlighted in the documentary “Resilience” by Jamie Redford that was accepted to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and is now being shown across the nation.

Rob is passionate about scuba diving and enjoys fishing and golf.  He makes his home in Peachtree City, GA.

Laura Porter has over 20 years of experience teaching about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the power of local people to build a better life now, and for the future. 

In past years, she served as an elected County Commissioner and as Staff Director for a Council of 10 state leaders, including representatives of four Legislative caucuses, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Governor and four cabinet members. The Council provided a structure for coordinating system improvements across five state agencies and forty-two communities. Laura’s work with state and community leaders generated improvements in the rates of problems including crime, addiction, abuse, depression, suicide, and dropping out of school. 

Laura and Dr. Rob Anda are co-founders of ACE Interface, a company that provides education, analysis, facilitation, and products to help state and community leaders to build Self-Healing Communities. Their current work is focused on developing an alternative multi-sector finance and management model for reducing ACE-related risks. The model design will leverage collective resources, scientific insights, and community wisdom to achieve sustainable improvements in population health and wellbeing while reducing long-term fiscal burdens.Top of FormBottom of Form

Jennifer Benner has worked in the field of child welfare for 25 years, with a special interest in therapeutic foster care. She now serves as the Manager of Pre-Service training, which incorporates nation-wide training and fidelity monitoring. 

Roy Van Tassell is Director of Trauma and Evidence-based Interventions for Centene. A Licensed Professional Counselor with 45 years of practice, he co-chairs the SAMHSA funded National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s subcommittee on Children with Problematic Sexual Behaviors. He is an approved national trainer for 3 Evidence-supported models including: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) a model for secondary trauma. 

Emma Harding is a licensed Marriage and serves as Director of the Meraki Institute of Learning. Her background includes providing therapeutic services in school-based settings ranging from early education through college. Emma is trained in advanced play therapy techniques and EMDR. She has experience and is passionate about working with families and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, in addition to years of experience in providing and working with various after-school and summer programming for youth. Emma is passionate about spreading awareness and education regarding trauma-informed care and resiliency-based models.

Brooke Holloway, LMSW started her career as a wilderness and adventure therapy field instructor. She led backpacking, whitewater rafting, snowboarding, and rock climbing trips with young people suffering from the effects of trauma and abuse. She worked in North Carolina, California, and Colorado before moving back home to Mississippi where she serves as the Assistant Director of the CARES Center at Canopy Children’s Solutions. As an avid CrossFitter, runner, and play enthusiast, Brooke values the importance of a healthy mind and body. 

As a former practicing criminal and civil law attorney and higher education executive, Thompson brings over 20 years of DEI experience and passion for social justice to nonprofit work. Thompson earned a BA from Colgate U and a JD from Suffolk Law School. Currently, Naomi serves as the Director of DEIB for the Home for Little Wanderers, where she incorporates Circle practices to build community and resolve conflict. Naomi is the proud mother of her son, Benjamin.

In her work in child welfare in Boston, MA, Elizabeth Woodruff has poured her energy into practices that embrace transformative responses to harm, keep families together, and reduce out-of-home mental health treatment. Over the last 13 years, Elizabeth has kept Circles with youth, caregivers, employees, and her own family. Elizabeth is a tireless advocate for aligning mental health service delivery with the values of Circle practice, Power Literacy, and Restorative Justice. 

Kevin Roach serves as CEO of MCHS Family of Services. He brings 20 years of leadership in the child welfare and nonprofit world, having served in a variety of settings and with diverse populations and organizations across the country. Kevin is obtained his undergraduate BSW at Saint Louis University and his MSW at the University of Pennsylvania. At MCHS, he has led the agency through ambitious strategic planning, including becoming restraint free and leading expansion efforts of new programs, services, and locations throughout Michigan. Under his tenure, MCHS has grown over 250% while significantly serving more youth and families throughout Michigan. MCHS has expanded from one to eight locations, built and opened a trauma-informed charter school, and most recently started transitional housing services, prevention services, senior programs, and unaccompanied children and refugee services. Kevin remains active in the community, participating on several boards and committees, consulting with nonprofits around the country, and presenting at several panels and conferences around the country. Passionate about children and families, community development, and social justice, Kevin is also a reading enthusiast, wannabe foodie, recovering political junkie and golf hack, but his best title is Dad.

Lisette joined ACRC in 2020 after serving on the board of directors as the Public Policy Committee Chair for several years. In addition to leading ACRC’s advocacy efforts, Lisette builds coalitions and strategic partnerships and she utilizes her experience and skills to provide expert-level guidance, policy analysis, practice support, facilitation, strategic planning, and consultation services to ACRC’s membership and non-member systems, agencies, and associations. Previously, Lisette was the Vice President of National Advocacy and Public Policy for the national nonprofit Boys Town, where she advocated for effective federal and state policies related to child welfare, juvenile justice, education, and health. Lisette’s foundational experiences are in direct care, and she joined Boys Town in 2007 as a Family Teacher caring for girls in foster care and boys committed to the juvenile justice system in a family-style, community-based, therapeutic residential program. Prior to Boys Town, Lisette worked in North Carolina as a program director at a therapeutic residential wilderness program and later as a community organizer focused on quality early childhood education and parental involvement in schools. Lisette serves on several national policy committees, coalitions, and working groups. She is a mayoral appointee to the Washington, DC Juvenile Justice Advisory Group and an Associate Editor for the Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma. Lisette regularly facilitates conversations and shares policy and practice insight and expertise with local, state, national, and international audiences. Lisette received her B.S. in Science from the Eberly College of Science at Penn State University. She earned her J.D. at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law, where she was a Leadership Scholar and Schweitzer Fellow, a pro bono law clerk representing children with special needs, a student attorney at the National Association of the Deaf, and a legislative intern with the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Wendy Wang, Chief Public Policy & Advocacy Officer, is a champion of many issues critical to the success of community-based organizations, including the importance of culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate care practices. This crucial work reflects the experience and insight acquired not only during her time at Sycamores, but also her previous experience at Pacific Clinics, the Association of Community Human Services Agencies and as a member of Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn’s administration. Ms. Wang currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Public Policy Committee for the Association of Children’s Residential Centers (ACRC) where she is also a board member. At her alma mater, USC, Ms. Wang served as President of the Price Alumni Association Board of Directors and on the board of the Asian Pacific Alumni Association. She was recognized for her dedication and years of service with the USC Widney Alumni House Award, the GPAC Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award and the Student Health Administration’s Honorary Alumna of the Year Award.

Ms. Wang received a Master of Public Policy from University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts from Claremont McKenna College.

Kevin Roach serves as CEO of MCHS Family of Services. He brings 20 years of leadership in the child welfare and nonprofit world, having served in a variety of settings and with diverse populations and organizations across the country. Kevin is obtained his undergraduate BSW at Saint Louis University and his MSW at the University of Pennsylvania. At MCHS, he has led the agency through ambitious strategic planning, including becoming restraint free and leading expansion efforts of new programs, services, and locations throughout Michigan. Under his tenure, MCHS has grown over 250% while significantly serving more youth and families throughout Michigan. MCHS has expanded from one to eight locations, built and opened a trauma-informed charter school, and most recently started transitional housing services, prevention services, senior programs, and unaccompanied children and refugee services. Kevin remains active in the community, participating on several boards and committees, consulting with nonprofits around the country, and presenting at several panels and conferences around the country. Passionate about children and families, community development, and social justice, Kevin is also a reading enthusiast, wannabe foodie, recovering political junkie and golf hack, but his best title is Dad.

Robert E. (Bob) Lieberman has over four decades working with young people and families facing serious challenges, in a variety of capacities, including 28 years as CEO of Kairos Northwest. He has written extensively and is lead or co- author, and editor, of ACRC’s “Redefining Residential” papers, as well as co-editor of two books on transforming residential interventions. He chairs the Outcomes Workgroup of the Building Bridges Initiative, is certified by Massachusetts General Hospital as a trainer in Collaborative Problem Solving and is a certified Master Trainer in the NEAR sciences. He is currently President of Lieberman Group, Inc. and trains and consults across the country and internationally.

Like a lot of parents, Nancy started her “career” learning to navigate the child serving systems for her children. Little did she realize that her personal experiences would lead her on professional quest to ensure every family, no matter the challenges they face have access to a family peer helping and supporting to teach, coach and mentor parents /caregivers as they journey towards their personal strength and empowerment.

Madison Forde is a doctoral student in the Clinical/Counseling Psychology program at New York University. Her research interests include youth mental health, parent-child relationships, trauma-exposed populations, and increasing access to community
 based/culturally-informed interventions. Her scholarship examines how parent-child interactions amongst trauma exposed populations impact caregiver mental health and youth development, and how practitioners can improve access to and retention of underserved populations in mental health services. 

Michele Boguslofski has worked in the field of human services since 1987. Her passion has its roots in six years of direct care as a practitioner in residential care and treatment, and years in various leadership and administrative capacities. She is the Executive Director for the Teaching Family Association, a network of providers around the world committed to effective, research-driven, and evidence-based practice for persons and families. 
Michele works with, educates, and supports public and private agencies and organizations internationally, in diverse program environments and cultures. She has, and continues to, witness first-hand the amazing impact and outcomes that children, teens, adults, families, and communities can experience when they work with talented, trained, dedicated, and accountable professionals. 

Over the last 15 years Tom has worked in senior leadership roles in government and non-government agencies in the UK and New Zealand and delivered, implemented and innovated within the field of evidence-based programs in England, New Zealand and now Australia.
Tom is a qualified social worker. He started his career working in residential care settings in the UK and has been involved in the delivery of high-quality residential care for much of the last 15 years.
While at the NHS in England, Tom worked for National Implementation Service to support the growth of MST and other evidence-based programs (EBP) focused on early intervention. In NZ Tom led the implementation of the Teaching Family Model (TFM) at Youth Horizons as well as a range of other EBP. 

Amanda Smith-Chonko, MBA, is an Evaluation Coordinator in the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge. She specializes in program evaluation, data analysis, and continuous quality improvement, contributing to the organization’s overall effectiveness. In her role, she develops evaluation plans, supports grant proposals, and researches new technologies to strengthen evaluation practices. Amanda also prepares evidence-based reports and presentations that inform decision-making at both the programmatic and organizational levels. 

Michael W. Valenti has a doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently employed as the Director of the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge. His tasks include program evaluation, monitoring quality improvement activities and metrics, and coordinating research activities. His recent research activities include exploring relational health and exploring social networks in community-based behavioral health organizations. 

Kimberly J. Lohrfink, PhD is a Senior Research Coordinator in the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge. She assists the director with maintaining and coordinating research and evaluation activities for Pressley Ridge, supports the quality improvement activities of the organization, and leads the organization’s current data literacy initiative. Kimberly earned a doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her recent research interests include relational health, underserved and underrepresented populations, and maternal and child health and well-being. 

Charis Stanek is an MSW-PhD student in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. She has prior experience as an Undergraduate Intern, Case Manager, and a Clinical Social Work Intern at three distinct youth residential care facilities for adolescent females. She has experience providing individual and group psychotherapy in a residential treatment setting during her MSW practicum. She is passionate about research-informed practice and transition services for youth and families experiencing residential care to optimize their long-term mental health outcomes. 

M. Grace Albright, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She serves as the lead researcher for Think:Kids at MGH, which develops, studies, and disseminates the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach. CPS has been implemented and evaluated in residential treatment and community settings for more than two decades as a framework for supporting youth with challenging behaviors. 

Charis Stanek is an MSW-PhD student in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. She has prior experience as an Undergraduate Intern, Case Manager, and a Clinical Social Work Intern at three distinct youth residential care facilities for adolescent females. She has experience providing individual and group psychotherapy in a residential treatment setting during her MSW practicum. She is passionate about research-informed practice and transition services for youth and families experiencing residential care to optimize their long-term mental health outcomes. 

With over five years of work experience with nonprofits in India, New York, and Massachusetts, I specialize in using data-driven techniques to support non-profits in outcomes identification/measurement, program improvement, decision-making, automate manual data entry, and information dissemination to internal and external stakeholders. 

Taylor Mayer is currently the Executive Director of Psychiatric Residential Services at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR). He has served at YBGR for over 30 years in various capacities. Taylor is a strong advocate of Therapeutic Foster Care and adoption. 

Bernadette Connor is a seasoned leader in quality improvement and clinical operations, currently serving as the Director of Quality Improvement at The Devereux Foundation, overseeing services across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. With over a decade of progressive leadership experience in residential and therapeutic settings, Bernadette has built a reputation for driving excellence in care, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. 

Ana Maria, B.A, is a Research Assistant II with the Research and Continuous Improvement department at Sycamores. She plays an essential role in evaluating the agency’s Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP), including developing, collecting, and analyzing data that captures youths’ voice and is used to continue to improve the program. 

Andreina Cordova, MDP, is Director of the Research and Continuous Improvement Department at Sycamores. Her primary focus is program evaluation and streamlining data collection processes including management and analysis, identifying performance trends and patterns, and designing formative and summative evaluation reports. She is passionate about using data creatively to create awareness, empower change, and make informed decisions. 

Julie Freccero is the Director and Founder of the Health and Human Rights Program at the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center, which works to improve the health and protection of marginalized communities affected by conflict, displacement, and violence. She currently leads evaluation efforts for the SF SOL Collaborative, a six-year state-funded initiative piloting interventions for youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation in San Francisco. She also serves as Principal Investigator of a multi-country study on the protection and mental health needs of LGBTQI+ youth in refugee settings. Julie brings over 18 years of experience in gender-based violence research and practice with a focus on youth protection and empowerment. She has managed GBV programs for UNFPA in Greece and UN Women in Tanzania, and led research on trafficking of unaccompanied and separated children, child marriage, safe shelter, and health sector responses to sexual violence in humanitarian settings in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. 

Dr. Stefanie Seanor is the Department Chair and Program Director of the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She has shared expertise in childhood occupations throughout 20 years as a pediatric clinician in private practice and in secondary/transition public school programs. She attributes her diverse community initiatives to innovative and successful interdisciplinary collaboration. Research interests include pediatric practitioner perception and readiness skills, pediatric occupational wellness, and collaborative engagement in the provision of mental health services to children and adolescents

Stephanie Jallen is a board-certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree from the University of North Dakota. She completed her general psychiatry residency and child psychiatry fellowship at the University of Florida. Stephanie has worked for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services since 2016, primarily providing outpatient services, but in December 2024, she shifted part of her clinical time to providing residential psychiatric services via telehealth. 

Faustina Gray received her Doctorate of Science in occupational therapy from the University of Mary. Faustina's areas of interest include trauma-informed pediatric care, evidence-based practice, and homelessness outreach as an emerging area of OT practice. Faustina's primary position is at a PRTF in Grand Forks, ND, helping youth progress their self-regulation skills, social skills, ADLs, IADLs, and fine/visual motor skills so they can thrive in their communities and beyond. 

Marc Velasquez, Director of Milieu Training, has been with Mercy Home for Boys & Girls since 2013. Prior to his work at Mercy Home, Marc worked with persons experiencing homelessness in Boston, college students interested in learning about social justice, and incarcerated individuals in Belize. Marc earned a MFA from Emerson College, and studied English, Philosophy and Theology as an undergrad at Boston College. During his time at Mercy Home, Marc has intentionally shaped spiritual programming that is responsive to both trauma and spiritual dissonance. He insures that spiritual programming at Mercy Home is Youth centered. He trains, coaches and mentors Mercy Home coworkers to keep a trauma informed approach and to be curious at all times. 

Emma Roberts is a second-year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology program at Purdue University Northwest. Her commitment to trauma-informed care began during her time as a Victim/Witness Assistant at the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, where she supported individuals navigating the aftermath of traumatic events. Her research interests center on trauma, intimate partner violence, and the intersection of law and psychology. She currently serves as a research assistant in Dr. Carly Baetz’s STAR-LS lab, studying stress and trauma in justice-involved youth. Emma’s background includes work in pedagogical research, substance abuse counseling, conference presentations, and undergraduate course instruction—all reinforcing her dedication to advancing mental health support through both clinical practice and research. 

Alison Howard has had a variety of professional experiences during her 21 years at Boys Town. She began in direct care and was promoted quickly to a Shift Manager. She attended school while working and earned her master's degree in counseling as well as her clinical license. She became a Clinical Therapist at the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) and later a Regulatory and Accreditation Specialist where she monitored and developed policy and ensured adherence to regulations and standards dictated by the Joint Commision, CMS, and other regulatory bodies. She is currently the Program Director at the RTC, an 80-bed unit for children ages 5-17 years of age. 

Dr. Hodgdon is a licensed clinical psychologist, trainer and researcher specializing in the study and treatment of traumatic stress. Dr. Hodgdon is the Research Director of Justice Resource Institute (JRI), a large behavioral health non-profit organization in New England. Dr. Hodgdon serves as the Principal Investigator of the Building Resilience through Residential Communities Initiative, a National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) center focused on dissemination of evidenced based practices for trauma-impacted children, youth, and families both locally and nationally. 

Jamie L. Walker-Syph is an independently licensed social worker with a supervision desgination. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from The University of Findlay and her master’s degree in social work from Case Western Reserve University. She has 12 years of clinical experience working in individual therapy and intensive residential treatment facilities. Additionally, she has experience working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, specifically transgender youth. Her specialties include working with teens and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship, identity and adjustment issues, parenting, stress management, diversity, family issues, autism, and behavioral/oppositional disorders. Jamie is currently the Division Director of a Residential Program in Cleveland Ohio. 

Lucy Garcia joined Hillsides in 2021, leading innovation initiatives and supporting new business opportunities for the organization. She oversees health plan contracting and relationship management for multiple service lines, including residential and intensive outpatient behavioral treatment programs. Lucy drives business growth through her work in referral development, patient experience, and marketing of commercial programs. She organized and executed the agency’s first targeted referral outreach campaign, cultivating long term relationships with key contacts to increase referral volume. Additionally, Lucy leads market research efforts to identify new service lines and grant opportunities for strategic positioning and expansion at Hillsides. Lucy received her Bachelor of Science in public health from Arizona State University, and her Master of Public Health degree in health policy and management from the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Lauren Anderson is a Business Development Analyst at Hillsides, a behavioral health nonprofit dedicated to helping children, youth, and families heal. With a background in public health and community engagement, Lauren is passionate about expanding access to compassionate, person-centered care. At Hillsides, she supports strategic growth, funding opportunities, and program implementation. She also serves on Hillsides’ Trauma-Informed Care Committee and contributes to the Center of Excellence, which shares wellness and trauma-informed practices with other organizations. Lauren holds a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and enjoys cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Kathy Mills, PhD, LICSW, is the President and CEO of RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster, MA. Dr. Mills has more than 30 years of experience in human services, along with a deep, personal commitment to improving the lives of children and families facing complex challenges. Her leadership has been instrumental in cultivating a culture of excellence and continuous learning across the organization. Dr. Mills began her career as a front-line direct care staff member, then a residential clinician, and went on to hold a wide range of leadership and advocacy roles. She holds a PhD from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University. 

Ergon Gjika, MBA, LMHC, is Clinical Director of Residential Services at RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster, MA. He has worked in residential treatment for over 20 years and has held direct care, clinical, and leadership positions. He is passionate about integration and operationalization of evidence-based practices within direct care work for residential program staff through professional development training and in-the-moment coaching. He holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology, is independently licensed, and has an MBA with a concentration in Management. 

Michaela Fanelli, EdD candidate in Higher Education Leadership, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist. She currently serves as Manager of Professional Development and Learning at the League School for Autism, where she leads efforts to create inclusive professional development experiences for all roles. Michaela’s expertise spans autism, behavior, and special education administration, with a focus on applying evidence-based practices to design meaningful and transformative professional learning. 

Mairin Schreiber, Director of Quality and Development for NFI Massachusetts has 30 years of operational experience in mental health, juvenile justice, and child welfare services. She holds a master's degree in human development and psychology from Harvard University, where she focused on at-risk populations with a special interest in girls' and women's development. In addition to being an executive leadership team member at NFI, she is responsible for the quality management and compliance, strategic planning, training, development activities, program evaluation, and implementation of trauma and evidenced-informed models.

Melissa is the Director of Quality Assurance for Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker. As the Director of QA, she coordinates and leads the agency's performance and quality assurance plans and the agency's accreditation process through the Council on Accreditation (COA). These processes ensure that the agency is using data-driven strategies to inform decision-making and guide service delivery. Melissa also oversees the agency's Information Technology Department and serves as both the system administrator for the agency's electronic health record and HIPAA Privacy Officer, ensuring that employees have access to needed technology and that the agency maintains high standards of safety and security. 

Dr Lisa Cherry is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting settings, services and systems to create systemic change to the way that we work with those experiencing and living with, the legacy of trauma. Lisa has been working in and around Education and Children’s Services for over 35 years and combines academic knowledge and research with professional expertise and personal experience. Lisa has worked extensively with Social workers, Educators, Probation Workers and those in Adult Services, training and speaking to over 35,000 people around the world including in the US, Australia and Pakistan and across the whole of the UK.

Up until August 2025 Lisa was the Founder and Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Ltd leading a dynamic and creative organisation that provides a 'one stop' approach to delivering on research, consultancy and learning and development.   Lisa is still very much an integral part of TICS Ltd.

Lisa has produced multiple pieces of research for various settings and Lisa's own MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970's and 1980's. In February 2024 Lisa completed her DPhil research at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education. The research asked "How do care experienced adults who were also excluded from school make sense of belonging?"

Lisa is the author of the hugely successful and award winning book 'Conversations that make a difference for Children and Young People' (2021), 'The Brightness of Stars’ 3rd Edition (2022), and her most recent book, Weaving a Web of Belonging (2025).   Lisa's next book 'Caring for the people who Care' is due to be published in December 2025.

Robert E. (Bob) Lieberman has over four decades working with young people and families facing serious challenges, in a variety of capacities, including 28 years as CEO of Kairos Northwest. He has written extensively and is lead or co- author, and editor, of ACRC’s “Redefining Residential” papers, as well as co-editor of two books on transforming residential interventions. He chairs the Outcomes Workgroup of the Building Bridges Initiative, is certified by Massachusetts General Hospital as a trainer in Collaborative Problem Solving and is a certified Master Trainer in the NEAR sciences. He is currently President of Lieberman Group, Inc. and trains and consults across the country and internationally.

Tekoah's an experienced nonprofit executive and consultant with a gift for stabilizing organizations through culture-based program design that incorporates the lived experience of their consumers. A Southern girl with midwestern roots, she's all about turning ideas into real-world business strategies. She is a board-certified human services specialist, certified nonprofit professional and project management professional. Tekoah loves solving complex problems of the human variety and blending policy smarts with people skills. She is a regular presenter at local association meetings, business groups, and other Human Service organizations. She excels in developing culture-based models that are flexible, scalable, and responsive, and regularly trains on topics such as adverse childhood and community experiences, youth homelessness, child welfare service provision, youth services, organizational capacity building, and program development. In any demanding setting, Tekoah thrives on the opportunity to share her knowledge and make a meaningful impact.

Outside work, Tekoah's a mom and loves technology and philosophy. She is all about human rights and connecting with folks to have engaging conversations. Living in Louisiana, she's a traveler at heart and always looking for a new adventure. 

Lena Wilson has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing child welfare and family well-being. She currently serves as President and CEO of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, where she leads a continuum of programs designed to support youth and families through healing, stability, and growth. Throughout her career, Ms. Wilson has served in a wide range of leadership roles across the child welfare system. She began her journey as a youth specialist in a small residential setting, an experience that grounded her lifelong commitment to children facing adversity. She went on to serve as Program Manager for foster care services, Administrator of the Salvation Army Denby Center, an 85-bed residential treatment program, and Executive Director of Lutheran Adoption Service, the largest nonprofit adoption agency in Michigan. Before joining Vista, Ms. Wilson was Vice President of Samaritas’ statewide Child and Family division, overseeing a diverse portfolio of programs that strengthened families across Michigan. Guided by the principle to “always look back and extend a hand as you move forward,” Ms. Wilson is passionate about empowering at-risk children and families to reach their fullest potential. As she often shares, “Kids facing trauma and neglect need safety and strong support to heal. These kids are ours, the child sitting next to yours in class, or the neighbor down the street. When we lift up one child, we strengthen our entire community.” In addition to her leadership at Vista, Ms. Wilson plays a vital role in shaping systemic change. She serves on several local, state, and national boards and committees, including the California Alliance of Children and Families, the Association of Children’s Residential & Community Services (ACRC), the Association of Community Human Service Agencies where she chairs the Residential Committee, and the Full Circle Health Network. She is also an active member of the Building Bridges Leaders of Color Initiative and consults with peer organizations on elevating youth voice and choice in residential care. A native of Michigan, Ms. Wilson earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit Mercy. Beyond her professional life, she treasures her role as mother to two daughters: Maya, a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Business, and Olivia, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Health at San Diego State University.

Dr. Larome Myrick is a highly accomplished professional in the field of criminal justice, who served as the Executive Director of Juvenile Justice for the State of Rhode Island from May 2018 to present. With an extensive educational background and a wealth of experience, Dr. Myrick has made significant contributions to the field throughout his career. Dr. Myrick obtained his undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration from the esteemed University of Toledo in 2003. Recognizing the importance of continued education, he pursued a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University in 2009. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a lasting impact, he went on to complete his PhD in Criminal Justice.

Dr. Moss brings two decades of experience and unwavering commitment to education and human services, particularly in championing at-risk youth. His impressive educational background includes a Doctorate in Public Administration from Capella University, a master’s degree in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and an associate degree in law enforcement. He is also a proud member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.

Dr. Moss's professional journey is deeply rooted in a personal tragedy—the loss of his brother to out-of-home displacement at the young age of 11. This poignant experience fueled his dedication to aiding young individuals facing similar challenges, steering him toward a career focused on improving the lives of at-risk youth. Beginning his career at the Michigan Department of Corrections as a Probation/Parole Officer, Dr. Moss later relocated to Minnesota, assuming the role of Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Director for Ramsey County Juvenile Services. Notably, during his tenure with JDAI, Dr. Moss played a pivotal role in the creation and successful passage of a bill aimed at dismantling Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ) probation, addressing the disproportionate incarceration rates of youth of color. Dr. Moss firmly believes that authentic youth justice transformation necessitates decision-makers with a profound understanding of the struggles faced by youth, guided by empathy and love.

Before joining Rite of Passage, Dr. Moss held several leadership positions, including Program Manager for Cherry Health Reentry Center and Director of Rehabilitation Services for the Salvation Army. He has also imparted his knowledge and expertise by teaching in Criminal Justice programs at Michigan institutions such as South University in Novi, Baker College in Allen Park, and Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn. Dr. Moss is also the founder and CEO of a non-profit organization specializing in culturally tailored criminal justice transformation programs for the African American community. A passionate advocate for Positive Youth Development, he actively consults with organizations on addressing implicit bias within criminal justice policies and practices. 

Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Moss is a devoted father of six and enjoys weightlifting, basketball, and has a profound love for reading.

Erin Flood began working for LaSalle in June 2020, learning to navigate a new position during the depths of the pandemic. Prior to joining LaSalle she held positions as a direct care staff; case manager; and therapist in both residential treatment and outpatient care. She has a passion for residential care and the change it can make with children and their families. At LaSalle she is a member of our Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training team and has developed other trainings for staff on best practices with youth and families and most recently presented at ACRC about youth running from out of home placements.

I began at LaSalle in May 2022 as an outpatient counseling intern. Upon receiving my Masters Degree I moved into the role of residential therapist and currently hold the position of Residential Clinic Coordinator. Prior to LaSalle, I worked in direct care at a local youth crisis unit, worked with youth on the Autism Spectrum, and interned at an outpatient organization providing treatment for adult sex offenders. I really enjoy fostering meaningful relationships with the youth I work with and supporting their needs. 

Guy Diamond Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and was Associate Professor at Drexel University in the College of Nursing and Health Profession until he retired in 2023. He has published over 150 peer reviewed papers and book chapters and been awarded, or part of, over 30 million dollars of grant funding to develop and disseminate family-based treatments and community wide suicide prevention. He has led the development and testing of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) for 30 years, especially for youth struggling with depression, suicide, trauma and eating disorders. Dr. Diamond is now President of the ABFT International Training Institute which disseminates this model around the world. He has been awarded life time achievement awards for this work from APA and AAMFT. 

Meredith Dellorco, LCSW, is the National Director of the ABFT Training Program at Newport Healthcare. She facilitates ABFT Introductory and Advanced Trainings, and clinical group supervision to clinicians Nationally. She graduated from Columbia University with a master's in social work, including an advanced clinical practice with children, youth and families. She is trained in CBT, DBT, EMDR, motivational interviewing and TF-CBT. She has presented on ABFT through numerous webinars and training events. She recently published an article in the Family Process Journal on “Bolstering family therapy: Assimilating EMDR into ABFT in youth residential treatment”. Meredith has presented at a number of conferences, including NAMI (2025), ARC (2024), the Adolescent Mental Health Symposium of Dallas (2024) and ATTACh (2023). 

Michelle Maikoetter’s lifelong interest in helping others led her to become one of the foremost trauma-informed professional childcare specialists in the United States.

From 2007-2024, Ms. Maikoetter led in transforming Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (a large residential facility in Texas) from a behavioral modification program into a trauma-informed, healing community. 
Through training with Dr. Bruce Perry in his Neurosequential Model, Ms. Maikoetter became a certified clinician, trainer and mentor. She was among the first Child Trauma Academy Fellows selected by Dr. Perry in 2012 and led Boys Ranch to becoming a Phase II certified facility. 
Ms. Maikoetter has also been a practitioner and mentor (2012-2020) of the Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model, receiving her training directly from founders Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross.
Since 2024, she has provided consultation, training and advocacy for a variety of organizations interested in becoming more trauma informed utilizing the Neurosequential, TBRI, and CARE models. 
Her current interest is in developing a holistic approach using neuroscience, relational health, experiences and learning as a way to positively change not only each child's trajectory but generations to come. Ms Maikoetter believes our organizational systems and cultures must first transform in order for these outcomes to be achieved. 

Helen Okoye is a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. She completed her Ph. D. program at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing. Her doctoral thesis focused on social determinants of young people’s health and well-being, particularly as it relates to socio-structural factors that predispose young people to behaviours that put them at health risk. Helen is passionate about transdisciplinary and community-based research, and intervention efforts that promote young people’s well-being. Helen is currently a postdoctoral Associate at Hull Services, a large Community Mental Health Services provider in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

Dr. Emily Wang has worked in the field of mental health for over 30 years, starting as a frontline worker at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Wang holds a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, a Master of Art and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology. She was responsible for the provincial training of the Neurosequential Model (NM) concepts and implementation in Alberta from April 2017-October 2018. She currently works as a Senior Director of Clinical Advancement and Trauma-Informed Services at Hull Services. Dr. Wang is a Specialist in Infant-Parent Mental Health and an appointed Fellow of the Neurosequential Network, based in Texas. 

Andrea Leon serves as the Colombia Country Director for All God’s Children International. She brings 16+ years of experience working in the public sector, coordinating childhood development, human rights, social inclusion, and anti-poverty initiatives. She is a recognized trauma informed care specialist with a degree in psychology from the Universidad de la Sabana. She has studied international cooperation and project management from the Universidad Externado de Colombia and the School of International Affairs at Columbia University, NY. 

Catalina* is a resident of the AGCI House of Hope who will transition to independent living in  November 2025. She is a gifted communicator and currently works for a multinational company handling regional communications for Latin America. She will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in Journalism in July 2025 from the Politécnico Grancolombiano University. 
Calatina* has presented to the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), international workshops and peer groups on topics related to leadership, communications and personal lived experience growing up in the child welfare system of Colombia. 

Ruby Hernandez, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Analyst at the California Alliance’s Catalyst Center with over ten years of experience in applied research and evaluation. She has experience working with educational, nonprofit, and government agencies to advance evidence-based change. Her work centers on amplifying the voices of disenfranchised and under-resourced communities. 

Tia Cochran-Otis, LCSW, has 20+ years of professional experience across inpatient, outpatient, forensic, and education settings. She leads the Open Doors project, champions Restorative Justice, and has advanced care for system-involved youth. Tia brings deep expertise in culturally responsive interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social work education. 

Crystal Blanton, LCSW, has over 25 years of experience in mental health and drug treatment, including community, school-based, and outpatient settings. She brings expertise in private practice and macro social work, emphasizing culturally responsive approaches to mental health and substance use treatment across diverse populations and settings.

Rebecca is a care-experienced advocate and Executive Leader in Research and Development, specialising in the integration of narrative and trauma-transformative practices into child protection, mental health, and organisational systems. She conducts research mobilising knowledge and innovation through implementation science, including current projects on the use of PACE to support the mental health of young people in out-of-home care, the Resilience Scale to strengthen protective factors for families in contact with child protection, and the application of narrative approaches to support frontline mental health. 

Taylor Holland, CPSS, is a Family Partner at Canopy Children’s Solutions with over three years of experience. She is recognized for her dedication to advocating for families and children, earning a core value award for putting their voices first. Drawing from her personal journey with two children in residential mental health care, Taylor brings empathy and insight to her role. She is committed to supporting families through challenging times with compassion and understanding

Sue Pickett, Ph.D. is the Director of the Center for Research & Evaluation at Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. Dr. Pickett has served as the Evaluation Director for the Illinois Intact Family Recovery (IFR) Program Evaluation since 2017, overseeing the mixed methods evaluation for each of the three federally-funded IFR programs. Dr. Pickett has over 30 years of experience evaluating behavioral health programs for vulnerable populations. 

Dr. Dennis Morrison is the owner of Morrison Consulting which has provided consulting services to the behavioral health information technology field since 2017. He currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Eleos Health. Previously he has served as Chief Clinical Officer for Netsmart Technologies, CEO of Centerstone Research Institute (CRI) and CEO of Center for Behavioral Health (CBH).

Academically, Dr. Morrison holds two Masters degrees in Psychology and Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. His doctorate is in Counseling Psychology also from Ball State University. In 2022, Ball State awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award

given to an alum. He is a prolific author, frequent presenter (including a TEDx talk), podcast host and co-inventor on a patent for a behavioral healthcare outcomes software product. A Navy veteran, he is a licensed, instrument-rated private pilot and triathlete completing 23   triathlons

since turning 70.

Gina Peck-Sobolewski is a seasoned behavioral health executive with over 20 years of experience spanning the full continuum of children’s welfare and mental health services. As Chief Program Officer at St. Anne’s Family Services in Los Angeles, she leads the development of innovative programs that integrate evidence-based practices and community partnerships to enhance high-quality early childhood education, behavioral health, and housing services. Ms. Peck-Sobolewski is also deeply engaged in advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the child welfare system and expanding access to quality care. She has received national recognition for her work with commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) and has developed widely used training curricula on trauma-informed care and CSEC prevention and treatment. She serves on the Executive Board of the Association of Children’s Residential and Community Services (ACRC) and as a Personnel Commissioner for the Monrovia Unified School District. In addition, she maintains a private practice in Southern California.

Correnda Perkins joined Hillsides in 2017. Currently, as Chief Program Officer, Correnda oversees the development and implementation of clinical programs across all divisions, including community-based services, residential programs, young adult support, and foster care and adoption.

Correnda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Managing and Adapting Practices. She holds a master’s in social work from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s in sociology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Redlands.

Mandi Wines is an experienced behavioral health leader with over 24 years of experience spanning the full continuum of mental health services. As Senior Vice President of Operations at The Barry Robinson Center in Virginia, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for residential programs serving military-connected adolescents with complex mental health needs. Mrs.Wines holds a Master of Science in Art therapy/ Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School and she is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has extensive expertise in trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapies, and behavior therapy across diverse settings including residential treatment, in-home services, acute care and outpatient treatment. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and quality improvement.

Courtney E. Rovere, PhD, MSW, LCSW(NY), LICSW(MA) is a practicing social worker with over a decade of experience in the field. She currently works as the Assistant Executive Director for Clinical Program Development at Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie and as Part-Time Faculty at Marist University, both in Poughkeepsie, NY. Along with her expertise in child welfare and children’s behavioral health, Courtney has worked in community mental health, mobile crisis and in diverse medical and mental healthcare settings. Courtney has experience teaching at the bachelor and master levels where she has taught courses in child and adolescent assessment and diagnosis, social policy and social work with communities and organizations, social work research, and introduction to sociology. Courtney’s scholarly research focuses on workforce stress and well-being, specifically secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout. Within this area, her interests look closely at the lived experiences of women. Her aim is to better understand the experiences of the workforce related to turnover and retention. This includes elevating the voices of women at the organizational level to reduce burnout and turnover in child welfare and similar professional groups. 

Kevin King earned a master’s degree in education from Concordia University and has been with Seneca Family of Agencies since 2000 and currently serves in the Seneca Institute of Advanced Practice as A Training Content and Delivery Director. Within this role, he is responsible for overseeing the curriculum development for the (STRTP) Provider Training Academy as well as the forty-hour Initial Certification Training Program for the Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program Certification team, the twelve-hour transition certification and ongoing Continuing Education classes and programs for Group Homes, Educational Staff and Social Work staff.  Previously, Mr. King served as Program Director for Seneca’s Concord Community Treatment Facility, San Francisco Community Treatment Facility, Willow Rock Center Stabilization Unit, The James Baldwin Academy non-public school, and as the principal of a large elementary school in East Oakland.

Ezra Buchdahl, MSW/LCSW-C and Certified Residential Child Care Program Administrator, is a 1988 graduate from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. He has held various clinical and administrative positions in Catholic Charities’ Family Services and Senior Services divisions since 1988. He has served as the Administrator for St. Vincent’s Villa and Villa Maria School since 2011. Currently Mr. Buchdahl directs and administers all residential and school programs as well as the administrative and operations functions that support those programs. He provides direct supervision to the Residential and School Leadership Team in personnel management, program and strategic planning, and budget development. He also serves as the primary handler for a rehabilitative facility dog, Carmen. He serves on a number of State-wide coalitions, committees and work groups to advocate for and improve the system of care for children and families. 

Melissa Hamberg, LCPC, NCC, is the Therapeutic and Wellness Manager for Villa Maria School and St. Vincent’s Villa. Melissa has worked in the mental health field for 25+ years in various settings, including residential treatment, special education and public schools, college counseling centers, outpatient clinics, and in-patient hospitals. She has worked as a clinician, direct care worker, and supervisor in these settings. Melissa uses a trauma informed care approach in her work with clients and staff and specializes in working with youth and families. She is also a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) trainer and a Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) educator. 

Martha J. Holden is a Senior Extension Associate with the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research and Director of the Residential Child Care Project at Cornell University. Martha is the author of the book, Children and Residential Experiences (CARE): Creating Conditions for Change and lead developer of the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System. 

Breuana Pinckney, a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), is a dedicated professional serving as the Impact and Evaluation Manager with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Performance Management and Technology (PMT) in Philadelphia. Drawing upon her extensive expertise and qualifications, Breuana plays a pivotal role in assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of programs aimed at supporting vulnerable populations. Breuana obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Rutgers University, specializing in Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). Breuana served as a Project Manager for DHS Division of Policy Development and System Enhancements (PDSE) where she contributed her strategic insights to drive systemic improvements and foster positive outcomes for communities. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth, Breuana remains at the forefront of best practice and innovation in the field of social work. Her unwavering passion for serving others, coupled with her proven track record of success, underscores her invaluable contributions to the field and her unwavering commitment to effecting positive change in the lives of those she serves. 

Ellen Davis, MSW, is the Philly Families CAN Manager at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health. She obtained her Master’s in Social Work from Temple University. Working in public health for over nine years, she has experience working in both project implementation and public health research. In her current role, Ellen manages the operations of Philly Families CAN, a centralized intake and referral system for home visiting programs. Families and referring providers can learn more about Philly Families CAN by visiting PhillyFamiliesCAN.com.

Nafesa is a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner with over 26 ½ years of experience in child welfare, behavioral health, and human services. She began her role as a Community Resource Specialist with Philadelphia’s Office of Children & Families (OCF) in August 2023 under the Prevention Department. Since May 2025, has transitioned into the Performance Management & Technology Department in the Implementation Science Division. Nafesa’s portfolio includes specializations in program compliance, supervision, and permanency planning, with expertise in qualitative evaluation interviews, case management, documentation, and cross-system collaboration to ensure families receive timely and effective support. She is a graduate of Springfield College School of Human Services with a Bachelor’s in Human Services (Magna Cum Laude) in 2004 and Capella University, where she earned a Master of Science in Human Services with a specialization in Counseling Studies in 2009. Recognized for her leadership, she brings extensive experience in supervising diverse teams, maintaining compliance with DHS and state regulations, and fostering collaborative, growth-oriented work environments. Dedicated to service, Nafesa is also active in community organizations, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., reflecting her lifelong commitment to empowering families and strengthening community support systems.

Chris Delap is the Senior Director of Behavioral Services at Lakemary Center Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) in Paola, KS. He is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Master Level Psychologist (LMLP), working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and various other developmental disabilities for the past 15 years. He oversees the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model for the residential and school programs for Lakemary Center children’s services. He specializes in Organizational Behavioral Management (OBM) and has developed and overseen multiple systems and programs focusing on program integrity, procedural fidelity, client outcomes, staff retention, staff development, leadership, and organizational strategic planning. His focus in research is bridging the gap between evidence-based practices and applied systems within behavioral support services through competency-based models. 

Melissa Potchad earned her B.A. degrees in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2008 where she first learned about Applied Behavior Analysis. Determined to learn more about the field, she earned her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2011. After Graduate School, Melissa obtained her certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and began her evolving practice of ABA. Melissa embraced assent-based learning with a focus in Verbal Behavior and found reinforcement in staff development and training. At present, Melissa serves as a Residential Behavior Analyst at Lake Mary Center in Paola, Kansas. She utilizes her skill set in training and developing curricula for staff seeking RBT certification. She also assists with overseeing the implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) practices across the campus as part of a multi-disciplinary team. 

Dr. Larome Myrick is a highly accomplished professional in the field of criminal justice, who served as the Executive Director of Juvenile Justice for the State of Rhode Island from May 2018 to present. With an extensive educational background and a wealth of experience, Dr. Myrick has made significant contributions to the field throughout his career. Dr. Myrick obtained his undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration from the esteemed University of Toledo in 2003. Recognizing the importance of continued education, he pursued a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University in 2009. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a lasting impact, he went on to complete his PhD in Criminal Justice.

Emily Hagan, MSW, LICSW is a Clinical Supervisor at Nexus-Gerard Family Healing in Austin, Minnesota. She began her journey there in 2015 as a direct care staff member and returned after earning her MSW from the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University. Emily has served in various roles—from intern to therapist to supervisor—always guided by compassion and a deep belief in the power of healing relationships. She is passionate about creating spaces where both staff and clients feel seen, supported, and empowered. 

Tekoah's an experienced nonprofit executive and consultant with a gift for stabilizing organizations through culture-based program design that incorporates the lived experience of their consumers. A Southern girl with midwestern roots, she's all about turning ideas into real-world business strategies. She is a board-certified human services specialist, certified nonprofit professional and project management professional. Tekoah loves solving complex problems of the human variety and blending policy smarts with people skills. She is a regular presenter at local association meetings, business groups, and other Human Service organizations. She excels in developing culture-based models that are flexible, scalable, and responsive, and regularly trains on topics such as adverse childhood and community experiences, youth homelessness, child welfare service provision, youth services, organizational capacity building, and program development. In any demanding setting, Tekoah thrives on the opportunity to share her knowledge and make a meaningful impact.

Outside work, Tekoah's a mom and loves technology and philosophy. She is all about human rights and connecting with folks to have engaging conversations. Living in Louisiana, she's a traveler at heart and always looking for a new adventure. 

Nila Rinehart is a seasoned national leader in early childhood education, with over 40 years of experience in Head Start and child care programs across all levels of responsibility. Her career began as a Head Start child and evolved into decades of leadership, including directing a nationally recognized program and supporting the federal American Indian/Alaska Native Regional Office. Nila has recently contributed to the development of CDI’s Caring Network for Every Child to Thrive, supporting unaccompanied children in the U.S. She holds degrees from Stanford and Harvard and continues to champion equitable and quality services for young children and families. 

Kathi Boyer-Edwards is a Senior Project Manager with over 30 years of experience in early childhood program design, administration, and compliance. She began her career directing Head Start programs in a large urban nonprofit, later founding her own consulting business to guide grantees through federal compliance and program improvement. At CDI, she has led interim programs nationwide, supported successful federal-to-local transitions, and built systems that empower staff and strengthen community partnerships. Kathi’s expertise spans program development, facilities renovation, and staff training, with a proven record of fostering collaborative solutions that protect resources and expand services for children and families. In her current role, she leads initiatives that connect child welfare providers and advance best practices in shelter care environments. 

Annie Taccolini Panaggio has a decade of experience working with immigrant youth, including work with the US unaccompanied refugee minors’ program and unaccompanied children’s program to shelter children transitioning to life in the US. She specializes in shelter operations and leadership, and especially enjoys any opportunity to talk about social policy and its human impact. When she’s not working and advocating, Annie spends her time riding bikes and reading books with her three young children and her husband, Stephen.

Damaris is a seasoned Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in the field. She holds an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science from Mercy College and a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University. Currently, Damaris serves as the Senior Director of Therapeutic Services and Foster Care Services for the Unaccompanied Children Program at Rising Ground in New York.

Throughout her career, Damaris has been deeply committed to supporting immigrant families and youth and has been instrumental in developing therapeutic modalities and programs that address the unique behavioral and mental health needs of this population. She is a trained facilitator in racial trauma curricula, providing education and guidance that help teams understand, identify, and respond to the multifaceted impacts of racialized experiences on youth and families.

Damaris is also knowledgeable in the Sanctuary Model, an organizational trauma-informed framework, and integrates its principles into her leadership approach—promoting safety, emotional intelligence, open communication, and a culture of healing across programs.

Her work weaves together trauma-informed care, racial and cultural responsiveness, and holistic healing, ensuring that individuals and families receive the support and resources they need to thrive in challenging circumstances. Damaris’ passion for social work, combined with her dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable children and families, continues to shape the programs she leads and the communities she serves.

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over a decade of experience in the mental health and human services field, including eight years in supervisory and leadership roles. My career has centered on trauma-focused counseling, immigrant family systems, and community education, with a commitment to serving the Latino community through culturally responsive and trauma-informed care. Alongside direct service and program leadership, I have focused on community work, providing psychoeducation on trauma and related topics to help individuals and families better understand mental health and access support. I currently serve as Program Director of Rising Ground’s From Hope to Home – Home Study & Post-Release Services program, where I oversee national service delivery for unaccompanied children and sponsors. My leadership focuses on aligning practice with federal policy, strengthening compliance systems, and expanding access to resources that promote the stabilization of families.

Abbi is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in social services. She has dedicated her career to providing therapeutic services and support to underrepresented communities, working with diverse groups to address their unique needs and challenges. Her expertise spans a range of therapeutic practices, making her a trusted resource for those seeking guidance and assistance in navigating life's difficulties. Abbi works to reunify migrant youth as a program director at a Los Angeles non-profit. 

With a background in Clinical Psychology and over 18 years of experience, Marianna’s career expands over several sectors of Behavioral Health and Social Services including Full-Service Partnership, Prevention and Early Intervention, Wraparound Approach Services, Children’s Residential Care, Transitional Housing Services, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Workforce Development. Marianna has also served as a panelist for the Association of Children’s Residential Centers and Community Services (ACRC) International Direct Care Summit. Marianna has extensive experience working with children in residential care. Marianna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and certified LPS Designee for Los Angeles County. She is passionate about empowering program leaders to provide high quality care and setting up program participants to succeed no matter the barriers. 

Veronica Nand is the Assistant Director at St. Anne’s, where she has dedicated nearly a decade to serving both community-based and STRTP clients. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Southern California and brings a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable populations through trauma-informed care and leadership. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, she is also a certified Risking Connection (RC) trainer, helping to build trauma-informed, practices across the organization and strengthen staff capacity to support clients with compassion and emotional safety.

Stacy Schultz, MA works as a Senior Resource Specialist with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) Child Sex Trafficking Recovery Services Team. As a Resource Specialist, Stacy provides case-based assistance and support to child welfare professionals and other multidisciplinary team members in the development of trauma-informed and victim-centered recovery plans for survivors of child sex trafficking who are reported missing from child welfare care to NCMEC. Stacy holds a MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice from Queens University Belfast, UK (2017) and a BA in Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology from St. Cloud State University, MN (2007). In addition to her tenure in youth work, Stacy is also a certified conflict mediator and works as a freelance theatre artist in her spare time. 

Kim Parks-Bourn is the Program Manager for Children Missing from Care at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She is responsible for working with all 50 states to implement federal policy requiring child welfare to report missing children and youth to NCMEC. Her work entails identifying and problem-solving cross-system pain points to improve serving children missing from care. She joined NCMEC in July, 2023 and brings with her over 28 years of experience as a frontline social worker, clinician, trainer, clinical supervisor as well as an administrator in the child welfare and mental health systems in the State of Maryland. Kim has served numerous children, adolescents, and families throughout her career ranging in these capacities. She also has experience in developing and monitoring legislation as well as assessing needs and strategic planning. Prior to joining the NCMEC team in 2023, she was most recently the Deputy Executive Director for Permanency and Placement Services with the Maryland Department of Human Services, Social Services Administration in Baltimore, MD. 

Erin Flood began working for LaSalle in June 2020, learning to navigate a new position during the depths of the pandemic. Prior to joining LaSalle she held positions as a direct care staff; case manager; and therapist in both residential treatment and outpatient care. She has a passion for residential care and the change it can make with children and their families. At LaSalle she is a member of our Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training team and has developed other trainings for staff on best practices with youth and families and most recently presented at ACRC about youth running from out of home placements.

Paula Minske, MS, LMFT is the Chief Clinical Officer for Nexus Family Healing. She has over 30 years of experience in working in the mental health field specifically with children and families. Paula has worked in residential settings, therapeutic foster care, child protection and in child and adult mental health. She earned her Master’s degree at St. Cloud State University and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is a board approved supervisor for the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy and the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. She is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF CBT). 

Elizabeth Williams, LMFT is a passionate mental health leader and licensed marriage and family therapist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals, families, and organizations thrive. Known for her strategic mindset and heart-centered leadership, Elizabeth has guided clinical teams across multiple states, developed innovative programs, and championed trauma-informed care practices. Whether she’s mentoring future clinicians, collaborating with community partners, or shaping policy, Elizabeth brings clarity, compassion, and a deep commitment to improving lives. She believes in the power of relationships, data-informed decisions, and creating systems that truly support healing and growth 

Frank Delano, is currently the President of Professional Package Consulting. He has a long history in Residential Treatment working 25 years in a large residential center in New York as a child care worker, recreation director, Girls Program director, and the last 12 years as a senior manager. He was also Director of the Rita Markus Child Care Training Institute and was an adjunct faculty in the Fordham University MSW Program. He published numerous articles on Supervision and his relational "Money in the Bank" concept. He has presented at numerous conferences including 5 times at the Walker-Trieschman "Finding Better Ways" conference and 5 different CYC World Conferences. 

Miranda has worked in the Plummer residential programs for the last 8 years serving in a variety of direct care roles. Miranda currently works as an Intervention Coordinator working directly with young people on their treatment goals related to enhancing their Life Skills and transitioning to independency. Miranda oversees the programming that Plummer offers to its young people through its collaboration with Silver Lining Mentoring. 

Patricia D. Wilcox, LCSW, is Klingberg’s Vice President of Strategic Development, She specializes in improving systems that treat traumatized children and their families. She created the Restorative Approach™, a trauma- and relationship-based treatment method. She is a trainer for Risking Connection® and a faculty at the University of CT School of Social Work and the University of St. Joseph’s School of Social Work. She is the author of Trauma Informed Care: The Restorative Approach as well as several articles. 

Aminah Ali, LMSW is the Clinical Coordinator for Klingberg Family Center’s Therapeutic Foster Care and PPSP programs. She has been a valued member of the Klingberg staff for 18 years. Aminah has 19 years of experience in community service, the child welfare system, home based therapy, and as a 3-5-7 clinician. She has committed her career to helping youth tell their stories of their journey to full and integrated lives. As co-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Awareness & Sensitivity (IDEAS) committee, she is a Diversity Trainer. 

Howard Glasser is Founder is the creator and developer of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. He is a voice of greatness for children as they find their own voices of greatness.

Howard’s background is in family treatment, clinical studies and educational leadership. His formal studies along with direct experience with the most intense and challenging children form the basis of the approach that he has now brought to many. He has been referred to as one of the most influential persons working to reduce children’s reliance on psychiatric medications. His work is inspiring a growing number of educational and treatment initiative worldwide and has been featured on CNN, Esquire and more.

Howard is the author of 16 books, including Transforming the Difficult Child, a longstanding bestseller on intense and challenging children. He is a sought-after Keynote speaker in areas of treatment, educational and inspiring greatness. Nurtured Heart is currently being researched by Rutgers University, the University of Arizona's Zuckerman School of Public Health, and the New Mexico State University.

Howard teaches Nurtured Heart Approach Certification Training Intensives at the Nurtured Heart Institute. 

The Nurtured Heart Approach is the subject of an upcoming documentary by filmmakers Georgia Wyss and Kevin Miller. 

Michelle Maikoetter’s lifelong interest in helping others led her to become one of the foremost trauma-informed professional childcare specialists in the United States.

From 2007-2024, Ms. Maikoetter led in transforming Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch (a large residential facility in Texas) from a behavioral modification program into a trauma-informed, healing community. 
Through training with Dr. Bruce Perry in his Neurosequential Model, Ms. Maikoetter became a certified clinician, trainer and mentor. She was among the first Child Trauma Academy Fellows selected by Dr. Perry in 2012 and led Boys Ranch to becoming a Phase II certified facility. 
Ms. Maikoetter has also been a practitioner and mentor (2012-2020) of the Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model, receiving her training directly from founders Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross.
Since 2024, she has provided consultation, training and advocacy for a variety of organizations interested in becoming more trauma informed utilizing the Neurosequential, TBRI, and CARE models. 
Her current interest is in developing a holistic approach using neuroscience, relational health, experiences and learning as a way to positively change not only each child's trajectory but generations to come. Ms Maikoetter believes our organizational systems and cultures must first transform in order for these outcomes to be achieved. 

Martha J. Holden is a Senior Extension Associate with the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research and Director of the Residential Child Care Project at Cornell University. Martha is the author of the book, Children and Residential Experiences (CARE): Creating Conditions for Change and lead developer of the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System. 

Dr. Lisa Martin is the Associate Vice President of the Sanctuary Institute and a licensed clinical psychologist with deep expertise in trauma-responsive, equity-centered systems of care. A seasoned strategist, trainer, and change leader, she guides organizations across sectors in building cultures of safety, accountability, and healing. Throughout her career, Dr. Martin has helped countless teams navigate complex trauma, foster resilient leadership, and translate equity principles into practice. At the Sanctuary Institute, she leads business operations, oversees model development and innovation, and drives initiatives that expand the Institute’s reach and impact globally. Recognized for her engaging facilitation style and visionary approach, Dr. Martin is committed to transforming the way individuals and organizations respond to adversity, turning insight into sustainable, systemic change.

Kyle Rose, M.Ed., is the Director of Training and Development at the Sanctuary Institute, where he leads the design and delivery of training, consultation, and organizational change efforts grounded in the Sanctuary Model. With more than three decades of experience as an educator, principal, consultant, and faculty trainer, Kyle has dedicated his career to building trauma-responsive cultures, supporting staff development, and expanding services for children and youth with diverse needs. 

Michele Boguslofski has worked in the field of human services since 1987. Her passion has its roots in six years of direct care as a practitioner in residential care and treatment, and years in various leadership and administrative capacities. She is the Executive Director for the Teaching Family Association, a network of providers around the world committed to effective, research-driven, and evidence-based practice for persons and families. 
Michele works with, educates, and supports public and private agencies and organizations internationally, in diverse program environments and cultures. She has, and continues to, witness first-hand the amazing impact and outcomes that children, teens, adults, families, and communities can experience when they work with talented, trained, dedicated, and accountable professionals. 

Ergon Gjika, MBA, LMHC, is Clinical Director of Residential Services at RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster, MA. He has worked in residential treatment for over 20 years and has held direct care, clinical, and leadership positions. He is passionate about integration and operationalization of evidence-based practices within direct care work for residential program staff through professional development training and in-the-moment coaching. He holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology, is independently licensed, and has an MBA with a concentration in Management. 

Kathy Mills, PhD, LICSW, is the President and CEO of RFK Community Alliance in Lancaster, MA. Dr. Mills has more than 30 years of experience in human services, along with a deep, personal commitment to improving the lives of children and families facing complex challenges. Her leadership has been instrumental in cultivating a culture of excellence and continuous learning across the organization. Dr. Mills began her career as a front-line direct care staff member, then a residential clinician, and went on to hold a wide range of leadership and advocacy roles. She holds a PhD from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons University. 

Sandy Heine is a parent of a young adult who was in a residential program following a serious mental health episode. She was the first peer delivered services staff of Kairos NW, having been hired as a Family Support Specialist in 2009 and becoming the Peer Delivered Services Manager of 22 Family and Youth Peer Support staff until 2019. Sandy is currently a consultant for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), working with residential programs on organizational transformation with a focus on strengthening family engagement and is a Traditional Health Worker (THW) Advisor for Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board. Sandy served on the Children’s System Advisory Committee for the Oregon Health Authority, and served as a committee member, bringing family voice, for the System of Care in several rural counties in Southern Oregon and the Rogue Valley Wraparound Initiative. Ms. Heine has presented locally and nationally on incorporating Family Voice and Peer Delivered Services into residential and community-based services. 

James Freeman holds an MA in Organizational Leadership and brings over 30 years of experience in youth and family services, from direct care to senior leadership. He is the author of The Busy Manager’s Guide to Trauma-Informed Leadership and a recipient of the NSDTA Career Achievement Award and the ACYCP President’s Award. He has served on international boards, including the Association of Children’s Residential and Community Services (ACRC), and is an associate member of the California Alliance for Child and Family Services. 

Howard Glasser is Founder is the creator and developer of the Nurtured Heart Approach®. He is a voice of greatness for children as they find their own voices of greatness.

Howard’s background is in family treatment, clinical studies and educational leadership. His formal studies along with direct experience with the most intense and challenging children form the basis of the approach that he has now brought to many. He has been referred to as one of the most influential persons working to reduce children’s reliance on psychiatric medications. His work is inspiring a growing number of educational and treatment initiative worldwide and has been featured on CNN, Esquire and more.

Howard is the author of 16 books, including Transforming the Difficult Child, a longstanding bestseller on intense and challenging children. He is a sought-after Keynote speaker in areas of treatment, educational and inspiring greatness. Nurtured Heart is currently being researched by Rutgers University, the University of Arizona's Zuckerman School of Public Health, and the New Mexico State University.

Howard teaches Nurtured Heart Approach Certification Training Intensives at the Nurtured Heart Institute. 

The Nurtured Heart Approach is the subject of an upcoming documentary by filmmakers Georgia Wyss and Kevin Miller. 

In her role as Senior Director, Robin maintains responsibility for the fiscal, operational and clinical integrity of programs, advancement of the organization’s mission and strategic positioning within West Virginia. She oversees a full continuum of services—including community-based programs, therapeutic foster care, and residential treatment—serving youth across West Virginia. With over 35 years of service, she has ensured that programming remains innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of West Virginia youth, as well as the challenges faced by systems such as the WV Department of Human Services. Her work has maintained a strong focus on continuous quality improvement in addressing children’s mental and behavioral health needs. Under her leadership, the agency has created, piloted, and implemented a range of programs, including high-acuity residential treatment and treatment foster care. 

Toni Rozanski is the Senior Director of Systems Improvement at Casey Family Programs, where she partners with jurisdictions nationwide to advance innovative, cross-system approaches in child welfare and human services. She currently supports system reform efforts in Wisconsin, West Virginia, and parts of California, with a focus on building integrated care continuums and transformative practices that strengthen outcomes for children, youth, and families.

With over 25 years of leadership experience, Toni has held pivotal roles across public child welfare systems, including serving as Assistant to the Chief of Staff at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Director of Denver County Child Welfare, and Deputy Director of Human Services in Eagle County, Colorado. Her work has centered on using data and stories to design and implement prevention-driven, fiscally responsible strategies that improve safety, permanency, and well-being. Notably, she led initiatives that reduced child welfare spending by nearly $20 million over five years in Colorado and lowered Illinois Medicaid costs by $20 million through innovative cross-system collaboration. She was also part of the team supporting all states in implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act and has recently taken an active interest in applying technology, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen child protection practices.

Since joining Casey Family Programs in 2016, Toni has established herself as a national leader in system transformation, leveraging her expertise in program development, accountability frameworks, and multi-system partnerships. Her career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and advancing solutions that build stronger communities and improve the lives of the most vulnerable children and families.

Joanna Ravlin Dye is a dedicated single mother of three, including a child with significant mental health challenges and a transgender child. Shaped by personal experiences navigating a system that often fails famiilies, Joanna has become a fierce advocate for families in crisis. Her own journey—marked by trauma, resilience, and a deep sense of justice—fuels her passion for creating safe, nonjudgmental spaces where caregivers can find empathy, hope, and support.
With over three years of experience as a Parent Partner at Nexus-Gerard in Austin, Minnesota, and a history with the organization dating back to 1999, Joanna brings both professional insight and lived experience to her work. She also previously served as a volunteer victim’s advocate for the Freeborn County Crime Victim’s Crisis Center. Joanna is committed to walking alongside parents and families who are navigating the challenges of raising children with mental health needs, offering them the compassion and advocacy she once struggled to find herself. 

Darrin Kovar is the Parent Partner Supervisor with Nexus Family Healing. He has been a Parent Partner with Nexus since 2023. He is a father of four and a passionate advocate and ally for families and LGBTQIA+ youth in Minnesota. 

Carolyne Hatfield is the mother of two young adults and draws from her personal journey to support other parents in affirming their children’s LGBTQ+ identities. She is the Family Peer Support Specialist for a community-based treatment program that intensive behavioral health services to adolescents and young adults. Carolyne lives with her husband and children in St. Augustine, Florida.

Kim Sanders has been working at Grafton for over 36 years, starting as a Direct Support Professional, moving into a regional Executive Director position, and currently as a Chief Operating Officer. She spearheaded the effort at Grafton to reduce restraint and seclusion, a process that has received national and international recognition and awards. 

Ryan is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Strive Community Care and Chair of the Board of the Community Restorative Centre. Ryan is a passionate and dedicated Social Worker (accredited with the AASW) with extensive executive experience in the family preservation, Out of Home Care, disability, and criminal justice sectors. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University and Bachelor of Business from Australian Catholic University. 

Dragica Cecez was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia by her Serbian migrant parents. Her upbringing immersed her in a culture that taught her the profound importance of belonging, a value that continues to anchor her. It fuels her belief that connection is at the heart of every human story and vital to healing, growth and development. 

For over twenty years, Dragica has dedicated her career to the human services sector. Her experience spans statutory government roles, not-for-profits, and for-purpose organisations, predominantly in the Out of Home Care space and, for the last 12 years, specifically in Residential Care. She has led teams and developed programs designed to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, often some of the most vulnerable members of society. Throughout her career, she has guided organisations through periods of significant growth and change, consistently upholding the highest standards of quality care.

Dragica brings a sense of calmness to complex and at times chaotic situations. She has a unique ability to acknowledge the overwhelm her teams may feel while helping them see 'the light at the end of the tunnel', uniting them to work collaboratively toward shared and purposeful goals. Her leadership is defined by successfully balancing heartfelt, meaningful compassion and connection with clear and reasonable accountability.

Fundamentally, Dragica is driven by a simple, powerful belief: care should always be genuine, services must be built on meaningful relationships, and true leadership allows space for both courage and kindness. Her work is a continuous reflection of this philosophy, shaped by the enduring values her parents instilled in her and carried across oceans to a new country and new beginnings.

I am an experienced leader in the out-of-home care sector with over seven years of industry experience and a strong background in mental health support. My career has focused on supporting children and young people with complex needs, combining practical experience with several qualifications in community services to deliver person-centred, trauma-informed care.

Currently completing my Bachelor of Social Work, I continue to build on my commitment to evidence-based practice and positive outcomes for young people. I am passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for growth, resilience, and empowerment. As a leader, I am dedicated to developing dynamic professional teams built on collaboration, compassion, and accountability—fostering environments where both young people and staff feel safe, valued, and supported to thrive

Dr. Patrick Tyler has over 30 years of clinical, administrative, and research experience in residential and community-based treatment services for children and families. He is the Senior Director of the Child and Family Translational Research Center at Boys Town, Nebraska, U.S.A. He directs the center with a practice to research and back to practice approach to improve the design, implementation, and dissemination of effective treatment interventions for children and families. He earned his doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln is an Independently Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. 

Dr. Jon Huefner has a Ph.D. in Organizational Social Psychology with more than 40 years’ experience conducting research in a wide range of contexts. Strengths include psychometrics, research methodology, statistical analysis, and reporting and presentations. His current research has focused on quality standards for children and adolescent residential care, negative peer contagion in residential care settings, residential care advocacy, psychotropic medication use with at-risk children, family involvement and youth outcomes, and return on investment related to residential outcomes. Experience includes 24 years at Boys Town, five years in the managed behavioral healthcare industry, and ten years university lecturing. 

April Wall-Parker, M.S., is a Research Coordinator in the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge and also serves as the current Chair of the ACRC Research Committee. As a Research Coordinator with Pressley Ridge, she supports the research, program evaluation, and quality improvement efforts within the organization which includes analyzing data, creating annual outcomes reports, selecting evidence-based models, presenting at conferences, and publishing research articles. 

Michael W. Valenti has a doctorate in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently employed as the Director of the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge. His tasks include program evaluation, monitoring quality improvement activities and metrics, and coordinating research activities. His recent research activities include exploring relational health and exploring social networks in community-based behavioral health organizations. 

Amanda Smith-Chonko, MBA, is an Evaluation Coordinator in the Organizational Performance Department at Pressley Ridge. She specializes in program evaluation, data analysis, and continuous quality improvement, contributing to the organization’s overall effectiveness. In her role, she develops evaluation plans, supports grant proposals, and researches new technologies to strengthen evaluation practices. Amanda also prepares evidence-based reports and presentations that inform decision-making at both the programmatic and organizational levels. 

Dr. Robert Foltz has over 35 years in the field, largely focused on the treatment of adolescents and young adults struggling with severe conditions. He has spent decades reviewing evidence-based intervention strategies and has been teaching about these efforts at the graduate level since 2009. He has worked as a clinician and administrator in residential treatment settings for over 15 years and has maintained a private practice for over 20 years. He is also the author of the book, No Method to the Madness: Making sense of the psychiatric treatment of our youth (2025). 

Jada Cuttriss has turned her personal trauma into triumph and is a seasoned advocate for foster youth. She previously served as a family case manager with the Indiana Department of Child Services, is a Young Adult Consultant, and a Peer Navigator with Firefly Children and Family Alliance. As a consultant with a commitment to amplifying the voices of youth in foster care; Jada aims to bring attention to their struggles and use her personal and professional experience to build a system that promotes the continuous quality improvement and well-being of children and families. 

Shantelle is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Licensed School Social Worker and Adjustment Counselor (SAC) in Massachusetts. She is currently in her final year as a Doctoral student in Social Work Clinical Leadership at the University of Kentucky. Shantelle holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 
With nearly a decade of experience, Shantelle has worked in both residential and educational settings, including latency-level residential school programs, group homes for adolescents and transitional-age young adults, and public-school systems. She currently oversees clinical services for six residential programs serving adolescents and young adults, as well as four Department of Developmental Services (DDS)-funded programs for adults. 

Beth Casarjian, Ph.D. has developed, implemented, and evaluated the impact of asset-based, psychosocial interventions created for adolescent populations including those in residential treatment, youth involved in the juvenile justice system, and system-involved teen mothers. She is co-author of Lionheart’s Power Source: Taking Charge of Your Life (PS); Power Source Parenting: Growing Up Strong and Raising Healthy Kids (PSP); and EQ2: Empowering Direct Care Staff to Build Trauma-Informed Communities for Youth. Dr. Casarjian has served as the Clinical Director of The Heritage School Ambulatory Mental Health Clinic a project of Columbia University and the Robinhood Foundation. Dr. Casarjian's work has been funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To date, her investigation of the Power Source Program on the adolescent unit of Rikers Island remains the largest US study examining the impact of mindfulness with incarcerated male youth. 

Rashmi Adi Brown, MS is the co-producer of the nationally recognized training series entitled, “Promise Not to Tell? A Teacher’s Guide to Recognizing and Responding to Child Sexual Abuse”. Rashmi is currently the Chief Operating Officer for CHES Solutions Group, a private non-profit providing consulting, training and evaluation services for child and welfare, human and health service agencies. Ms. Adi-Brown is a Clinical Consultant for the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services. The agency has also provided programming in the states of Indiana and Florida. Ms. Adi-Brown has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. 

In her work in child welfare in Boston, MA, Elizabeth Woodruff has poured her energy into practices that embrace transformative responses to harm, keep families together, and reduce out-of-home mental health treatment. Over the last 13 years, Elizabeth has kept Circles with youth, caregivers, employees, and her own family. Elizabeth is a tireless advocate for aligning mental health service delivery with the values of Circle practice, Power Literacy, and Restorative Justice. 

Elliott is a national advocate and consultant for youth and families and expert with 13 plus years of experience as a coach and educator with a focus on improving services, lives, and futures for youth currently or formerly in foster care who identify within the LGBTQ community as well as other vulnerable populations. They have used their lived expertise in combination with their professional experience to inform research, policy, and practice that impacts child welfare, mental health services, and the LGBTQ community at the local, state and federal level. Elliott is a dynamic team leader with strong coaching, communication, and connection skills. They have a passion for promoting and revitalizing energy that impacts the way we do and think about youth and young adults and systems change work. 

Dereje Zeleke serves as the Ethiopia Country Director for All God’s Children International. He brings extensive leadership across the INGO sector, with expertise in combating child trafficking, advancing safeguarding, and managing trauma-informed transition centers. Dereje has a strong record of building partnerships with government, civil society, and international stakeholders to drive systemic change in child welfare, while leading with a relational style grounded in best practice and cultural competence. Currently a PhD candidate, Dereje holds a Master of Social Work, a Master of Arts in Leadership, a BA in Management, and is a TBRI® Practitioner and Mentor. 

Angelyn Salyer brings 8+ years of international development experience leading growing global orphan care and child welfare initiatives. She currently serves as the Africa Programs Director at AGCI, leading the planning and implementation of holistic intervention programs and operations in collaboration with local staff and partners. As a TBRI Practitioner, Angelyn comes from a background in Global Health, and is passionate about creating programs that alleviate poverty, address critical challenges, and strengthen relationships within families. 

Over the past almost seven years, I have held a variety of roles within Tanager, including working as a floor staff, BHIS caseworker, therapist, and now as the inpatient clinical manager. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of our variety of programs and a strong connection to the youth and families we serve. I am passionate about our Tanager's mission and the transformative work we do, and I look forward to sharing that work with others. 

Dr. Robert (Rob) Anda graduated from Rush Medical College in 1979 and received his board certification in internal medicine in 1982. He holds a Masters degree in epidemiology from the University of Wisconsin.   In 1984 he was accepted into the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where he conducted research in disease surveillance, behavioral health, mental health and disease, cardiovascular disease, psychosocial origins of health-risk behaviors, and childhood determinants of health. Rob is the author of more than 200 publications, and has received numerous awards and recognition for scientific achievements. 

In the early 1990’s, Rob began a collaboration with Dr. Vincent Felitti at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego to investigate child abuse as an underlying cause of medical, social, and public health problems. This effort lead to a large-scale study funded by the CDC to track the effects of childhood trauma on health throughout the lifespan, called the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study). Rob played a principal role in the design of the study, and serves as its co-principal investigator and co-founder.

The ACE Study is the most important public health discovery of our time. Findings from the ACE Study have resulted in more than 70 publications in major medical and public health journals. The ideas from this work are now influencing the design of similar research around the world. ACE Study findings have been presented at Congressional Briefings and numerous conferences around the world.  The ACE Study is being replicated in numerous countries by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is in use to assess the childhood origins of health and social problems in more than 25 U.S. states.

After a decade of service to the CDC as a senior scientific consultant, Rob turned his focus to speaking and consulting with leaders in public health, medicine, corrections, judicial and social service systems and with local, state, national, and international organizations about the ACE Study. He has appeared in national newspapers and television networks and is frequently invited to speak about the ACE Study and his experiences around the country working on applications of ACE Study concepts.

Rob is co-founder of ACE Interface, a company that provides education, analysis, facilitation, and products focused on helping people to develop Self-Healing Communities that prevent ACEs and improve well-being. He and his work are highlighted in the documentary “Resilience” by Jamie Redford that was accepted to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and is now being shown across the nation.

Rob is passionate about scuba diving and enjoys fishing and golf.  He makes his home in Peachtree City, GA.

Laura Porter has over 20 years of experience teaching about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the power of local people to build a better life now, and for the future. 

In past years, she served as an elected County Commissioner and as Staff Director for a Council of 10 state leaders, including representatives of four Legislative caucuses, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Governor and four cabinet members. The Council provided a structure for coordinating system improvements across five state agencies and forty-two communities. Laura’s work with state and community leaders generated improvements in the rates of problems including crime, addiction, abuse, depression, suicide, and dropping out of school. 

Laura and Dr. Rob Anda are co-founders of ACE Interface, a company that provides education, analysis, facilitation, and products to help state and community leaders to build Self-Healing Communities. Their current work is focused on developing an alternative multi-sector finance and management model for reducing ACE-related risks. The model design will leverage collective resources, scientific insights, and community wisdom to achieve sustainable improvements in population health and wellbeing while reducing long-term fiscal burdens.Top of FormBottom of Form