Carlos Whittaker is bringing hope to humans all over the world. And he’s pretty good at it. He’s an author, podcaster, and global speaker backed by a power of a massive instafamilia, his enthusiastic social followers who tune in daily to join forces with Carlos to find connection, do good and be in community. His motto: Don’t stand on issues, walk with people.
Carmichael Finn MA, LAMFT, LADC, ADCR-MN, known as "Finn," is the current Executive Director at Recovering Hope Treatment Center in Mora, Minnesota. With over two decades of experience, Finn holds licenses as an alcohol and drug counselor in the State of Minnesota and a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to their leadership role, Finn serves as Adjunct Faculty at Metropolitan State University and Minneapolis College, where they teach in Alcohol and Drug Counseling programs. They are also the owner of Carmichael Finn LLC, specializing in team-building, training, and quality consultation for behavioral health organizations. Finn serves on the Board of Directors of Thrive Family Recovery Resources a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering positive change in the lives of families navigating the journey of healing and hope amidst the challenges of addiction. Finn also serves as the President of the Minnesota Alliance of Rural Addiction Treatment Programs (MARATP) Ethics Committee. Finn's professional interests encompass advanced ethics, supervision, organizational and systems change, research, relational theories, and addiction and family dynamics. For more information, you can visit their website at www.carmichaelfinn.com.
Dr. Gretchen Marsh is a clinical psychologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression related disorders in teens and adults. She completed her undergraduate work in psychology at the University of Michigan, followed by her Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Wayne State University. Dr. Marsh also completed a Doctoral Internship in Professional Psychology at WSU Medical School in the Dept. of Psychiatry. She currently splits her time between private practice and professional speaking. Last year, Gretchen was recognized by her peers, winning the prestigious 2023 Emerging Pioneer Recognition Award from the Michigan Psychological Association for her work in bringing mental health education and workshops to organizations, schools and companies both in the domestically and world-wide. Gretchen lives in Michigan with her husband and is the mother of 3 children, ages 18, 15, 11.
Upon completion of Dr. Marsh’s sessions, participants will be able to discuss the stigma facing mental health and apply solutions to it, implement strategies to support children’s mental health, and practice strategies to empower mental health wellness.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Requirements and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences designates this Live program for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Before becoming a specialist in organizational stress and trauma-exposed work, Francoise Mathieu worked as a front-line mental health provider in a variety of complex settings, including providing employee assistance to members of the Canadian military. Over the last 25 years, she has worked with law enforcement, military personnel, health care, child welfare, social services, addiction support and education, as well as with other professionals in need of psychological support.
Judge Everett Mitchell was elected to the Dane County Circuit Court as a juvenile court judge and presides over cases involving family reunification, juvenile delinquency, and other civil and criminal proceedings. Judge Mitchell is committed to dismantling what he describes as the “Child Welfare to Juvenile Delinquency to Adult Prison Pipeline” operating not only in Wisconsin, but also around the country. As a trauma survivor himself, Judge Mitchell approaches each case with an eye bent toward ensuring the court system doesn’t contribute to the ongoing traumatic narrative that many children and families experience. He often tells the children in his court, “I am not your judge, I am your reflection.”
Jim Pavlik, MA, CTTS is the Sr. Program & Policy Analyst at the Behavioral Health & Wellness Program at the University of Colorado, Department of Psychiatry, Anschutz Medical Campus. He has over 18 years of public health experience in partnership development, health promotion, strategic communications, and disaster response. At BWHP, he is a program designer, evaluator, and manager, lead curriculum creator and educator, and researcher. Most of his efforts are focused on providing health systems technical assistance for local, regional, and state governments and their partners in community behavioral health centers, justice-involved agencies, and medical services. He is a lead trainer and curriculum developer including for BHWP’s nationally accredited Tobacco Treatment Specialist program and their DIMENSIONS: Tobacco Free group program. His main area of interest is helping public health agencies design data-driven efforts to close health disparities, especially among those communities historically targeted by the tobacco industry.
Klementyna (Ky) Weyman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her work in direct practice has focused on program development and implementation of evidence- based practices for co-occurring disorders, with particular focus on young adult and veteran populations. She also has a passion for teaching, with extensive involvement in the training of other clinicians in risk assessment and crisis intervention. Her current areas of interest include finding synergy between evidence-based treatment modalities for co-occurring disorders, implementation and organizational change processes, and integration of care across providers and treatment delivery systems. She is a graduate of Tufts University, and the University of Central Florida.
Dr. Nicola Herting, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with children and families impacted by trauma. Dr. Herting has extensive training in trauma and child abuse and is experienced in providing several evidence-based, trauma-specific treatments including TF-CBT, AF-CBT, CFTSI, PSB-CBT, SPARCS, and CPT. Dr. Herting has completed several advanced TF-CBT learning collaborative, including TF-CBT with Children with Developmental Disabilities, Commercially Sexually Exploited and Trafficked youth, and TF-CBT over Telehealth. Dr. Herting regularly provides training and consultation on trauma-informed care, evidence-based and trauma-informed screening, assessment, and treatment.
Dr. Hilary Cuthrell, PhD, began working with incarcerated individuals and those involved in the legal justice system in 2009 while attending DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Cuthrell went on to earn her MS and PhD from the School of Human Ecology-Human Development and Family Studies program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016. Dr. Cuthrell acted as an affiliate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Child and Family Well-Being,where she served for 5 years under the United States Federal Government’s Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) program with the National Institute of Corrections in Washington, DC. Dr. Cuthrell currently serves as the project manager for “Child Friendly Visiting Spaces in Jails and Prisons,” a project federally funded in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance andNational Institute of Corrections. Dr. Cuthrell’s work has been published in academic journals, peer-reviewed articles, correctional publication platforms and most recently a book entitled “When Are You Coming Home? How Young Children Cope When Parents Go to Jail.”
Dr. Jon Ulven, PhD, L.P, has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 2003 and has worked for Sanford Health since 2004. He is licensed to practice psychology in Minnesota and North Dakota. Dr. Ulven completed his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas in 2001. He obtained his post-doctoral training as part of an assistant professional position at St. Cloud State University from 2001 to 2004.At Sanford Health, Dr. Ulven is the department chair of Adult Psychology in the Fargo-Moorhead community since 2008. He is competent in various applications of CBT, motivational interviewing, acceptance and commitment therapy, as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD and Written Exposure Therapy for PTSD. For the past 12+ years he has delivered psychological services to clinicians who are showing signs of burnout through the internal Clinician Assistance Program. Dr. Ulven is currently the first psychologist to serve on the Physician Executive Council at Sanford Health. Since 2021, Dr. Ulven is the lead clinician on a SAMHSA granted effort to provide resources and support to healthcare workers in the state of ND who have experienced increased stress due to the pandemic.
Elizabeth Medd is a mom, an architect and interior designer with 20 years of experience in the industry. She is a project architect at Craftwell Architecture & Construction she also serves as adjunct professor in NDSU’s architecture department. Elizabeth began speaking to youth, their families, coaches, teachers and mentors about mental health after her 15 year old son, Liam, died by suicide in February of 2021. She shares her lived experience in an effort to bring light to the struggles our youth are facing, that there are not always signs or symptoms and the importance of proactive regular conversations surrounding mental health. Along with her husband Todd, and in conjunction with the Dakota Medical Foundation, she created the 4-6-3 Foundation with the goal to Reduce Stigma, Build Hope, and End Suicide. Elizabeth has participated in multiple panels reaching youth and their parents, been a keynote speaker discussing mental health and goes into schools to teach about mental health. Elizabeth is dedicated to providing tools and resources to youth and teens and the community in an effort end teen suicide.
Joel Friesz has served as Executive Director of National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) since January 2022. Prior to this, Joel oversaw a statewide Restorative Justice program for 13 years at a non-profit agency in North Dakota. During those years, Joel and his team worked extensively with the juvenile justice system and K-12 schools across North Dakota and region. Joel has been involved with domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy for over a decade and served for three years as a Facilitator of Sexual Assault Prevention and Advocacy for North Dakota State University. Joel completed the Reducing Racial & Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Certificate Program at Georgetown University in 2016. Joel serves on several local and state committees including the North Dakota Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, a position he has held since 2013. In 2020, Joel completed a yearlong formation process to become an Associate of Sisters of the Presentation which binds together his longstanding regard for spirituality, justice, and peace. Joel received his bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND) and holds a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from University of Mary (Bismarck, ND). A lifelong North Dakotan, Joel has resided in Fargo for over 25 years.
Laetitia Mizero Hellerud is the executive director of the Jeremiah Program, Fargo-Moorhead Campus. She is a seasoned leader with almost 30 years of professional experience working primarily with minoritized/underrepresented populations. Laetitia has spent her career and much of her life supporting women and children through forward-thinking leadership, program management, community engagement, advocacy and equity-driven principles. After a decade of advocating for HeadStart families and coordinating the statewide settlement of new refugees, she has most recently led policy and systems change and advanced gender, racial and socio-economic inclusion as a published author, Bush Foundation Fellow, board member and leader in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Northwestern Minnesota. This work has also been critical to Laetitia’s intercultural consulting practice in the areas of diversity, equity, access, belonging, immigrant issues, and qualitative/quantitative research methods. Laetitia holds a M.S in Management from the University of Mary and an Executive Certificate from Harvard University in Leadership, Organizing and Action: Leading for Change. In 2016, she completed a yearlong formation process to become an Associate of Sisters of the Presentation which effectively bridges her deep-rooted passion for community engagement, spirituality, justice, and peace.
Anne Mahlum is an American entrepreneur, motivational speaker, experienced CEO, investor, advisor, philanthropist and athlete. She is extremely passionate about empowering people to live life on their own terms. Born in North Dakota, there was very little in Anne's childhood that would indicate she would one day be an innovative two-time founder and thought leader who would have a remarkable impact on countless people.T he beginning of Anne’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2007, she found herself running by a homeless shelter in Philadelphia and had the foresight to realize that running and community could be the catalyst to truly change lives. She engaged the shelter to start a running club, which she quickly formed into a national non- profit called Back on My Feet. The organization, now with an $8M annual budget, uses running as a vehicle to help those experiencing homelessness become empowered to change their lives. Under Anne’s leadership as CEO, she grew the organization to 14 cities. Since its inception Back on My Feet has helped thousands of individuals achieve employment and more self-sufficient living.
But Anne didn’t stop there. She created success again when she founded pilates-inspired [solidcore] in 2013. As its founder and CEO, she grew it into one of the country’s most successful fitness companies in less than a decade by raising more than $210M through private equity to scale it to more than 120 locations across the US.
Anne has been honored many times for her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Most recently, she was featured by CNBC for her continued success over the years. She has also been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a 'Women Who Mean Business' winner and was named both an ABC World News Person of the Week and a CNN Hero for her work at Back on My Feet. She has given three TEDx talks about finding your passion, letting go of your complacency, and helping others. She has also received notable media attention highlighting her talent, including articles in CNBC, The Washington Post, The Washington Business Journal and Runner's World.
Erin Bonitto is a nationally-known dementia educator and dementia communication coach who is the founder of Gemini Consulting in Cold Spring, MN. Erin spends most of her time in skilled nursing homes, assisted living centers and memory care neighborhoods – helping team members become the very best dementia communicators that they can be. Erin also provides impactful education and coaching to family caregivers. Erin has always cherished opportunities to connect with families, but a recent diagnosis of dementia in her own family has added a depth to her knowledge that only those who have a loved one with dementia can understand. Erin knows what it is to simultaneously grieve the person's losses while celebrating their remaining strengths. Erin is a Certified Activity Director and holds a Master’s Degree in Gerontology, but she’ll tell you that most everything she has ever learned about dementia has been in the real world.
Jane King is a Clinical Psychologist with close to 30 years of experience developing and directing programs and teams in integrated mental health and substance use treatment as well as homeless and housing arenas. As a Senior Consultant for the National Council, she specializes in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) implementation for both clinics and states. Prior to coming to the National Council, Dr. King worked for the State of Minnesota – Department of Human Services on the CCBHC implementation team. She has also done clinical work and supervision in varied settings such as FQHCs, mental health clinics, substance use treatment programs, homeless shelters and housing programs. Dr. King received her Doctor of Psychology from JFK University and her bachelor’s in Psychology from Occidental College, both in California. She currently resides in Minneapolis.
Jessica Dalpe is a licensed social worker who has worked in the international social work field for over a decade. She currently works as the Senior Technical Advisor for Safety & Wellness at the International Rescue Committee where she is a program manager for the NCTSN Category II Center for Adjustment, Resilience and Recovery (CARRE). Jessica’s work focuses on generating and integrating evidence-based practices related to gender-based violence and mental health and psychosocial support for refugees, asylum-seekers, and other immigrants in the US who have faced forced displacement. Jess lives in coastal New Jersey where she enjoys outdoor adventures with her dog and partner and cuddling up with a cup of tea and her cats.
Samantha Beauchman is a licensed psychologist based in the Fargo region of Sanford Health, with a specialization in serving rural primary care clinics. She holds a PhD from the University of North Dakota, graduating from the Indians into Psychology Doctoral Education Program in 2012. Samantha's professional journey has been shaped by her upbringing in Turtle Mountain, Belcourt, ND, fostering a deep commitment to trauma-focused care, particularly with Native American youth. Her career spans diverse clinical settings, where she addresses a wide spectrum of patient needs. Outside her role as a psychologist, Samantha prioritizes family life with her husband and three young children. She finds relaxation in nature, crafting, and reading.
Dr. Emily Sargent is an enrolled tribal member of the White Earth Band of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Bear Clan, with the Anishinaabe name Ishpiming Nibiikong Ikwe (Sky Reflects on the Water Woman). She serves as a clinical psychologist at Sanford Health and clinical investigator at the Center for Biobehavioral Research (CBR) in Fargo, ND. Her expertise includes trauma-informed treatment for Native Americans across tribal, rural, and urban settings. Emily enjoys spending time with her family in White Earth, engaging in outdoor activities, and traveling.
Michael T. Sanford II, MSSA, is a consultant and trainer at the prestigious Center for Evidenced Based Practices (CEBP) at Case Western Reserve University. Having worked in various segments of the helping field, Michael has gained experience that is both diverse and dynamic. Michael provides technical assistance and program evaluation to organizations across the nation that are at the forefront of implementing evidence-based practices, emerging best practices, and innovative strategies. His unwavering dedication and commitment to improving services and outcomes for families and individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness and substance use disorders have garnered him regard among peers. Mr. Sanford is an alumnus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He further honed his skills and knowledge by obtaining a graduate degree in Social Work and Social Administration from the renowned Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
Miera Corey (she/her) is the Associate Director of the Maryland Harm Reduction Training Institute (MaHRTI) at Behavioral Health System Baltimore (BHSB). She is Morgan State University graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She has fifteen plus years of experience in harm reduction and systems of care work. Miera has worked at The Lighthouse Studies at PEER Point & BESURE, two harm reduction research programs focused on Baltimore City residents with HIV/STD high-risk behaviors through JHU. Ms. Corey previously worked for University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) on NCTSN funded program evaluation studies.
Vincent Roehr, MSW, Senior Director with Casey Family Programs, Indian Child Welfare Program. Enrolled Member of the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation, and son of Katherine Felix, former MHA Nation CFS Director. Before making the transition to work for Casey Family Programs, Vincent served his community in multiple different areas, including Executive Director of the Child Safety Center, and teaching as an adjunct professor at Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish College. During this time, Vincent also served as a Board Director with the Mountrail McKenzie Human Service Zone, and was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to the Children’s Cabinet as the Tribal Nations Representative. Past experiences also include working in foster care, along with the ICWA office, providing education on ICWA Practice, and partnering with multiple stakeholders involved in many statewide grant funded initiatives. Of note, Vincent and grant partners were able to create, implement, and distribute the first ICWA INQUIRY FORM to the state of ND.
Rosario Ortiz, MSW, Senior Director Joan B. Poliak Seattle Field Office (JBP-SFO) Casey Family Programs (CFP). Rosario is the Senior Director at the Joan B. Poliak-Seattle Field Office. Previously, she was a Social Worker, Prevention & Permanency Supervisor, and Director within the same Field Office. Rosario has over 30 years of experience in Child Welfare. Rosario previously served as Monroe County’s Economic Services Supervisor for the Florida Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services, Eligibility Worker for the Suffolk Department of Social Services, Social Worker for the Office of Community Services & Children-Youth-Family, Social Worker for Accomack County Department of Social Services, Social Worker for New Hanover County Department of Social Services and Social Worker and Supervisor of the Office of Indian Child Welfare, Children’s Administration, Department of Social and Health Services.
Born and raised in the twin cities, Kristy has been a flourishing Fargo/Moorhead resident for the past 10 years after rebuilding a beautiful life for herself. Kristy previously spent many years in the system in different spectrums such as foster care, struggles with mental health and addiction, incarceration, and beyond. She now spends her time utilizing her journey and lived experience to serve the community.
Kristy wears numerous hats throughout North Dakota working with nonprofits, peer support, housing realms, state entities, Department of Corrections and Specialty Courts. Kristy wholeheartedly enjoys sharing her lived experience and thinking outside of the box in hopes of assisting others on their journey to wellness. Kristy is currently in school, aiming for her bachelor’s degree in social work.
The most important hat she wears is a mother in recovery. In her spare time, she enjoys fun adventures with her children, exploring nature, road trips, and her fur babies.
Olivia is a lived expert of the North Dakota Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems, having experience in foster care as early as her pre-school years. Olivia navigated a variety of placement types and permanency outcomes, including adoption. Olivia uses her expertise to advocate for current youth experiencing the same systems she previously navigated in her current role as a board member of the North Dakota Youth Advisory Association (NDYAA). Olivia resides in Fargo, ND where she works as a CNA and is a criminal justice student at Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Carrie Cappellino is the Founder of Carrie’s Kids which started in 2006 under the umbrella of Trinity Lutheran Church. In 2012 Carrie’s Kids became an official non-profit organization. In 2018 Carrie’s Kids purchased the building on South 12th Street giving them the ability to serve greater. Carrie strongly believes that every child is created with a purpose. Carrie has been the recipient of many awards from outstanding individual working with children and teens to international recognition for humanitarian service. There is a documentary at the Library of Congress in Washington DC highlighting Carrie’s Kids grassroot efforts. Groups through Carrie’s Kids have participated in National competitions taking them to the White House and throughout the United States.
Cindy Leingang is a Care Coordinator, Peer Support Specialist/Supervisor, and Peer Addiction Management Coach for Face It TOGETHER. She’s also an independent contractor providing recovery-based services to clients receiving substance abuse treatment. Since additionally certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator, she’s also involved in holding weekly SMART Recovery meetings for the public. Passionate about helping those who struggle with cancer, addiction, mental health, and grief, Cindy makes herself available to individuals and their families for support. She was born in Bismarck, met her husband and raised two children in the Mandan area, and openly shares her family’s story of nearly losing a child to the disease of cancer and then losing a child to the disease of addiction. She’s also proud to be a past state employee, a strong supporter of Recovery Reinvented, has participated in Families Strong, and has been fortunate to attend past conferences for ND Behavioral Health/Child and Family Services.
Jennifer Perdue is the executive director of the Minot Area Recovery Community Organization (RCO); she became the first full-time executive director in 2022 and has since made MARCO the first nationally recognized RCO in North Dakota. Jennifer began her young adult life at NYU Stern in New York, where she focused on the intersection of finance and social impact, particularly with those experiencing homelessness. During this time, Jennifer experienced substance use disorder and later sought treatment. For the last 5 years, she has been living in long-term recovery. With her combination of education and experience, Jennifer found a passion in helping people find their own recovery pathways and challenging the stigma associated with substance use disorder and recovery. Jennifer is currently a fellow in the Reaching Rural Initiative and is involved with many local and national recovery organizations.
Dr. Sise is board certified in general and addiction psychiatry. Before Co-founding 406 Recovery, he served as chief medical officer of the greater-Montana region’s largest psychiatric practice. He also serviced as chief medical officer of a joint venture with the Montana Hospital Association to provide emergency psychiatry consultation services to hospitals across the state. Dr. Sise has lectured on substance use disorder screening, diagnosis, and treatment at both state and regional conferences.
Teliea Baker is an Enrolled Member of the MHA Nation. She currently resides in New Town, ND, where she has been the director of North Segment’s The Door Resource & Recovery Lodge since its opening in 2018. The Door is a Resource and recovery Lodge for all paths of recovery, focusing on empowerment through peer support and cultural influence, a clean, sober environment, and healing within ourselves.
Her focus came from surviving federal drug charges and being an addict and alcoholic. She has walked through fire and dedicated her life to the revolution of recovery and all its possibilities.
Teliea shares her story to give hope that will motivate and encourage others affected by addiction. She is a certified peer support specialist trainer, wellbriety warrior, women’s mentor, women’s advocate, and recovery builder. She has been on the path of recovery for 11 years
and continues the fight every day. Teliea is an undergrad student at Minot State University focusing on Addiction Studies. The battle will never end, and she will keep using her voice to
build bridges of beautiful recovery. My recovery is loud.