Diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies” and “too sick” for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a professor at Adelphi University where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism. In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen is internationally renowned for presentations, consultations and writings on lifespan issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure. He is a current board member of IBCCES, Autism Society of America, and Autism Speaks.

Dr. Benjamin Brown is a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and has been in practice almost 10 years. Dr. Brown specializes in Neurological Surgery, and has received the Dr. John Jackson Award for best clinical research presentation at the Louisiana State Neurosurgical Society Meeting, and the 2011 TEAM Recognition Award at LSU Hospital, where he was awarded for “commitment to excellence in the care and treatment of our patients.”

Dr. Haas is Florida Blue’s Senior Medical Director of Clinical Affairs. In this role, Dr. Haas is responsible for strategic and operational effectiveness of the Medicare Advantage membership. He is also is the clinical lead for the new Place of Delivery Model that brings a local care team focus on the highest risk Medicare Advantage, ACA and Fully Insured Commercial membership.

Dr. Haas is a physician leader with over twenty years of clinical, hospital, pharmaceutical and managed care experience. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Haas earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State University and his Medical Doctorate from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. He then completed his Family Medicine Residency at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of training Dr. Haas practiced two years in Washington, D.C. Dr. Haas remains actively Board Certified in Family Medicine since 1988.

After relocating to Florida, Dr. Haas served as managing partner of his six doctor Family Practice group. Once his practice merged into a Physician Hospital Organization, he was elected Chairman of Board of this 150 doctor organization. Post 12 years in clinical practice Dr. Haas transitioned into pharmaceutical research and then managed care.

As the Senior Regional Medical Scientist of Glaxo Dr. Haas was responsible for setup of phase 3 & 4 research studies, development of key thought leaders and interface with manage care on pharmacoeconomics. Next in his career track Dr. Haas took on the role of Network Medical Director and Aetna/Prudential serving a commercial population then onto WellCare Health Plans where he oversaw the Medicare and Medicaid population. In these roles Dr. Haas was responsible for improvement in quality, as well as cost of medical care. He also was instrumental in NCQA and AAAHC accreditations and Aetna and WellCare respectively.

Prior to joining Florida Blue, Dr. Haas served as Vice President of Clinical Affairs of FPG/ Family Physicians Group where he provided Medical Director Leadership to a 90 doctor MSO in Central Florida.

As a success coach and nationally certified school psychologist, Brandy Killian believes in helping others to achieve and be at their best. Brandy has served children in special education for over 15 years. As a parent herself to a child with Down syndrome she has developed a passion for understanding this engaging and remarkable population of students.

Ricardo A. Hanel, MD, PhD, neurovascular surgeon with Lyerly Neurosurgery and Baptist Health, is director of Baptist Neurological Institute at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. He is internationally known for his skills in treating brain aneurysms, acute stroke and cerebrovascular conditions with ground breaking, minimally invasive techniques performed from inside the blood vessel. His areas of expertise are endovascular neurosurgery, brain aneurysms, brain & spinal arterial venous malformations, brain & spinal arterial venous fistulas, acute stroke intervention, cerebrovascular disease and skull base neurosurgery. Dr. Hanel obtained his medical degree from Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil and did his fellowships at the State University of New York at Buffalo and the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Kevin is responsible for leading behavioral science innovation and research within Janssen’s Disease Interception Accelerator organization. He is the pre-venture lead for both Perinatal Depression. Prior to this role, he was the Behavioral Science Lead in the Consumer Innovations group after serving as Head of Behavioral Science for SocialWellth, a health technology startup where he led the development of the first consumer focused mHealth app Certification Standards and Review process for use by health plans and retailers. Previously, he was Senior Director of Science and Innovation at Wellness & Prevention Inc. where he led a team of clinical, organizational and educational psychologists, physicians, health educators and biostatisticians. He was also the Director of Behavioral Science and Data Analytics at HealthMedia, Incorporated. He is the former Director of Behavioral Science in the Department of Family Medicine with Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. With his expertise in health behavior change and brief treatment interventions, Dr. Wildenhaus has consulted with many organizations that provide wellness, behavioral health, and disease management services, conducting program reviews and providing staff training in behavioral science models and behavior change techniques. He has given many national lectures, presentations and workshops. In addition to his specialization in health psychology and behavioral science, Kevin has served as Team Psychologist for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2001.

Eric Sauvageau, MD, neurovascular surgeon with Lyerly Neurosurgery and Baptist Health, is director of the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center at Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. Dr. Sauvageau specializes in minimally invasive endovascular and cerebrovascular techniques and skull base neurosurgery for the treatment of stroke, brain aneurysm, cerebrovascular disease, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), arteriovenous fistulas and carotid artery disease. He also has expertise in the treatment of microvascular compression syndrome, including trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm.
Dr. Sauvageau obtained his medical degree from the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada and did his fellowships at the State of New York at Buffalo and the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.

Michael E. Kelley leads the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a 501c(3) facility with a three-part mission of ASD research, clinical service and training located on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology. Dr. Kelley is also Professor of Psychology in the Behavior Analysis Program in the School of Behavior Analysis at Florida Tech. In addition to administrative oversight of the Scott Center, Dr. Kelley leads the Scott Center’s research program and his research interests include assessment and intervention for severe behavioral disorders, pediatric feeding disorders, the symptoms of autism, and treatment relapse. He has served on the Board of Editors for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA) and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (JEAB), and has served as Associate Editor for JABA.

Mark is a leader in digital business transformation and directs the telehealth initiative at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, a 501c(3) facility with a three-part mission of ASD research, clinical service and training located on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology. As Director of Telehealth, he collaborates with clinicians, industry partners and healthcare organizations to improve and transform ASD outcomes by leveraging technology and innovation. A Silicon Valley veteran and successful technology entrepreneur, Mark has also held senior positions with Microsoft, Intuit and PeopleSoft.

Nima Aghaebrahim, MD, interventional neurologist with Lyerly Neurosurgery and Baptist Health, specializes in ground-breaking endovascular therapy that can be performed from inside the blood vessel to treat cerebrovascular disease. His areas of expertise are acute stroke intervention, brain hemorrhages, brain aneurysm, carotid or vertebral artery disease, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and arteriovenous fistulas.
With a medical degree from the University of South Carolina, Dr. Aghaebrahim did fellowships at the University of Pittsburgh and is board certified in board certified in both neurology and vascular neurology.

As Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) independence services and mental health vice president, Michael is responsible for the Independence Program (IP), Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP), Warrior Care Network and WWP Talk Program.

The IP program provides extensive support and services to the most severely wounded, ill, or injured warriors suffering from moderate-to-severe brain injury, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological conditions, who are most at risk of being institutionalized. CSRP provides services to warriors and families that address mental health needs and the key issues linked to combat stress, including stigma and access to care. Warrior Care Network is comprised of four leading academic medical centers providing innovative treatment for the invisible wounds. Michael is the Chairman of the Executive Steering Committee for the Warrior Care Network as well. WWP Talk connects and serves warriors and families through telephonic emotional support to empower them to increase resilience, self-efficacy, quality of life, and psychological well-being. Before assuming this role, Michael served as the physical health and wellness director for WWP.

Michael begin his military service in 1981 as a 17-year-old private and retired 32 years later in 2013 as a medical service corps lieutenant colonel. He last served as the director of the disability evaluation system for Army Medicine as part of the Army staff. He also commanded the Warrior Transition Battalion for Europe from 2010 to 2012, where his relationship with WWP began.

During his change of command, Michael noted that WWP was pivotal in the development of the battalion’s effective adaptive sports and fitness program, which positively affected the lives of warriors and their families.

During Michael’s career, he had numerous combat and operational deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Bosnia. Of note, during his last 15-month deployment to Iraq, Michael served as the Iraq theatre medical regulating officer and was responsible for the coordination of all patient movement within and departing from Iraq. His awards include two Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal; and various other medals and decorations. Michael is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit for Army Medicine.

Michael holds a master’s degree in public administration (health) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Hawaii. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife Beth, who is also a retired army officer. They have two grown children, Michael II and Monique.

Dr. Mae Barker is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with over fifteen years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She earned her doctorate in the Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences from The Florida State University in 2005 and obtained board certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2002. Her past professional experiences include Clinical Director of the UF-Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, in-home behavior therapist, residential care staff, and school-based behavioral specialist. Since 2005, Dr. Barker has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Florida, teaching graduate coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism. She has published research on child safety, contributed to the professional literature on inclusion of students with autism, and developed a training CD to help teach parents how to play with their young children with ASD. At present, she provides ABA services to children, families, and school personnel through Florida Autism Consultants and Educational Services and Parent Training Solutions. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters, running, reading, and playing in the dirt.

Joanne Alicea is a Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Ability Tree First Coast, Inc. and CampAbility Special Day Camp who works with individuals and families impacted by disabilities to find Recreation, Education, Support, and Training (R.E.S.T.). Being a parent of a child with Down syndrome in this community, Joanne believes in the collaboration of individuals, families, and the communities they live in to work together to create a culture of support, inclusion, and personal growth. She has done presentations on disabilities awareness in various settings, including hospitals and schools. Joanne is a certified Waiver Support Coordinator for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), with over 18 years of targeted case management & social services experience working with several non-profits, as well as the Medicaid State Plan and Department of Children and Families. Joanne holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Communications from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Dr. Orrock is passionate about the connection of mind, body and spiritual work as it pertains to mental health and wellness. He is currently licensed in the state of Alabama as an LPC and will be seeking licensure in Florida. Dr. Orrock specializes in marriage and family, military personnel and student athlete (mental toughness & performance) counseling. He currently volunteers his time with Red Cross providing assistance to service members as they re-integrate into civilian roles post deployment. He ran a small private practice in Alabama for four years while serving as an assistant professor at Troy University. During this time, he worked with active duty service members and their families from Fort Rucker, Maxwell Airforce Base and Fort Benning. Previously, he worked at the Children’s Medical Hospital in the adolescent clinic seeing individuals and families with the primary client being between 12 to 25 years of age that were victims of sexual abuse and assault. He has been a special education teacher in public schools, has worked professionally as a home based therapist, and has had several intensive internships in mental health clinics, working with a variety of populations to include adolescents, adults and severe mental illness. Dr. Orrock’s research interests have focused on the influence of perceptions of masculinity, as related to: oppression, SES, abuse, trauma, military culture and families, identity development, interpersonal relationships and general mental health of males. Additionally, he is specifically interested in the mind, body, and spiritual connection as it relates to healing for combat veterans and their families. Thus, his work and professional interests focus on family, improving mental health systemically and promoting wellness. He believes in building alliances across professional settings including medical, community mental health and schools to promote greater wellness for marginalized populations. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves spending his free time on the water pursuing his passions of fishing and surfing.

Since 2014, Dr. Christine Sapienza serves as the Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville University. Under her leadership, JU has launched enhanced health sciences program offerings to address emerging market demands, and has raised the standing and reputation of both the University and the BRCHS in the region. Through her vision, the College of Healthcare Sciences has been reorganized into a cohesive brand that includes School of Nursing, the School of Applied Health Sciences and the School of Orthodontics.

Dr. Christine Sapienza serves as the Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville University. Through her vision, the College of Healthcare Sciences has been reorganized into a cohesive brand that includes School of Nursing, the School of Applied Health Sciences and the School of Orthodontics.

Karen wants to live in a world where work is fast, people are free, and chocolate is devoid of calories; but in the meantime she has co-founded the award winning, FHIL, Florida Hospital
Innovation Lab. One year after launching FHIL, she co-created the Orlando Magic’s Innovation Lab. Two years later she co-designed the nation’s first undergraduate degree in sustainable Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. Since then, she helped other organizations develop innovation labs and has guided more than 28 global healthcare companies through the design thinking process.

To date, Karen and her FHIL team have facilitated more than 500 design thinking projects with more than 5050 healthcare professionals, students, faculty, executives and community leaders from around the world. Karen is a licensed Educational Psychologist, with a PhD in Innovation, Leadership & Change. She has taught and presented nationally and internationally.

Currently Karen lives in Orlando with her artist husband, while their 3 sons make their mark in the world. Karen is the proud owner of the “world’s wackiest dog” who resembles a cross between a raccoon, weasel & opossum.

Dr. Melanie Chandler is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mayo Clinic and a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist. She received her M.S. in Rehabilitation Psychology and Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and completed her fellowship in Neuropsychology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in 2006. She was the recipient of the 2015 Robert A. and Phyllis Levitt Early Career Award in Neuropsychology from the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Chandler’s professional responsibilities include a mixture of research, patient care, and teaching. She has had research funding to support studies on behavioral interventions in Mild Cognitive Impairment since 2005. She co-founded the Healthy Actions to Benefit Independence & Thinking® program offered now at 5 major research centers. Currently, she is serving as site PI on multiple behavioral intervention grants for MCI and is Director of the HABIT program in Mayo Florida.

Dave Hammer is the Director of Professional Development and Speech Services for the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA). Prior to this position, Dave had 35 years of pediatric clinical experience at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA with specialty interests in childhood apraxia of speech and speech sound disorders. He has been invited to present workshops on childhood apraxia and speech sound disorders throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. Dave was a member of the ASHA AdHoc committee on childhood apraxia of speech. He has been involved in the production of a number of apraxia-related DVD’s and an innovative children’s CD. Dave is known for his practical and therapy-rich presentations.

Dr Charles Freed is a board certified in Child, Adolescent, Adult and Addiction Psychiatry who completed his Residency training at LSU Medical School in New Orleans. Dr Freed has been serving in Sr. Medical Director roles within Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations for the past 20 years while also maintaining a small private practice as a MAT (Medically Assisted Treatment) provider. Dr Freed consults routinely on MAT related initiatives to both Managed Care and Provider organizations.

Dr. Ronald Aung-Din practices General Neurology & Neuro-Psychiatry in Sarasota, FL. He is board-certified by American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; and member, American Academy of Neurology.

After studies in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering at Bucknell (Lewisburg, PA) and Cornell (Ithaca, NY) Universities, he worked for a period as an engineer. He then attended Columbia University in New York City for Premedical studies, followed by Medical School at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX. Residencies in Neurology and Neurosurgery were at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Additional studies included a Medical Student Fellowship in Cardiology at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Clinical Neurology Postgraduate Fellowship at National Hospital for Nervous Disease, Queen Square, London, UK.

Through affiliation with Lovelace Scientific Resources, Inc., Albuquerque, NM and his own clinical practice, he has participated in over 60 pharmaceutical industry sponsored clinical trials. He currently functions as Principal Investigator in a number of ongoing drug research studies in MS, epilepsy, pain, Parkinson’s disease; and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Aung-Din is also active in treating varied conditions using delivery of neuro-active drugs with Direct Effects Therapy, a technology developed by him for which 8 patents have to date been granted in the United States, Europe, and Australia; with others pending.

Dr. Julie Kellogg grew up in California and graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her Pediatric residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. Kellogg served as a Pediatrician with the US Navy for 22 years, both in an active duty and then civilian capacity. She has been in the Jacksonville area for almost 18 years. Dr. Kellogg joined the faculty at St. Vincent’s Family Medicine Residency Program in 2016, where she is Director of Pediatrics. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at both Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Florida State University College of Medicine.

Dr. Kellogg is active in the community and serves on the Jacksonville Partnership for Child Health. She loves Pediatric medicine and particularly enjoys partnering with the families of children with ADHD and school difficulties to help their children achieve their full potential. She is also committed to community outreach and providing care to children who may be medically underserved.

Dr. Betancourt is the Senior Vice President for U.S. Social Impact at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street. She directs the development and implementation of community and family engagement initiatives making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families. These research-based initiatives are designed to impact children’s early learning, health and well-being, and provide strategies and resources to counteract the effects of trauma while fostering the critical connections that adults have on children’s lives. Prior to joining Sesame Workshop, Dr. Betancourt created programs in adult learning and early childhood education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a licensed bilingual speech and language pathologist and educational therapist. She participates on several national and local boards and has contributed to the start of charter schools. Dr. Betancourt has a BA and MA in Speech and Language Pathology; an MS in Bilingual Reading/Special Education, and an Ed.D. in Special Education.

Dr. Arikawa holds a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics and a master’s in public health from the University of Sao Paulo and a PhD in nutrition from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Arikawa’s research interests include the role of bioactive food constituents on prevention of chronic disease. She has previously conducted animal and human studies related to phytochemicals, energy balance, oxidative stress and cancer. Dr. Arikawa’s ongoing research studies include examining: the role of lifestyle interventions on prevention and treatment of chronic disease, the relationship between intake of dietary supplements and biological parameters associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, and the relationship between the composition of the gut microbiota and inflammation. She has recently conducted a pilot study to determine whether consumption of fermented foods can decrease inflammation and modify the profile of the gut bacteria in overweight women.

Devon is the owner of Majestic Oak Kid Connections. She studied Elementary Education in undergraduate school and holds a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Public Health. Devon has 20 years of experience in pediatrics, the NICU, in and out-patient rehabilitation, schools, and home health settings.
Her personal background and history of Dyslexia and learning disabilities led Devon to pursue the field of child development and pediatrics. Her down to earth personality and passion for her work allow children and parents to feel comfortable and understood. Devon lives in St. Augustine with her husband and three children.

Ron Pettit is Director, Disability Inclusion & ADA Compliance at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ron’s goal and passion is to help people with disabilities have the best cruise vacation experience possible.
He is responsible for the accessible guest experience and product development as well as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance for three global brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. He leads our Access and Accessible Shore Excursions Departments.
Ron was responsible for our Autism Friendly initiative aimed at reaching over 1.5 million individuals with Autism in U.S. and Canada. His efforts resulted in doubling the number of guests with autism and their families from 2014 to 2016 and our company earning the Adam Heavner Memorial Award for Business of the Year by Autism Society of America in 2016 and Disability Matters Marketplace Award in 2017.
In addition, Ron is:
· Employee leader and Chair of our new Disability Employee Resource Group, now called Royal Organization for Abilities Resources (ROAR); a group of over 50 employees with disabilities and their allies in South Florida, Wichita, KS and Springfield, OR.
· President of the Board of Director of the South Florida Business Leadership Network (BLN, a local affiliate of the national U.S. BLN, a business to business organization promoting disability inclusion in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.
· Advisor to the Center of Independent Living of Broward’s Leadership Program, designed to help people with disabilities develop leadership skills to become community and disability advocates.
Ron received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication Arts and Sciences from Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Jackie received her Bachelors of Science from Florida State University in 1995 and was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society. In 1998, Jackie received her juris doctorate from the California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1998 and the Florida Bar in 1999. She first served as an Assistant Public Defender in Jacksonville, where she spent most of her time in the courtroom, litigating. She then spent a decade in the corporate world defending insurance companies and employers against workers’ compensation injury claims, while spearheading the Medicare Compliance Department for a large multistate law firm, with eleven offices. While at the firm, she began incorporating family law and disability work into her practice as a result of her desire to serve individual clients on more personal matters.

In 2013, six months pregnant with her one and only child, a daughter, Daisy, Jackie founded her own law firm, The Green Law Firm of Jacksonville, P.L., concentrating in family law and disability. Having spent so many years in litigation, and seeing the sad effects on children (and adults also), as well as experiencing the fallout of divorce in her own extended family, she has identified her passion, collaborative family law.

Jackie is an active member of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Northeast Florida, and is currently serving on the Judicial Outreach Committee, developed to enlighten the judges and magistrates of Northeast Florida about the collaborative family law alternative finally codified into the law of the State of Florida in late 2017. She gives frequent community presentations on the collaborative law option, and also volunteers as a presenter for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s free clinic on family law matters. She has taught countless seminars to other professionals and has lectured for the Florida Bar. Jackie is also honored to be an active member of the distinguished Florida Family Law Inn of Court, and has presented to the Inn, made up of practicing lawyers and presiding judges, about the collaborative law process. Her goal is to put an end to families in court and see a day when all family matters are resolved in a holistic manner, with a team of professionals, so that the parties and their children can me made better, rather than worse, from the experience.

Carol S. Weinman is an independent attorney, autism specialist, author and founder of Autism Advisors and Advocates LLC. A seasoned attorney, practicing over 25 years, Ms. Weinman specializes in criminal law and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She represents the interests of those with ASD who are arrested in the state and federal courts. Ms. Weinman began her legal career as a Philadelphia Prosecutor and in 1998 embarked on a new path after she diagnosed her 3 ½ year old son as autistic. Combining her legal and autism expertise, Ms. Weinman serves as an Autism Legal Consultant for lawyers, psychologists, educators and parents. She conducts trainings and presentations to community, law enforcement, universities, lawyers and professional audiences on Autism and Criminal Law.

Dr. Johnston is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and Qualified Parenting Coordinator with over 20 years’ experience helping families with the conflict resolution process. Dr. Johnston offers an array of conflict management services to families, including divorce coaching, mediation and parenting coordination. Dr. Johnston received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern Maine, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M at Corpus Christi, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Johnston is also adjunct faculty at Florida State College Jacksonville where she teaches courses in General Psychology, Human Growth & Development, and Human Relations in Business and Industry.

Dr. Johnston, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Board Certified Coach has spent her professional career as a mediator, private practice psychotherapist, communication coach, and corporate trainer. She has extensive experience working with private, and not-for-profit organizations in a variety of settings and roles, ranging from family mediation and individual coaching to organizational training exercises. Her community service work includes serving on the Board of Directors for several local non-profit organizations.

As a wealth manager in private practice, Susan specializes in working with individuals and families to preserve and protect their wealth. She works with clients and their other advisors to more fully integrate their retirement, tax, estate and comprehensive financial planning. A disciplined, systematic investment strategy may be used to optimize after-tax, risk-adjusted performance in client portfolios. Her approach emphasizes client education and communication with the client’s other advisors. The objective is to have a positive impact on her client’s financial well-being and help them achieve their financial goals for themselves and through the generations.

Over the years, Susan’s responsibilities at Raymond James have included educational and technical financial planning support for Associates and Financial Advisors of the firm’s parent company Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF). She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of South Florida and her Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law.

Susan has specialized in high end tax, estate and financial planning and in the design, implementation, operation and legal compliance of ERISA Qualified Retirement Plans (QRPs) and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) since 1993. She has authored various articles in and has been quoted in various industry periodicals such as On Wall Street, InvestmentNews, Financial Advisor, Investment Advisor and Bank Investment Consultant magazines. She addresses various memberships such as the AHCA/NCAL, and various CPA and Bar Associations across the country at their local, regional and national conferences, as well as through webcasts and other professional CE programs for Financial Advisors, Attorneys and CPAs at both the intermediate and advanced levels on Retirement, Estate, Education, Risk Management, Qualified Retirement Plan Administration and Design, Required Minimum Distribution Rules and Income Tax Planning topics. Susan has represented Raymond James and its Financial Planning and Wealth Solutions Groups in media interviews, Home Office Visits (HOVs) attended by Financial Advisors from other financial institutions and on the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association’s (SIFMA’s) Retirement and Savings Committee, the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and the Financial Planning Association. She continues to frequently consult with other Raymond James Financial Advisors, their clients and the clients’ other advisors (Attorney, CPA, etc.), oftentimes in face-to-face meetings hosted by the Financial Planning Group’s By Invitation Only (BIO) program and held in the Raymond James International Headquarters in Saint Petersburg Florida.

In addition to her work in the financial services industry and the Financial Planning Group of Raymond James, Susan serves on the Board of the Ponte Vedra Woman’s Club and is a past president of the Pinellas County chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers and is a member in good standing of the Florida Bar association, the American Bar Association (ABA), as well as several other professional, equestrian and community organizations.

Don Hughes is the president of Cogtrium and Encompass Medical Management (Emmdata). Don has been in healthcare IT and product development for three decades. Prior to founding Emmdata in 2004 he served as the CIO at North American Health Plans. Don has been instrumental in many innovations in healthcare management and service delivery including predictive and use modeling, data integration, big data analytics, and telehealth as a service delivery model.

Tracy has been working in the senior living industry for the last decade and is the Senior Care Counselor at Arbor Terrace Ortega Assisted Living for Memory Care. Her primary function is assisting seniors and their families transition into senior living for memory care. Tracy and her team specialize in positive physical approaches to working with seniors with dementia by helping them to have success as they travel through the phases of dementia. She spends additional time providing education throughout the community to support many families coping with dementia and changing needs in caregiving.

Rachel graduated with her Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in andragogy from Lindenwood University in 2017. She received her Master’s in Education with an emphasis in early intervention in Autism & Sensory Impairments from Lindenwood University in 2013. While pursuing her master’s degree, Rachel worked as graduate assistant for the education department at Lindenwood University (2011-2014). She became a Certified Autism Specialist (CAS) in January of 2014. Rachel is the Owner and CEO of Consultants For Community (CFC); an educational consulting firm that assists parents, providers, and educators to collaborate and effectively problem solve in the educational planning of students receiving special education support. Rachel is a proud wife and mother of four amazing children of all abilities! She founded a non-profit organization called the Adam Morgan Foundation (AMF) in 2008. The foundation assists families raising children with autism, and other co-occurring disabilities, in locating resources and funding: summer camps, sensory equipment, and technology.

Dr. Gene Anthony is the Executive Director of Regen Center, a leading adult stem cell center in the treatment of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Asperger’s, autism, cerebellar ataxia, CP, MS, stroke, Parkinson’s and others. The center also works with COPD, cardiac issues, arthritis, anti-aging and Lupus. Dr. Anthony did advanced research and studies in India, receiving his doctorate in homeopathic medicine (HMD),as well as a PhD in alternative medicine. Dr. Anthony oversees the activities of the center and has a team of highly qualified medical specialists who perform the procedures.

Since graduating from Oberlin College in Ohio in 2001, Jenny has spent her career working with children and adults with chronic illness and disabilities in a variety of settings, including camps, clubhouses, hospitals, and long-term care facilities. Since completing her Master of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill in 2009 Jenny has developed therapeutic programs for children with special needs and their families and provided case management services for individuals with brain injuries. Jenny lives in Carrboro, NC with her husband and two young children, and enjoys traveling, hiking, and chasing after her 4 year old.

Barbara Olasov Rothbaum, Ph.D., professor in psychiatry, Associate Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Emory School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry, director Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, holds the Paul A. Janssen Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology. She specializes in research and treatment of individuals with anxiety disorders, particularly PTSD. Author of over 300 scientific papers and chapters, 5 books and edited 3 others, she is an ABPP Diplomate in Behavioral Psychology, past president of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), serves on the SABs for ADAA, National Center for PTSD, and McLean Hospital, and is a pioneer in the application of virtual reality to the treatment of psychological disorders. A fellow of ACNP, ABCT, and APA’s Division 56, her team was awarded the APA Division 56 2010 “Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Practice of Trauma Psychology” and the ISTSS Robert S. Laufer Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement.

Michael B. Brennan, PsyD., is a board-certified clinical psychologist, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Director of the Road Home Program for Veterans and the Families at Rush University Medical Center. He is also the Chief Trainer for Behavioral Health with a Medical Training Support Battalion in Madison, WI, U.S. Army Reserve. Brennan served five years on active duty in the United States Army and going into his 4th in the United States Army Reserve. He was assigned to San Antonio Military Medical Center, and he became the first psychologist embedded within the 3d Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed to the eastern region of Afghanistan for nine months with the Regiment and was responsible for the mental health care of more than 7,000 military personnel. Now, he directs an intensive outpatient program at the Road Home Program with veterans living with PTSD (both combat, non-combat and military sexual trauma related.) The Road Home Program covers all costs for warriors while they are receiving care to include treatment, travel, lodging, food and other miscellaneous items. The program is finding amazing results and broadcasting them to the mental health field through many articles, presentations, and studies. Stay tuned!

Dr. Grant Iverson is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. He is the Director of the MassGeneral Hospital for ChildrenTM Sports Concussion Program. He also serves as the Associate Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Program at Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program. He is a leading proponent of a biopsychosocial model for conceptualizing both good and poor outcome from mild traumatic brain injury in athletes, civilians, active duty military service members, and veterans. He has published more than 380 articles, reviews, and book chapters.

Allison Mulgrew serves as a Wealth Structuring Trust Specialist for Merrill Lynch’s team in Jacksonville, Florida. She works with Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors and their clients to provide guidance on fiduciary investment management, trust services, intergenerational wealth transfer planning, estate tax minimization, business succession planning, and philanthropic fiduciary services. She specializes in connecting generations through wealth preservation and transfer.

Supriya Raman is the Acting Manager for the Disability Branch and the Multicultural Branch within the Traveler Engagement Division in the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement at the Transportation Security Administration. In this role, she assists in leading both branches to ensure all TSA programs and activities for the public afford equal access and opportunity for individuals from all federally protected classes. This scope includes, but is not limited to, TSA’s screening activities at airports, law enforcement and custody operations, and customer service activities.

Alexander Balbir serves as the director for Warrior Care Network® and Independence Services. Prior to joining Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), he served as a healthcare consultant supporting the Department of Defense Military Health System and as the deputy director and chief of operations for clinical research at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence. Alex is a Navy reservist, serving as a healthcare administrator in the Medical Service Corps. He obtained his doctorate of philosophy in public health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing his research on sleep disorders in brain injury. He also holds a master’s of business administration from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, focusing on organizational management and entrepreneurship.

Al is a leading expert and speaker on value and impact. He is the founder of ValueMapping™, a patent-pending methodology which decodes human and organizational value to more deeply understand and authentically communicate value to enhance culture, develop leaders and accelerate sales. He has been an on-camera and voice-over spokesman for more than 10,000 radio & TV commercials as well as a national live-event brand spokesman for brands such as Home Depot, Publix Supermarkets and the National MS Society. Al’s diverse career has included senior Marketing, Sales and Communications leadership positions for non-profit, corporate and small business as well as developing and leading training for hundreds of start-ups. A graduate of Jacksonville University where he earned an Executive MBA in Leadership, Al loves life, his family, his friends and his work and seeks to share that passion through helping others find that same sense of value.

Jennifer Mackinday is an award-winning author, military caregiver for her brother, James, and the proud mother of a United States Marine. She is a graduate of Indiana University and spent over twenty years working in advertising, marketing, and public relations. In 2009, Jennifer co-authored Friends for Life: Strangers Brought Together by the War in Iraq, which received an Eric Hoffer Award for Legacy Non Fiction.

Jennifer was selected in 2014 as an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow. She is a member the Wounded Warrior Project Warriors Speak® team, and the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary. A proud recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her work with Soldiers’ Angels, The Herald-Times recognized Jennifer as an ‘Everyday Hero.’ She has also been honored with the Girls’ Inc. Strong, Smart, and Bold Award.

Liz Kaiser is the Director of Partnership Marketing at Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI) an affiliate of the worldwide representatives for Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, Fowl Cay Resort, Your Jamaica Villas, and the Sandals Foundation. She is high impact Brand Segment Marketing executive with over 30+ years’ experience in providing strategic leadership and tactical support for the Caribbean’s leading Luxury-Included, Five-Star resort destinations.

Under her helm, Kaiser has launched a variety of impressive initiatives featuring distinguished partnerships with: Sesame Workshop, Microsoft’s Xbox, EA Sports, Scratch DJ Academy, Greg Norman, Coca-Cola, Appleton Rum, Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Crafts, AARP, Hasbro, Inc., Mondavi Wines and, most recently, IBCCES which created the Caribbean’s first-ever certificated resort program on behalf of Beaches Resorts, the company’s family hotels in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos.

Jo Sornborger, PsyD, Director of UCLA Operation Mend Psychological Health Programs, is the Clinical Director of the UCLA Operation Mend PTSD and TBI Intensive Treatment Program, provides family-centered psychological health care to Wounded Warriors and their families undergoing treatment at UCLA, and oversees the family care management team of social workers and psychologists that manage patient cases in the medical specialty program, advanced diagnostics for TBI, and the Intensive Treatment Program for PTSD and TBI at Operation Mend. The UCLA Operation Mend Intensive Treatment Program is a proud member of the Wounded Warrior Project Warrior Care Network.

Dr. Sornborger has expertise in the development and adaptation of classroom and technology-based trauma-focused curricula and training programs. She served as project developer for Psychological First Aid (PFA Online) for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD), a highly interactive, customized six-hour web-based training course to introduce relief workers and other professionals to the concepts of Psychological First Aid. Dr. Sornborger served in a supervisory capacity for FOCUS Project Resiliency Trainers, as well as Project Director of a randomized control trial under the UCLA Welcome Back Veterans. Dr. Sornborger has provided professional training and consultation to national, state, and local agencies on PFA and issues related to pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster interventions.

Dr. Leonard-Zabel received her Doctoral Degree in Child and Youth Studies-Special Services and Exceptional Education with a focus on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Neuropsychology from Nova Southeastern University, a Certificate of Advance Graduate Studies in School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts in Boston, a Masters of Education in Clinical Counseling coupled with a Paralegal Studies concentration from Bridgewater University and a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral and Biological Anthropology with a concentration in the Pre-Medical Sciences from the University of Massachusetts/Boston. She is a full professor of Psychology at Curry College in Massachusetts and is currently designing Psychology undergraduate concentrations in Substance Abuse Disorders. In addition, she is a clinical instructor and clinical supervisor within the KIDS, Inc. Post-Graduate Certifhughesicate Program in School Neuropsychology for the past 11 years. She owns and operates a private practice specializing in School Psychology/School Neuropsychology and Clinical Forensic examining. She provides assessments, consultation, and trainings to schools, families, clinics, law firms, and courts locally, nationally, and internationally. She holds diplomat and fellow certificates/certifications in the field of School Psychology, School Neuropsychology, Forensic Examining & Counseling, Clinical Counseling, Psychotherapy, Addictions, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Disability Analysis, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Specialist, and Homeland Security. Several years ago she was recognized in the American Psychological Association-Monitor on Psychology Journal under the personality and achievement section. She was awarded the Distinguished Leadership Circle of Directors from the American Board of Disability Analysts and the title of Honorary Founding Faculty Member for the American College of Disability Analysts. Dr. Leonard-Zabel was asked and unanimously elected to serve on the Learning Disabilities Worldwide Congress-Board of Directors (LDW). She presented at the 24th World Congress on Learning Disabilities in London, England in 2016 serving as the Opening Keynote Speaker and providing two presentations. In September 2017 she presented three papers and served as one of the four chairpersons for the 25th World Conference on Learning Disabilities. In addition, she spoke at the IBCCES International Symposium on Cognitive Research and Disabilities focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorders Assessment in 2017. She serves on three national and international editorial boards in the areas of Psychology and Disability Analysis. She has provided written articles and chapters on Learning Disabilities and Neuropsychology. She was awarded the Curry College Excellence in Teaching ‘Researcher of the Year’. In addition, Dr. Leonard-Zabel received the ‘Person of the Year’ award from Curry College acknowledging excellence in teaching, mentorship, leadership and community service. Recently, she received the “Dr. Jerrod J. Simon Award for Distinguished Lifetime Career Achievement Award” from the American Board of Disability Analysts and the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and Psychodiagnosticians for which she was the third recipient to receive such an award from both associations. Dr. Leonard-Zabel is asked to present nationally and internationally on an on-going basis.

Kerry Magro is an award-winning disability advocate, best-selling author, movie consultant, non-profit founder and full-time employee at Autism Speaks. Magro who was completely non-verbal until 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4 had to overcome countless challenges. Today Magro travels the country as a national motivational speaker discussing his journey on the autism spectrum. In 2014, based on his speaking efforts he received accreditation from the National Speakers Association as one of the only professionally certified speakers with autism in the country. His career in speaking which has included giving 2 TEDxTalks later led to a stint in television where he hosts his own local cable TV show called the “Different is Beautiful Show” to highlight people who overcome adversity in their local communities.

Lida Citroën is an international reputation management and brand specialist who designs and enhances the identities of companies and executives globally. After a 20-year career in corporate branding, strategic marketing and international communications, in 2008 Citroën formed LIDA360, a Colorado-based consulting firm, to meet the demand of international professionals seeking to differentiate themselves and their businesses in increasingly competitive and global markets. In 2009, Citroën began leveraging her expertise to help transitioning military service members build their civilian careers. Citroën is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Veteran Serving Organizations (NAVSO), writes for Military.com, collaborates with LinkedIn on veterans’ issues, and volunteers with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR).

Billy McLaughlin is recognized internationally as a world-class guitarist, Emmy Award winning composer and inspirational keynote speaker who has appeared on Billboard’s Top-Ten Chart. Previously signed to Virgin Records’ Narada label, McLaughlin has 14 CD releases, 3 National Campus Entertainer of the Year Awards*, 5 Minnesota Music Awards and his decades of national concert touring earned him the Hall of Fame Achievement Award*.

But in 1999 McLaughlin vanished from sight as his career crumbled due to a little-known neuro-muscular disorder called Focal Dystonia. After suffering several years without a cure or even a diagnosis, this right-handed guitarist embarked on an unlikely attempt to regain his career by re-learning his instrument….left-handed! His remarkable comeback is captured in the independent documentary film Changing Keys (seen on PBS stations in 2010) and a concert film called Coming Back Alive featuring McLaughlin with string orchestra and a reunion of his longtime rock band. KPBS (San Diego) produced the 2013 Emmy Award winning live concert program called Starry Night – Billy McLaughlin with Orchestra Nova highlighting McLaughlin’s extraordinary talent as both guitarist and inspirational speaker.

Now serving as Ambassador for Awareness for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, McLaughlin is the winner of the 2010 Public Leadership in Neurology Award** whose previous winners include Paul Allen, Julie Andrews, Leon Fleischer, and Michael J. Fox. McLaughlin has resumed an international schedule of concert appearances and keynote speaking. He resides in his home state of Minnesota where he is proudly raising two boys.