We are currently in the process of finalizing our 2023 speakers. Speakers will be added below as they are confirmed.
Keynote Speakers
Melinda Moore, Ph.D., MA
Dr. Melinda Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond, Kentucky, and part of the core faculty for a Clinical Psychology doctoral program there. She routinely trains clinicians in the empirically-supported suicide focused treatment framework, the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), and is in private practice in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Moore works at the intersection of faith and suicide prevention. She published The Suicide Funeral: Honoring their Memory, Comforting their Survivors and After the Suicide Funeral: Wisdom on the Path to Posttraumatic Growth (both Wipf & Stock) with her co-editor Rabbi Dan Roberts. She conducts suicide bereavement research at Eastern Kentucky University with an emphasis on Posttraumatic Growth (www.suicideposttraumaticgrowth.com). Dr. Moore received her PhD from The Catholic University of America. |
Stan Collins
Stan Collins has worked in the field of suicide prevention for over 20 years since losing a friend to suicide in high school. Currently he is working as a consultant, focusing on technical assistance in creation and implementation of suicide prevention curricula and strategies. Stan has been instrumental in assisting communities and counties in the development and roll out of strategic plans to address suicide prevention. Most of his work focuses on effective messaging for suicide, means safety, as well as extensive experience working in school-based suicide prevention. |
Clayton Echard
Clayton Echard is a Mental and Physical Wellness Advocate who hopes to make a substantial impact on the lives of others through sharing his knowledge and unique experiences with the situations he has faced over the years. Clayton was the Lead of Season 26 of The Bachelor and played in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks in 2016, He achieved over 105% PTQ for 2018 (112%) and 2019 (106%) with Stryker Orthopedics. He also spent 5 years with Mizzou football (2 years on scholarship after walking-on the football team). He is a public speaker and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and People. |
William Beverly, Ph.D., LMFT, CCHP
Dr. Beverly is a licensed psychologist and faculty member in the counseling department at South Mountain Community College, where he also serves as Coordinator of the Behavioral Health Sciences program. Dr. Beverly has held leadership positions in a wide array of behavioral health settings overseeing numerous behavioral health programs across the state of Arizona, including residential treatment for teens, therapeutic group homes for adults with serious mental illness, forensic psychological services, sex offender treatment, and general outpatient counseling and psychiatric services. He was previously the Lead Psychologist for the Maricopa County jail system, where he co-developed a trauma-informed model for training officers working with inmates with mental illness and cognitive impairment. Dr. Beverly has conducted numerous workshops and published on the topic of suicide prevention and intervention with vulnerable populations. Dr. Beverly is also an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University, where he has taught in the educational psychology department for the last 10 years. |
Derek J. Lee, MRC, CRC, DBTC, LPCC-S
Derek is Chief Executive Officer of The Hope Institute of America, LLC. where he developed a new model, based in CAMS and DBT, for outpatient treatment of suicidality with patients. Derek's past experiences include CEO, Clinical Director and Child & Adolescent Therapist of Perrysburg Counseling Services. He is also a professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Derek worked with Ohio State University to develop a new suicide prevention program and has worked as a therapist at Children's Resources Center, Rescue Mental Health and Lucas County Board of DD. Derek graduated from Ohio State University. |
Breakout Speakers:
Oscar Arambula
Originally born in Mexico City, Oscar grew up in Southern California. and as a teenager, bought a one-way ticket to join the French Paratroopers. He Served as a Sargent. Airborne, deploying 4 separate times. Once in the Middle east, twice in Africa and once to a small Island in the Indian Ocean. Upon his return to the US, he tried becoming a civilian, but the call of the Military pulled him back. This time Oscar enlisted into the US Army (A) out of Ft. Bragg, NC. went to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center School to become a Psychological Operations Specialist and serve for 12 years as a Sargent. in both Active Duty and Reserves. Deploying tactically once more, As Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) ramped up in March of 2003, Oscar was tasked to train troops in the changing war on terror in an unconventional environment of low intensity conflicts, counter-insurgencies cultural awareness instruction and language training. He left the service in 2004 primarily due to being a single father to a teen-age daughter. Several years out of the service Oscar felt he wasn't right inside. His best friend was killed in action in Bagdad in 2005 and some of his friends lost their fight with their demons leading him to finally admitted that he needed help. Oscar's moved to Prescott AZ because he knew it had a GREAT Veterans Affairs facility. He did nothing but isolate for over a year however at the request of loved ones he reluctantly turned to the Prescott Veterans Center and the Prescott Veterans Affairs to finally get help. it was rough at first, but after several years he started feeling better and felt pulled to help fellow Veterans. Oscar began working for the National Cemetery interring Veterans and their spouses, was a Peer Specialist and is now the Be Connected Liaison with Suicide Prevention. He is honored to be a very small part of the greater whole. |
Nicki Bartram, MBA, MC, LPC
Nicki Bartram is a licensed Professional Counselor with a Masters in Clinical Counseling and a Masters in Business Administration, who specializes in individual, group, and family therapy. Her areas of expertise are substance abuse, anger management, anxiety and stress, depression, grief and loss, and trauma. Nicki also has extensive experience working in disruptive event management, suicide prevention, medical hospitals, military and tribal mental health, and in adult and juvenile forensic settings. Nicki's therapeutic approach is to provide support and counseling to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She combine traditional counseling methodologies in a solution-focused approach to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. Nicki is committed to assisting each individual build on their existing strengths and within their support system, to live their best possible life. |
Jennifer Connor
As Caring Contacts intake specialist, Jennifer works with Teen Lifeline’s peer counselors and interns to make contact through texts, phone calls, and packages to teens recently discharged from inpatient behavioral healthcare. She researches community resources and services, providing knowledge to Caring Contacts clients and low-level case management oversight for the Caring Contacts program.. Jenn interned at Teen Lifeline from August 2021 to March 2022, joining the staff immediately after as the Caring Contacts intake specialist. Prior to Teen Lifeline, Jennifer worked in behavioral health and education. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. |
Jason Corthell
Jason Corthell is a Wellness/Fitness Director and Division Chief of Training with Harris County ESD 13 and a Skills Instructor at Lone Star College. He Authored “Three-Tiered Wellness and Fitness Initiative” Fire Engineering Magazine (print and virtual) Fire Engineering Article in 2022. Jason also does consulting as Director of Ironclad Wellness, He received is Bachelor Of Arts (Cum Laude): Emergency Management, Waldorf University in 2016 . His Associates of Arts: Emergency Management, Waldorf University in 2015 and Associates of Science: Fire Science, Lone Star College in 2013. Jason has spoken at TEEX Leadership Symposium and Development Conference, TEEX Texas Association of Fire Educators Conference and was featured on multiple podcasts that can be found here: https://ironcladwellness.com/appearances |
Andrew Ecker and Monica Patton
Andrew Ecker and Monica Patton are the team of Drumming Sounds, Andrew the developer of the Drumming Sounds protocol, an evidence-based approach to delivering outcome driven results as a community health care intervention. Andrew is also an author, educator, drum circle facilitator, keynote speaker, life, and business coach. Andrew and Monica have been able to in over 30 years of combined effort facilitate an estimated 5000 wellness-based events, some with conferences, hospitals, treatment facilities, prisons, tribal nations, churches, businesses, festivals, organizations and individuals. Some of the past events they have presented at include: North American Primary Care Research Group , Andrew Weil School of Integrated Medicine, National Federation of Children's and Families Mental Health, Oklahoma Children's Mental Department, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, Out of the Darkness Walk, Rise Suicide Prevention, Arizona Health care Association, The Arizona Senior Center Association, The Arizona Therapeutic Recreation Association, Arizona Activities Coordinators Association, Assisted Living Federation of Arizona, The AZTEC awards, Spinal Cord Injury Association, Traumatic Brain Injury Association and many more. |
Desiree Green
Desiree has a diverse background that spans the fields of public, women's, and environmental health, nutrition, finance, education, health equity, and public policy. Drawing on a broad range of diverse academic and work experiences, she has also been involved in health equity and public and women’s health projects and initiatives in Pennsylvania, South Korea, New Jersey, and Arizona. In her current role at the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and previous roles at the Maricopa County Department of Health (MCDPH) and Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Desiree has led a multitude of community stakeholders, County partners, and internal training (s) and workgroups resulting in the successful implementation of public health related intergovernmental agreements and partnerships across Arizona. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey and Sarah Lawrence College in New York, Desiree also completed her second master’s degree at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, where her concentrations were in health services administration and health equity. She is a certified Yoga (200 hr.), Sound, and Yoga Nidra Meditation Practitioner and is currently studying ayurvedic nutrition. She is also in an advanced certification program focused on Yin and Prenatal Yoga. |
Wallace Hudson, MA
Wallace Hudson, MA (he/they) has been leading LGBTQ+ inclusion trainings throughout the southwest since 2016. Currently, he is the Training Program Manager for one-n-ten where he trains non-profits, youth-serving organizations, and more on how to create a welcoming environment for their LGBTQ+ clients, customers, co-workers, employees, and youth. |
Laklieshia Izzard
Dr Laklieshia Izzard is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and New Jersey, Georgia Certified School Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Tri-Care Mental Health Counselor. Dr Izzard is the owner of Shekinah Counseling a virtual private practice with more than 15 years of community mental health counseling experience with diverse populations. Dr. Izzard practice services include counseling, clinical supervision, mentoring, and training. Dr. Izzard is an Adjunct Professor for the past 10 years. Dr. Izzard is a former candidate for Georgia State House of Representatives in district 93 that encompasses Newton, Rockdale, and Dekalb counties. Dr. Izzard was appointed by the Newton Count Board of Commissioners to serve on the Region 3 Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council as the only Newton County member. Dr Izzard serves on the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia, and is a founding member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Dr. Izzard is a founding member and has served as President from 2019-2020 for the American Counseling Association of Georgia. Dr Izzard obtained her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University Sarasota, Dr. Izzard has a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the largest HBCU in the nation North Carolina A&T State University and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from a another great HBCU Fayetteville State University. |
Nikki Kontz, LMSW
Nikki is the Clinical Director for Teen Lifeline, a local non-profit dedicated to providing a safe, confidential and crucial crisis service where teens help teens make healthy decisions. She has been working in the field for the past 16 years including work on a crisis mobile team, postvention intervention and assessment for hospitalization. Nikki possesses a master’s Degree in social work from Arizona State University and specializes in mental health issues, crisis intervention, suicide prevention/postvention and education, and adolescence. She currently is a state Licensed Master Social Worker, a certified crisis worker through the American Association of Suicidology, field instructor for the Social Work Department at ASU, and serves as the President on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition. |
Paula McCall, Ph.D.
Dr. Paula McCall is an Arizona licensed psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist who specializes in working with children and adolescents in her private practice, Next Step Psychology. She is also the founder, director, and president of Semicolon Society, an Arizona nonprofit organization providing free community mental health education with an emphasis on suicide prevention and postvention education, events, and supports. Dr. McCall is passionate about mental health education and suicide prevention and has collaborated with multiple school districts and local agencies to build suicide risk assessment procedures as well as provide community supports and education. She has presented on the topic of suicide prevention, assessment, and postvention for national conferences including the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists. Dr. McCall has also recently been awarded the award for Distinguished Contribution to the Professional Practice of Psychology by the Arizona Psychological Association. Her proudest role though is that of being a mom to her two children. |
Sue Palmer, MS
Sue Palmer is a Certified Spiritual Director and Silent Retreat Leader through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute of John Carroll University and a Veriditas trained Labyrinth Facilitator. She has a Master of Science in Mental Health & Wellness with emphasis in Grief and Bereavement from Grand Canyon University. She has ten years’ experience as a Spiritual Director companioning people on their faith journey, and leading Women’s Retreats and Silent Retreats for church groups, retreat centers, and caregiver groups. Sue has facilitated support groups for loss and bereavement, including DivorceCare and GriefShare, has been a Hospice volunteer and a hospital Spiritual Care Aid. She leads workshops in Walking the Labyrinth, Memoir Writing, Journaling, Art as a Contemplative Practice, and Ancient Spiritual Practices for Today. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International, The Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona, The Labyrinth Society, Veriditas International Association of Professionally Trained Labyrinth Facilitators, The Sonoran Arts League, and The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death. |
Joshua Stegemeyer
Joshua Stegemeyer serves as the State’s suicide prevention coordinator and has worked for Arizona Department of Health Services since Janauary, 2022. Additionally, Joshua serves as a Health Safety Officer for the Arizona Health Emergency Operations Command, meeting the needs of the personnel responding to Arizona’s health emergencies. Prior to serving the state of Arizona, Joshua was in practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Orange County, California. Joshua holds an M.A. - Psychology, with emphases in Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as Clinical Counseling, from the Chapman University System, Irvine, California. Joshua is married to his lovely wife Samantha and is a medically retired, Army Combat Veteran. |