Keynote Speakers

Kelli Donley Williams
Kelli Donley Williams is the state suicide prevention specialist at AHCCCS. She also oversees AHCCCS' initiative to expand the provision of behavioral health services in schools statewide. Kelli previously oversaw the longstanding Arnold vs. Sarn lawsuit for ADHS; she was on the team that saw the 30-plus year lawsuit to a settlement agreement, detailing the Medicaid-covered services for those with serious mental illness in Maricopa County. Kelli worked in international health from 2003-2008, spending five years implementing health programming for women and children in Bolivia, Mexico, Mozambique, and Nicaragua. She serves on the boards for United Food Bank and the Arizona Public Health Association and has worked in public health since 2003. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon.

Anthony Dekker, D.O., FACOFP, FAOAAM

Patricia Anne Roe, Psy.D., PMHNP-BC, LISAC

Frank Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, C.T.
Dr. Campbell is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center, where he serves as Volunteer Chair of the National Suicidology Training Center (NSTC).  He is also a volunteer Assistant Coroner in East Baton Rouge Parish.  In addition to his volunteer activities he is the Senior Consultant for Campbell and Associates Consulting where he consults with communities on Active Postvention efforts and Forensic Suicidology cases.  During his more than thirty years of working with those bereaved by suicide he introduced his Active Postvention Model (APM) in 1997 it is most commonly known as the LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors).  His work with survivors and victims of trauma has been featured in three discovery channel documentaries, professional journals and book chapters.  He is a past-president of the American Association of Suicidology, a recipient of both national and international awards for his contributions.  Dr. Campbell is also a veteran and is most proud to have been a consultant and contributor to the TAPS program for military family members who attend the survivor seminars and National programs for the past decade.  To learn more about his work in the field of Suicidology you can visit his website www.lossteam.com or the NSTC at www.BRCIC.org

Breakout Speakers: 

​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.

Sanghoon Yoo
Pastor Sanghoon Yoo, the founder of The Faithful City (TFC), has led ministries and social services at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Phoenix metropolitan area over two decades. He holds Master’s degrees in Social Work (MSW) and in theology (MDiv). Pastor Yoo launched “Arizona Trauma Informed Faith Community (AZTIFC),” collaborating with Arizona ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Consortium and many other organizations to mobilize a statewide movement for building resilient communities with trauma informed care. He offers training and consultation on ACEs and the trauma informed community building. As a part of the Arizona ACE Consortium executive committee, he worked with the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Families (GOYFF) to hold a statewide ACEs summit last December, declaring Arizona as a trauma informed state. For two years, his organization, TFC and Pure Heart Church organized a trauma informed faith community conference “The Resilient Church” with nationally and locally recognized speakers from faith, government, mental health, school and social service areas.

Shomari Jackson
Shomari B. Jackson is an experienced Project Coordinator at Southwest Behavioral & Health Services, where he has developed and facilitates the South Mountain W.O.R.K.S Coalition, a nationally known youth substance abuse prevention coalition. Currently, Shomari works as an Adjunct Professor at Northern Arizona University in the Applied Human Behavioral Program. He graduated from Arizona State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology in 2015 and a Master’s in Public Administration in 2017. Since graduating, Shomari has served on several advisory boards including the Watts Family Maryvale YMCA Advisory Board, the African Diaspora Advisory Committee of Arizona (ADACA), and currently serves as an Executive Board member for the Substance Abuse Coalition Leaders of Arizona (SACLAZ). Shomari is an experienced trainer in topics of Trauma, Harm Reduction, Substance Use Prevention, Leadership, Community Building and Sustainability. He is currently leading the Community Health & Resiliency Program, a trauma informed community building project that develops Trauma Informed Schools and Communities in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.  
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Lolan Lauvao, MS
Lolan Lauvao was born and raised on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa. He moved to Hawaii where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and worked in the Non-Profit industry helping youth, families and individuals in various programs. He was a Community Services Specialist for the Honolulu Young Parents program, which assisted teen parents with employment, parenting skills, and other services. Lolan Lauvao was a certified trainer for the LifeSkills training Program for Middle School & High School youth and worked as a Case Manager for the Creating Employment Opportunities Program, which assisted individuals transitioning out of the prison system. He was the Program Supervisor the Economic Development and Family Services Center and the Mikiala Program, which conducted services such as Pre-School & Parenting workshops for Homeless families, Workforce Development Training, Cultural Competency, Prevention, and much more. In 2018, Lolan Lauvao and his family moved to Arizona and is currently working as the Prevention Services Program Manager with the Phoenix Indian Center, helping to fulfill the mission of reducing and preventing Underage Drinking, Marijuana usage, Prescription Drug abuse, & Suicide for the Urban Indian Communities. He is a certified trainer for SafeTalk, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST), Rx360, Historical Trauma, Parenting in 2 Worlds, Living in 2 Worlds, and Sing me a Story curriculum. Lolan is the facilitator of the Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona and collaborates with many community organizations and members.

David Simmons
David Simmons, session leader, is an Honors Graduate of the University of Montana School of Music and has traveled nationally and internationally as a performer, writer, teaching artist, mental health advocate and conference presenter (break-out and key-note). In addition to his training and experience he is a thriving survivor of his won suicide attempt, a recovering alcoholic and he was the fat kid who got bullied in school. David currently serves as Executive Director and Primary teaching Artist for The UBU Project whose mission is: To end youth suicide, addiction and bullying through arts integration. 

Edward L. James III, MSW, ACSW, LMSW, MPM
Edward L. James, III has an earned Master of Social Work, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, an earned Master of Public Management, at Carnegie-Mellon University and a postgraduate study in Social Work Administration at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Edward is certified and licensed as a master social worker, in Arizona and Pennsylvania and studied marriage and family therapy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois and Georgetown, Washington DC. Edward has participated in marriage and family therapy private practice and has been employed for the past 40 years in a variety of profit and not for profit organizations. He has a specialization in working in the field of crisis intervention and intimate partner violence. His current specialization is program development in the field of addiction. Edward has a clinical and research interest and is a community activist in the area of men’s health, particularly in the black community. He has participated in national conversations incorporating both a grassroots and a broader national public policy perspective. He has been guest speakers at seminars and conferences in an effort to bring men’s health issues to the forefront.

Thomas E. Rojo Aubrey, Ph.D., D.BH, MSC, LAMFT, CMHFA, CCTP, CFTP, CFTPI
Dr. Thomas E . Rojo Aubrey is the Director of Behavioral Health Sciences and Professor at Glendale Community College (GCC) in Glendale, Arizona. He is also an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona State University (NAU). Dr. Aubrey has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. He obtained his doctorate in behavioral health (integrated behavioral medicine) from Arizona State University (ASU) and is currently working on a second doctorate in cognitive psychology. He is the author of the textbook, The Resilient Learner: Thriving and Succeeding In College, and co-author of the books: Transformative Care: A Trauma-Focused Approach to Caregiving and Unlocking the Code to Human Resiliency: Building Professional Resiliency Against Burnout, Traumatic Stress, and Compassion Fatigue. He serves as Chair of the Behavioral Health Sciences Advisory Board at GCC and serves on the board as a member for the GCC Exercise Science and Nutrition Advisory Council. In addition, Dr. Aubrey serves on the Psychology/Counseling Advisory Board for Grand Canyon University and the Advisory Board for Arizona Trauma Institute. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies. Dr. Aubrey has over 15 years of diverse experience in behavioral healthcare, including trauma treatment, crisis stabilization, marital counseling, career and academic counseling, and integrated behavioral medicine for the treatment of comorbid behavioral and medical conditions.

Beya Thayer
Beya Thayer is a systems advocate supporting enhanced collaborations among multi-disciplinary teams and enjoys the opportunity to work as the Executive Director of the Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition.  Beya works to develop and implement strategies that lead to the long-term and sustainable involvement of community institutions, organizations, and individuals within the intersections of justice and behavioral health - with the goal of addressing partnership and systems change.  Beya’s career has given her the opportunity to create partnerships and collaborations with diverse communities, professions, and agencies throughout Arizona to effect policy and change on both the micro and macro levels.  Beya has a Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University and has worked extensively in the social services arena for over 25 years.

Shawn Hatch
Shawn Hatch has over 30 years of experience in the behavioral health field and has been with Spectrum Healthcare Group since March of 2019, serving as their Regional Vice President.  She is also a current Board member of the Yavapai Justice and Mental Health Coalition.  Prior to her arrival in Arizona, Shawn had a 27-year career with UP Health System in Marquette, Michigan.  She held various clinical and supervisory positions over the course of her time with UPHS, gaining experience in all levels of behavioral health care, prior to becoming the Director of Clinical Services. Shawn holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.  Shawn holds addiction credentials through the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker via the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.

Kelly Legler
Kelly Legler is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and the Chief Clinical Officer and Hospital Administrator with West Yavapai Guidance Clinic.  She graduated with an emphasis in trauma and crisis intervention, originally with the purpose of working with victims of human sex trafficking.  She has been with WYGC since 2016, where she began working within the Children’s Services Department.  Her passion almost immediately gravitated towards working with adolescents struggling with feeling alone, angry, and even hopeless; struggling with thoughts of suicide.  Kelly became the Chair of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yavapai County in 2019.  She wanted to use this already-established Coalition to reach the next level of community involvement, not just with the obvious mission of reducing suicides, but to bring awareness of the detrimental barrier to all human struggles: stigma.  While everyone’s story and reason for wanting to make a difference is unique and personal, Kelly is a strong advocate in bringing awareness to the importance accessing services, as her own experiences have shown her that mental health services are the #1 most underutilized tool in general health services within our country.    

Robin B. Dilley, Ph.D.
Dr. Robin B. Dilley is a licensed Arizona Psychologist in private practice. Dr. Dilley has studied extensively family systems and the underlying psychological issues of shame which she believes underlies most problems that become complicated and despairing for individuals today. Years ago, Dr. Dilley was looking for a tool to help her deal with the grief and fear of being a cancer patient. She discovered the Labyrinth at that time and became mesmerized by its ability to calm and soothe her fear and personal anguish. Since that time she has become an advanced Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator. Veriditas is the mother organization that brought the current Labyrinth Movement to life all over the world. Dr. Dilley established Arizona Labyrinth Connections earlier this year to provide educational, healing, and inspirational information through her workshops. Since, COVID has changed our ability to meet in person, she is currently providing online finger labyrinth workshops. When she saw our workshop, she knew this would be a perfect group of people who can and will benefit from an introduction to his powerful meditation tool..

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Issac Akapnitis LMSW
​Isaac M. Akapnitis, LMSW (he/they): Isaac is a trans and queer macro social worker and advocate in Phoenix, Arizona. Isaac earned their BA Sociology from UNF and their MSSW from The University of Texas at Austin. They have worked with LGBTQ+ populations for almost 15 years across Florida, Texas, and Arizona in areas of peer support, substance use and suicide prevention, health care, community development, and higher education. In all settings, they enjoy working on policy and education efforts to create safe, welcoming, and affirming services for LGBTQ communities.

Jonah Spector
Jonah Spector (he/they): Jonah is a queer, transmasculine social worker in Phoenix, AZ. Jonah earned their BS in Public Health from Northern Arizona University in 2013, and is nearing the end of the MSW graduate program at Arizona State University. Jonah has advocated for health equity in micro, mezzo, and macro settings through his work with Greater Valley Health Education Center (GVAHEC) and various behavioral health agencies around Maricopa County. Jonah currently works as a Community Development Coordinator focusing on substance use and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, and is amidst a direct practice clinical internship. Jonah’s academic and professional focus is on health equity for TGNC individuals through community education.

Paula McCall, Ph.D.
Dr. Paula J. McCall is an Arizona licensed psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and individuals with developmental disabilities. She runs her private practice, Next Step Psychology, which provides therapy and psychological evaluations. Dr. McCall has previously worked as a special education teacher and a school psychologist in the schools, and she continues to provide evaluations and consultations with school districts. She received her PhD in Educational Psychology from Arizona State University and currently serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Arizona. Dr. McCall is passionate about providing parent education and school consultation in suicide prevention, and she has assisted multiple school districts in developing evidence-based suicide risk assessment procedures. She also frequently presents on the topic of suicide prevention to parents and guardians in community outreach events held by organizations such as the Tempe Union High School District and Chandler Police Department. Dr. McCall is especially proud of creating the Prepared Parenting symposium, an annual free community event in Chandler that provides education to parents and guardians on various aspects of childhood and adolescent mental health.

Steve Schiro
​Steve Schiro is a retired educator and former Chapter Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Arizona. Steve currently conducts suicide prevention and postvention presentations for EMPACT-Suicide Prevention Center. He became involved in suicide prevention work after losing his son to suicide.

Theodora Schiro
A survivor of suicide loss, Theodora Schiro is dedicated to educating school personnel in suicide prevention. A teacher and K-12 school administrator for over 36 years, she has provided training for teachers, administrators, and students and presented at AZSCA conferences. Theodora serves as a board member for Through a Parent’s Tears, a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, loss, and recovery. She is a freelance writer with a book on suicide prevention published in March 2020.

Glen Bloomstrom
​Glen Bloomstrom is currently the Director, Faith Community Engagement at LivingWorks Education, an international suicide intervention training company and an adjunct professor at Bethlehem Seminary, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Glen served on active duty as a US Army chaplain for 30 years, retiring in 2011.  He has broad experience developing and providing training for the US Navy, US Special Operations Command and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. In 2019, he was a plenary speaker for the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition and the American Association of Suicidology.  Currently he is developing an on-line suicide prevention-training program , for faith leaders entitled LivingWorks Faith.  This training is informed by the Suicide Prevention Competencies for Faith Leaders: Supporting Life Before, During, and After a Suicidal Crisis developed by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and published in 2019, a project for which Glen served as a co-lead.

Thank you to our conference sponsors: