We are currently in the process of finalizing our 2024 speakers. Speakers will be added below as they are confirmed.
Keynote Speakers
Paul A. Muller
Prior to retirement Paul was owner and GM of Muller and Smith, a marketing and communications firm. The firm—founded in 1988— focused on accounts in construction, health care, high-tech, publishing and printing. Paul's prior experience included a marketing leadership role in computer industry publishing and management of professional graphic art service firm. In the health care field Paul have served as a founding director of the Bridge Rail Foundation a suicide prevention advocacy organization. Additionally he was a consultant and regional director for a statewide suicide prevention network responsible for organizing educational and planning meetings throughout a 14 county region. Previous experience includes work with regional health planning agencies and the State of California. |
Robert Neimeyer, PhD
Robert A. Neimeyer is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychology, University of Memphis, and maintains an active consulting and coaching practice. He also directs the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, which provides online training internationally in grief therapy. Neimeyer has published 35 books, including New Techniques of Grief Therapy: Bereavement and Beyond and The Handbook of Grief Therapies, and serves as Editor of the journal Death Studies. The author of over 600 articles and book chapters and a frequent workshop presenter, he is currently working to advance a more adequate theory of grieving as a meaning-making process. Neimeyer served as President of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and Chair of the International Work Group for Death, Dying, & Bereavement. In recognition of his scholarly contributions, he has been granted the Eminent Faculty Award by the University of Memphis, made a Fellow of the Clinical Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and given Lifetime Achievement Awards by both ADEC and the International Network on Personal Meaning. |
Carolyn Ng, PsyD, MMSAC, RegCLR
Carolyn Ng maintains a private practice, Anchorage for Loss and Transition, for training, supervision and therapy in Singapore, while also serving as Associate Director of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Previously she was a Principal Counsellor with the Children’s Cancer Foundation in Singapore, specializing in cancer-related palliative care and bereavement counseling. She is a registered counsellor, master clinical member and approved supervisor with the Singapore Association for Counseling (SAC) and a consultant to a cancer support and bereavement ministry in Sydney, Australia. She is trained in the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, USA, community crisis response by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), USA, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) by LivingWorks, Canada. She is also a trained end-of-life doula and advanced care planning facilitator. Her recent writing concerns meaning-oriented narrative reconstruction with bereaved families, with an emphasis on conversational approaches for fostering new meaning and action. |
Jerry Reed, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Dr. Reed served as Senior Vice President for Practice Leadership at Education Development Center until his retirement in October 2021. In this capacity, he directed the Suicide, Violence and Injury Prevention Portfolio. He oversaw the work on multiple projects such as the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the Zero Suicide Institute, the Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the Children’s Safety Network, and several violence prevention initiatives and also served as Co-Director of the Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention with partners at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Prior to joining EDC, Dr. Reed served as a career public servant working in the Department of Defense leading Community and Family Support Programs in both the U.S. and abroad and served several years as a staff leader in the U.S. Senate for the late Senator Harry Reid (NV). His interests include geriatrics, veterans and military mental health, public health and suicide prevention and response, global violence prevention and public policy. Dr. Reed co-led the committee that updated the 2012 U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin and served as an Executive Committee member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Reed was recently an Adviser/Consultant to the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee and serves as an Advisor for Stop Soldier Suicide and to the American Association of Suicidology and several other grant initiatives. Dr. Reed received a Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences with an emphasis in Gerontology from the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 2007 and his MSW degree from University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1982 with an emphasis in Aging Administration. He served in the United States Navy during the period 1974-1978. |
Swil Kanim
Swil Kanim, US Army Veteran, classically trained violinist, native storyteller and actor, is a member of the Lummi Nation. Because of his unique ability to inspire audiences to express themselves honorably, Swil Kanim is a sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, workshops, school assemblies, and rehabilitation centers. He travels extensively throughout the United States, enchanting audiences with his original composition music and native storytelling. His workshops, The Elements of Honor, are attended by people from all walks of life. Swil Kanim considers himself and his music to be the product of a well supported public school music program. Music and the performance of music helped him to process the traumas associated with his early placement into the foster care system. Swil Kanim's compositions incorporate classical influences as well as musical interpretations of his journey from depression and despair to spiritual and emotional freedom. The music and stories that emerge from his experiences have been transforming people's lives for decades. |
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. |
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. |
Jessica Dela Rosa, MBA. MSN. RN,
Jessica is a dynamic public speaker. She has a skill & passion for inspiring audiences to take action, motivating them to achieve their goals, and educating them on important issues affecting their personal well-being. Jessica is a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience, is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Wellness Practitioner & Life Coach. She leverages on a wealth of knowledge in health promotion, stress management/ prevention, and behavior change. Speaking before diverse audiences, Jessica is adept at engaging and connecting with people of all backgrounds. Whether speaking to a small group of five people or a large audience of 100's, she has a unique ability to inspire listeners and create an atmosphere of enthusiasm, empowerment and motivation. |
Hira Ismail
Hira Ismail has a Bachelor's in English from Bryn Mawr College as well as a Master's in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. She is a local theatre artist, involved in performing, writing, and directing. She also is the Training and Digital Program Specialist at one-n-ten, an LGBTQ+ youth-serving organization with a focus on youth empowerment. Hira conducts trainings on LGBTQ+ Inclusivity with one-n-ten, as well as digital programming on popular platforms for youth to participate in. Contributing to raising awareness of and advocating for marginalized populations, especially in our intersectionalities, is a focal point in her work. |
Lolan Lauvao
Lolan Lauvao is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in providing crucial assistance to indigenous and underserved communities. With a profound commitment to social justice and community empowerment, Lolan Lauvao has been instrumental in implementing a diverse array of programs aimed at uplifting and supporting those in need. Lolan spearheaded some initiatives such as the First Time Offender Program for Youth, which has played a pivotal role in redirecting the lives of young individuals towards a path of rehabilitation and growth. Managed programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which fosters economic development within marginalized communities and offering pathways to sustainable employment and self-sufficiency. In addition to Lolan’s work in the non-profit sector, he is also a regarded training consultant, specializing in critical areas such as suicide prevention; equipping organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify and address mental health challenges effectively. |
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. |
Rebecca Montoya Wright, BA, MEd, LPC, NCC
Becky Montoya Wright is a licensed professional counselor with a small private practice, along with providing mental health services fulltime to the Blue Ridge School District. She has been working with young people and families for over twenty years as a counselor, speaker and trainer. She lives in Navajo County in the rural community of the White Mountains. Becky lives with her husband, Doug, and youngest daughter, Ria. She enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling, and discovering delicious new foods. Becky feels her life experience has provided more insights than any structured program. |
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. |