SPEAKER BIOS + BREAKOUT SESSIONS
LACY ALANA (SHE/HER)
Lacy is psychotherapist, trainer, and multi-disciplinary artist who fuses brain science, applied improvisation, communication, and psychology to offer one-of-a-kind trainings, consulting and coaching. With varied professional experience - from working in the corporate world (with an advertising/communication science degree), providing corporate trainings and keynotes, running specialized circus and improv theatre programs for neurodivergent and at-risk youth, working in the non-profit sector with a focus on youth/families/foster care, training educators/helping professionals/medical professionals, and working as a psychotherapist - Lacy is passionate about bridging knowledge from diverse disciplines with her clinical expertise in brain science, trauma, neurodivergence, foster care related issues, and more.
GAELIN ELMORE (HE/HIM)
Gaelin Elmore is a dynamic and nationally sought-after keynote speaker, trainer, and thought leader. He works with organizations and people to become belonging-informed in order to help children overcome trauma and unleash their potential. Gaelin's belonging journey has led him to the National Football League, and now stages, board rooms, and organizations, all across the country, aiming to inspire, encourage, and equip others to think differently about their work and its long-term impact on others. Gaelin now lives in Burnsville, MN, where he gets to experience the purest form of belonging as a husband to his wife, Micaela, and dad to their three children, Laniah, Tatum, and Gideon.
MELISSA BOWMAN (SHE/HER)
Melissa Bowman has had the privilege of working in the human services field for almost 30 years. Melissa began her career in runaway and homeless youth programs, receiving the Lifetime Achievement award from the Michigan Network for Youth and Families in 2008. Currently Melissa is the MiCAL Lead Trainer and Coach for Common Ground.
APRYL POOLEY (SHE/HER)
Dr. Apryl Pooley is an expert trauma consultant and trainer who holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Michigan State University where she researched the neurobiology of trauma. Pooley is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for the Michigan Victim Advocacy Network where she delivers trainings for victim advocates across the state. Pooley has also trained prosecuting attorneys, healthcare professionals, adult protective services workers, multidisciplinary response teams, and other community service providers on the neurobiology of trauma, trauma-informed approaches, vicarious trauma, and more—with a goal of services becoming more trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and sustainable for those who do this work.
DENA NEZAR (SHE/HER)
Dr. Nazer is a professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine. She is the Medical Director at Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Detroit, where she performs medical evaluations for children suspected of being maltreated and victims of human trafficking. Dr. Nazer completed her pediatric residency, served as a chief resident, and completed her fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Dr. Nazer was the medical director of the child protection team at Children’s Hospital of Michigan for 11 years before transitioning her work to the advocacy center. Dr. Nazer is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in both General Pediatrics and Child Abuse Pediatrics. Dr. Nazer was recently appointed by Governor Gretchen as the chair of the Michigan Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board and is serving her 2nd term on the board. She actively teaches healthcare professionals nationally and internationally on the topic of child maltreatment and human trafficking.
JASON CROSS (HE/HIM)
Jason Cross currently serves as the State Manager for ICWA Compliance and Race Equity for the Michigan Department Health and Human Services. Jason also brings experience from the Tribal government sector having most recently served as the Director of Family Services, Behavioral Health, Members Assistance, and the Next Generation Learning Center for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians from 2015 to 2021. In that role Jason was responsible for developing, planning, implementing, directing, and evaluating the service delivery to individuals and families with emphasis on individual self-sufficiency, prevention, reunification, advocacy, and coordination of resources in the Tribal community. Jason has also served as the Tribal Co-chair for the Tribal-State Partnership for over four years.
Jason is an enrolled member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Michigan State University as well as a master’s in social work from Michigan State University with a focus on organizational and community leadership from Michigan State University. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Michigan awarded Jason the Champion of Advocacy award in 2019.
BETH BATTS (SHE/HER)
Beth Batts, President of Batts & Associates and an adjunct at the University of Davenport's Institute for Professional Excellence, brings a unique blend of education and experience. With a Master of Arts from Cornerstone University and specialized studies in autism under Dr. Marion Boss, Beth's international internship at the Balmyer House in Scotland deepened her understanding of neurodiversity. Starting as an educator for individuals with disabilities and working across various sectors, she now develops and facilitates leadership certification courses and training programs, passionately enabling individuals to thrive.
ALIZA DURAK (THEY/THEM, HE/HIM)
Aliza is a Michigan based social worker who has worked primarily in Detroit and metro Detroit. They worked closely with the community in different capacities, at social services agencies, local and state government offices, and community-based organizations. These varied experiences led them to better understand the community of Detroit and inspired an interest in community-based work. In attaining a Master of Social Work degree, they began the journey of developing the skills and experiences necessary when working with communities with many different intersecting identities.
They developed an interest in process-based work and human-centric design when looking at institutional problems that facilitate inequity in communities with folks who have many different intersecting identities. Before and during attainment of their schooling, they focused on better understanding the social structures that enforce these inequities and worked to find ways in the field of social work to work toward an anti-oppressive framework for caring/facilitating just futures for communities with multiple intersecting identities. They now utilize these experiences, developed skills and practice of values to create more equitable systems of care for LGBTQ+ folks in Michigan at the Ruth Ellis Institute.
JM TRIPPLET (THEY/THEM)
JM Richardson is a dedicated community leader with over 14 years of experience in strategic planning, public speaking, and non-profit management. Currently serving as the Social Services Education & Facilitation Manager at the Ruth Ellis Center, JM focuses on facilitating restorative and accessible education for adult learners, coordinating with various stakeholders to support
the Center's mission of promoting inclusivity and equity. JM excels in developing and executing data-driven digital media strategies, managing comprehensive training programs, and overseeing grant administration. Their expertise extends to organizing and leading educational initiatives that foster a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. They are adept at creating engaging content for in-person, virtual, and hybrid learning environments, ensuring high-quality educational experiences.
