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Dr. David Anderson
Keynote Speaker
Dr. David Anderson, founder and executive director of Safe Families for Children!
Founded in 2003, Safe Families for Children is an evidence-based, community-driven nonprofit that seeks to reframe how families are cared for and supported when facing challenging and unmanageable circumstances. Dr. Anderson has spent over 20 years working to ensure that children and families are supported within their communities.
Dr. John Hutton
Keynote Speaker
Dr. John S. Hutton is a pediatrician and researcher at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health, Dallas, TX. He is also former Director of the Reading and Literacy Discovery Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. He owned blue manatee children’s bookstore for almost 20 years, then donated via a “Golden Ticket” in 2019 to create the non-profit Blue Manatee Literacy Project. He is also the founder of blue manatee press, which originated to support a community advocacy project during his pediatric residency training.
“Dr. John’s” research involves exploring the effect of the home reading environment and screen-based media on early brain development using MRI, and has been the first in the world to document relationships with brain structure and function prior to kindergarten. He is also a pioneer in developing children's books for pediatric health literacy promotion and early literacy screening (The Reading House), several distributed via statewide infant health campaigns, benefiting non-profit groups, and found superior to usual guidance in clinical trials. His goal is to improve the general and health literacy of families from all backgrounds, not just because it’s lovely and wonderful, but because it builds brains and bonds.
Dr. John is passionate about better understanding the rising influence of digital media on young children, and the importance of a solid foundation in language, human connection and creative play. His health-themed series Baby Unplugged and Love Baby Healthy have been distributed to millions of families worldwide. He has won numerous awards for his research and writing, lectures widely across the US, and attended writing workshops in Iowa City and Squaw Valley, CA.
He lives with his family in Dallas, Texas and visits his grownup children and grandson in Cincinnati and other locales.
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge is a licensed therapist, certified school psychologist, and leading expert in nervous system and emotional dysregulation. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, she has helped thousands of families and analyzed over 10,000 brain maps, identifying patterns that drive behavioral challenges, family stress, and treatment resistance. Her neuroscience-informed work focuses on how regulation impacts outcomes across home, school, and care systems.
Dr. Roseann is a three-time bestselling author, host of the top 1% podcast Dysregulated Kids with more than two million downloads, and a sought-after speaker for organizations focused on early childhood, education, and family strengthening. Her forthcoming book, The Dysregulated Kid (Page Two, 2026), expands on her work helping families and professionals calm the nervous system first—creating safer, more connected environments where children can regulate, learn, and thrive.
Brandy Carlson-Moore, MSW
Keynote Speaker
Brandy Carlson-Moore, MSW, is the President of Strategic Empowerment Consulting and a seasoned organizational strategist with more than two decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their workforces, improve systems, and sustain impact.​With a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University, focused on organizational administration and policy, Brandy brings a unique blend of strategic leadership, workforce development, behavioral health expertise, grant strategy, training, and real-world implementation experience. She has worked across nonprofit, healthcare, public health, public safety, domestic violence, child welfare, and governmental systems to help organizations solve complex challenges and better serve the communities that depend on them.​Brandy has led and supported local, state, and national initiatives focused on organizational capacity, workforce wellness, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, domestic violence response, leadership development, strategic planning, and funding sustainability. She has provided training, technical assistance, and consultation to executive leaders, boards of directors, government agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare partners, and cross-sector collaboratives.​​​Brandy is also a longtime advocate for survivor safety, child and family wellbeing, justice, and social change. Over the last two decades, she has conducted hundreds of trainings for nonprofit, healthcare, first responder, business, and governmental partners on domestic violence, child wellbeing, trauma-informed practice, mental wellness, and systems designed to enhance safety, healing, and stability for survivors and their children.
Jennifer Behnam
Speaker
Jennifer Behnam is the President of BRITE Consulting Services, LLC, where she partners with government agencies and nonprofit organizations to strengthen child welfare systems through strategic planning, program development, and systems reform. With more than 25 years of experience in child welfare leadership, Jennifer is passionate about advancing prevention efforts, strengthening families and communities, and creating more trauma-informed environments. Her work focuses on preventing unnecessary foster care, partnering with youth and parents to co-create meaningful systems change, and expanding the use of trauma-informed practices to promote healing and lasting change for children, families, and communities.
Christina Romero
Speaker
Christina Romero is a fierce advocate, a devoted mother of four, a proud grandmother, and the unwavering heart behind the transformation of countless lives. With boundless love, she not only raised her own children but also embraced the responsibility of nurturing her sister’s three children, embodying the true meaning of family and resilience. Armed with an associate degree in science and a passion fueled by personal experience with the child welfare system, Christina began her advocacy journey in Florida as a Parent Leader. What started as a mission born of necessity evolved into a lifelong purpose to reimagine systems of care and bring voice, dignity, and justice to families too often overlooked. As a founding member of the Family Engagement Advocacy Council (FEAC) in Broward County, Christina is a beacon for equity and inclusion. Her partnership with Bridge Builders ensures that community voices are not just heard, but honored. Through her monthly Community Café, she brings families, leaders, and changemakers together in powerful dialogue, sparking connection and shared purpose. Today, as Executive Director of Parent Advocates for Transformation and Healing (PATH), she leads with courage and compassion, working tirelessly to dismantle oppressive structures and build a future rooted in healing, belonging, and strength. Christina’s voice echoes across local, state, and national platforms. From Bridge Builders to the Birth Parent National Network (BPNN), Thriving Families Safer Children (TFSC), and the Birth Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC), she is a force for change. Her leadership on the Broward County Racial Equity Task Force, where she chairs the Housing Committee, reflects her deep commitment to justice, stability, and opportunity for all. Driven by love and purpose, Christina Romero is not just advocating for change, she is leading it. Her vision is bold, her heart is full, and her impact is generational.
Bruce "BJ" Develle, LCSW
Speaker
B.J. Develle, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Trinity, FL with more than twenty four years of experience serving children and families throughout North and Central Florida. His work spans a wide range of settings, including Community Mental Health, Residential Treatment, Child Welfare, and School Social Work. B.J. now divides his time between professional development training and his private psychotherapy practice, where he specializes in men’s issues and relationship counseling that supports couples and partnerships across all identities, orientations, and structures.
Debra Dhaity, MPH
Speaker
Debra Dhaity graduated from Florida International University, where she earned a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. She is a first-generation Haitian American raised in South Florida and is passionate about community work and advocacy for families and children. Through her role as the Maternal and Child Health Associate at The Children’s Movement of Florida, Debra helps strengthen maternal and child health and early childhood systems by building partnerships across sectors. She collaborates with families, parents, educators, and community-based organizations by amplifying community perspectives to advance solutions that address social and structural factors shaping maternal and child health.
Daniela Borroto
Speaker
Daniela Borroto is passionate about advancing solutions in early childhood systems to ensure every child in Florida thrives in the first five years. As Director of Policy within The Children’s Movement of Florida, her role entails the development and execution of the organization’s policy agenda to advance early childhood priorities across Florida. This includes shaping and promoting policy positions related to early learning, child health, and family support; and ensuring the Movement’s policy efforts align with its mission to prioritize children’s well-being in the first five years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a master’s degree in education policy and evaluation from Florida State University.
Laura Girlando
Speaker
Laura Girlando has worked in the Infant & Early Childhood field for over 10 years, supporting young children and caregivers in navigating dependency-based transitions such as separation, reunification, and adoption. Laura is a Rostered Child-Parent Psychotherapy provider, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida. Additionally, Laura is actively involved in supporting the professional development of clinicians serving the Treasure Coast (Martin, St. Lucie, & Indian River Counties). In her current role, Laura acts as a Clinical Consultant for Tykes & Teens’ Infant Mental Health Program. Laura is an Endorsed Reflective Supervisor and Infant Mental Health Specialist (IMFS) with the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health (FAIMH). In 2026, she began providing Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) via FAIMH's "Pay-it-Forward" Model, providing free monthly support to Infant/Family Specialists (IFS) of various Infant/Early Childhood roles, across the state. Laura is also a sister, daughter, wife, and mother to an enthusiastic 6-year-old daughter.
Charlotte Diaz
Speaker
Charlotte Diaz is a Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern specializing in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, with over 8 years of experience in the field, including work in geriatric mental health and behavior analysis for Autism and infant feeding challenges. Since August 2022, she has served as a clinician at Tykes & Teens, providing community-based care in Martin County, FL. Charlotte is part of Florida's 10th Training Cohort for Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), serving families navigating trauma, reunification, and high-risk environments, particularly within child welfare systems. Endorsed by the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health (FAIMH) since September 2025, Charlotte is passionate about strengthening caregiver-child relationships through culturally responsive, play-based, and relationship-focused care. Charlotte is also a partner and proud mother of three daughters.
Mindy Taylor, MSN, MNM, APRN
Speaker
Mindy Taylor, MSN, MNM, APRN, is the Child Safety and Prevention Lead at the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, where she leads the Preventable Child Death Initiative and the Sleep Baby Safely program. With a background in pediatric nursing and more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit and public-sector leadership, she brings a practical, systems-focused approach to child injury prevention.
In her role, Mindy works closely with fire rescue, EMS, hospitals, public health, and community partners to align training, education, and data around evidence-based prevention strategies, including safe infant sleep and water safety. She oversees the development of professional training and community education campaigns designed to translate public health evidence into real-world practice.
Mindy holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Nonprofit Management and is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Florida. Her work focuses on strengthening cross-sector collaboration and reducing preventable infant and child deaths through education, systems change, and frontline engagement
Michael Fussner, MA, BCBA, LBA
Speaker
Michael Fussner is the founder of Fussner Strategic Solutions (FSS), a consulting firm specializing in program evaluation, data analysis, strategic planning, and organizational behavior management. With a strong background in behavioral health, education, and applied behavior analysis, Michael brings a unique perspective to my work, leveraging my expertise to support small and growing organizations. Since its inception in 2019, FSS has been dedicated to empowering nonprofits across Florida by providing them with the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions and achieve sustainable growth. Our mission is to foster equity and community-led development through high-quality evaluation and data services.
Lisa Garcia
Speaker
Lisa Garcia, Partner and Chief Operating Officer at Sachs Media, is an Emmy Award-winning producer with more than two decades of experience in agency leadership. She specializes in public-purpose initiatives, strategic communications, nonprofit advocacy, and crisis management. Garcia has advised private sector, nonprofit, and government clients, helping them navigate complex messaging challenges with precision. As a lead strategist, she has directed major public relations and branding campaigns for organizations such as Florida Healthy Kids Corporation and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation,
Florida Office of Financial Regulation, Girl Scouts of Florida, Florida Bankers Association, The Nature Conservancy, BlueTriton Brands, and Capital Health Plan. Her expertise in disaster-response communications was pivotal in executing an award-winning campaign for Hurricane Irma recovery efforts.
With proven experience across mission-driven organizations, television production, media buying, branding, event planning, and crisis communications, Garcia is a trusted advisor on healthcare, children’s issues, education policy, and disaster recovery. Passionate about driving meaningful change through strategic storytelling, she serves on the boards of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Big Bend, and SmartBank. Garcia holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Frostburg State University.
Art Howell, MPH ,CHW
Speaker
Art Howell currently serves as the Program Manager for the Bellies, Babies, and Beyond (BBB) maternal and child health program with the Florida Department of Health, where he oversees program operations, community partnerships, staff coordination, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to support healthy pregnancies, strengthen families, and improve birth outcomes. In this role, he ensures that services are responsive to community needs and aligned with best practices in maternal and child health.
Prior to joining BBB, Art worked with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County as the Health Equity Coordinator, where he was responsible for advancing efforts to reduce and eliminate health disparities across the county. In that role, he also served as the lead for Florida Healthy Babies, a statewide infant mortality reduction initiative.
Art previously held several leadership and educational roles within the Department of Health, including Program Manager for the Orange Primary Access Coordination Team (OPACT) and Senior Health Educator.
Before transitioning into public health, Art spent seven years with the Florida Department of Children and Families as a Foster Care Case Worker, Adoption’s One Church One Child Coordinator, and Child Protective Investigator. He also served as a Child Protective Investigator for the Washington State Department of Children and Families in Seattle. Prior to his work in Washington, he was the Program Director for the Virgin Islands Partners in Recovery, Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program, supporting drug-involved offenders in St. Croix and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Art earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and later completed a Master of Public Health from Walden University. He is certified in Chronic Disease and Diabetes Self-Management and is also a Certified Community Health Worker
Rebekkah Sheetz, MSW
Speaker
Rebekkah Sheetz is the Executive Director of Healthy Families Florida, a statewide, evidence-based program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect through parent coaching and support. Rebekkah has a bachelor's degree in religion from Florida Southern College and a master's degree in social work from Florida State University. With a deep commitment to community building, Rebekkah has dedicated years to advocacy, social work, and nonprofit leadership. Rebekkah is also a foster parent, providing a safe and supportive environment for children in the state’s care. Her work is fueled by a passion for strengthening communities and ensuring every child grows up in a safe, stable, nurturing home environment. Rebekkah lives in Tallahassee, Florida with her husband and seven-year-old daughter. When she isn’t attending to her daughter’s very full social calendar, she can be found knitting, baking bread, or canoeing down one of North Florida’s beautiful spring fed rivers.
Caitlin Murphy, MSW, MPA
Speaker
Caitlin Murphy is the Assistant Director of Healthy Families Florida (HFF) where she leads statewide quality assurance and technical assistance efforts. She has over 13 years of experience in HFF's central administration, progressing from Program Coordinator to Senior Program Coordinator before stepping into her current role. Prior to joining HFF, she was a Research Assistant at the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and has over a decade of direct work experience with children in a variety of childcare settings. Caitlin holds an M.S.W. and M.P.A. from Florida State University and a B.A. from the University of Florida. She is a current Healthy Families America (HFA) peer reviewer and a former member of the HFA Accreditation Panel for eight years.
Becky Albert, MSW
Speaker
Rebecca Albert, MSW, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), leads comprehensive projects including the Children’s Mental Health Initiative, a county-wide effort to increase access to mental health and support services for children and their families, and Preventable Child Deaths aimed at equipping parents and caregivers with information and resources necessary for keeping children safe. She serves as Chair for the Sixth Circuit Child Abuse Death Review (CADR) for Pasco and Pinellas counties, leveraging data to guide and target prevention strategies to reduce infant and child fatalities. Ms. Albert has completed two appointed terms on Florida’s CADR committee, representing a Child Advocacy Organization and is the current statewide Chair where she strives for complete data sets to drive meaningful and sustainable changes.Ms. Albert is recognized for her ability to foster cross-sector collaboration by leveraging public-private partnerships to advance new opportunities that produce measurable outcomes for children, families, and communities resulting in a higher quality of life and economic growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Florida following a clinical internship at a local children’s hospital.
Kerwyne LaRose
Speaker
Kerwyne LaRose is a Licensed Practical Nurse and Admissions, Utilization Review, and Discharge Planning Manager for IMPOWER’s adolescent residential substance use treatment program, The Grove. With more than a decade of experience spanning behavioral health, utilization management, nursing, and residential treatment, she specializes in coordinating care for youth with complex behavioral health needs while partnering with families, community providers, DCF, DJJ, and managed care organizations to ensure safe and successful treatment outcomes.
Kerwyne is passionate about trauma-informed care, client advocacy, and improving outcomes for children, adolescents, and families through compassionate leadership and practical solutions. In addition to her professional work, she has volunteered as a mentor to survivors of human trafficking and is also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, further strengthening her commitment to supporting youth and families through evidence-informed, compassionate care.
Shampa Davie, M.A, LMHC
Speaker
Shampa Davie, M.A., LMHC is currently an outpatient therapist at IMPOWER based in Longwood, Florida.  Shampa provides telehealth therapy to clients throughout the state of Florida and on-site services to residents at The Village, a transitional housing and homelessness prevention program for young adults (18-24) who have aged out of the foster care system or community youth at risk of homelessness. Shampa has 30 + years of experience working with the indigent population of adolescents and adults in Central Florida with moderate to chronic mental health, substance abuse issues and the homeless population.
Arkeisha Reese
Speaker
Arkeisha Reese is the founder and executive director of the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation. After losing her five-year-old son, Kareem, to drowning, she dedicated her life to preventing similar tragedies through water safety education, swim lesson scholarships, CPR training, and community outreach. She inspires communities to save lives through prevention and awareness.
Austin Butler
Speaker
Austin is a devoted dad, fatherhood coach, and community leader committed to fostering personal accountability, strong values, and active parenting. As a father himself, he understands the real-life challenges men face at home and uses that experience to guide others with authenticity and purpose. A former professional chef, he blends practical discipline, structure, and creativity with a heart for service—bringing a relatable, grounded approach to family leadership.
Through his platform, Dadding with Austin, he provides actionable insights on fatherhood, emotional growth, and everyday leadership. His work creates a safe space for men to learn, reflect, and strengthen their presence in their homes. Beyond coaching, Austin is active in community outreach, believing that intentional fatherhood is the foundation of a thriving society. His mission is to empower men to lead with integrity, build strong families, and create generational strength that lasts.