Implicit bias conference

Tina Marie Baeten has worked in the field of addictions and mental health for over 30 years. She has a master’s degree in Social Work from University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and a Clinical Supervisor. She brings experience in developing and implementing mental health and substance abuse treatment services and programs, and, for fun, provides instruction and consultation to graduate counseling students and treatment programs in Green Bay. She specializes in diversity-respect and culturally humble instruction, gender-specific trauma treatment, policy, program development, implementation and consultation. She has a wide range of experiences working as a consultant, educator, treatment provider, client rights specialist, clinical supervisor and program manager. She has worked with a variety of populations including adolescents, LGBTQ+, women, survivors of trauma, individuals in corrections, under-served populations, First Nations populations, and other racially, culturally and gender diverse groups. Settings in which she has worked include private, non-profit, academic, public/county, tribal-governed programs, inpatient, residential and outpatient AODA programs. She has served in administration of co-occurring disorders programming since 2004 and currently serves as a consultant/clinical supervisor with various programs in Marathon, Door and Brown Counties. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Master Addiction Counselor, Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor and Independent Clinical Supervisor. Her primary role is serving as the Clinical Director of a State licensed mental health and substance abuse outpatient group practice, Baeten Counseling & Consultation Team.

Leah is an experienced Nurse Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry. She has had success in the inpatient and outpatient setting with productivity, colleague engagement and standardization. Leah is skilled in nursing, inpatient care, outpatient care, committees, hospitals and health care. She is a strong health care services professional with a master’s degree focused in Nursing Education from Concordia University in Wisconsin.

Andrea (she/her) is the Social Justice Program Specialist at YWCA Greater Green Bay. Andrea brings with her a range of experience in higher education, workforce development, non-profit management, and teaching and presenting. She uses her background in psychology and neuroscience to bring developmental programming to people at any place on their anti-racism journey. As a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, Andrea coaches individuals and groups in understanding their current relationship diversity and how to develop skills and attitudes that are richer and more inclusive. For self-care, Andrea likes to knit, consume a lot of sci-fi and follow around a husky.

Sarah completed coursework toward a master’s degree at the LaFollette School of Public Affairs and Public Policy. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (Political Science/Public Administration), with emphases in public policy analysis, state and local governments and environmental policy. She has been with Brown County United Way since 2004, starting as a community impact manager moving to community impact director, and now is the Vice President of Community Investment. Prior to United Way, she worked in the Wisconsin State Legislature as a research assistant and legislative aide for nearly 12 years. Her specialties include policy research and analysis, grant writing, community outreach, grassroots organizing, public speaking and government relations.

A dynamic executive coach, professor, three time best-selling author, and radio host, Alonzo Kelly has gained international and global attention as a premier consultant and strategist. Alonzo is recognized as one the nation’s leading experts on leadership development, strategic thinking, planning and acting which results in individual and organizational goal achievement.

He has appeared on America’s Premier Experts which airs on major networks across the country including ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Alonzo has served over 1,000 individuals through personal and professional development, delivered training to Fortune 500 Companies, colleges and universities, foreign countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Canada and Guam), nonprofit organizations, and is consistently retained to be the keynote speaker at large and small events across the country. He currently serves on the State Board of Directors for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), National Board of Directors for SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted), the Fire and Police Commission for the City of Howard and Board of Directors for Family Services of Brown County.

LeKecia is currently the Home Visitation Program Manager for MHA’s Strong Families Healthy Homes Program (SFFH). The SFHH program is designed to nurture and support families, parents and caregivers of people living with mental illness. These programs are strength-based, family-driven and follow a recovery model of service and a belief that healthy family bonds create natural supports for sustaining wellness. She also continues to serve as CEO of Encompass Solutions, LLC, a community-based organization that is a sound resource and safe place for expecting mothers (and their families) who are at higher risk for poor pregnancy and childbirth outcomes. It also provides individualized support to disadvantaged families.

Her work is devoted to identifying and eradicating maternal and child health disparities. Her professional training and certifications include: Early Childhood I&II, Infant & Toddler Education, Postpartum Support International’s – Perinatal Mood Disorder, Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association – SBIRT Training, National Alliance Children’s Trust & Prevention: Social Connections, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Parental Resilience, Parenting & Child Development, Social & Emotional Competence of Children, Maternal & Infant Mental Health, Motivational Interviewing and Doula In-Training.

Jeneile is a post-doctoral nurse research associate with the School of Nursing, STREAM program, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She in an enrolled member of Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. She received her early nursing degrees (LPN and ADN) in Bemidji, Minnesota, and her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her PhD at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her doctoral dissertation, completed in spring 2020, centers American Indian women’s voices by better understanding the individual lived experiences with intimate partner violence in urban areas of Wisconsin through in-depth qualitative interviews. Her dissertation data reveals barriers faced when seeking help after experiences of violence, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This data highlights the need for survivor-led and culturally safe interventions to provide survivors with the care and resources they need and deserve. Her area of research and expertise include gender-based violence, community health nursing and the utilization and application of postcolonial and indigenous feminist methodologies. Her current work focuses on the impacts of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and trafficking on the health and wellbeing of American Indian women and girls. She is a survivor of intimate partner violence and is passionate about sharing her knowledge and personal experiences to help to support and empower other women to transition to survivorship.

Zachary Pate was born in Chula Vista, CA and grew up in Lexington/Jackson, MS. He was born a twin with nine other siblings. He grew up with hardships which caused him to grow up fast. He made the decision as a young adult to move to New Franken, WI with the goal of making positive personal growth and the desire to graduate high school. Once he graduated, Zachary lived at the St. John’s homeless shelter in Green Bay. While homeless, Zachary started working at The Ray and Joan Kroc Center. The Kroc Center was his first experience working with children. Since then, he has developed a passion for working with children and families from diverse backgrounds. He created a non-profit called LHBM (Little Hearts Big Minds). Zachary has experience working in the schools and in the community with children and adults who struggle with trauma, addiction, social skills and emotional regulation. He has mentored school staff members and parents while providing them with the skills they need to help meet the needs of each child.

Dr. Pritchard has been with Prevea Health for 22 years. Over the last ten years he has transitioned out of his fulltime practice in Internal Medicine to one of leadership in the Quality Department. He maintains a small practice in internal medicine and remains the clinic’s specialist in treatment of Adult Cystic Fibrosis. Key priorities of interest include population health management, development of strategic plans around patient care with Prevea 360 and progressive work with controlled substance guidelines. Dr. Pritchard also serves several boards in the community including the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality and Unity Hospice Management Committee. Dr. Pritchard attended the Medical College of Wisconsin for both medical school and residency. He resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is married and has three children. His hobbies include photography, gardening and traveling.

Dr. Rai’s passion to redesign health care in the U.S. embraces the movement from fee-for-service methods of payment to value-based care, which rewards health care organizations for their work in preventive health care and encouraging patients to live healthy lifestyles and not for the amount of procedures they perform.

This has significantly influenced Prevea Health’s strategy to improve the total wellness of all communities it serves. Dr. Rai has also taken proactive steps to enhance diversity and inclusion efforts within the Prevea Health system, and equitable access to health care for all in our communities. In addition, and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin in March 2020, Dr. Rai has helped Prevea Health lead the way and set standards for high-quality, accessible and innovative COVID-19 education, prevention, testing, treatment and vaccination efforts across Wisconsin – all of which have garnered attention from local, state and national health care leaders and journalists.

Dr. Rai is actively involved in his community and committed to making a difference on local, state and national levels. He is a Regent for the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, appointed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers in April 2021. Dr. Rai also joined the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) Board of Directors in 2012 and served as Chairman of AMGA in 2018. Other roles held by Dr. Rai include Chairman of the Board of Weidner Center Presents in Green Bay; Chairman of the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon; member of the Board of Directors for the Automobile Gallery in Green Bay and Progress Lakeshore; member of the Board of Downtown Green Bay, Inc.; and a member of the Chancellor's Council of Trustees at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay.

Tessa is a Certified Child Life Specialist with a Bachelor of Science degree, where she gained a thorough understanding of the development processes and psychosocial needs of youth, emphasizing the impacts of hospitalization. Her clinical skills were developed as an intern at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois and as a practicum student at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Tessa is currently utilizing these experiences to help pediatric patients and their families cope with hospitalization in both inpatient and outpatient departments at Bellin Health. She has advanced her assessment techniques and documentation skills as an ABA Line Therapist, Behavior Technician and Special Education Paraprofessional. Tessa has also stayed active with the Association of Child Life Professionals, Association for Death Education and Counseling and National Alliance for Grieving Children by attending conferences and webinars.

Renita is the inaugural Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Prevea Health. Formerly the Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA Greater Green Bay, Renita spent over 30 years serving women and children. Formerly licensed as a graduate social worker (LGSW), and 6-12 grade English and social studies teacher, Renita has developed effective programs and influenced policy related to services for youth and their families. She has been an advocate, educator and supporter of the homeless, victims of sexual and domestic violence and children across the life, gender and race span.

For over 20 years, Renita has developed curriculum, designed conferences and programs, conducted workshops, and addressed a wide range of audiences as the owner of Teach ‘Em To Fish, LLC, a non-profit consulting business dedicated to curriculum development and training on a variety of social justice issues. Renita’s workshops range from tools creating culturally responsive workspaces to the impact of witnessing violence on children. Though honored as Teacher of the Year by the Anti-Defamation League in 1997, her favorite accomplishment is raising two compassionate sons.

Jolanda earned her MSW at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and is a Certified Social Worker in Wisconsin. She completed her PhD in social welfare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her dissertation examines the lived experiences of women who have exchanged sex for money, drugs or other material goods and their perceptions of what is helpful or not when receiving services. Jolanda joined the UW-Green Bay Social Work faculty in the fall, 2004. Jolanda has been actively involved in the anti-violence against women movement for many years. She comes to Green Bay having been involved in two exciting projects in Madison the Women and Mental Health Study Site of Dane County WMHSS, a federally funded needs assessment for women receiving publicly funded mental health and/or substance use services, and New Partnerships for Women NPW, an education and curriculum development project dedicated to meeting the needs of women who have a history of violence and mental health and/or substance use problems. She has also been involved in the development of a consumer-oriented outcome instrument for the state of Wisconsin. Her primary interests center around violence against women across the life course, including its broader effects on mental health, substance use, criminal justice involvement, poverty and homelessness. She is also interested in issues of privilege and oppression, consumer empowerment and recovery perspectives community organizing, advocacy and research as methods of social change and interpretive and qualitative research methods.

Jen Schanen joined the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Social Work faculty in 2015 as BSW field coordinator and lecturer. Jen teaches primarily at the undergraduate level. Her interests include group facilitation, program evaluation, challenging mechanisms of privilege and oppression and mezzo- and macro-practice. Jen is an APSW (Advanced Practice Social Worker-Wisconsin), and received both her master’s and Bachelors of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Previously, Jen worked at Wise Women Gathering Place, an ever-expanding, grassroots nonprofit serving primarily Native American children and families. Jen coordinated domestic violence, sexual assault and teen pregnancy prevention and outreach efforts—both in direct practice settings with youth and community, and in program development and evaluation capacities. Jen has also worked alongside survivors of domestic violence and adults with disabilities. Jen is a Certified ToP (Technology of Participation) Facilitator and Qualified ToP Trainer. ToP methods are rooted in profound respect for all voices and help create shared awareness and shared agreement within groups. Jen has facilitated and trained diverse groups including the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, Great Lakes InterTribal Council and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Jen integrates these facilitation methods into her classroom to create a safe and participatory learning environment.

Beverly has lived on the Oneida Nation Reservation in Wisconsin since 1991. Beverly apprenticed as a Traditional Lay Midwife with Alice Skenandore. Her work has shifted to community midwifery, as they continue to work to create safe space for individuals, groups and community who struggle through difficult challenges on their journey of healing. As one of the women that met around the original kitchen table that became Wise Women Gathering Place, Beverly became a founding member of the organization.

Beverly is a certified ToP Facilitator and a Mentor ToP Trainer. She uses the ToP Facilitation Method to support groups like Changing Women Initiative, Young Women United, New Mexico Breastfeeding Coalition, New Mexico Birth Justice Coalition, Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), American Indians Against Abuse (AIAA), Oneida Community Integrated Food System, Ho Chunk Youth Services, Oneida Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Coordinated Community Response (CCR), Women Growing Leadership Diversity- Sowing Seed for the Future, Adolescent Parenting Coalition (APC) and APC Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Committee. Beverly supports group through focused conversations, consensus workshops, action planning, strategic planning, conflict resolution and virtual facilitation. She has co-trained over 300 people on ToP Facilitation Methods. Beverly has an Honorary Degree from Native Indian Teaching Education Program (NITEP) at the University of British Columbia.

Beverly has co-trained countless Discovery Dating Facilitators. She also supports evaluation and development work on the promising practice of Discovery Dating, towards becoming recognized as an evidence-based program. She is also available for interactive presentations on historical trauma/generational healing, compassionate communication, restorative justice, bullying, transitional living programs and domestic violence prevention.

Alice became a strong community activist, in Laughlin, Nevada, where she lived with her family for seven years prior to moving back to her native state of Wisconsin, helping to push the county forward in the development of schools and family-centered events and infrastructure. Alice also served her communities as a Traditional Midwife for more than 27 years, attending over 740 home births, following the basic tenet that all women are innately midwives and every woman deserves a midwife. She believes that midwifery has always been a ‘cradle to grave’ role for the wise women of all communities. She has helped many other women, through the apprenticeship model, to become practicing midwives themselves.

As an Oneida and Green Bay community member since 1992, Alice helped form a successful women’s support and learning group which met weekly, with children in tow, over a period of eight years, studying various topics including alternative health choices, personal relationship development and parenting. In 1998, Alice founded Wise Women Gathering Place. WWGP continues to operate through the lens of midwifery. In 2001, Alice authored a unique relationship development tool named Discovery Dating. Discovery Dating helps the reader to explore the attitudes, behaviors and beliefs of the people with whom they are developing relationships.

Alice travels extensively, lecturing and educating women and families about the benefits of home birth and breast-feeding and culture based, holistic health care. The basis for all of her work is to assure the most informed choices and greatest level of self-determination available.

Dana is a 2001 graduate of Bellin College in Green Bay. She has experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Hospice, Emergency Department, Hospital Supervision and Forensic Nursing. She is the Team Leader for the HSHS St. Vincent Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program which is comprised of 14 nurses who take call to cover care for sexual assault victims 24/7/365. She has been active with the program for 15 years.

Cary Waubanascum, PhD, is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Wakeny^ta (Turtle Clan), with ancestral roots in the Menominee, Forest County Potawatomi and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Nations of Wisconsin. Cary and her husband, Lance, are proud of their son, daughter and many nephews.

Cary is an Assistant Professor in the Social Work Professional Programs at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. In July 2021, she earned a doctorate from the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in Mni Sota Makoce. Her dissertation, “This is how we show up for our relatives: Understanding how Indigenous relative caregivers embody traditional kinship to resist the colonial child welfare system,” uncovered specific forms of ongoing colonialism perpetuated by the modern child welfare system. It also highlighted the knowledge of Indigenous relative caregivers who are living and passing on their kinship knowledge and practices to resist child welfare systems and protect Indigenous children from ongoing removal.

Cary’s research is grounded in Indigenous research methodologies, knowledge and practice, which aims to reclaim and strengthen Indigenous kinship for healing, prevention and healthy Indigenous futures. Her work has implications for decolonization for Tribes, child welfare, and social work practice, policy and education.

Kristin Welch, Naeqtum Metaemoh, is Menominee, Irish and German, and is of the Marten Clan. As founder and Executive Director of Waking Women Healing Institute, she hopes to uplift traditional matriarchal roles through connection to identity and land. She is passionate about healing and justice work for Indigenous women and girls around the issues of sexual violence and MMIW. She has eight years of experience in systems change, resilience and healing work, and Indigenous life-span models for wellness. Her work has involved creating safe spaces for survivors that are founded in indigenous ways of being, strengthening partnerships with both formal and informal supports. She is also a member of the WI DOJ MMIW Task Force and co-chair of the Family Community Impact Subcommittee.

Shannon has been the Executive Director of House of Hope since 2012, a shelter for youth and young families with children who are experiencing homelessness in Northeastern Wisconsin. Shannon has been advocating for at-risk youth for 20 years and has dedicated her professional life to creating opportunities for youth experiencing instability and crisis across the state of Wisconsin. Shannon received her associate’s degree in arts and science from University of Wisconsin - Barron County and received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. She is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of managing non-profit organizations. Shannon received a 2020 Women of Strength Award from Golden House.

Shelby has worked in victim services for over 15 years and has experience working with many different types of abuse including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, human trafficking, sexting and other forms of technology.

Before joining SNC, Jessica worked in a variety of places around the country. She has been housing coordinator and victim advocate at Wise Women Gathering Place, program director for a transitional home in Baltimore, MD, and been a victim advocate in Door County. She loves the vision of the VAWA grant and Wellness by Design program, and is thrilled to be a part of an organization capable of such valuable impact on others. Jessica also has her master’s certificate in non-profit management from Regis University, a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and peace, conflict and global studies from Northland College, and is a trained doula.

Erika Villafuerte is the Founder and Director of Salud First, where she helps people feel empowered to prioritize living their best by bringing more awareness to how our emotional wellness affects our physical well-being. She believes the mind/body connection impacts many areas of our lives, and that is why Erika not only speaks on this subject, but also assists people in becoming aware of health care resources and understanding the Medicare world throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and other states as needed. She is passionate about offering personal and culturally sensitive assistance to accessing wellness services to everyone, but most especially disadvantaged populations.

Erika is a member of the board of several organizations. She's enthusiastic about working in partnerships to reduce the barriers in health care access and excited about teamwork to address social disparities in generationally sensitive ways for our many diverse communities.

Dr. Bashir Raheem Easter is the original and now former Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) for Milwaukee County Department on Aging (MCDA) under the Aging Disability Resource Center (ADRC). As DCS for MCDA he developed referral relationships with physicians, clinics and other heath and long-term providers, and provides dementia related consultations from technical support to cognitive screening. Dr. Easter developed a strategic plan; Milwaukee County’s Approach to Building Dementia Capable/Friendly Communities, as mandated by the State of Wisconsin Redesign Plan. Dr. Easter’s work has been listed as a best practice for Dementia Caring Communities by Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services (2016). His work with the Federated Library system is listed as the first in the Nation (2018) “Memory Connection Centers” which helps caregivers of those with dementia navigate services and support.

Dr. Easter, born and raised in Milwaukee, earned his Doctor of Philosophy from Capella University in Multidisciplinary Human Service. He published his research “African American adolescents’ experiences caring for a relative with dementia: a qualitative study.” His education includes an Associate of Science in Business Management from Milwaukee Area Technical College, Bachelor of Science in Human Service Management from Cardinal Stritch University and a Master of Business Administration in Public Administration from Concordia University.

Easter has over 25 years of public and private work experience and training in supervision, leadership, public and nonprofit management, business management, diversity, organizational behavior and public speaking.

He is currently the Associate Director and serves as the community engagement consortium lead for a national research program called All of Us at the Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnership for the University of Wisconsin – Madison in Milwaukee. He is also an adjunct professor for the College of Business Management at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. At Marian University in Fond du Lac, he is the adjunct professor in the adult learner and graduate programs. At Marquette University he is an adjunct professor where he provides undergraduate students with instruction in leadership and organizational management, principals of management leadership in ethical organizations and organizational training and development. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Partnership Award from Interfaith Older Adult Programs. In 2018, he received the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award which recognizes ground-breaking African Americans from across the area who serve communities, inspire peers and transform lives. He serves on the community advisory board for Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI).