2024 Speakers Bios

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  Dr. Thomas Cunningham is a senior behavioral scientist in the Division of Science Integration of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  He also serves as the scientific lead of the NIOSH Health Worker Mental Health Initiative. His research addresses intervention development and research translation for safety and health applications in construction, health care, and several small business sectors. Dr. Cunningham has published several peer-reviewed articles on a range of occupational safety and health related topics, including intervention effectiveness, implementation, and occupational health equity. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology from Virginia Tech.

  Natasha Paris St.Amand is a native of Brooklyn, NY born to Haitian Parents.

She is a trained License Clinical Therapist; Natasha Paris has a strong commitment to helping professionals overcome mental health challenges and achieve their full potential. With over 24 years of experience in the field of mental health, Natasha Paris is a sought-after speaker, trainer, coach and consultant to organization and individuals.

She has appeared on NBC, ABC and MTV cable networks. She has been a Keynote Speaker around the world and has facilitated numerous of Emotional Wholeness and Mental Health trainings, workshop in cities such as New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia,PA, New Orleans, LA, Northern Virginia, District of Columbia (DC) and Maryland.

She is an author and had a thriving podcast (Empower U 2) channel that generates 1000 downloads per month.

Natasha Paris’s expertise lives in helping individuals navigate the unique challenges faced by becoming executives, entrepreneurs and professionals in demanding workplaces. As a practical and engaging coach, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to cultivate resilience, reduce stress, balance work life, foster emotional well-being and navigate the complexities of mental health.

Edmund S. Higgins, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and completed residencies in Family Practice and Psychiatry at MUSC. He is currently providing psychiatric care for South Carolina Department of Corrections and has a tiny private psychiatric practice.

Along with Dr Mark George, Dr Higgins has published two books. The 4th edition of The Neuroscience of Clinical Psychiatry will be published in November. Brain Stimulation Therapies for Clinicians is in its second edition.

It is generally agreed that Dr Higgins is a heck of a nice guy

Dr. Chantay White Eley is a highly experienced Doctoral Psychotherapist with 16 years of active military experience and over twenty-five years of clinical experience, she has worked extensively with military personnel, families, and United States Diplomats both domestically and internationally. Her expertise lies in facilitating the transition of marital and relationship concerns, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, insomnia, and grief and loss. Dr. White-Eley is a Clinical Board-Certified Diplomat status and have earned certifications such as CEAP (Certified Employee Assistance Professional) and SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) designation. She has received specialized training in various evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Gottman Method Level III Marital Training, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) I & II, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for individuals and couples, and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for individuals and groups. And she is also trained in RATC (Specialized Interviewing with Sexually Abused Children), ASSISTS, and Psychology SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) oriented treatment modalities. Areas of focus are not limited to resiliency training, pre- and post-deployment to high-risk areas, Iraq and Afghanistan Familiarization Courses, Leading in High-Threat Posts, Advanced Consular Affairs Course, Security Overseas Seminar, High-Stress Outbrief, and High Threat Tactical Course. Dr. White-Eley professional experience includes serving as Acting Chief of Employee Consultation Services at the U.S. Department of State, Chief of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Director at the Deployment Stress Management Program, U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service Health Practitioner in Baghdad, Iraq for 2 years, Clinical Social Worker at the U.S. Department of State, Family Programs Supervisor and Family Advocacy Officer at Serco Inc., Mental Health Flight Commander, Preventive Intervention Program, Deputy Chief, Substance Abuse Clinical Director, and Assistant Chief Social Work Services. 

  Tamara Myles is a renowned speaker and author with over two decades of experience helping leaders improve business performance. She leverages her expertise on productivity and meaningful work to help leaders create thriving teams and foster organizational growth. As a global authority on meaning at work, Tamara’s research is the first rigorous, empirical study to examine the leader’s impact on making work meaningful. Tamara’s clients include KPMG, Microsoft, and Google and her insights have been featured in FastCompany, Business Insider, and Forbes, among others. She is the author of The Secret to Peak Productivity and her next book, More Than a Paycheck will be published in February 2025. Tamara is an instructor of Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and a senior trainer for the Penn Resilience Program, the world’s leading organization for state-of-the-art, evidence-based resilience and well-being programs. Tamara lives outside Boston with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

 LaDonna Reed has a tenacious approach to life. As a competitive athlete for USA Track & Field Masters (100m, Long Jump, and Javelin), she continues to stay active at the National level currently ranked #3 in javelin and top 10 in the 100m and long jump in the U.S.

Traveling domestically and internationally, LaDonna spent over 15 years presenting to and educating Olympic and Paralympic level athletes about leaving behind a legacy of clean sport competition. These opportunities led to many requests as a keynote speaker at international science symposiums, community partner conferences, as well as many companies including non-profits around the U.S. to expand upon the role wellness, health and nutrition play in the work place setting.

Serving as a Wellness Coordinator, it is her passion to bring changes within an organization to improve the health and well-being of staff and culture. LaDonna is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Nutritional Consultant, and Personal Trainer. With her Master’s of Education in Health and Wellness, she uses this knowledge to educate the community. As the owner of Get Movin’ Personal Training, LLC, she loves to share the knowledge of nutrition and wellness to all who will listen.

A pioneering architect of the field of health and wellness coaching, Dr. Arloski’s life’s work and passion is creating allies for a healthy world. He and his company, Real Balance Global Wellness Services, Inc., have trained thousands of coaches around the globe. A psychologist with over twenty-five years of clinical work and professional contribution to the field of health and

wellness promotion since 1978, he is a founding board member of the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching and is now a Board Member Emeritus.  Dr. Arloski is the author of Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change, 2nd Ed., the foundational book of the field, and Masterful Health & Wellness Coaching: Deepening Your Craft.  His leadership history includes being Past President of The Ohio Society for Behavioral Health & Biofeedback, The Colorado College Counselors Association, and President of the Board of Directors of the National Wellness Institute. An avid outdoorsman and thirty five-year practitioner of Tai Chi, he and his wife, Deborah, live, work, dance, and play in Northern Colorado.

 Heather Gunnell believes when you take care of people, business thrives. She is a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant deeply committed to the principle that thriving businesses are built on strong, empowered teams. With over two decades of leadership experience across diverse sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her work. Her expertise lies in guiding leaders to unlock their team's full potential, transforming challenges into opportunities, and fostering a culture of collaboration and respect.