Suicide Prevention Summit

Collin Drews is a dedicated social worker serving in foster care, where he advocates for vulnerable youth and strengthens families through connection and support. Passionate about mental health, Collin works to create spaces where honest conversations can take place and stigma can be reduced. He is proud to be part of DUDES & T.A.C.O.S., an initiative focused on engaging men through community, connection, and meaningful dialogue around mental health. Collin brings practical experience, compassion, and a community-centered approach to his work and advocacy.

Shelly Missall is an Outreach Coordinator for 988 Wisconsin Lifeline at Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin. She has worked in the human services field for the last 20 years and is a Certified Crisis Specialist. Shelly specializes in change leadership and has been with 988 Wisconsin Lifeline from its inception in 2020, helping guide the implementation of the new call center as well as the introduction of and transition to a three-digit dialing system.

Karsyn Nehls is a seasoned paramedic with over 15 years of experience in high-pressure emergency medicine and critical care. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, Karsyn works to bridge the gap between field operations and clinical psychology. As an intern specializing in first-responder program development with Stein Counseling, she develops peer support training and facilitates support networks for paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement. Karsyn is dedicated to shifting emergency services culture away from "it's part of the job" and toward proactive mental wellness and early intervention.

Jennifer Payea is a decorated United States Navy Veteran who has built a distinguished career spanning military service, clinical practice, and human rights advocacy. Jennifer joined the Navy at age 17, serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Carl Vinson, and USS Bainbridge. Her service included two OEF/OIF tours both on land and sea.  Following her military career, Jennifer earned both a Bachelor's degree in Addiction Treatment and a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. During this time she also served as the President of the Student Veterans of America. Jennifer currently serves as the Clinical Director at Safehaven in Kansas City, MO, an overdose prevention program designed by the Department of Veteran Affairs to support veterans experiencing substance abuse, mental illness, and homelessness.

Brienne (Brie) Shaker is the Clinical Director and an Outpatient Therapist at Stein Counseling and Consulting Services, Ltd. She specializes in trauma-informed care and suicide prevention, with a strong focus on supporting first responders and veterans. Brie facilitates a first responder mental health support group and is a founding member of a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health access and reducing stigma among first responders and veterans. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin– Madison.

Ted Stein is the President of, and a psychotherapist at, Stein Counseling and Consulting Services Ltd. He is frequently sought out for parenting and custody evaluations, marriage expertise, attachment evaluations, and complex case consultations. He has been featured on the American Association of Christian Counseling blog posts and local media. Ted has almost 30 years experience as a psychotherapist. He founded Stein Counseling and Consulting Services, Ltd. in 2001.

Dr. Sylvester “Sly” Sullivan is an Outpatient and School-Based Mental Health Therapist at Stein Counseling and Consulting Services, Ltd. His therapeutic approach incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help individuals strengthen emotional regulation, increase self-awareness, build motivation, and improve their overall well-being. Before entering the behavioral health field, Dr. Sullivan completed 28 years of combined service in the United States Navy, including 24 years on active duty and four years in the Navy Reserve. He retired as a Chief Petty Officer. His commitment to service continues through his involvement with the La Crosse County Veterans Service Commission and other community leadership efforts.

Dr. Walker Tisdale III is a public health and behavioral health leader with more than two decades of experience advancing prevention, workforce development, and systems improvement across federal, state, university, and community-based settings. He currently serves as Director of the newly launched nonprofit, the National Association for the Advancement of Suicide Prevention and the National Institute for Consulting Excellence (also known as the NICE Company). Prior, he served as Director of Outreach, Suicide Prevention Initiatives at Johns Hopkins University’s Mental Health Services Division, where he developed and implemented a university-wide outreach strategy to strengthen mental health, well-being, and help-seeking behavior for college students, faculty, and staff.

Cheyenne Ver Voort is a UW-Green Bay graduate who was born and raised in Northeast Wisconsin. After graduation, she attended an online graduate school program and completed her Masters of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis. Cheyenne's professional experience has always been in the fields of mental and behavioral health, and she has spent her entire adult career working with and learning from neurodivergent people. Cheyenne is deeply passionate about quality mental health services for neurodivergent people, and Cheyenne makes it a priority to uplift and amplify the voices of people with lived experience in her efforts to improve the quality of crisis response for autistic clients experiencing a mental health crisis.

Eden Weller is a systems-change practitioner, facilitator, and community advocate with deep experience supporting nonprofits, philanthropy partners, and cross-sector coalitions. Grounded in lived experience and a commitment to equity, Eden helps organizations strengthen community voice, improve program outcomes, and build cultures of trust and collaboration. Eden has led workshops and strategy sessions across the Midwest focused on early literacy, youth systems, men's mental health, and community-informed design.

As a first‑generation Hmong refugee, Sheng Lee Yang, M.S.W., LCSW, PMH-C brings a deeply personal commitment to equity and healing. Resettled in Wisconsin as a young refugee, she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, perinatal mental health therapist, and nonprofit executive. A former professor, Sheng taught social justice, mental health, and advocacy to future social workers. Her work spans public, private, government, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on integrating cultural humility into behavioral health. In 2019, she founded Us 2 Behavioral Health Care to advance accessible, community‑centered mental health services. As a mother of two, she leads with empathy and purpose.