Breakout Session Facilitators

Danyell Taylor-White has served since 2018 as the President and Founder of Taylor White Counseling, Coaching, & Consulting, LLC in Chicago where individual and family therapy transpires.  She has planned and executed a variety of training sessions and workshops for individuals and organizations on varied health topics, to include social-emotional learning implementation, and evidence-based therapeutic strategies.  She has a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University of Chicago, a Master of Educational Leadership from Benedictine University, and doctoral work at Governor's State University.

Angela C.B. Walker, M.D., FACOG, DipABLM, is a board-certified OB/GYN and Lifestyle Medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience in women’s health and preventive care. She is the Founder and CEO of Walker Health & Wellness Designs, LLC, where she leads her signature Healthstyle coaching programs to help individuals build sustainable, healthy lives through practical behavior change. Dr. Walker has a longstanding passion for adolescent health and serves as a mentor and educator on puberty, menstrual health, and wellness-based decision-making. Her work equips young people with lifelong skills for body literacy, emotional resilience, and health ownership. She speaks nationally on women’s health, wellness transformation, and behavior change science, and her work has reached audiences in academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and professional networks. She is also the co-host of the Boss Leap Podcast, where she highlights personal growth and purpose-driven leadership. Dr. Walker is dedicated to making health education accessible, empowering, and culturally relevant for all.

De’Janae’ Guillory-Williams is a Research Services Professional in the CU Department of Family Medicine and a Program Manager at the Farley Health Policy Center. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Science in Biology Pre-Medicine from Florida A&M University, with expertise in program management, research, and data analysis. Her interests focus on public health policies that promote health equity for underrepresented communities.

Bryan Is a native of Fort Worth, Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.  Bryan is a TEDx speaker whose speech was about overcoming obstacles and reaching self-fulfillment. Bryan is also the published author of the self help books Boss Up!: 10 Traits One Must Have to Reach self-actualization (2018) and The Truth Always Wins: Becoming Fulfilled and Reducing Stress (2020)  which copies of his books have  been distributed to different countries worldwide. On top of being a speaker and an author, Bryan has been working in the mental health field for eight years and coaches leaders on how to become more effective leaders.  Bryan earned a master's degree in social work from Stephen F. Austin State University (2016) and a bachelors degree in sociology from Wiley College (2013). Bryan's mission is to help individuals who lack fulfillment by educating and empowering them on how they can reach self-actualization according to the circumstances they are currently in.

Ryan A. McKelley, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist, Professor of Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Interim Program Director for the School Psychology Graduate Training Program, and Program Coordinator for the Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Minor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He earned a B.S. in Organizational Communication from Northwestern University, and a M.A. in Educational Psychology and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He regularly teaches courses on health psychology, behavior modification, abnormal psychology, group counseling, and men and masculinities. He has taught summer sessions abroad in England, Ireland, Spain, China, Costa Rica, & Thailand. He previously served as the Chair and Associate Chair of the Psychology Department.

Dr. McKelley has co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, mostly in the area of men and masculinities. Specific research and presentation topics include men’s emotions, help-seeking, alternative treatment models, non-traditional work and family roles, fatherhood, men and depression, marketing mental health, and the placebo effect in biofeedback.

In addition to his teaching and research, Dr. McKelley has provided clinical services in a community mental health center, three university counseling centers, and a pain clinic. He currently provides contract clinical services in individual and group therapy, and clinical supervision. He’s been a weekly discussant on the internet radio show and iTunes podcast The Secret Lives of Men, and is Past-President of the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinities, a division of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. McKelley has been interviewed extensively in the area of men’s mental health and changing gender roles. In the last few years, he has been quoted in outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, ABC News, Upworthy, Vox Media, documentaries, and local papers in U.S. and abroad. He has also appeared on several radio stations such as National Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ABC Radio News, has a TEDx talk on social connection and masculinity, interview on masculinity and culture on the Here We Are science podcast, La Crosse Thinkers podcast, the ManKind Project, Men's Therapy Online, and teach-in presentations on rape culture and toxic masculinity.

Randy Nelson is a lifelong educator and servant leader with more than four decades of experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin schools. As superintendent of the School District of La Crosse (2011-2020) he led the district in change grounded in community partnerships and collaborations. In his retirement, Randy leads Driftless Leadership LLC by mentoring and coaching leaders across various sectors. He believes that strategic mentorship and intentional relationship-building change the trajectory of organizations and lives. He holds a Master's degree from Mankato State University and a superintendent's license from the University of Minnesota.

Scott Rein is an Illinois-based youth mental-health professional with extensive experience supporting adolescents, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams in school and community settings. He has facilitated trainings and workshops for educators, community leaders, and youth-serving organizations on topics including emotional regulation, anxiety, executive functioning, and identity development. Scott’s work centers on helping young people understand their internal world, strengthen emotional resilience, and build narratives that reflect their strengths rather than their struggles. He has spent years guiding families and adult stakeholders to communicate more effectively with adolescents, especially during periods of transition, overwhelm, or heightened risk. His approach blends creativity, evidence-informed practices, and developmentally responsive tools from Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and early-intervention frameworks. Scott regularly presents at regional and national professional events and has led virtual trainings attended by school personnel, parent groups, and community professionals who support youth. He is passionate about translating complex therapeutic concepts into concrete, accessible practices that educators and caregivers can apply immediately. His work emphasizes empowerment, relational attunement, and helping teens tell stories that support mindful, meaningful decision-making.

Scott holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. His clinical expertise spans working with youth, emerging adults, families, and individuals managing anxiety, depression, life transitions, and other mental health concerns.

Kelly Keefe is a Reiki Master Teacher, transformational coach, and founder of The Heartspace, a healing and empowerment company that has supported thousands worldwide through energy work, belief rewiring, and embodied leadership. With nearly a decade of experience in holistic healing and personal development, Kelly brings a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach to helping youth and adults reconnect with their power, emotional balance, and authentic voice.

She has led wellness programs and spoken on stages across the U.S. and internationally, including initiatives affiliated with the United Nations, and has worked with communities from schools to corporate teams to global retreats. Through her signature blend of Reiki healing, subconscious reprogramming, and intuitive coaching, Kelly creates safe, grounded spaces for transformation. She is also the best-selling author of Rise Above Fear and the upcoming novel She, and is passionate about equipping the next generation with tools for self-regulation, resilience, and inner peace.

Dr. Brian Williams,  is associate professor (CHS) in the Department of Pediatrics Division of Hospital Medicine and Complex Care as well as in the Department of Medicine hospital medicine division. He works as a pediatric and adult hospitalist. Williams wrote the Wisconsin American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) chapter’s position paper on vaping. He is a past recipient of the AAP Richmond Center’s New Investigator award to study smoke exposure screening in the pediatric inpatient setting, and is actively investigating how to help young people quit vaping.

Williams’ professional interests include tobacco control with a focus on vaping cessation in youth and young adults. He serves as a principal investigator (PI) or co-investigator on several tobacco cessation studies at the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (UW-CTRI). His is currently studying how to help parents quit smoking while their child is hospitalized. In addition, he recently received support from the NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to better understand how to help adolescents and young adults quit vaping

Diana DiazGranados is the Community Wellbeing Director for the Great Rivers United Way (GRUW) and the Executive Director of the Mental Health Coalition of Greater La Crosse (MHC). In her dual role, she leads GRUW’s community wellbeing strategies while also guiding MHC collaborative initiatives focused on increasing mental wellness and reducing mental health stigma. She previously led Better Together in La Crosse County, an eight-year youth mental health initiative, where her leadership significantly advanced strategies for increasing mental health literacy, resilience, and community collaboration to support youth. Diana has extensive experience working on community-level strategies to foster healthy, thriving communities and enjoys helping communities identify their assets, understand community needs, and use data to drive decision-making.

She began her career as a community health worker with the U.S. Peace Corps in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Diana has also lived and worked in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Bulgaria, and Kosovo, where she created the first nationwide youth program focused on positive youth development and healing post-war trauma. She holds master’s degrees in social work and public health from Columbia University in New York and is a certified Mental Health First Aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainer. Diana lives in Onalaska, WI with her husband Rob. They have a daughter who is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a son who recently graduated from UW-Madison and works in New York City.

Drew Dutton is the President and CEO of Phoenix House Texas, where he leads statewide adolescent and adult behavioral health, prevention, and education initiatives. He is a licensed professional counselor supervisor, a licensed chemical dependency counselor, and an advanced certified prevention specialist. Drew is nationally known for making complex neuroscience accessible and for helping professionals engage adolescents through empathy, clarity, and strengths-based practice. His work focuses on improving outcomes for youth by dismantling stigma, addressing developmental needs, and updating outdated responses to substance use. As a national trainer, he teaches organizations how adolescent brain science can reshape communication, motivation, and treatment engagement. He is also a graduate counseling professor at Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of Mary, where he teaches courses on addiction, adolescent development, and therapeutic practice. Drew owns Better Days Counseling, PLLC, providing therapy, clinical supervision, and consulting across sectors. He holds a master’s in education from TCU, an M.B.A. from Baylor, and a master’s in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. His multidisciplinary expertise allows him to translate adolescent neurodevelopment into practical tools for clinicians, educators, justice professionals, and caregivers. Drew’s workshops are known for being engaging, clear, and grounded equally in research and real-world practice.

Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Nolan has a background in Family Medicine, social epidemiology, and General Preventive Medicine/Public Health. She is currently working on several projects related to chronic disease risk management, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. She is overseeing several epidemiologic studies and vaccine-related pharmacovigilance studies as part of a nation-wide collaboration, and serves as the principle investigator for cancer care delivery research through the Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium (MMCORC). She sees patients in occupational medicine weekly at the Minneapolis Blaisdell Clinic.

Dr. Paula D. Walker King (aka Dr. Paula) is a physician, award-winning educator, author and Harvard-trained leader in health policy.

Dr. Paula earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Wayne State University, and completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center.

Dr. Paula earned her Master of Public Health degree from Emory University and her Bachelor of Science degree from Howard University.

In 2023, Dr. Paula graduated from Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government with a Master in Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree. In addition to her M.P.A. degree, while at Harvard Kennedy School, Dr. Paula also earned the highly esteemed certificate in Management, Leadership and Decision Sciences.

Dr. Paula is board-certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners and is nationally accredited as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES^®) with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC).

Dr. Paula is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. She is passionate about health promotion and using evidence-based methods to prevent disease and to stay healthy naturally.

Dr. Paula has presented extensively on prevention science.

She is currently serving in the federal government at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve U.S. healthcare efficiency by rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare, Medicaid and the Marketplace exchanges.

Karen Skemp, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Health Education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She teaches Human Nutrition, Nutrition Education, Physical Activity and Public Health, and Functional Foods, Herbs, and Supplements. Her latest research explores how spirituality, diet, and physical activity contribute to psychological well-being.

Michele Pettit, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Community Health Education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She teaches Youth Health Issues, Issues in Mental and Emotional Health, and Violence and Injury Prevention. Her professional interests encompass mental and emotional health including stress and coping, violence and injury prevention, health risk behaviors, health equity, and spirituality.

Jason Fogler, Ph.D., has an extensive background in administering, teaching, and researching innovative therapies for challenging patient populations and psychosocial contexts, including ADHD, complex trauma, and other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. He is a Senior Psychologist, the Director of the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) fellowship, and the Co-Director of the ADHD Program in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital where he provides parent guidance, psychotherapy, and neuropsychological testing for children, teens, and young adults with ADHD. He is also the attending psychologist on a team devoted to children who have been adopted (domestically and internationally) or in the foster care system; and he routinely provides guardianship evaluations for young adults in our Center with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, Dr. Fogler is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at Harvard Medical School. He has authored over 50 publications, including educational guides for parents of children with ADHD, peer-reviewed clinical research and systematic reviews, and two edited books: Trauma Therapy in Context: The Science & Craft of Evidence-Based Practice and Trauma, Autism, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Integrating Research, Practice, and Policy.

Jody Gan, M.P.H., CHES, enjoys sharing her experiences and passion for health and wellness while teaching public health and health promotion students the “tools of the trade.” Before joining the faculty at American University in Washington, DC in 2013, Jody worked for federal and state governmental health agencies, developing health communication materials and community outreach strategies for a wide range of programs. For more than a decade, she coordinated prevention programs for college students at the University of Maryland and American University. Jody remains committed to improving the health of adolescents and young adults and teaches adolescent health and teen mental health seminars in addition to courses in health promotion and health program planning. She is the author/editor of Health Promotion Moving Forward: A Population Health Approach (Springer Publishing Company, September 2024). Jody is a strong advocate for the public health profession, having recently served as president of the Maryland Public Health Association and currently on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association. Jody earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her M.P.H. from Boston University.

Sharon Munroe, Dr.PH, M.P.H., MCHES, is a recent graduate of the Doctor of Public Health program in Health Promotion and Health Education at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Austin, Texas. Her doctoral research focused on protective factors for adolescent mental health to reduce the risk of major depressive episodes, and school-based interventions. She regularly teaches Youth Mental Health First Aid to K-12 educators and designs and instructs continuing education courses in mental health and disaster preparedness for Community Health Workers. A Master Certified Health Education Specialist and experienced public health leader, Sharon has played a key role in the development, measurement, and evaluation of multiple community-based programs and policies. She is deeply committed to equity-driven, practice and workforce development in public health. Sharon is an active leader in the American Public Health Association’s Maternal and Child Health Section at both national and state levels. She also holds Global Health and Maternal and Child Health certificates, as well as an MPH from UTHealth. Through public health fellowships, she conducted ethnographic research with women’s health providers in urban India and rural Guatemala on their careers and lives and has presented these findings at global health conferences. 

Shane Murphy is excited to contribute to the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS) and the Physical Therapy Program at UWL. Dr. Murphy brings expertise in lower extremity biomechanics, especially balance, walking, running, and sport-specific movements. Dr. M's current line of research envelopes asymmetrical movement patterns and the consequences of doing so. hane holds a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master of Science in Biomechanics from Indiana University-Bloomington, and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.