Speaker Information

Angela Flowers-Jones, DSW, MSW, is an accomplished social work scholar and practitioner with over 25 years of experience in advanced clinical practice, policy development, and community engagement. Her career is marked by a steadfast commitment to social justice, particularly in supporting marginalized and underserved populations both domestically and internationally.

Her impactful work in Los Angeles includes successfully housing over 250 families from the Skid Row area, a feat recognized by the County of Los Angeles for her contributions to addressing homelessness and fostering social stability. Dr. Flowers has been an active member of the Skid Row Collaborative Committee, where she has contributed to strategic initiatives focused on community development and systemic change. She has also mentored youth through the LA Youth Conservation Corps and served as an AmeriCorps Service Coordinator in Skid Row, promoting leadership and resilience among vulnerable populations.
Expanding her reach globally, Dr. Flowers has served as an advisor to Therapy Adventures, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to providing speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapies to children in Belize. Her international work reflects her deep commitment to accessible, holistic healthcare and to the power of community-centered interventions.

Currently, Dr. Flowers is the Chair of the Department of Social Work at the University of Belize. She champions research excellence and academic rigor, fostering scholarly inquiry and professional development among faculty and students. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Social Work from California State University, Long Beach, and a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her doctoral research focused on social justice, community empowerment, and innovative service delivery models.

In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Flowers collaborates with social impact organizations dedicated to empowering women and minority groups. Her scholarly contributions include publications examining the intersection of mental health and cultural practices, emphasizing integrated approaches to empowerment and healing.
Dr. Flowers’s work exemplifies a lifelong dedication to advancing social justice, promoting equity, and fostering sustainable community development through evidence-based and compassionate social work practices.

Speaker Information

Janine Cayetano, is the Founder of ElevateWithin, a holistic wellness practice in Belize dedicated to integrating mental health, physical wellness, and personal empowerment. Through ElevateWithin, she provides psychosocial support, wellness coaching, and training services aimed at helping individuals and organizations achieve sustainable well-being and self-sufficiency.

She also serves as a Field Placement Supervisor and Adjunct Lecturer at Galen University, where she mentors Master of Social Work students and contributes to the development of future practitioners through clinical supervision, teaching, and applied training in mental health and social work practice.

Janine was recently appointed Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Belize, where she leads national efforts to strengthen mental health advocacy, programming, and community engagement across Belize.

Previously, she served as Director of the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) within the Ministry of the Public Service, where she oversaw workplace mental health initiatives, crisis response, and psychosocial support services for public officers.

Janine holds a Master of Science in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of East London and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Belize. She is a licensed Clinical and Community Psychologist and Social Worker, Certified Personal Trainer and currently completing her certification in Nutrition Coaching.  Her work centers on advancing mental health, resilience, and human potential across Belize.

Speaker Information

The Justice for Laddie Foundation ~Transforming Tragedy into Positivity

Lucy and her husband Mick Fleming are trailblazers in Belize’s eco-tourism. They co-founded the Chaa Creek Rainforest Reserve and first Eco-Lodge in Belize in 1981. What began as a simple riverside farm in 1977 evolved into a globally recognized model for sustainable travel, driven by their shared vision, dedication, and commitment to conservation and community development.

Lucy’s passion for her work has led her to hold numerous leadership roles in the community, government, and non-government boards. Notably, she served two terms as President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association and another two terms as President of the Belize Hotel Association. Her involvement in local tourism organizations such as the Belize Tourism Board, the Marketing Advisory Committee, and the National Crime Control Council further underscores her dedication to contributing to society and her significant influence in the tourism industry.

Her journey with Chaa Creek has been a shining example of her unwavering dedication to the power of community and country, one firmly inspiring all her efforts. Working with gang boys at the YEA youth detention center at the George Price Barracks in Belize City allowed her to serve Belize and its people, something she would continue doing for years. Many years later she would conceptualize and spearhead the Justice for Laddie Foundation after her 14-year-old grandson was shot and killed by a police man while jogging on the beach.

Her philanthropical journey was marked by her pioneering community-first efforts, deepening her connection with Belizeans. A significant testament to this is the ongoing Chaa Creek Scholarship program, a project she spearheaded. This initiative has granted 12 –16 scholarships to secondary and tertiary-level students annually. This resourcefulness serves as a tangible demonstration of her commitment to educational opportunities and fosters a sense of hope and empowerment in a nation that is only 45 years old.

Focusing on a holistic approach to all that encompasses humanitarian aid helped her develop the Chaa Creek Cares program. This program utilizes 5% of Chaa Creek’s accommodation rate for conservation, education, and sports initiatives, further contributing to the country’s sustainable tourism efforts. The Employee Dollar Club (EDC), that doubles members weekly dollar input was developed to help employees with immediate medical needs and crisis management dilemmas. Under Mick and Lucy’s leadership, The Lodge at Chaa Creek has achieved worldwide recognition including the prestigious 2017 National Geographic World Legacy Award for Engaging Communities, as well as from Travel Outlets such as Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast and Forbes Traveler. Locally Chaa Creek has been recognized as hotel of the year in 2011 and 2018 by the Belize Tourism Board and Mick and Lucy have also been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award.

Lucy’s legacy is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep love for Belize, blending eco-tourism with philanthropy to protect the country’s natural beauty while uplifting its people. Contributing to the tourism industry made her a vital founder of the eco-tourism movement in Belize. Community-first efforts have made her a leader in Belize’s philanthropic scene, while her fiery passion for social justice has made her an advocate for social reform.

Speaker Information

Courtney McDermott is an Associate Teaching Professor and the Director of Field Education for the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). She coordinates the field education program for the MSW students and teaches the corresponding seminar course and the BSW social policy course.

She has her B.A. from the University of Iowa, her MSW from Saint Louis University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.

During her time at UMSL, she has secured several grants to develop programs focused on macro-level social work including policy practice and racial equity in field placements and for support of the Civil Rights tour which she developed and co-taught.

Speaker Information

Dr. Wendy L. DuCassé is the Director of Field Education and Assistant Clinical Professor for Saint Louis University’s School of Social Work in St. Louis, Missouri. She leads the Field Education program for BSSW and MSW students and teaches courses for the MSW program. Wendy is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri.

Wendy’s clinical experience includes interdisciplinary work with children, adolescents, and theirfamilies. Wendy has served in the following capacities: case manager for children and adolescents in residential and foster care settings, behavioral health consultant as part of a multidisciplinary team tasked with integrating mental health care services in a federally qualified health center, and school social worker in a separate public setting for children with social, emotional needs.

A proud native of the Missouri Bootheel, Wendy is a first-generation college student and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, a post-graduate certificate in nonprofit management and leadership, and a doctoral degree in social work. Her advocacy and research interests include early childhood mental health intervention, special education, school-based mental health services, cultural competence and cultural humility, LGBTQ+ youth, and educational access programming for first-generation college students.

Speaker Information

Jennifer Lothridge, BSW is a Master of Social Work candidate at California Baptist University specializing in Gerontology. With over 20 years of leadership in medical and social service sectors, she is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults through trauma-informed advocacy and evidence-based practice. Research &

Impact: Jennifer is a passionate researcher focused on the intersection of aging and healthcare communication. Her primary project, “Language Matters,” involved a survey of 100 individuals to analyze how specific terminology in medical settings impacts patient awareness and stigma—work she has utilized to advocate for more inclusive, person-centered health environments.

Expertise: Her background includes leading aging and research, providing housing navigation for unhoused populations at Dreams for Change, and serving as Co-chair for the San Diego HIV Planning Group & its Community Engagement Subcommittee.

Clinical & Macro Focus: Jennifer bridges direct practice with systemic change, utilizing skills in biopsychosocial assessments and policy analysis to address the unique challenges of seniors, particularly those navigating chronic health conditions and long-term care.

Future Goal: Within the next 3–5 years, Jennifer aims to transition into geriatric care management or policy analysis, focusing on health equity and sexual wellness for older adults.

Speaker Information

Bonnie Russo, LCSW, QS, MCAP (pending), is an enthusiastic, trauma-informed psychotherapist and the founder of Papillon Health & Wellness and Bridges to Wellness, Inc. With both clinical expertise and lived experience, she brings warmth, energy, and deep compassion to her work with adults, seniors, veterans, and families. Bonnie specializes in trauma recovery, addiction, codependency, and high-conflict family systems, offering therapy, ART intensives, advocacy, and community wellness services. Her approach is uplifting and deeply relatable—helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to turn their pain into purpose and create a life they’re proud of.

Speaker Information

Rowan Enriquez is a Social Worker/HIV counsellor at Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga, Belize, where she provides psychosocial support, counselling, and patient advocacy within the public health system. She is an alumna of the University of Belize, with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Rowan’s professional and research interests center on maternal mental health and the role social workers play in addressing psychosocial barriers faced by mothers. Her recently published case study explores the effectiveness of a brief, remotely delivered psychoeducational social work intervention for postpartum depression in Belize, contributing to the limited regional literature on perinatal mental health care. The study highlights the value of low-cost, accessible interventions that can be integrated into resource-limited health settings.

In her current role, Rowan works closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and community partners, supporting patients affected by mental health challenges, chronic illness, and social vulnerabilities. Her broader interests include strengthening social work practice within healthcare settings, expanding access to maternal mental health services, and advocating for greater integration of perinatal mental health training within social work education and health systems.

Speaker Information

Pascale Jean-Noel is the Founder/Owner of a private consulting business, Purposeful Leadership Coaching, that provides executive leadership coaching and training on Positionality, Spirituality, Imposter Syndrome and Sisterhood in Leadership Roles. She is also currently the Director of Training for the ACT Institute at the Center for Practice and Innovations. Working with the New York State Office of Mental Health, she helps design, coordinate and facilitate extensive training curricula on Recovery Oriented Practices, and Person Centered Treatment planning for ACT providers throughout New York State. Pascale is also an adjunct lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work and Fordham University School of Social Work. At Columbia University, she teaches Adult Psychopathology and Wellness in a residential and on-line setting. At Fordham University, she teaches Assessment and Diagnosis, Clinical Seminar, Advanced Integrated Practice with Organizations and Communities from a Social Justice Lense and Comparative Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy. Pascale Jean-Noel presents yearly at multiple conferences nationally and statewide. Her topics include Positionality through leadership and service delivery, Person centered treatment and Supervision, Assertive Community Treatment in NYS, Strategies to Improve Mental Health Outcomes in the Black Community and Supervision in a Data Driven Environment along with many other topics related to professional development.

Speaker Information

Cristino N. Chavez Jr. is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP). A first‑generation Salvadoran born and raised on Long Island, he now resides and practices in the Bronx, New York. His work centers on comprehensive social assessments, client advocacy, and advancing policy reforms across the criminal, juvenile, and immigration justice systems.

Cristino earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Old Westbury and a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Welfare at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University. His research focuses on criminal and juvenile justice, immigration, and mass incarceration, with particular attention to community‑based restorative justice and critical race theory.

He serves as a Forensic Social Worker at The Legal Aid Society and sits on the Board of Directors for Hands Across Long Island, Inc. Cristino is also an Adjunct Professor at New York University (NYU), teaching graduate students at the Silver School of Social Work and undergraduate students in the Opportunity Program. His clinical experience includes roles as a Trauma Therapist with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and as a Psychotherapist at the Upper Manhattan Mental Health Clinic and Mental Health Providers of Western Queens. He has contributed to multiple research initiatives through positions at the Cardozo School of Law, Adelphi University, the University of Hartford, and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Workforce Institute.

Cristino is an active member of professional organizations, including the National Organization of Forensic Social Workers (NOFSW). His commitment to social justice has been recognized through the Nassau County Executive’s Community Advocate Award and his selection as a Phi Iota Alpha 40 Under 40 honoree.