Speaker Information

Onando St. Bernard is a passionate social worker, counselor, and people-centered leader dedicated to strengthening human potential and building resilient communities in Belize. He holds a Master of Social Work from Galen University, where he graduated as Valedictorian in July 2025, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Korean Development Institute, with a focus on public finance and social policy. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a counseling focus from the University of Belize.

With over a decade of service in the public sector, Onando currently serves as Counseling Coordinator and Counselor within the Community Rehabilitation Department, where he leads and supervises counselors nationwide, provides individual and group therapy, develops programs, trains staff in evidence-based practices, and advocates fiercely for client well-being. His work spans juvenile institutions, community counseling, disaster response, and military and civilian populations.

Known for his high emotional intelligence, integrity, and strong therapeutic foundation, Onando connects easily with clients and colleagues alike. Outside of work, he believes in practicing what he promotes—holistic wellness. He enjoys exercising, weight lifting, and jogging, and values building and maintaining meaningful relationships. Grounded, disciplined, and purpose-driven, Onando remains committed to personal growth, professional excellence, and service to others.

Speaker Information

Dr. Subhash Kumar, BNYS, MSc, is a distinguished Yoga and Naturopathic Doctor from Bihar, India, deeply committed to advancing holistic health and natural healing. He completed both his Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) and Master of yogic Science (MSc) at the prestigious SVYASA University in Bangalore, India. Over the years, he has expanded his expertise through specialized fellowships and certifications, including a Fellowship in Basic and Advanced Acupuncture from the National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, and a Fellowship in Clinical Research and Scientific Writing. He has also trained, mastering Tung Acupuncture under Master Lee a course of Malaysia, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture through AcuPro Academy a course of Taiwan, and Bisoma Acupuncture under Dr. David Lee in India. Further enhancing his clinical capabilities, Dr. Kumar holds a Fellowship in Advanced Spinal Techniques (F.A.S.T) and is a certified Dorn Healing Therapist. He is also a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, trained by Dr. Madan Kataria, bringing a joyful, therapeutic element to his wellness sessions.

Dr. Kumar leads transformative healing experiences and educates individuals on holistic living. Known for his integrative approach, Dr. Kumar combines ancient healing wisdom with modern therapeutic techniques, aiming to treat the root causes of illness rather than just symptoms. His compassionate nature, global expertise, and unwavering dedication make him a trusted wellness leader and a source of inspiration for those seeking a natural path to health, balance, and vitality.

Speaker Information

Dr. Charise Breeden-Balaam, Ed.D., LSW is a licensed social worker, scholar, and higher education leader whose career bridges social work practice, research, and academic administration. She currently serves as a Professor of Practice at Marywood University, where she prepares the next generation of social workers. In addition, she maintains a private practice supporting clients as they navigate life’s challenges, with a focus on trauma, mental wellness, and family support. She is also the Founder and CEO of Balaam and Associates, a consultancy dedicated to guiding doctoral students through dissertation completion with her signature PhinisheD/FinishEdD coaching model.

Her academic work is anchored by her dissertation, “Assessing Student Food Insecurity Levels at an Urban Community College,” which examined how hunger impacts academic performance, retention, and graduation rates. This research continues to inform her advocacy and service through organizations such as the National Association of Black Social Workers, the NASPA Center for Women Board Advisory Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, NAUW, and the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative’s Policy Workgroup.

A sought-after speaker, Dr. Breeden-Balaam has presented nationally at the Black Doctoral Network, Rutgers University, and the National Council on Black American Affairs on issues ranging from food insecurity and adjunct faculty advocacy to mental health and student success. Guided by her belief that education is a cornerstone of social change, she carries forward the legacy of Dorothy Height’s words: “I want to be remembered as one who tried.”

Speaker Information

Ken Peeples, MSW, MPH, is a scholar-practitioner, educator, and consultant whose work centers on anti-imperialism, health equity, and structural approaches to mental health. He is the founder of Sacred Realm Consulting LLC, co-founder of the Dynamic Justice Collective, and a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation, where his research examines the intersections of institutional power, trauma, and wellbeing among marginalized populations. Ken’s professional experience spans social work education, community-based practice, and policy advocacy, with a focus on political economy, class analysis, and decolonizing social work frameworks. His work challenges depoliticized helping models and advances justice-rooted approaches to global and domestic mental health.

Speaker Information

Ashley Buckner, LCSW, LCSW-QS, LISW-CP, LICSW, LISW-S, LSCSW, LCSW-C, LIMHP, MCAP, ICADC, CEOLD, CSW-G, is a multi-state licensed clinical social worker, clinical supervisor, and founder of Anchor & Rise Therapy. She is recognized for her expertise in trauma-informed care, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, clinical supervision across 30 states, and developing high-impact training, consultation, and integrated behavioral health solutions that elevate clinical practice and workforce well-being.

Speaker Information

Jamila K. Hughley is a mental health professional with over twenty years of experience in healthcare. Jamila a lifelong learner with a curious mind and a compassionate heart. Jamila earned an MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work and is a recent graduate of Drew University in Medical and Health Humanities. Jamila’s professional journey spans across disciplines from education and healthcare to human development and innovation. Jamila has a deep belief in the power of resilience, learning, and hope, which she connects ideas across domains to empower people. Jamila approaches every challenge through a strength-based lens that honors human dignity and potential with her work is rooted in humanism, fueled by curiosity, and guided by a commitment to inclusive growth. Jamila thrives in spaces where ideas meet impact, and where people are seen, heard, and uplifted.

Speaker Information

David D. Robertson is a grief-informed social work scholar, clinician, and social work technologist whose work centers on decolonizing mental health through narrative, collective care, and culturally grounded healing practices. He is a PhD student in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) Doctoral Fellow (2025–2026). His research focuses on intergenerational trauma, racialized grief, and the role of storytelling in restoring dignity and agency within marginalized communities.

Robertson brings interdisciplinary experience across clinical practice, community-based research, and global engagement. His work integrates Black social work scholarship, decolonial frameworks, and trauma-informed approaches to challenge Western-dominant mental health paradigms that individualize and pathologize collective loss. He is the founder of Hope Is Foundation, a nonprofit advancing technology-enabled, grief-informed mental health tools and community storytelling initiatives, and the creator of the In That Order app, a culturally responsive wellness and advocacy platform.

His global work includes collaborations in the United States, Norway, and Japan, as well as community-based initiatives addressing grief, chronic illness, and social inequity. Through research, teaching, and practice, Robertson is committed to advancing equitable mental health systems that honor lived experience, cultural knowledge, and collective pathways to healing.

Speaker Information

Jocelyn Burnett, LMSW, SIFI, is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over a decade of professional experience serving children, families, and adults across clinical, child welfare, and community-based settings. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed care, psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and client advocacy, with a strong commitment to culturally responsive and equity-driven practice. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive experience working with diverse and historically marginalized populations.

Jocelyn currently serves as a Program Coordinator with Hope in Her, Inc., where she oversees staff and intern onboarding, develops training systems, and provides ongoing supervision and mentorship. In addition, she works as a psychotherapist, delivering trauma-informed therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and adults. Previously, she worked with Lawyers for Children, collaborating on interdisciplinary legal teams to advocate for youth involved in Family Court proceedings, including providing court testimony and comprehensive psychosocial assessments.

An experienced internship supervisor since 2021, Jocelyn is passionate about training and supporting emerging social workers through reflective supervision and skill development. She holds a Master of Social Work from Hunter College–Silberman School of Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW), with research interests focused on trauma-informed interventions and culturally specific practices within foster care systems.

Speaker Information

Dr. Danladi Chiroma Husaini is an Assistant Professor of Allied Health in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Belize, with over 30 years of combined experience in higher education, research, and public health. Holding a PhD in Public Health and advanced degrees in Pharmacology & Toxicology, his research program critically examines the intersections of environmental stressors, mental health, and systemic inequities, with a focus on vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A prolific scholar, Dr. Husaini has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and systematic reviews on topics including climate change impacts, substance use, indigenous pharmacopeia, and environmental justice. His work is characterized by a commitment to decolonizing methodologies, community-engaged research, and translating evidence into culturally responsive policy and practice. As a principal investigator on multiple funded projects, including recent awards from the University of Belize Internal Research Fund, he mentors students in conducting impactful research that addresses pressing regional health challenges.

His presentation is grounded in this extensive expertise, offering an evidence-based, equity-focused analysis of climate-induced mental health distress within post-colonial educational systems.

Speaker Information

Dr. Kristcha DeGuerre, Ph.D., LCSW, is the MSW Program Coordinator and an Assistant Professor at Galen University, where she provides academic leadership, teaches graduate-level social work courses, and mentors emerging mental health professionals. She also serves as Faculty Advisor to the Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA), the first student organization of its kind in Belize, dedicated to fostering a safe, inclusive campus environment and advancing education related to gender and sexual diversity.

Dr. DeGuerre’s research centers on mental health equity among marginalized populations in Belize. Her most recent mixed-methods study, Assessing Mental Health Service Needs and Barriers to Access for MSM, Transgender Individuals, Sex Workers, and Persons Living with HIV in Belize, examines systemic, sociocultural, and policy-level barriers to care and informs the development of trauma-informed, culturally affirming mental health practices and professional training.

In addition to her academic and research roles, Dr. DeGuerre is a licensed clinical social worker and trauma-informed mental health professional serving as the mental health counselor at Galen University. In this role, she provides individual counseling, crisis intervention, group support, and psychoeducation to students, faculty, and staff. Her clinical expertise includes trauma, gender-based violence, identity development, and resilience-building, and she integrates traditional therapeutic approaches with person-centered, creative, and arts-based modalities.

Previously, Dr. DeGuerre served as a mental health counselor with Belize’s Ministry of Human Development. She earned her Ph.D. from the University at Albany’s School of Social Welfare, where her trauma-informed, arts-based dissertation on gang-involved girls in Belize received the Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award.