Conferences and Workshops

Dr. Keba Rogers

Dr. Keba Rogers, is a NYS Licensed Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology with the American Board of School Neuropsychology. As the CEO and Founder of Keba S.P.E.A.K.S., LLC, and Third Avenue Psychological Services, PLLC, Dr. Rogers aims to serve people through empowerment, activation, knowledge, and support (S.P.E.A.K.S.). This is achieved by providing tools to help others embrace themselves as they are (empowerment), while cultivating a desire for authenticity at work and in life (activation), through education on personal and external topics (knowledge), and building a foundation of skills (support) to help them along their journey towards success. As a passionate mental health professional with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Rogers integrates evidence-based practice with compassionate leadership to promote authenticity, wellness, and inclusion. Her work reminds us that growth begins with grace and connection—that when we are seen and affirmed, we are inspired to rise, lead, and live more fully. Dr. Rogers’ motto is to “Extend Grace, Encourage Growth, Expect Greatness.” 

Dr. Rogers will be delivering this year’s keynote address, “Breaking the Silence: Mental Wellness Rooted in Grace, Growing in Resilience, Rising in Greatness.”  

Tammy Curry

Meet Tammy Curry, a Business Teacher with Buffalo Public Schools. Tammy has dedicated 13 years to fostering inclusive learning environments where students feel seen, valued, and empowered. She serves as a lead teacher for the Our Story Project under the Office of Culturally & Linguistically Responsive Initiatives and has coordinated numerous culturally responsive programs throughout her career. Tammy also serves on her local union’s Contract Negotiations Team, Social Justice Committee, and ADHOC Suspension Committee. She was selected to participate in NYSUT’s BIPOC Pathways to Leadership Program and has completed NYSUT’s Social Justice Academy, experiences that have further strengthened her commitment to equity, advocacy, and culturally responsive leadership. Prior to entering the classroom, Tammy spent more than 15 years with the African American Cultural Center, where she developed and led community-based programs centered on culture, identity, and youth engagement. She has cultivated partnerships with organizations across Western New York to expand educational and cultural opportunities for youth and families. Drawing from her experiences in education, cultural programming, and social justice leadership, Tammy is passionate about helping educators, community leaders, and advocates create healing-centered environments where culture, identity, and belonging are recognized as essential to healing, resilience, and mental wellness. Through her work, Tammy strives to inspire others to create spaces where every individual feels seen, heard, valued, and rooted in healing. 

Samantha Sackmann

Meet Samantha Sackmann, a Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist, bringing more than 35 years of lived experience and nearly a decade of professional experience in the mental health field. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with both adults and youth, leading a recovery center serving individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges while simultaneously managing a program within an inpatient mental health unit. Dedicated to peer support, recovery, and disability advocacy, Samantha combines professional expertise with authentic lived experience to educate, inspire, and challenge audiences. In Samantha’s presentation, she shares her most personal story to date. Drawing from her experience of becoming unhoused and surviving on the streets of Milwaukee, she offers an honest look at what it means to lose stability while holding onto hope. Through moments of hardship, unexpected grace, and hard-won insight, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of homelessness, resilience, and the power of compassion to change lives. 

Rachel Grzejka

Meet Rachel Grzejka, a professional with a background in social work and student affairs. Rachel received her Master of Social Work from the University of New Hampshire, focusing on macro systems that cause barriers to individuals. Rachel has worked in residential life and now is the Case Manager for the Division of Student Affairs at SUNY Brockport, specifically with the Student Behavioral Consultant Team. This network acts as an early alert system to connect students with appropriate resources prior to the student hitting a crisis point. Rachel has worked with a wide range of students from different populations and circumstances and connected them to resources on and off campus to best support them and their needs. She collaborates with many offices within the university to close any gaps to a student's success while staying informed regarding off campus resources. Rachel also meets one on one with students to allow them a private space to disclose their struggles and make suggestions regarding next steps and different offices or people that would work best for the student to overcome their hardship. These skills allow Rachel to do different assessments while creating a space where the student feels safe and heard. 

Sofia Williams

Introducing Sofia Williams, MS. Ed, the Director and Dance & Mindfulness Facilitator of Positive Vibration Fitness, LLC. Williams will be joining the Rooted & Resilient Conference for an active healing space experience: “Returning to Presence: Healing Through Mindful Movement, Self-Compassion, and Intentional Living.” Through her presentation, Williams will introduce the 4 A's: A Practice Framework for Returning to Presence: Awareness, Acceptance, Alignment, and Action. Returning to Presence is an interactive Healing Space designed to help participants reconnect with themselves through mindful movement, self-compassion, and intentional reflection. Guided by The 4 A's Practice Framework, participants will explore how increasing awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations can create space to respond with greater intention rather than automatic reaction.“Your experiences are meant to inform your wisdom, not imprison your future.”Participants will leave feeling refreshed, connected, and equipped with a practical framework they can apply in everyday life to cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and intentional living.

Dr. Lee Golembiewski

Dr. Lee Golembiewski (Dr. G) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at SUNY Fredonia.  Lee specializes in Developmental Psychology and teaches courses including lifespan human development, cognitive development, child psychology, introduction to psychology, and psychology of prejudice and discrimination. His current research highlights the influence of campus climate, state/national support, access to healthcare, and mental health among LGBTQIA+ college students. Lee is co-chair of the Fred Pride Coalition (FPC) and serves as faculty advisor for the Psychology Club at SUNY Fredonia. Lee serves on the executive board of GLYS (Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York), an organization which offers support, education, and a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth in Buffalo. Outside of academia, Lee provides trainings and workshops to teachers, social workers, parents, and others to advocate for the needs of trans and gender-diverse individuals. 

Dr. Sharon Lawerence

Sharon J. Lawrence is the Founder of Selah Wellness & Therapeutic Services, LLC, a virtual specialty practice which serves therapists, leaders, and professionals. She is also the CEO of SJL Professional Services, Inc., which focuses on corporate, professional and individualized coaching, speaking and training related to organizational wellness. With 25 years of experience, Dr. Lawrence is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Certified Financial Social Worker (CFSW), Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), Certified Prepare-Enrich Facilitator/ Trainer, and credentialed as an Employee Assistance Specialist-Clinician. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the State University of New York at Fredonia; a Masters in Social Work from the State University of New York at Buffalo; a Doctor of Education in Leadership from the American College of Education, and Certificates in Ethical and Inclusive Leadership; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida Muma School of Business. Dr. Lawrence is also an author, speaker, and trainer. She is affectionately known as the SelfCarePreneur, who champions mental health, self-care, and emotional well-being for clinicians, leaders, and helping professionals. Committed to nurturing the next generation of helping professionals, Dr. Lawrence serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY) (Department of College of Education, Health Sciences, and Human Services), and Prince George’s Community College (Department of Human Services), shaping the clinicians and leaders of tomorrow.  

Carri Raynor

Carri Raynor is the Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, where she leads countywide initiatives focused on suicide prevention, postvention, education, and community collaboration. Carri is a trainer, speaker, and advocate with extensive experience in suicide prevention, postvention, and grief support. She serves as the Region Leader for the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Suicide Prevention Center of New York (SPCNY) School-Based Suicide Prevention Initiative, supporting the delivery of evidence-based suicide prevention training throughout the region. She is also a Regional Trainer for Sources of Strength and facilitates numerous evidence-based programs, including ASIST, safeTALK, Adult, Youth, and teen Mental Health First Aid, Creating Suicide Safety in Schools, Suicide Safety for Teachers & School Staff, Helping Students at Risk for Suicide, Building the Response to Traumatic Death, School Crisis Team Training, Firearm Safety Through Suicide Prevention, Caring Communities, Talk Saves Lives, Link to Hope, Finding Hope, and numerous additional evidence-based suicide prevention, intervention, postvention, and school-based training programs offered through the New York State Office of Mental Health and the Suicide Prevention Center of New York. Carri's work is deeply rooted in both professional expertise and personal experience. After losing her husband, Dan, to suicide in 2007, she transformed her grief into a lifelong commitment to supporting others affected by suicide. Under her leadership, the Suicide Prevention Alliance has expanded countywide suicide prevention, postvention, and survivor support initiatives through innovative partnerships, evidence-based training, and community collaboration. Through her work, Carri is dedicated to fostering hope, strengthening community connections, and creating spaces where every person's story is heard, valued, and supported as part of the healing process. 

Amanda Straight and Scott Linden

Amanda Straight, Director of Housing & Community Development, has been with Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. since 2012, holding positions of Community Health Worker, Asset Development Specialist (HUD Housing Counselor), Property Coordinator, and Homelessness Services Manager before being promoted to Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development in 2020. She was promoted to her current position in 2025.  Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from SUNY Fredonia. She is the Secretary of the Chautauqua County Homeless Coalition (HUD Continuum of Care) and is also the System Administrator for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Amanda has completed her certification as a Nationally Certified ROMA (Results Oriented Management & Accountability) Implementer (NCRI). Amanda also received her CCAP in 2025. Scott Linden, Homeless Services Manager, has been with COI since 2019. He holds Associate and Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master’s degree in Theology/Biblical Studies. He has extensive experience in social services, including previous employment as the Executive Director of UCAN City Mission in Jamestown, and prior employment with COI as a Life Coach.  Outside of COI, Scott is an active member of the faith-based community. He has led hundreds of recovery group meetings and classes. 

Catie Dietrich, Natasha Newman, and Nicole Mucica

Meet co-presenters Catie Dietrich, Natasha Newman, and Nicole Mucica! Catie Dietrich is an Accessibility Specialist at SUNY Brockport. Starting as a graduate assistant supporting document remediation, she has worked in the field of college disability services for 8 years. With a range of experience in function (accommodation determination, adaptive technology, service coordination) region (NYS, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, and Colorado), and lived experience (late-diagnosed ADHD and mental illness), she brings a unique kaleidoscope of perspective to supporting college students with disabilities. Natasha Newman is a Learning Specialist at SUNY Brockport.  Before her current role, she provided psychological services to neurodiverse students in the K-12 setting as a school psychologist for 19 years. As a neurodivergent woman, she utilizes a combination of life experience and applied research to guide her practice.  Natasha currently provides 1:1 executive functioning coaching services to students, leads a connection group for neurodivergent students, and provides professional development to faculty and staff at SUNY Brockport. Nicole Mucica, Ed.D., is the Director of Student Accessibility Services at SUNY Brockport, where she leads initiatives that advance accessibility, inclusion, and student success across campus. She also serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses in inclusive education. In addition to her campus leadership, Dr. Mucica chairs the Western New York College Consortium for Students with Disabilities (CCDA) and serves on several university committees. Through these roles, she fosters partnerships between K–12 schools and higher education, helping to strengthen transition practices and support students with disabilities as they navigate the path to college and beyond. 

Dr. Anika Simone Johnson

Meet Dr. Anika Simone Johnson, educator, executive leader, certified yoga instructor (RYT-200), and founder of Love, Light & Yoga LLC. Dr. Johnson will hold an interactive Healing Space experience at this year’s Rooted & Resilient Mental Health Conference. Dr. Johnson’s Healing Space invites participants to step away from the demands of daily life and engage in gentle yoga, mindful breathing, meditation, and restorative movement designed to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and cultivate inner resilience. With more than twenty years of experience in higher education, Dr. Johnson is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. Her work bridges leadership, student success, wellness, and belonging, with a commitment to fostering holistic well-being through culturally responsive and community-centered practices. As the founder of Love, Light & Yoga LLC, Dr. Johnson has cultivated an inclusive wellness community centered on mindful movement, meditation, self-care, and intentional living. Through yoga, she helps individuals reconnect with themselves, reduce stress, build resilience, and embrace practices that nurture both mental and physical health. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that healing begins with breath, grows through community, and empowers us all to keep living on purpose.