11TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA ADDICTION CONFERENCE
CAC 11 SPEAKERS
Keynote Speakers
Wesley Geer, CADC I
Special Keynote Presentation Wednesday, October 16, 2024 9:15 AM -10:15 AM Founder, Rock To Recovery – Wesley Geer has been a professional musician for over 20 years. He first found success as the founding member of Jive Records artist Hed P.E. as guitarist,…
David Best, PhD
The Science of Recovery Capital Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:15-9:45 AM David Best has an undergraduate degree in psychology with philosophy, a Master’s Degree in Criminology, and a PhD in the Psychology of Addictions. He has authored three books on addiction recovery…
Ernie G., BA
Let Your Light Shine! Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:15 AM Ernie G is one of the hottest, multi-talented, Latino entertainers and speakers in the country. He has been seen by millions on TV shows such as Comedy Central’s “Make Me Laugh,” B.E.T’s “Comic View,” Ed…
Raul Frias, CADC II
Justice Involved Opportunities for TAY Population Friday, October 18, 2024 9:15 AM-10:30 PM Raul Frias, a first-generation Mexican who grew up in northeast Los Angeles during a time of rampant drugs, crime, and gang violence. Struggling with addiction for years, Raul…
Sonia Crites, CADC CAS
Justice Involved Opportunities for TAY Population Friday, October 18, 2024 9:15 AM-10:30 PM Sonia began her career in addiction in 1999 as a frontline alcohol-drug counselor. She worked to complete her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and certification in…
Plenary Speakers
Katalina Zambrano
LGBTQIA+ 101 Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Katalina Zambrino is the Advocacy Director for the collaborative. She is passionate about helping create safe spaces and bringing resources to the trans community to help them find support and safety while they…
Jason Roop, PhD
“Starting from Strength:” How the Trait-Based Model is Empowering Recovery & Transforming Lives from New York to New Mexico Wednesday, October 16, 2024 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Dr. Jason Roop is the founder and CEO of the Center for Trait-Based Transformation, Vice…
Tom Karl
An Ethical Approach to Healthy Boundaries. Monday, October 14, 2024, 5:00-9:15 PM. Tom Karl founded R1 Learning to empower individuals in recovery with impactful self-discovery tools and to help them reach their full potential. R1’s mission is to address the…
Graham Sargent, CADC III, CCJP
An Ethical Approach to Healthy Boundaries Monday, October 14, 2024 5:00-9:15 PM Graham Sargent has extensive experience providing case management and treatment to justice-involved clients struggling with SUD in outpatient, residential, and community correctional…
Beth Collinson, PhD
Harnessing Community Capital:Strengthening Recovery & Wellbeing Tuesday, October 15, 2024 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM Beth Collinson, PhD, MRes, is the Director of Research and Evaluation at The Phoenix. Her PhD research developed the Asset-Based Community Engagement…
Theo Krzywicki
Opioid Response Training. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 1:30 – 3:00 PM. As the CEO of End Overdose, Theo brings firsthand experience and deep personal commitment to the fight against the opioid crisis. Recognizing the power of education and accessibility, he has been…
Pauletta Pierce, CADC II
How Recovery Capital Intersects with Harm Reduction. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 3:30 – 5:00 PM Pauletta Pierce is a multicultural individual of Black/Asian ancestry. Pauletta attended L.A.C.C. Human Services Department for Addiction Studies to receive her…
Andy Short
Harnessing Community Capital:Strengthening Recovery & Wellbeing. Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM. Andy Short has spent his career working at the intersection of arts, addiction recovery, and LGBTQ community building. Currently, he is a Sr….
Tiffany Beltran, MS, LMFT
Understanding Substance Use, Mental Health and Cultural Influence Friday, October 18, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Tiffany graduated from UC Riverside and SU Fresno. Tiffany is the Clinical Supervisor for Ascend Behavioral Health. She came with extensive clinical…
Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC
Substance Use in the Older Adult Friday, October 18, 2024 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Vicky Magobet is a board-certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career working in the…
Lauraine Fogarty, CADC II
The Benefits of an Intervention Admission Friday, October 18, 2024 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM In 2018, Lauraine Fogarty founded a successful intensive outpatient facility, which quickly became a beacon of hope for individuals seeking recovery. Under her leadership, the…
Workshop Speakers
Shane Earn, THE HOPEAHOLICS
Special Presentation Wednesday, October 16, 2024 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Born and raised in Canada, Shane Earn is a dynamic host of The Hopeaholics podcast and a passionate veterans advocate for the Infiniti Group programs. With over 15 years of experience in the behavioral…
Natalie Eva Marie Coyle, THE HOPEAHOLICS
Special Presentation Wednesday, October 16, 2024 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM Natalie Eva Marie, widely recognized from her WWE days as Eva Marie, is a dynamic talent who has seamlessly transitioned from professional wrestling to a thriving career in film and television. Gaining…
Chad Carlsen, THE HOPEAHOLICS
Special Presentation Wednesday, October 16, 2024 1:00 PM-1:30 PM Chad Carlsen is a multifaceted and dynamic figure in the behavioral health field, renowned for his significant contributions and leadership. As the charismatic host of The Hopeaholics, he consistently…
Regina Santistevan
Her Path-Rise & Thrive: A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health, Safety & Success Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Regina Santistevan is a workshop presenter at United We Can/Run4Hope and a motivational speaker at Victory Outreach Recovery Homes in…
Terri Garcia, ICADC II, ICCDP, ICCJP
Her Path-Rise & Thrive: A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health, Safety & Success Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Terri Garcia holds a master’s in executive leadership and a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies. She is dually certified as a CADC…
Michelle Ho, LMFT
Bridging the Gap Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Michelle Mai Ho has given numerous presentations and lectures on addiction and mental health treatment services. She has worked in both inpatient and outpatient…
Pattie Vargas, CRAFT/ITC
What I Wish the World Understood Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Pattie Vargas is a Peer Parent Coach with the Partnership to End Addiction. She works one-on-one with parents using the CRAFT and Invitation to Change models and co-facilitates their online…
Mike Schaub
Uncompromising Service to Others: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:00 PM-5:30 PM Mike Schaub is the Senior Director of Community Relations at Social Model Recovery Systems. He is an expert in delivering and teaching the principles of exceptional customer service within…
Sherry Daley, MIM
Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Master of International Management, MIM Turning the Tide on Housing Rights for People in Recovery: Updates on Housing Rights…
Bob Tyler, MS, LAADC
Ethics for Addiction Professionals, Empathy in Addiction Counseling Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM (Ethics for Addiction Professionals), 4:00 PM-5:30 PM (Empathy in Addiction Counseling) Bob Tyler serves as Compliance Officer at L.A. CADA, owns Bob Tyler…
Donna Johnson, ICADC II, ICCDP, LAADC, ICCJP
SUD, Trauma, Personality Disorders, and the Justice System Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Donna Johnson is the Director of the Clare|Matrix Training Institute and author of the “Matrix Model for Criminal Justice.” She is a criminal justice columnist for…
Debra Kelsey, CADC II, CS, SAP
Engaging Clinical Supervision for SUD Counselors: Building Skills & Teamwork Engaging Clinical Supervision for SUD Counselors: Building Skills & Teamwork 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Debra Kelsey is a Certified Medi-Cal reviewer with extensive expertise in Joint…
Precyous Newton
From Vulnerability to Stability: Shared Housing as A Pathway to Recovery Wednesday, October 16, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Precyous Newton is a Project Manager for the Community Health Improvement Partners-Recovery Residence Association and co-chairs the San Diego…
Tom Buckley, BA, CADC III CA
Student Day/IC&RC Test Prep (Students Only) Wednesday, October 16, 2024 12:00 PM -2:00 PM Tom Buckley is the Executive Director of Aspire Counseling Services. He graduated from CSU LA with a degree in social work and is a CADC III. He has been a pillar in the…
Nick Stavros, MBA
Federal Update: Medications for Opioid Use Disorders: Nick Stavros, MBA Wednesday, October 16, 2024 10:45 AM -11:30 AM Nick Stavros is the CEO of Community Medical Services and is on the board of the National Association for Behavioral Health. He is the Arizona…
Kate Sanchez, Member of the Assembly
California Legislature’s Response to the Opioid Crisis Wednesday, October 16, 2024 11:30 AM -11:45 AM Kate Sanchez serves the 71st CA Assembly District. She is a proud mom and businesswoman and has been a proven advocate for parental rights and public safety. Kate has…
Stacey Jones
Student Day/Certification Process (Students Only) Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:30 AM -11:30 AM Stacey Jones was hired by CCAPP in 2019 as a Credentialing Assistant. In 2020 she attended the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and obtained the title of Credentialing…
Foojan Zeine, PhD, LMFT
Awareness Integration Theory: A Comprehensive Approach to Addiction Recovery & Life Transformation Tuesday, October 15, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Dr. Foojan Zeine originated the “Awareness Integration” Psychological and Educational Theory, a multi-modality,…
Nicole Jafari, Ed.D
Early Childhood Risk Factors, Dopaminergic Pathways Dysfunction, and Propensity to Social Media Addiction: A Narrative Review Thursday, October 17, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Nicole Jafari’s academic expertise includes cognitive, emotional, and behavioral diagnoses and…
Lori Newman, LAADC CA
Program Member Round Table Thursday, October 17, 2024 2:00 PM-3:30 PM Lori Newman has held numerous positions, from Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Program Manager, and Executive Director to Community Social Model Advocates. She sits on boards across California…
