Network Days – 2021

Keynote Speaker for Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Vincent Felitti

Co-Principal Investigator, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (Ace) Study

A renowned physician and researcher, Dr. Vincent J. Felitti is one of the world’s foremost experts on childhood trauma. Leading the charge in research into how adverse childhood experiences affect adults, he is co-principal investigator of the internationally recognized Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, a long-term, in-depth, analysis of over 17,000 adults. Defying conventional belief, this study famously revealed a powerful relationship between our emotional experiences as children and our physical and mental health as adults. In fact, the ACE study shows that humans convert childhood traumatic emotional experiences into organic disease later in life. Revolutionary at its inception, Felitti’s groundbreaking research remains extremely relevant to today’s healthcare models.

Founder of the Department of Preventive Medicine for Kaiser Permanente, Felitti served as the chief of preventive medicine for over 25 years. Under Dr. Felitti’s leadership, his department provided comprehensive medical evaluations to 1.1 million individuals, becoming the largest single-site medical evaluation facility in the western world. During this time, Felitti’s revolutionary health risk abatement programs incorporated weight loss, smoking cessation, stress management, and a wide range of cutting-edge efforts to reduce patient risk factors. Dr. Felitti is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, and a Fellow of The American College of Physicians. He is currently Senior Editor of The Permanente Journal and on the International Editorial Board of the Swiss medical journal, Trauma und Gewalt. Dr. Felitti has served on advisory committees of the Institute of Medicine, the American Psychiatric Association, the Committee of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for Healthy People 2020, and the Advisory Committee on Women’s Services at SAMHSA. A noted expert on the genetic disease hemochromatosis, as well as obesity, he educates audiences around the country on these two very common, deadly maladies.

An engaging speaker, Felitti has traveled the world speaking with audiences and various policy leaders about his research. A well versed medical expert, Felitti also uses his knowledge to speak out against domestic violence and other forms of childhood trauma. Drawing on his years of experience, he has become an important voice advocating for the wellbeing of children everywhere. While time may not heal all wounds, Felitti helps show audiences how we can understand these physical and mental traumas, and ultimately, prevent them.

Keynote Speaker for Thursday, May 6, 2021

Paul James

Diversity Management and Intercultural Awareness

Paul James, a native of Wichita, Kansas, spent 25 years in higher education (Duke University, Xavier University (OH), Oregon State University, and Baldwin Wallace University) and health care (Duke University Health System) serving in various executive roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies and English Literature from Wichita State University; a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Counseling from Oregon State University; and Mr. James holds a community commitment Rite-of-Passage certificate from the Iqraa Council of Elders.

He has worked in public, private and in health care settings—in student affairs, academic affairs, and president’s offices with titles such as Director, Assistant Vice President, and Chief Diversity Officer. He is widely considered to be a global expert in three fundamental areas: Human Resources and Development, Diversity Management and Intercultural Awareness, and Executive Coaching.

Mr. James has consulted widely and believes in an intimate approach that fosters trust, speaking truth to power, encourages empathy and compassion, and promotes active listening. Whether educational, health care, or corporate settings, Paul James is a highly sought-after consultant and trusted advisor, nationwide. Presently, as President and Chief People Strategist at Lighthouse Strategy Consulting, James is working with Google, The Kissinger Group, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, the University of Pittsburgh — among others.

Fabiola Abreu
Francesca Di Mauro
Yesenia Gassman
Angel Gray
Jaye Holly
Dr. Shira Kafker
Danni Lapin Zou
Stephan Spilkowitz
Michael Taylor

Lauren Fitzmaurice
Joana Leatherman

Moira Greentree

Lesa Chandler
Beth Harmon

Sharon McGloin

Beth Orr
Vicki Hummer

Kyle Rose

Emily Ferguson
Kristen Heisler
Larry Shallenberger

Cameron Bishop
Staci Fonseca
Dr. Jeff Lawrence

Theodore Adams
Adam Tufillaro
Christine Staheli

Network Agencies

Andrus

Atlanta CASA

Bethany Christian Services

Cardinal McCloskey Community Charter School

Care Visions – Scotland

Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky

Colorado Dept. of Youth Services

Community In Schools Pittsburgh Allegheny County

Cornerstones of Care

Counseling & Recovery Services of OK

Drueding Center

Experiential Alternatives

Foster’s Home for Children

Ga Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries

Gwen’s Girls

Hallmark Youthcare Richmond

Home of the Innocents

House of the Good Shepherd

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York

Little Flower UFSD

MercyFirst

The Methodist Home

Metropolitan Ministries

Morrison Child and Family Services

NYS OCFS

Orchard Place

Palm Beach County Youth Services Department

Positive Education Program

Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center

SCO Family Services

South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

University Settlement

Villa of Hope

Wings for Children and Families

Women Against Abuse 

Zepf Center

SCO Family Services

Shodair Children’s Hospital

Orchard Place

Metropolitan Ministries

Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center

Cornerstones of Care

Home of the Innocents

Methodist Home for Children and Youth