Presenters Brief Bios
Listed by Breakout Sessions
Les Ackie, DMin
Director for Family/Children’s Ministries at British Union of SDAs
Dr. Les Ackie serves as the Director for Family and Children’s Ministries at the British Union Conference. He is a counselor and authorized trainer for the pre-marital and marital enrichment tool Prepare Enrich. Dr. Ackie diverse work includes promoting healthy relational principles and emotional wellbeing.
Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking
Cameile Henry, B.A., M.A., R.E.C.E
Professor of Early Childhood Education, Sheridon Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Cameile Henry is a Professor of Early Childhood Education at the Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning. Over the years, she has worked extensively in the area of Early Childhood Education in various institutions of learning. She has assisted in the global development of ECE and in creating two international practicum partnerships in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. These initiatives have benefited children and families in several countries.
Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking
Shalunda Sherrod, DSW, LICSW, PIP
Member of the Quality Assurance Committee, Department of Human Resources, Oakwood University
Dr. Sherrod has 27 years of clinical experience in several prominent sectors, including hospitals, non-profits, the local and federal government, independent practice, and school social work. Dr. Sherrod currently serves on the Quality Assurance Committee for the Department of Human Resources (DHR) in Huntsville, Alabama.
George Ashley, Ph.D., LMSW
Associate Professor of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University
Dr. George Ashley is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Eastern Kentucky University where he serves as the MSW Director of Field Education. His research interests include race, social inequality, spirituality, health, and wellness.
Breakout Session #1 – Promoting Family Wellbeing Through Cognitive Behavioral Thinking
Octavio Ramirez, Ph.D., LICSW
Professor, Chair, Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at Fort Hays State University
Dr. Octavio Ramirez is a full Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director at Fort Hays State University. His research interests includes mental health, spirituality, religiosity, and school social work.
Malcolm Cort, Ph.D., LMSW
Professor of Sociology, Athens State University
Dr. Malcolm Cort is a full professor of Sociology at Athens State University. His research specialty includes the study of abnormal behavior within minority population groups and critical health issues and their effect on minority population groups. He has authored numerous articles on abnormal behavioral issues and health awareness topics.
Manual Morale, Ph.D., D.Min.
Associate Professor of Religion and Theology, Oakwood University
Dr. Manuel Moral is an Associate Professor of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He has earned double doctoral degrees in Psychology and Ministry and is a certified counselor. Dr. Moral is a gifted speaker and a dynamic evangelist within the national and international Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Julian Anderson-Martin, MA, LLPC, LMHCA
Director, Rose Above the Thorn Counseling Center
Julian Anderson-Martin has over 30 years of counseling, clinical, and law enforcement experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and batterer’s intervention. She is the founder and director of Rose Above the Thorn Counseling Center.
Breakout Session #2 – Resilience of Relational Family Dynamics of Victims of Sex Trafficking
Keila Santos, Psy.D, LP
Associate Professor, Director, Psychology Program
Dr. Santos-Crespo is an Associate Professor and Director of the Psychology Program at Southwestern Adventist University. She is passionate about working with survivors of trauma, especially sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Zaira Rico, MA, LMFT-A
Teacher, Counselor, Southwestern Adventist University
Zaira Rico holds a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Texas Women’s University. She has worked with domestic violence victims and conducted psycho-educational groups for women experiencing abuse in their homes. Currently, she teaches and provides counseling services at Southwestern Adventist University.
Jennifer López, B.S.
Jennifer Lopez has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwestern Adventist University and has presented psycho-educational workshops for elementary and high school students.
Lea Cuevas, B.S.
Lea Cuevas has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwestern Adventist University and worked at developing and presenting psycho-educational workshops, a process through which she addressed various mental health concerns of K-12 Adventist schools.
Alina M. Baltazar, PhD, MSW, LMSW, CFLE
MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work, Co-Associate Director, Institute for the Prevention of Addiction, Andrews University
Dr. Baltazar is MSW Program Director, Professor of Social Work, Co-Associate Director of the Institute for the Prevention of Addictions at Andrews University, and contract Psychotherapist at Life Coach Psychology in Berrien Springs, MI. She has conducted, presented, and published research in the area of parent/child relationships and pastoral family stress. Dr. Baltazar teaches clinical courses, including a course in couple and family therapy, at the School of Social Work. Dr. Baltazar is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified family life educator and has worked with individuals and families for over 25 years.
Breakout Session #3 – How to Help Your Child Really Love Jesus
Karl Bailey, Ph.D.
Breakout Session #3 – How to Help Your Child Really Love Jesus
David Sedlacek, PhD, LMSW, CFLE
Professor and Chair, Department of Discipleship and Lifespan Education, Andrews University
Beverly Sedlacek, MSN, DNP
Dr. David Sedlacek is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Discipleship and Lifespan Education at Andrews University. He has worked in public and private settings as a clinician, researcher, teacher, pastor, chaplain, and administrator. Dr. Sedlacek has worked extensively in the areas of addiction, abuse, relationships, marriage, and family.
Dr. Beverly Sedlacek is trained in the area of psychiatry and has worked and taught in the area of psychiatric nursing. She has worked as Clinical Director in several treatment facilities.
The Sedlaceks teach and counsel on the issue of emotional healing and family wellbeing and have written the book: Cleansing the Sanctuary of the Heart: Tools for Emotional Healing.
Jasmine Fraser, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Director, Ph.D. (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) program
Dr. Fraser is Assistant Professor and Director of the Ph.D. (Discipleship in Lifespan Education) program at Andrews University. Her inquiry in individual and family lifespan education has led to research and presentations on various family relational issues, including family communication dynamics, parent-child relational quality time, and the dynamics of parent-child relationships. Dr. Fraser serves as one of the coordinators of the Adventist Conference on Family Research and Practice.
Sven Ostring, B.E. (Hons), Ph.D., GradDipTheol, MAPL (enrolled)
Director of Ministry and Strategy, Family Ministries Liaison, South Pacific Division
Dr. Sven Östring is the Director of Ministry and Strategy for the South Pacific Division (SPD) and the SPD Family Ministries Liaison. He has worked extensively in various pastoral, chaplaincy, and directorship roles. Dr. Östring is one of the founding visiting Seventh-day Adventist chaplains at the University of Sidney.