Conference presenters

CEO and Founder

Infinity Consultation Group

Presentation: Grace for Self and Others in the Midst of Transition

Speaker Bio: Dr. Bernice Patterson understands the complexity of going on the journey to learning to love yourself well, in a world that treats this as a taboo choice. As a speaker, preacher, and professional psychologist, she uses her gifts to motivate audiences to do the work of valuing and investing in themselves and their mental health. As a speaker, Dr. Patterson captivates audiences as she spreads the message of hope, healing, and grace towards self. She is a proud wife and mother of three beautiful children and counts it a blessing and privilege to do this life changing work.

Supervisor Community Programs

Corewell Health West Healthier Communities

Presentation: Michigan Community Health Worker: Current State Conversation

Organization Bio: Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) was created by Community Health Workers and stakeholders. This group organized the first annual meeting focused on sustainable policy and systems change for community health workers (CHWs) in Michigan. The meeting, Sustainable Funding for Community Health Worker Practice and Utilization in Michigan: Planning the Future, united stakeholders statewide in learning about CHW effectiveness and sustainability from state and national experts. The Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) was formed in August 2011. In June 2019, MiCHWA was recognized as a 501(c)3 organization.

Since then, MiCHWA has established itself as the professional association for CHWs in Michigan and a critical information hub for CHW employers and allies. Initially founded as a small stakeholder coalition, MiCHWA’s growth has significantly exceeded initial expectations of the board of directors and working staff members. MiCHWA is excited about opportunities ahead and continues to find new ways to engage CHWs and stakeholders in these discussions across the state.

Corewell Health West

Presentation: Advancing Maternal Health Equity: Ways to Address Maternal Weathering in Communities of Color

Speaker Bio: Dr. Shontreal Cooper, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician specializing in maternal fetal medicine. Dr. Cooper earned her master’s degree in public health (epidemiology concentration) from University of Kentucky Graduate School of Public Health in Lexington, and her master’s degree in clinical and translational research from University of Connecticut Graduate School in Farmington and her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and her maternal fetal medicine fellowship at University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington.

Senior Equity Leadership Consultant

National Equity Project

Presentation: Tapping Into Your Agency: 4 Keys to Keep You In Your Purpose

Speaker Bio: Erik is a Senior Equity Leadership Consultant who uses coaching and facilitation to support leaders in bringing humanity into their systems. He is skilled at creating and hosting spaces where people can do their own work of healing, connection, and liberation. He’s a dad to 9 and 7 year old girls, and a husband to his wife of 17 years.

Project Administrator

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Presentation: Hear Her: A CDC Communications Campaign Addressing Maternal Mortality

Speaker Bio: Laurie is a Project Administrator in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Biology at Michigan State University. Since joining MSU in 2007, Laurie has implemented health behavior change and care management interventions for patients in primary care and is thrilled to be working on women’s health research projects, including the W.O.R.K. Study and projects to improve maternal and infant health. She is grateful for the opportunity to talk with girls and young women about pelvic pain, menstrual health, and health topics that aren’t often talked about. As a former health educator in public health, Laurie has a passion for teaching, helping others and empowering women to listen to their bodies and speak up when something doesn’t feel right. She believes that all women deserve to be heard and receive high-quality, respectful healthcare. Laurie loves spending time with her family, including five grandchildren, and adopted cat Rocky.

Kristy Handley, MS

Senior Consultant

Sussex County Health Coalition

PMG Consulting, Inc.

Peggy Geisler, MA

Owner and Senior Consultant

Sussex County Health Coalition

PMG Consulting, Inc.

Presentation: Strengthening Rural Communities: Cultivating a Strong Community Health Worker Workforce

Kristy Speaker Bio: Kristy Handley, M.S. serves as a Senior Consultant at PMG Consulting LLC and leads as the Principal Investigator/Project Director for the Federal HRSA CHWTP Grant, managed by Sussex County Health Coalition. Her academic background includes a Master’s in Administration of Human Services and a Bachelor’s in Marketing. With over 25 years of experience in administration, healthcare, and marketing, Kristy possesses expertise in project management for federal funding initiatives, workforce development, program and training development, case management, and community outreach. Notably, she pioneered Delaware's first Community Health Worker (CHW) apprenticeship program, which gained approval under her guidance in 2023.

Peggy Speaker Bio: Peggy Geisler, M.A. is the Owner and Senior Consultant of PMG Consulting LLC, who works with not-for-profits and businesses on infrastructure, strategic planning, and collective impact as well as conducts community-based planning in both Maryland and Delaware. She is a licensed Consultant for the Standards for Excellence Institute for Maryland Association of Nonprofits and Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement (DANA). She has 25 years of experience in the not-for-profit field and has received numerous awards for her community-based work. Peggy holds BA in Clinical Psychology from University of Maryland and her MA in Clinical Psychology from Salisbury University

Gladys Picó-Gleason BSN, RN

Supervisor

Corewell Health Healthier Communities, More Life Más Vida

Presentation: CHWs and Community Cancer Screenings - A Health Equity Strategy

Gladys Speaker Bio: Gladys Picó-Gleason has been a Registered Nurse for over 12 years during which time she has served in a variety of community health settings in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Currently, she is the Supervisor of Healthier Communities More Life Más Vida program at Corewell Health. More Life Más Vida is a chronic disease prevention program that focuses on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer prevention in underserved communities of Kent County, Michigan. Gladys also serves as a Schwartz Rounds facilitator and Co-Chair of the Latino Business Resource Group at Corewell Health. On her personal times she serves as the President of No Surrender Running Club, a non-profit whose mission is to impact the physical and mental health of Kent County youth and families through the sport of running and increasing diversity, equity and belonging within the running community.

Founder and CEO

A Glimpse of Africa

Presentation: Cultivating Health Equity: A Glimpse of Africa's Mental Health and Wellness Programs Impact on New American Communities

Speaker Bio: Fridah Kanini is the CEO and Founder of A Glimpse of Africa. Reflecting her deep passion for community leadership and organizing, entrepreneurial prowess, and ability to build equitable spaces. Beyond her professional ventures, she actively contributes to social and health equity as a Board member at SowHope, a youth leader at the African Community Fellowship church, and a Health Equity Council member at the Kent County Health Department. Fridah's international experiences span living, studying, and working in the United Kingdom, USA, and Kenya, with a major in hospitality and front office management. Fridah has over 15 years of professional experience in hospitality, insurance, and nonprofit organizations, and has been instrumental in leading the Farmers Insurance volunteer program for over 5 years. Fridah's vision for A Glimpse of Africa is to create a community where African immigrants and refugees can find support, empowerment, and a sense of belonging, driven by her lived experiences and profound passion for serving others.

Miguel Velasco, Certified CHW

Community Health Worker

Health Net of West Michigan

Lesly Sis-Reyes, Certified CHW

Community Health Worker

Health Net of West Michigan

Presentation: “Bringing more chairs to the decision-making table:” How CHW’s facilitate feedback & community leadership navigation for system change.

Miguel Speaker Bio: Miguel Velasco is creative, outgoing, and always looking for the next best thing in our community. He believes in patient advocacy and the importance it has within our Latinx community. Miguel has over 2 decades of client services and sales experience all focused on one thing: our community. Miguel is a strong believer in the power of positive thinking and is proud of the work he has done in the community and at Health Net of West Michigan as a CHW, a supervisor, and now Manager.

Lesly Speaker Bio: Lesly Sis-Reyes is a community outreach representative at Health Net of West Michigan. Lesly has nine years of experience working with a diverse and low-income population. Lesly believes everyone should have equal access to opportunities and health care. As a case manager, Lesly provides services with respect and empowerment to every client, allowing them to be their own advocates. Lesly sits on two advisory boards: The Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative and Our Neighborhood, Our Health Roosevelt Park Community Initiative. Lesly is also part of Fancy's Tokens, where she provides support in all business ventures. Lesly hopes to bring community awareness to different areas and decision-makers to help the communities we serve.