Mark Anthony Garrett grew up in Dayton, Ohio, as a foster child before being adopted. Despite facing poverty, neglect, and homelessness, he was inspired by mentors to pursue higher education and success. Today, Mark is a Top-Level Consultant, Master Trainer, and Professional Speaker with over 25 years of experience. He specializes in child welfare, teacher leadership, cultural pedagogy, motivational empowerment, and overcoming adversity. He is the author of Teachers Are Heroes – 7 Success Principles for Transformational Teaching and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS & FOX networks, as well as in Forbes Magazine.

Tonyalea Elam, MSW, LCSW-BACS, is a former employee of the Department of Children and Family Services for almost 20 years who currently serves as a Social Work Instructor and Child Welfare Scholar Coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana University. Her passion for foster children and youth, as well as adoption issues, has always extended beyond the 40-hour work week, as she often finds herself supporting former foster youth, adopted persons, and their families on an ongoing basis. She is full of energy and optimism when it comes to all involved in the well-being of Louisiana’s children and foster youth and the families that serve them. As a former Louisiana Foster Adoptive Parent Association Liaison, she remains connected with this population of professional, public servants to understand the dynamics of continued care. Her ongoing involvement leads to illustrious ‘Real World Ready’ experiences for Southeastern Social Work students in pursuit of career opportunities in this fulfilling and challenging field of work.

Dr. Anderson is a Certified Peer Specialist, Recovery Educator, Whole Health and Wellness Coach, WRAP Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid Trainer, and founder of Beautiful Scars Inc. He is a three-time author, best-selling co-author, and recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States (2024). Dr. Anderson has also received the Andrew Young Center’s Dream Keepers Grant Award.

Learn more about Beautiful Scars Inc.

Dr. Corie Hebert is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she has taught for over 20 years. With more than 25 years of experience in social work education, she currently serves as both a faculty member and the Child Welfare Coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Sciences.

Dr. Hebert is the coordinator of the Title IV-E Child Welfare Scholar Program and the principal investigator for the Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy (LCWTA), a statewide training initiative developed in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and the Pelican Center for Children and Families. Through this work, she oversees professional development for child welfare staff, foster caregivers, legal professionals, and community partners across Louisiana.

She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University, an M.S.W. from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from Louisiana State University. Prior to academia, Dr. Hebert spent a decade in healthcare social work practice. Her research publications and presentations focus on child welfare, trauma, human trafficking, domestic violence, foster parent engagement, and effective teaching practices. An active member of the child welfare community, she contributes through training, consultation, and local board service.