The information below reflects the speakers for the 2023 event.
Keynote Speakers for The 22nd Annual Fall Social Work Conference
Edna Davis-Brown, M.P.H.
Edna Davis-Brown, M.P.H., currently serves as an Implementation Specialist with the federally funded National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI). Ms. Davis-Brown has more than 20 years of experience in program development, management and implementation, program monitoring and evaluation, group facilitation, and training/technical assistance development and delivery. She has supported and managed numerous federal and non-federal projects for healthcare management firms and national organizations in areas such as health equity and disparities, substance abuse prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and emergency mental health disaster response and coordination.
Prior to joining NTI, Ms. Davis-Brown served as a Management Training Consultant providing support to national organizations, community-based organizations (CBOs), healthcare organizations and health departments across the U.S. which involved training, capacity building and strategic planning support including the delivery of five evidence-based interventions and public health strategies funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She previously worked as Program Director with the American Psychological Association’s Behavioral and Social Science Volunteer (BSSV) Program funded by the CDC delivering capacity building support to health departments and CBOs across the U.S. that provide HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. She holds a graduate degree in Public Health Education from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Ms. Davis-Brown is also co-founder of the Gregory B. Davis Foundation, a small non-profit formed to preserve the legacy of her youngest sibling, Gregory, who died of AIDS in March 2000. GBDF strives to enhance the lives of rural underserved youth and their families through health and educational program and initiatives. GBDF was co-recipient of the very first Susan G. Komen Triangle for the Cure (Research Triangle, NC) Innovations Award as well as two community service awards from healthcare organizations in northeastern NC.
Scott Johnson, MA, LP
Scott A. Johnson, MA, LP, has a Master’s Degree in Counseling & Psychological Services from St. Mary’s College. He is a Licensed Psychologist (Minnesota). He has over 33 years-experience addressing sexual predators as a forensic psychologist, author, educator, and police trainer. He trains and consults with law enforcement and U.S. Probation nationwide addressing sexual predators and violent offenders. He was involved in the civil commitment of sexual predators for the state of Minnesota for several years. He has taught at numerous colleges and universities. He is the author of several book chapters, booklets, research, journal articles and other professional materials. Mr. Johnson is a forensic psychologist. Mr. Johnson has appeared on national news and crime shows including Nancy Grace, Killer Kids, Profiling Evil, & has been the plenary speaker at Sex Crimes Investigator’s conferences nationwide!
Sasha Joseph Neulinger
Sasha Joseph Neulinger is the Founder and President of Voice For The Kids, and Co-Founder and Head of Production at Step 1 Films. In 2015, Sasha presented at TEDxBozeman with his first public speech, “Trauma Is Irreversible. How It Shapes Us Is Our Choice.”
Since his TED Talk, Sasha has presented over 100 keynote speeches around the world, helping raise over $8 Million for the fight against child abuse. Sasha made his directorial debut at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival with his autobiographical, feature length documentary, REWIND.
REWIND had its US Television Premiere on May 11, 2020 as a part of PBS’ Independent Lens lineup, and has since been streaming for audiences both nationally and internationally.
REWIND was nominated for a 2020 Critics Choice Award for Best First Feature Documentary and received three Emmy Nominations in 2021, including Outstanding Social Issue Documentary, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Editing.
Rashad Hayes, LMSW
Rashad Hayes, LMSW, is the founder of Shad & Associates LLC, where he empowers individuals and organizations to overcome challenges and improve their lives with C.A.K.E.
Rashad is an expert in overcoming adversity and transforming problems into solutions. He aims to utilize his voice to inspire and teach individuals how to leverage tough times and use them as a platform and not a crutch. Rashad guides the audiences on a journey unlike any other to identify their secret ingredients to apply to their lives through practical and realistic life examples.
Audiences love his practical strategies that can be applied personally and professionally. Rashad is a one-of-a-kind speaker who can adjust his messages to fit any audience. From High School students to Fortune 500 companies– Rashad is a speaker dedicated to producing results and changing lives.
Rashad’s message will leave you inspired, motivated, and ready to eat some cake!