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Tuesday, October 27
 

8:00am PDT

Breakfast & Registration
Tuesday October 27, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT

Tuesday October 27, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am PDT
Ballroom, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:00am PDT

Plenary Session
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT

Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:00am - 9:30am PDT
Ballroom, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:30am PDT

Table Talks
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am PDT
Want to take advantage of this rare opportunity to connect with fellow Bridge attendees around critical topics impacting the Washington Expanded Learning community?

Participants will have the chance to do just that during Table Talks, a 45-minute, unfacilitated group discussions for those seeking connection around a specific topic of interest. Topics will be determined by Bridge attendees through an online voting process.

Table Talks is an opportunity to share ideas, successes, challenges, and connect with others across the state who may be navigating similar experiences.

Not quite ready to dive into a group conversation? Consider joining one of the 30-minute sessions happening from 9:45 - 10:15 AM instead.
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am PDT
Ballroom, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:45am PDT

A Global Perspective on Aftershool and Democracy
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
In June, 2026, Extended Education researchers, policy-makers and practitioners from at least 15 countries convened at the Global Extended Learning and Youth Development (GELYDA) International Conference in Seoul, South Korea to discuss projects, activities, and experiences focused on democracy and civil engagement in the out-of-school hours. In this session, I will share some of the key insights from this convening, as well as links to the research and other resources that were shared.
Speakers
avatar for Krista Galloway (she/her)

Krista Galloway (she/her)

Consultant, AYD Geek
Krista is an internationally recognized Afterschool and Youth Development (AYD) geek. She’s served children and families as an afterschool teacher, director, multi-site supervisor, and STEM enrichment educator. After over a decade of work with children, she was inspired to share... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Room 407, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:45am PDT

Developing Evaluation Frameworks: Youth-led Community-wide Impacts of Out-of-School STEM Programs
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
This workshop brings together funders and evaluators with out-of-school time (OST) program leadership to collaborate on a vision for designing, funding, and evaluating youth-led projects that bring wide-ranging impacts to their broader communities - expanding the focus of program efficacy from the individual learner to the communities and places they are situated within.

This session will workshop possibilities for evaluating community-wide impacts of youth-led OST STEM programs. We will begin with an introduction of our own research from a nationwide look at OST STEM programs pursuing community-level outcomes. In this overview, we will provide examples of programs from across the United States describing their projects as pursuing goals at community-scale. A goal of this session will be to connect like-minded programs, funders, and evaluators that are doing, or seeking to do, more work at community scale. We will ask participants (e.g., funders, evaluators, program providers) how their own work falls within preliminary categories our research team has developed, and if existing themes are sufficient or require expansion and/or refinement. Participants will co-develop a draft evaluation framework to elevate this kind of work and assist programs with describing their impacts that move beyond the individual learner.
Speakers
EA

Emily Anderson (she/her)

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington
Emily is a PhD student in the Learning Sciences and Human Development program at the University of Washington, Seattle. Her research interests are centered on community education, artificial intelligence in education and its impact on adolescent development. As the Founder of Evo... Read More →
EH

Emily Howard (she/her)

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Washington
Emily Howard is a Ph.D. candidate and Graduate Student Research Assistant in Learning Sciences whose research focuses on ethical and community-engaged approaches to data science education. She earned her M.Ed. in Learning Sciences from the University of Washington and previously spent... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Room 317, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:45am PDT

A Kinder Inner Voice: Self-talk Strategies for Self-Care
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Has negative self-talk sabotaged how you feel about yourself and impacted how much self-care you engage in? How can we notice and change how we speak to ourselves? Together we will explore some strategies to create healthier self-talk habits. We will also look how stress responses such as fight, flight and freeze impact how we think and feel and respond in the moment. We will use reflection and large group imagining to connect these concepts to sustainable self-care practices for youth workers.
Speakers
avatar for Sevan Bussell (they/them)

Sevan Bussell (they/them)

Training Content Manager, School's Out Washington
Sevan designs workshops for in-person, virtual and SOWA's self-guided platform. They apply an accessibility lens to their work and ensure that people who attend our workshops can fully engage.

Sevan has been in the youth development field for over 14 years and working with adult learners for over 18 years. Their time in direct service was spent supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ youth and those with disabilities. Their work at SOWA is informed by those same passions; suppo... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Room 315, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:45am PDT

Meditation & Stretches
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Join us for a 30-minute meditation and stretch session to ease into the 2nd day of Bridge. We recommend wearing comfortable clothing. 
Speakers
avatar for Clemence Lafrades (she/her)

Clemence Lafrades (she/her)

Meditation and Spiritual Guide
After 20 years as a gym owner and fitness trainer, built up stress and anxiety could no longer be ignored. I went on a search for teachers, guides, and therapists to help alleviate the pain. I found Sound Bath Meditations soothed the nervous system, entraining the brainwaves to calm... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Chambers Bay 2, Marriott (3rd Floor)

9:45am PDT

Walking Hart’s Ladder: Strengthening Authentic Youth and Adult Partnerships for Lasting Engagement
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Youth-adult partnership is often treated as the ultimate goal—but is it always the most appropriate way to work with youth? In alignment with the theme "The Art of Being Water," this interactive session invites participants to explore the fluidity of Hart’s Ladder of Youth Engagement. We will move beyond the rhetoric of "youth voice" to examine the full continuum of involvement, from adult-led to shared leadership. Through an experiential "gallery walk," participants will physically navigate the eight rungs of the ladder, identifying where their programs currently sit and how to move intentionally toward more authentic engagement. Drawing on field examples from Tacoma to the Pacific Islands, we will explore how to match challenge and responsibility to developmental readiness. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of reflective exercises and action plans to reduce tokenism and foster equitable, high-impact partnerships in their programs.
Speakers
avatar for Brian Brandt (he/him)

Brian Brandt (he/him)

Professor, Youth Development, Washington State University
Professor Brian Brandt is an Associate Professor of 4-H Youth Development with over 30 years of experience supporting youth programs through engaging experiential education. Maintaining the "heart of a child," he believes play is a powerful tool for building active, resilient teams... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Chambers Bay 3, Marriott (3rd Floor)

9:45am PDT

Bingo, But Different
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Join us for an untraditional game of Bingo! Together, we’ll explore the benefits of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and put it into practice through a fun, hands-on activity. Get ready to learn, connect, and discover new ways to support yourself and others!
Speakers
YB

Yolanda Benton (she/her/they)

Youth Program Manager, Safe Streets
Yolanda Benton is a Youth Program Manager currently supporting vulnerable populations in the Parkland, Tillicum, and Salishan neighborhoods of Pierce County. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she has built a diverse background working with youth and families in a range of... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Room 318, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

9:45am PDT

Make Belonging a Daily Practice: Simple, Off-Screen Games for Busy Programs
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
In busy after-school programs, belonging cannot depend on long planning time or highly trained staff. This hands-on workshop will show how simple, off-screen games can become daily belonging practices for elementary and middle school students, especially grades 1–8. Participants will explore practical ways to use short, low-prep activities to build connection, curiosity, teamwork, and appreciation for differences. Together, we will look at how games can support staff who are juggling limited prep time, changing schedules, and mixed-age groups, while still creating joyful, inclusive moments for young people. Attendees will leave with activity design principles and ready-to-use ideas they can adapt for their own programs.
Speakers
NY

Negar Yaghoobi

CEO, Enrilo
Negar Yaghoobi is the founder of Enrilo and creator of Belonging Games, a plug-and-play enrichment system for after-school programs. Trained as an IT engineer, she has spent more than a decade designing products at the intersection of youth wellbeing, belonging, play, and practical... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 9:45am - 10:15am PDT
Room 316, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

Stronger Together: Building Strategic Partnerships to Support School Behavioral Health – The Kids Mental Health Pierce County Approach
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Children and youth behavioral health needs continue to grow in complexity, requiring coordinated, cross-system responses that extend beyond the school setting. This session highlights how Kids Mental Health Pierce County is leading a community-driven approach to strengthen school behavioral health through strategic partnerships.
Participants will explore how schools, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and other key partners can move from siloed efforts to aligned, system-wide collaboration. Using realworld examples, this session will illustrate practical strategies for building relationships, improving access to services, and advancing a “no wrong door” approach for youth and families.
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Mangum, LICW (she/her)

Ashley Mangum, LICW (she/her)

Director Kids Mental Health Pierce County, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
Ashley serves as Director of Kids’ Mental Health Pierce County at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, where she leads a state-funded initiative to build a coordinated, responsive behavioral health system for children, youth, and families. Her work ensures young people receive... Read More →
VA

Vanessa Adams (she/her)

Program Coordinator, Kids Mental Health Pierce County

Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 316, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

The Art of Facilitation: Leading through Emotions in Discourse about Race
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Schools are not neutral spaces. Every day, educators are asked to lead, mediate, and hold space for conversations that carry the weight of generations. The current political context contributes to heightened emotions and racial tensions. And you, no matter how experienced, bring your own history too. When a student says something harmful, a colleague dismisses a lived experience, or a systemic issue needs examining, the most powerful thing you can do is to know yourself well enough to stay present and grounded, even when every instinct tells you to fight, flee, or freeze. Through honest storytelling, self-reflection, and hands-on practice, you'll learn to recognize what activates you, strategies to respond instead of react, and ways to hold space for the emotional responses of others.
Speakers
DC

Dr. Caprice Hollins (she/her)

Co-Founder, Facilitator, Cultures Connecting
Caprice was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She received a B.A. in psychology from Seattle University and M.A. and Psy.D. degrees in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multicultural and Community Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology―LA. She became... Read More →
avatar for Ilsa Marie Govan (she/her)

Ilsa Marie Govan (she/her)

Co-Founder, Facilitator, Cultures Connecting
Ilsa Govan, Co-Founder of Cultures Connecting, believes we stifle children’s innate sense of justice when we tell them, “Life’s not fair.” As a child, she questioned why girls were supposed to like pink and boys like blue, why her parent’s LGBTQIA+ friends were targets of... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 317, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

The Journey of Transcreation: SOWA Case Study - Adapting the School Age Basic Training into Spanish
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
This session shares the journey of transcreating the School Age Basic Training into Spanish, from the initial needs assessment to the development of the final product launching in Fall 2026. Presenters will offer an honest look at the multilingual collaborative process, highlighting the successes, challenges, detours, and key realizations that shaped the work. Participants will learn how decisions were made, how diverse perspectives informed the adaptation, and why transcreation was chosen over direct translation. Through this case study, attendees will gain insight into the complexities and opportunities of adapting training content across languages and cultures, as well as the commitments made to support inclusiveness, cultural responsiveness, and racial equity throughout the project.
Speakers
PM

Paola Mizrahi Kaplan (she/her/ella)

Spanish Childcare and School Age Program Owner and Director, Jump On Languages
Paola Mizrahi Kaplan is an education leader, social worker, researcher, and entrepreneur originally from Caracas, Venezuela. She has more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, family engagement, mental health, and community-based programs. As Founder and Executive... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 407, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

Being Water in Practice: Supporting Newcomer Students & Families Through Adaptability, Access, and Belonging
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
This workshop explores how school and expanded learning systems can better support newcomer students and families through adaptability, language access, and intentional relationship-building. Grounded in real experience as a Newcomer Student Family Liaison, the session highlights practical strategies for removing barriers, strengthening family engagement, and creating systems that foster belonging. Participants will examine how youth development principles
and culturally responsive practices can be applied to improve communication, trust, and collaboration with multilingual families. The content focuses on K–12 students, with an emphasis on newcomer and multilingual youth across elementary and secondary levels. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to create more equitable, responsive, and human-centered systems.
Speakers
avatar for Milagros Alarcon Casafranca (she/her)

Milagros Alarcon Casafranca (she/her)

Language Access Coordinator, Puyallup School District
Originally from Peru, Milagros has spent over 14 years bridging language and cultural gaps with heart and purpose. She holds a degree in International Business from San Martín University and continued her education at Spokane Community College.

As a certified interpreter and notary in Washington State, Milagros is deeply passionate about making multilingual communication accessible and inclusive. Her commitment has earned her the Excellence Award for Staff Support in the Puyallup School District, along with a nomination... Read More →
avatar for Nataliia Ledchak (she/her)

Nataliia Ledchak (she/her)

Newcomer Student Family Liaison, Puyallup School District
Nataliia Ledchak is a Ukrainian/Russian Interpreter and a Newcomer Student Family Liaison with the Puyallup School District, where she supports multilingual students and families in building strong connections to school systems and expanded learning opportunities. With a background... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Stadium, Marriott (2nd Floor)

10:30am PDT

Finding the Current: How Black Male Mentor-Educators Build Trust, Brotherhood & Belonging
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Educators and case managers know that shared racial or cultural identity alone does not guarantee a strong mentoring relationship. What turns a classroom into a space of trust and brotherhood is something more specific, and it shows up in small, repeatable practices. This session draws on a multi-year, mixed-methods evaluation of a culturally responsive Black studies elective and mentorship program, including a collaborative program evaluation and an in-press, peer-reviewed qualitative study, to name those practices. Findings identify the relational and programmatic elements, including individualized care coordination, identity-affirming curriculum, and consistent relational routines, that young people and their mentor-educators credit with building trust, brotherhood, and engagement, along with the conditions of school and district leadership required to sustain this work. Participants will leave with evidence-based strategies they can adapt within their own culturally responsive mentoring programs.
Speakers
avatar for Kristian Jones (he/him)

Kristian Jones (he/him)

Assistant Professor, University Of Washington
Dr. Jones’ program of research examines how youth mentoring can be utilized to promote positive outcomes for Black youth. As part of his commitment to serving diverse youth, families and communities, his scholarship examines how community-based interventions, such as mentoring... Read More →
SC

Shelby Cooley (she/her)

Data and Evaluation Lead, King County
Shelby Cooley leads the evaluation team at King County's Children, Youth and Young Adults Division, where she oversees internal evaluation, community collaborative research, and accountability reporting on regional investments in child care, youth development, and reconnection to... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Point Defiance, Marriott (3rd Floor)

10:30am PDT

Moving Beyond Labels
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Young people engaged in high-risk or harmful behaviors are often defined by labels rather than understood through the lens of trauma, attachment, and missed developmental experiences. As an educator and social worker, I recognized a gap in mental health programming for adolescents who were struggling and created a curriculum to respond to their needs. Rather than viewing behaviors as problems to control, I learned to see them as communication and opportunities for connection.

This interactive workshop focuses primarily on adolescents (ages 12–18) and explores how our own experiences, assumptions, and biases influence the way we show up for youth. Participants will learn how adaptive, trauma-informed practices can transform programming, strengthen relationships, and create spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for responding to emerging needs and building programs that honor the humanity of both youth and staff.
Speakers
avatar for Elisia Sanchez (she/her)

Elisia Sanchez (she/her)

Social Worker, Thurston-Mason Behavioral Health Organization
Elisia Sanchez is a dedicated social worker with deep roots in youth advocacy, mental health, and racial equity. With a Master of Social Work from Baylor University and a BA in Social Welfare from the University of Washington, Elisia has served in diverse roles supporting at-risk... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 315, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

Who Taught Us That? Unpacking the Messages That Shape Us
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Every day, youth development professionals make decisions shaped by beliefs about respect, success, leadership, behavior, belonging, and care. But where did those beliefs come from?

Through reflection, dialogue, and interactive activities, participants will explore how socialization influences the way we see ourselves, one another, and the young people we serve. Together, we will examine the messages we inherited from family, schools, communities, media, and society, and consider how those messages show up in our programs, policies, and practices today. This session invites participants to move beyond judgment and toward curiosity as we explore what it means to learn, unlearn, and intentionally create environments where both young people and youth workers can thrive.
Speakers
avatar for September Clark (she/her)

September Clark (she/her)

JEDI Educator and Facilitator, Heartfelt Horizons
September Clark is an educator, facilitator, and consultant with over eleven years of experience advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives in educational, nonprofit, and public sector settings. Through Heartfelt Horizons, September partners with schools... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 2, Marriott (3rd Floor)

10:30am PDT

Human-Centered Transitions: Rethinking Layoffs, Firings, and Organizational Change
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
What actually happens inside an organization when someone is let go? And more importantly—what happens to the people who stay? In many workplaces, transitions such as layoffs or leadership exits are handled with a focus on risk, privacy, and the organization's protection. But in the process, what often gets missed are the real human questions staff are carrying: Was this fair? Could this happen to me? What does this mean for our future? Whether you are a senior leader, manager, or team member, this session offers space to reflect on your own experiences and share perspective.

Session Objectives
  • Unpack the hidden dynamics of organizational transitions. 
  • Explore how these moments are experienced differently by line staff, managers, and senior leaders—and why misalignment between those perspectives can erode trust, stability, and culture. 
  • Gain practical tools for navigating change with greater clarity, accountability, and care.

Speakers
avatar for Sangita Kumar (she/her)

Sangita Kumar (she/her)

Founder and CEO, Be the Change Consulting
Sangita Kumar (she/her) is a multifaceted strategist, facilitator, systems builder, movement organizer, and change agent committed to advancing social justice and community empowerment. She brings over 20 years of expertise in designing and leading transformative change across sectors, including... Read More →
avatar for Shelley Kuang (she/they)

Shelley Kuang (she/they)

Director
Be The Change Consulting, LLC. (BTC) is a woman owned and people of color operated, capacity-building firm located in Oakland, California. Over the past 15 years, BTC has developed a highly interactive process for capacity building and technical assistance.  We pride ourselves in... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 318, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

10:30am PDT

Why Grief Matters and how we might respond
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Understanding why grief matters helps inform how we support young people who are grieving. This interactive workshop explores the impact grief can have on youth and examines ways professionals can move beyond discomfort to engage in meaningful, supportive conversations. Participants will gain practical, creative, and accessible tools that foster connection, helping young people feel seen, understood, and supported in their grief experiences. Through hands-on activities and discussion, participants will learn strategies that can increase youth self-awareness, build resilience, and help them identify strengths they can draw upon when facing adversity. The workshop will also provide tools and approaches that can be shared with caregivers to strengthen support beyond professional settings.

Designed to be engaging, experiential, and immediately applicable, this workshop emphasizes both the how and the why behind each activity. Participants will learn the purpose and intention of the tools presented, enabling them to adapt activities to meet the unique needs of the youth and families they serve. While especially relevant for direct service professionals, managers and organizational leaders will also gain valuable insight into supporting grieving children and strengthening griefinformed practices within their programs and organizations.
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Duke MSW (she/her)

Lisa Duke MSW (she/her)

Bridges Supervisor, Bridges Center for Grieving Children, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital
Lisa Duke, Supervisor, Bridges Center for Grieving Children & Director of Camp Erin Pierce County.  I have been fortunate to work with the families at Bridges and Camp Erin since 2012.  Grief education is a significant aspect of my career, providing workshops and webinars to professionals... Read More →
ML

Mat Ledin

Family Support Coordinator, Bridges Center for Grieving Children

PB

Paula Blanchard

Bridges Volunteer
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 1, Marriott (3rd Floor)

10:30am PDT

The Water We Don't See: Building Belonging Across Race, Culture, Ability, and Identity
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Many youth-serving organizations serve increasingly diverse communities, yet not every young person experiences the same sense of belonging. When young people feel seen, valued, and included, outcomes improve across engagement, well-being, leadership, and learning. This interactive workshop explores how race, culture, disability, language, socioeconomic status, and lived experience shape belonging. Drawing on experiences working with youth in the United States and Nigeria, participants will learn to identify barriers to belonging, conduct a belonging audit, and implement equitable, inclusive practices. Through case studies and reflection, attendees will leave with practical tools to create environments where every young person can participate, contribute, and thrive.
Speakers
EP

Eseosa Paula Ajala (she/her)

Executive Director, The Esther Foundation
Eseosa Ajala is an educator, youth development practitioner, and Founder and Executive Director of The Esther Foundation. Her work spans childcare, after-school programs, mentoring initiatives, faith-based programs, and community-based education in both the United States and Nigeria... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Union, Marriott (3rd Floor)

10:30am PDT

De-escalation Strategies: Return to Baseline
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Every group of humans has moments when they are regulated and moving forward together, and moments when some or all of them are dysregulated for whatever reason and just "can't even!" Intended for all student ages, this workshop will lead participants through:
* Defining and recognizing regulated behavior in students
* Pre-emptive and classroom management strategies to maintain regulated behavior
* De-escalation strategies for when students begin to become dysregulated
* Follow-up processes to allow student community to move forward

Through small-group and full group activities and discussions, we will demonstrate strategies in action to help you keep your students be their most successful selves.
Speakers
avatar for Janet Cole Hamilton (she/her)

Janet Cole Hamilton (she/her)

Senior Education and Outreach Manager, Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE
Janet has been with KIDSTAGE since 2006. She developed her own, “Skills for Theatre… Skills for Life” through acting, directing, forming a theatre company, serving on boards for arts organizations, and time in corporate America working with freelance artists, graphic designers... Read More →
avatar for Maurianna Zingarelli (she/her)

Maurianna Zingarelli (she/her)

Hiring Manager, Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE
Maurianna “Mauri” Zingarelli has 18 years of teaching and facilitation experience across Western Washington. With the mission to create inclusive environments and brave spaces, she has worked with over 15,000 students in the creative arts and has led professional development for... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 3, Marriott (3rd Floor)

12:30pm PDT

Lunch
Tuesday October 27, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Tuesday October 27, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Ballroom, Greater Tacoma Convention Center
  Meal Time
  • about <br>

1:15pm PDT

Closing Plenary
Tuesday October 27, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT

Tuesday October 27, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm PDT
Ballroom, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

2:30pm PDT

School-Community Partnerships: A Blueprint to Improve Youth & Family Food Security
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Kaiser Permanente has been supporting community and school-based interventions to respond to food access and nutrition needs, in the places people need them. Through $1.78 million school-community partnership grants between 2022 and 2025, more than 50,000 food-insecure youth and families had improved access to out of school-time food, directly in their school communities.

Seattle Public Schools joined forces with FamilyWorks to implement a new family resource center model, providing tailored resource navigation and a mobile food bank at convenient locations throughout the district’s footprint. Bethel School District worked with Feeding Feasible Feasts to offer food through free school-based care closets and launch a school food recovery program allowing students to take healthy food home for at-home meals. FEED 7 Generations collaborated with Muckleshoot Tribal School to implement a Tend, Gather, Grow Curriculum focused on food sovereignty principles. And The Farm at Franklin Pierce Schools operationalized free farm produce distribution through district fridges, school meals, and summer meal sites.

The collaboration between school districts and trusted local community-based organizations built an infrastructure designed to ensure access to nutritious food for years to come. Incorporating youth and family voices into these food access solutions helped reduce stigma and increase feelings of belonging. These partnerships also supported families with enrollment in the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program and connection to other resources that improve purchasing power to buy healthy food.

This workshop is designed to share insights from these pilot projects, and a resulting toolkit that Kaiser Permanente has assembled, to support replication of school-community partnerships that improve youth and family food security in other communities. Insights are applicable to community-based organizations, school districts, funders, and systems stakeholders.
Speakers
HB

Haley Ballenger (she/her)

Community Health Senior Consultant, Kaiser Permanente
Haley (she/her) started with Kaiser Permanente in 2019.  In her role as a Community Health Senior Consultant, she leads Kaiser Permanente's Food and Nutrition Security portfolio in the Washington Region. She is responsible for strategic planning and implementation of Kaiser Permanente's... Read More →
AS

Angel Swanson (she/her)

Founder and Executive Director, Feeding Feasible Feasts
Angel Swanson (she/her) is a nonprofit founder, public speaker, entrepreneur, and food justice advocate with more than 40 years of business leadership. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Feeding Feasible Feasts (FFF), advancing dignified food access through sustainable programs... Read More →
RT

Romajean Thomas (she/her)

Director of Education + Community Engagement, Feed 7 Generations
Romajean (she/her) serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement for Feed 7 Generations (), an Indigenous-led nonprofit advancing food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and health equity in Native communities. She oversees programs that strengthen traditional food systems... Read More →
TW

Theresa Williams (she/her)

Supportive Family Programs Manager
Theresa Williams (she/her) is the Supportive Family Programs Manager at FamilyWorks, where she leads family support services, community partnerships, and programs that help strengthen and stabilize families across North Seattle. With more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 317, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

2:30pm PDT

The River of Liberation: Connecting Past, Present, and Future Through Healing and Action
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
What if liberation is not a destination—but a river?

In this interactive session, participants will be introduced to The RISE to Liberation, a framework that connects history, wellness, and systems navigation as tools for individual and collective transformation.

Through immersive storytelling, shared visual experiences, creative reflection, dialogue, and experiential activities, participants will journey from past to present to future. They will explore how history can build action and resilience by learning from the knowledge, choices, and resistance of those who came before us; how the Eight Dimensions of Wellness can support collective care and healing; and how understanding the systems around us can help us thrive while navigating barriers.

Participants will engage in a shared immersive visual experience and interactive activities designed to spark reflection and action, asking: How does what we see, remember, and imagine influence how we lead, heal, navigate systems, and create change?

Together, we will explore what it means to be like water—to adapt without losing ourselves, move through barriers, and create new pathways toward healing, resilience, and liberation.

Participants Will Leave With:
  • An understanding of The RISE to Liberation framework and its three liberation tools.
  • Historical knowledge and strategies for using the resilience of those who came before us to inform action in the present.
  • Collective care and healing strategies grounded in the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
  • Systems-navigation tools to help identify barriers, find pathways forward, and thrive.
  • Practical tools, strategies, and resources to use personally and professionally.
  • Ideas and resources to share with their communities, extending the impact beyond the workshop.
  • A vision for action toward more liberated and thriving communities.

Speakers
avatar for Theresa Az'Lee Romance (she/her)

Theresa Az'Lee Romance (she/her)

Founder & CEO, BRAVE and The RISE to Liberation
Theresa Az'Lee Romance is the Founder and CEO of BRAVE (Building Resilience Awareness & Variations of Excellence) and Founder of The RISE to Liberation, two organizations dedicated to advancing healing, liberation, leadership, and opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 318, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

2:30pm PDT

Community Data in Practice: Who Owns Your Story?
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Data sovereignty — the right of communities to control data about themselves — is not just a concept. It’s a practice.

Drawing on the work of the Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC) in Portland, OR, this workshop introduces participants to a framework for assessing and strengthening community data stewardship practices in their own organizations. Who currently controls your data? Who benefits from it? And how can youth, parents, and community members become genuine co-owners of the stories data tells? Participants will work through a guided framework to map their current data sovereignty model and develop a concrete action plan for shifting power back toward the community. This session is for leaders and staff ready to move beyond data compliance and toward data self-determination.
Speakers
LW

Leah Wainman (she/her)

Epidemiologist
Leah Wainman has spent over a decade working at the intersection of data and equity in public health. She has overseen data-sharing agreements federally recognized Tribal Nations in Washington State, building governance structures that respect Tribal data sovereignty rather than imposing... Read More →
MS

Maayan Simckes (she/her)

Epidemiologist and Consultant, Wellspring Public Health Strategies
Dr. Maayan Simckes is an epidemiologist with over 15 years of public health experience, including ten in the Pacific Northwest. She earned her PhD and MPH in epidemiology and solves complex health problems through practical, innovative, and collaborative solutions. Dr. Simckes leads... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Union, Marriott (3rd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

Soothing the Nervous System Sound Bath Meditation
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Crystal quartz and metal bowls are musical instruments that emit vibrations and frequencies attuned to brain waves that calm the mind and the central nervous system. The body replenishes and regenerates cells and organs when it is given an environment of deep rest, sleep, and nourishment.

Wear comfortable clothing, you may end up laying on the floor during the session. If you are able to, bring a small pillow to make your session comfortable. You are also welcome to sit in a chair or on the floor, whichever is the most relaxing for you.
Speakers
avatar for Clemence Lafrades (she/her)

Clemence Lafrades (she/her)

Meditation and Spiritual Guide
After 20 years as a gym owner and fitness trainer, built up stress and anxiety could no longer be ignored. I went on a search for teachers, guides, and therapists to help alleviate the pain. I found Sound Bath Meditations soothed the nervous system, entraining the brainwaves to calm... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 1, Marriott (3rd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

Build the Village: Circle Practices That Grow Belonging, Resilience, and Youth Leadership
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Young people today are growing up in a crisis of disconnection - loneliness, anxiety, and a hunger to belong that no app, curriculum, or well-meaning program has been able to fix. The problem isn't the young people. It's that the village around them has quietly eroded. Research on adolescent development is clear: young people thrive when they feel known,
challenged, and expected to contribute within a real community. But knowing that doesn't tell us what to do Monday morning.

This hands-on workshop introduces the circle practice - a research-aligned tool for building belonging, resilience, and leadership in any youth-serving setting. Participants won't just learn about circles. They'll be in one. Drawing from work now implemented school-wide at O'Dea High School (500 students) and piloting across Bethel School District, facilitators will guide attendees through a live circle and share practical tools for immediate use.
Speakers
avatar for Alex Craighead (he/him)

Alex Craighead (he/him)

Executive Director, Journeymen Institute
For nearly two decades, Alex Craighead has devoted his work to helping people connect — with themselves, each other, and what truly matters. He serves as Executive Director of Journeymen Institute and co-leads One Village, an initiative supporting youth of all genders through school-based... Read More →
DL

Davis Luanava (she/her)

Program Manager, Citizen University
Davis is a program builder and civic educator who turns big ideas about power, belonging, and responsibility into experiences people can actually feel. At Citizen University, she leads programs within Labs — including the Youth Collaboratory and National Civic Collaboratory... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 407, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

2:30pm PDT

Building a Dream Team
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
A collective vision and strong organizational systems create teams poised to work effectively and efficiently. Through experiential learning, organizational development theory, and strong facilitation, your team will deepen relationships, develop collective agreements about how to use limited resources, and infuse your team with shared values to create a strong climate that supports accountability, minimizes conflict, and maximizes productivity.

Session Objectives
  • Learn strategies to identify core values and use them to design processes
  • To reflect on what creates teams that are poised to succeed
  • To understand the work styles of team members

Speakers
avatar for Shelley Kuang (she/they)

Shelley Kuang (she/they)

Director
Be The Change Consulting, LLC. (BTC) is a woman owned and people of color operated, capacity-building firm located in Oakland, California. Over the past 15 years, BTC has developed a highly interactive process for capacity building and technical assistance.  We pride ourselves in... Read More →
avatar for Sangita Kumar (she/her)

Sangita Kumar (she/her)

Founder and CEO, Be the Change Consulting
Sangita Kumar (she/her) is a multifaceted strategist, facilitator, systems builder, movement organizer, and change agent committed to advancing social justice and community empowerment. She brings over 20 years of expertise in designing and leading transformative change across sectors, including... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Point Defiance, Marriott (3rd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

All Means All: Using Differentiation to Increase Access & Inclusion
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Through play and peer learning, educators will be empowered with strategies to differentiate instruction and build inclusive environments where each and every TK-8 grade student thrives. Explore growth mindset, apply strategies to real-world scenarios, and engage in “Pause & Play” activities that model inclusion. Leave with practical tools and resources to support staff and students, ensuring all learners are seen, supported, and set up for success.
Speakers
avatar for Claire Finders (she/her)

Claire Finders (she/her)

CEO & Founder, AllSet Education
Claire Finders is on a mission to empower all with excellent education. With more than a decade of experience in teaching, special education, school leadership, and enrichment operations, she has a strong track record of driving cultural change, fostering community engagement, and... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 2, Marriott (3rd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

Ask, Listen, Empower: Shifting from Control to Connection
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Join Mizzen Education for an interactive workshop that invites participants to move beyond directive, compliance-based communication and embrace the power of leading with facilitative communication with youth. Participants will explore how small shifts in intentional language can strengthen relationships, amplify youth voice, and create environments where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered to contribute.

Through ideation, reflection, discussion, and practice, participants will learn to listen deeply, collaborate boldly, and design interactions with intention that nurtures connection, adaptability, and shared ownership with youth. Leave with simple, effective, and immediately implementable tools and frameworks designed to create more responsive, engaging, and youth-centered experiences, just by shifting communication.
Speakers
avatar for Hailee Moehnke (she/her)

Hailee Moehnke (she/her)

Community Engagement + Experiences Manager, Mizzen Education
Mizzen Education is a completely free platform offering 1500+ plug-and-play lesson plans for grades K-12 across 10 content areas, at your fingertips. Plus, find free team collaboration tools to keep program planning simple! Whether you're at a camp, classroom, community center, or... Read More →
avatar for Kristin Stayer (she/her)

Kristin Stayer (she/her)

VP of Engagement + Educator Experiences, Mizzen Education
Kristin Stayer, Mizzen’s VP of Engagement + Educator Experiences, is dedicated to creating inspiring experiences for youth learning and staff development.

Kristin previously served as the National Manager of Curriculum and Content Development for After-School All-Stars, empowering students for 21st-century learning. Prior, she spent a decade at Park Place Community Center in Anderson, Indiana, addressing educational, health, and food... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 316, Greater Tacoma Convention Center

2:30pm PDT

Beyond the Circle: Expanding Your Multi-Modal Toolkit for Deeper Reflection and Debriefing
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Reflection is the bridge between an event and a developmental milestone, yet many programs rely solely on verbal discussions that can exclude certain learners. In alignment with "The Art of Being Water," this session provides a fluid, multi-modal toolkit designed to reach every participant through artistic, tactile, and movement-based debriefing. Participants will explore the WSU 6-Step Activity Framework—from framing to real-world transfer—to ensure learning is a deliberate, repeatable outcome. We will dive into a curated "toolbox" featuring activities like Play Dough Sculptures, Group Poems, and Slam Dunk Suggestions. Attendees will learn to scaffold sharing and use brief "micro-debriefs" to maintain a group’s pulse. Every participant will receive a physical Toolkit containing reflection cards, object bags, and the WSU 103 activity guide to immediately elevate their program’s impact.
Speakers
avatar for Brian Brandt (he/him)

Brian Brandt (he/him)

Professor, Youth Development, Washington State University
Professor Brian Brandt is an Associate Professor of 4-H Youth Development with over 30 years of experience supporting youth programs through engaging experiential education. Maintaining the "heart of a child," he believes play is a powerful tool for building active, resilient teams... Read More →
JD

Jeff Dickmann (he/him/his)

Camp Long with Seattle Parks and Recreation
Jeff Dickmann is an educator, youth development professional, and play advocate from Seattle, WA. His 20 years of experience span early childhood education, summer camps, and challenge courses. This experience, combined with his degrees from Prescott College (Masters in Adventure... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Chambers Bay 3, Marriott (3rd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

The Power of Home, How Place-Based Programs Build Upon the Strengths of Youth, Family, and Community
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Affordable housing is a platform for education, equity, and community resilience. Mercy Scholars is a place-based program that works alongside families and youth by providing resources and support that will help students succeed. An essential piece of our work is in collaboration with schools and community partners; building a web of support that allows students to explore their identities and passions. This empowers youth to shape their own futures, allowing for generational transformation.

In this session, we will cover three Mercy Scholars program areas, including student support, parent engagement, and community partnerships.

Student Support: How to create a historically responsive lesson plan

Parent Engagement: How to incorporate and celebrate family brilliance

Community Partnerships: How to leverage the experts around you
Speakers
DW

Delaney Wright (she/her)

Youth Initiatives and School Liaison, Mercy Housing Northwest
Delaney Wright is a community-focused professional who serves as a Youth Initiatives and School Liaison with Mercy Housing Northwest. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations from Southern Nazarene University and is dedicated to supporting youth and families through meaningful... Read More →
BH

Brittney Hutchinson (she/her)

Resident Services Manager I, Mercy Housing
Brittney Hutchinson is a Resident Services Manager with Mercy Housing, where she works to support residents and strengthen communities through programs, resources, and relationship-building. Her career has focused on serving children, youth, and families in housing and educational... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Stadium, Marriott (2nd Floor)

2:30pm PDT

Flow Forward: Help Youth Build Identity, Belonging, and Career Pathways
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Young people do not begin preparing for their future when it is time to fill out a job application. It starts much earlier. It starts with helping them understand who they are, where they belong, what they are capable of, and what possibilities exist beyond what they may see around them every day.

Flow Forward is an interactive workshop focused on helping middle and high school youth connect identity, belonging, life skills, and career exposure to their future. We will explore practical ways youth development professionals can help young people recognize their strengths, build confidence, expand what they believe is possible, and begin connecting everyday experiences to education, leadership, training, and career pathways.

Participants will also take part in reflection, small-group discussion, and a hands-on pathway-mapping activity that can be adapted and used with the young people they serve. My goal is for participants to leave with more than information. I want them to leave with practical strategies and tools they can actually take back to their programs and use.

Speakers
SD

Sophia Downs (she/her)

Brighter Horizons Career & Development Services
Sophia Downs, also known as Simply Sophia, is a Certified Career Coach, Certified Master Life Coach, Missouri Rule 17 Mediator, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and workforce development leader. She is the founder of Brighter Horizons Career & Development Services and Executive Director... Read More →
Tuesday October 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 315, Greater Tacoma Convention Center
 
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