David Aparicio

David is a theatre and arts educator whose focus is working with early childhood and elementary school programs. As a teen, David was a student at The Theatre Lab and now loves bringing the joy of theatre to the next generation. David has taught in The Theatre Lab’s programs for youth including the Summer Camp programs. He is also a member of the Theatre Lab’s Life Stories faculty working on partnership programs with Life Pieces to Masterpieces and with various DCPS schools. He is also the lead teacher on the partnership program with Payne Elementary. David is also a teaching artist at The Levine School of Music.

Saturday Afternoon: Lightening the Load: Improv for Survivors with The Theatre Lab

Jennifer Baldwin, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LCPAT

Jennifer graduated with a master’s in art therapy from The George Washington University and has been working as a clinical art therapist in Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro area since 1997. She is board certified in art therapy and a certified grief and trauma therapist through the Wendt Center for Healing in Washington, D.C and a licensed professional clinical art therapist in the state of Maryland. She currently works as part of a private clinician’s group, NoVa Grief Support and Counseling, dedicated to educating and supporting those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition, Jennifer is an adjunct faculty at The George Washington University in the Art Therapy program and a certified art therapy supervisor. She has successfully blended the areas of art therapy and traumatic grief when working with people of all ages by using art therapy techniques and interventions alongside traditional talk therapy to help support the difficult journey of grieving. Jennifer also enjoys presenting and conducting training for clinicians and community members through programs that have included the Goodwin Living Care Community, the Health and Wellness Program through the Falls Church City Public School, and the TAPS Institute for Hope and Healing^®. Over the past two years she has been involved in assisting grieving families through TAPS seminars during open studio experiences and workshops. Providing opportunities for the non-artist to experience creative expression as a healing tool is an important mission for Jennifer.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Open Art Studio

Audri Beugelsdijk

Audri Beugelsdijk serves as the Vice President of Survivor Services for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), overseeing immediate and long-term survivor support and outreach, and survivor programming. She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology. She came to TAPS as a survivor in March 1997 after her husband CTRSN Jason Springer, USN, was lost at sea in the Pacific from the USS Kinkaid. As a Navy veteran as well, Audri is passionate about supporting our military families. Her work in honor of her late husband is a testament to her passion for the TAPS mission and her desire to offer safe places of hope and healing for all those grieving a military loss.

Sunday Afternoon: Creating Meaning After Traumatic Loss

Frank Campbell, PhD, LCSW, CT

Dr. Frank Campbell is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center, where he is developing the first National Training Center for Suicidology. He is also Senior Consultant for Campbell and Associates Consulting where he consults with communities on Active Postvention efforts and Forensic Suicidology cases. During his more than thirty years of working with those bereaved by suicide he introduced his Active Postvention Model (APM) in 1997 it is most commonly known as the LOSS Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors). His work with survivors and victims of trauma has been featured in three discovery channel documentaries, multiple professional journals, and several book chapters. Frank has been a consultant to TAPS for years, beginning with the very first National Military Suicide Survivor Seminar in 2009.

Friday Afternoon: Grief Can Do THAT?
Saturday Afternoon: Men's Grief (men only) 
Sunday Morning: Metaphors for Healing

Bonnie Carroll

Bonnie Carroll is the President and Founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the leading national Military Service Organization providing comfort, care, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. Ms. Carroll founded TAPS following the death of her husband in an Army plane crash. She is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer, and she has served in the White House under three Presidents.

Sunday Afternoon (two sessions): God Winks

Mary Crenshaw, PsyD

Dr. Mary Crenshaw began her professional career in the military, where she served in various intelligence positions, including diplomatic assignments at the U.S Embassies in Berlin, Germany, Seoul South Korea, and Moscow, Russia. During her military career, she received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Korea Defense Medal. She is also the recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service. Dr. Mary Crenshaw joined the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office in January 2019 where she has served in various positions. She is currently the Program Manager for Outreach. In this position, she is supports DSPO’s postvention initiatives, including lived experience, and oversees wide-ranging suicide prevention outreach and engagement events and activities. Dr. Crenshaw holds a doctorate in psychology, a master’s degree in public administration, a master’s degree in strategic security studies, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Her doctoral research focused on postvention. She over 10 years of suicide-related experience. She has previously served as the Virginia Representative for NOPCAS, a non-profit organization addressing the issue of suicide prevention and intervention. As a survivor of suicide loss, she has previously volunteered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Loss and Healing Program. She is a certified grief counselor from the American Academy of Grief Counselors and a Grief Recovery Specialist certified through the Grief Recovery Institute. She has published on suicide and conducted suicide-related presentations.

Saturday Morning: Supporting Suicide Bereaved Children and Keeping Them Safe

Bob Delaney

Bob is an NBA Cares Ambassador, a member of the TAPS Board of Advisors and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Special Advisor Officiating Development/Performance. He served as the NBANBA's Vice President of Referee Operations and Director of Officials, after 25 seasons as an NBA referee. Prior to his career in professional basketball, Delaney was a highly decorated New Jersey State Trooper who went undercover to infiltrate the mafia; causing his post-traumatic stress journey. Delaney's firsthand experiences coupled with a passion to better understand mental health make him an expert on the subject. His efforts to educate and bring attention to the topic of post-traumatic stress have entailed visits to military troops around the world, including multiple trips to Afghanistan and Iraq. Described by retired General Robert Brown, U.S. Army Four Star Commander of the Pacific, as the "person who related to soldiers better than any visitor I have seen in my 36 years in the military," Delaney authored a book on the topic, Surviving the Shadows: A Journey of Hope into Post Traumatic Stress. He is also the author of Covert: My Life Infiltrating the Mob. His most recent book - Heroes are Human...Lessons in Resilience, Courage and Wisdom from the COVID Frontlines shares the emotional toll on our healthcare community as they fought an invisible enemy. He has been the subject of numerous media articles and shows including Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN. Delaney is with the University South Florida Corporate Training and Professional Education Office as Lead Instructor for Trauma Awareness, Resilience, Selfcare programs.

Saturday and Sunday Mornings: Healing Invisible Wounds: Resilience & Trauma Awareness

Robin Goodman, PHD, ATR-BC

Dr. Goodman is a psychologist and art therapist in private practice with a specialty in trauma, medical illness, and grief. Currently, she is also Associate Director of Public Education and Bereavement for Child HELP Partnership. Previously, she established child life and behavioral health programs at pediatric cancer services at Mt. Sinai and New York Univeristy (NYU) Medical Center and served as Executive Director and bereavement program director for A Caring Hand Founded in Memory of Billy Esposito and Co-Director of the New York University Child Study Center 9/11 Child and Family Recovery Program. She has served in leadership roles at the National Child Traumatic Stress and professional organizations. She is committed to increasing mental health awareness through various media and developed Caring for Kids After Trauma and Death: A Guide for Parents and Professionals. She also developed Making Connections, a child and family grief group curriculum. Book credits include, Childhood Revealed: Art Expressing Pain, Discovery and Hope, The Day Our World Changed: Children’s Art of 9/11, Ready to Remember: Jeremy’s Journey of Hope and Healing, and Rosie Remembers: Forever in Her Heart.

Friday Afternoon: What to Expect When Your Child is Grieving
Saturday Morning: Parenting the Resilient Grieving Child

Terah Herman-Saldaña

Terah has been a teaching artist for over 15 years and is a full-time member of The Theatre Lab staff, serving as the Director of Youth Programs. Terah has been teaching with the partnership program between TAPS and The Theatre Lab since 2019. In addition to her work at The Theatre Lab, she has worked as a teaching artist at Imagination Stage, West Chester Academy, The Center of Science and Industry, Starfire, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, The University of Kentucky, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She is an alum of the US Department of State International Exchange program, in which she took The Theatre Lab’s Life Stories program to Malaysia. She holds an M.A. in Theatre from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. in Theatre from Capital University.

Saturday Afternoon: Lightening the Load: Improv for Survivors with The Theatre Lab

Ashlynne Haycock-Lohmann

Ashlynne is Deputy Director, TAPS Policy and Legislation. She is the surviving daughter of SFC Jeffrey J. Haycock, who died in an Army training accident on April 12, 2002, and Nichole C. Haycock, an Air Force Veteran who died by suicide on April 25, 2011. She graduated with a bachelor’s in political science from American University in 2013. Before joining the TAPS staff, Ashlynne attended the Good Grief Camp for seven years and volunteered as a Good Grief Camp mentor for four years. As TAPS Policy and Legislative Deputy Director, she advocates on behalf of surviving families and also serves on the VA’s Advisory Committee on Education.

Sunday Afternoon: Using Your Voice for Change

Rachel Hunsell

Rachel has a background in experiential program development and facilitation, outdoor engagement, event management and public speaking. As the TAPS Outdoor Programs Manager, she develops, implements, enhances and supports programming across the TAPS network, fostering the connection of our grief journeys to the therapeutic power of nature and the wilderness. Understanding life's challenges will always arise, Rachel encourages survivors to reconnect with their inner strength by creating emotionally safe and understanding environments. As a survivor honoring the life and death of her brother, Marine Lance Corporal J. Kyle Price, she understands the valleys and mountaintops we experience along the journey after loss. The military community is both Rachel’s personal and professional home, where her efforts are directed in helping the community heal their trauma and grow through pain. Rachel obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with an emphasis on Public Relations from Southeast Missouri State University in 2013. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education with a degree in Recreation Therapy at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, where she also served as a Graduate Assistant at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center serving Southern Illinois veterans.

Saturday and Sunday Mornings: Morning Nature Walk

Rayanne Hunter

Rayanne Hunter is a MindBody Coach, yoga instructor, and equine facilitated learning practitioner. Having grown up in a military family, she served in the Army National Guard and is the surviving spouse of SSG Wesley Hunter. Leading to a passion for working whenever possible with military, their families, and the fallen military families. Specializing in trauma, grief, anxiety, post traumatic stress and woman’s empowerment she uses her knowledge from a variety of training backgrounds, interests and personal experiences to guide those she works with individually or within a group. A yoga enthusiast for the majority of her life, she loves being able to combine it with other tools, like mindbody and equine assisted coaching, yoga, meditation, reiki, modern shamanism, woman circles, body movement, outdoor therapy, nutrition and eating psychology principles. Continuously looking for ways to inspire people in their growth, through their transitions, and in learning to find their strength. Embracing trust and love of theirSelf again. Creating spaces for people to heal while exploring the person they are meant to be. Rayanne has worked with TAPS since 2010. She hosts events, mentors, facilitates workshops and grief care groups, is a member of the TAPS Advisory Board, and the TAPS International Team.

Saturday Afternoon and Sunday Morning: Chair Yoga and Wellness for Beginners

Erin Jacobson

Erin serves as the Director of Adult Programs for TAPS. Within the past decade, Erin has built transformative programming within the retreat and seminar programs with an emphasis in women's empowerment, art, mindfulness and nature based healing. At the heart of her workshops and programs is the desire to create spaces where survivors can feel safe to explore the difficult questions surrounding identity and purpose after loss. Erin resides in the Pacific Northwest and is the surviving partner of Army Ranger Corporal Jason Kessler. Along with a degree in counseling, her educational background includes nonprofit leadership, religious studies and art history.

Saturday Morning: Welcome to Women's Empowerment

Vicki Jay

Vicki Jay serves as Chief Executive Officer for the National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG). Combining her background and experience in education with her hospice and death care experience of championing services for individuals and families before and after a life-altering event, Ms. Jay has spent the last 30 years advocating for children who are bereaved. Notable milestones in her career include founding and serving as Executive Director of Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Center in Midland, Texas, holding the position of Interim Director for Hospice of Midland, and serving on a variety of state and national initiatives. Ms. Jay is recognized for her contributions to children’s advocacy, public speaking, community leadership, and education. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. Among them is the National Jefferson Award for Community Service, a prestigious national recognition that honors individuals who, without expectation of recognition, perform extraordinary acts of community and public voluntarism in America. Ms. Jay has worked with the Tragedy Assitance Program for Survivors (TAPS) for over 30 years as a member of the Adivsory Board, a trainer for youth programs, a leader with Youth Programs, and as a presenter.

Friday Afternoon: Adulting is Hard No Matter What And to Top It Off … I'm Grieving

Monica Johnson, MA, LPC

Monica Johnson is the Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office. Ms. Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field for 26 years and most recently served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Prior to this role she served as the Division Director for the Division of Behavioral Health for eight years, the Community Mental Health Director for three years, and the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Director for one year. Ms. Johnson has worked in community behavioral health in a variety of clinical, management and leadership roles, including program development and implementation of federally funded initiatives. Ms. Johnson has overseen and successfully implemented several programs funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, and Department of Education. Ms. Johnson earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology (minor in Communications) from Kennesaw State University and a graduate degree in Professional Counseling/Psychology at Argosy University. Ms. Johnson is a proud Alumnus of the Georgetown University Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Intensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia Certification at the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia.

Sunday Afternoon: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Who It Helps, When to Call, and What to Expect

Rachel Kodanaz

Rachel is a heart-minded author, speaker, and consultant helping her audiences embrace life’s challenges at work and at home. Overcoming her own adversity following the sudden death of her husband coupled with her experience in the management of large corporations, she is fully aware of the seesaw created when personal and professional challenges collide. Rachel was instrumental in creating and supporting all programs at HeartLight Grief and Loss Center in Denver as a facilitator, board member, and executive director. She has served as a Board of Director on numerous not-for-profits including Soaring Spirits International (Camp Widow) and Denver Grief Network Alliance and is a member of TAPS advisory board. Rachel has been speaking passionately to national audiences for 20 years, her work has been featured in numerous media outlets including Good Morning America, and her books (Finding Peace, One Piece at a Time, Living with Loss, One Day at a Time, and Grief in the Workplace) have received international acclaim.

Saturday Morning: Finding Your Voice Through Writing
Saturday Afternoon: Navigating a New Relationship with Family After a Loss
Sunday Morning: Managing Personal Possessions: Sorting Through Your Personal Belongings

Andy McNiel, MA

Andy is the Senior Advisor of Youth Programs for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Andy is an author and trainer on topics related to grief, bereavement, and end-of-life. He has been an advocate for healthy children, teenagers, and families throughout his career. He brings his dedication and expertise to TAPS, where he oversees, develops, and facilitates programming for young military survivors. He is co-founder and executive partner of The Satori Group, LLC, a national education, management, and consulting company that provides education, content development, training, and consultation in grief and loss. His leadership has guided the National Alliance for Grieving Children, the Amelia Center at Children's of Alabama, and Hospice of Martin and St. Lucie in South Florida. Andy is a trainer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; a member of the International Workgroup on Death, Dying, and Bereavement; and he previously served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). Andy holds an M.A. in counseling and a B.A. in religion.

Friday Afternoon: Managing Grief, Regret and Difficult Emotions
Sunday Morning: Spirituality & Grief: A Conversation About Faith and Belief After Loss

Bryanda Minix

Bryanda is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and educator, professional conversation starter and connector, cultivator of hope, and fierce advocate towards removing barriers to opportunity. Originally from Houston, Texas, she taught both academic and arts instruction. She relocated to D.C. in 2015, and works locally as an actor, writer, director, teaching artist, photographer, and improvisor.

Saturday Afternoon: Lightening the Load: Improv for Survivors with The Theatre Lab

Kaitlin Picard, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP

Kaitlin Picard is a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Home Base. She holds board certifications as a Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse Advanced Practice (CARN-AP). She completed her undergraduate work at Tufts University, receiving a bachelor's degree in biology. She also attended Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions where she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. As a registered nurse, Kaitlin worked in the Boston area at a methadone clinic and crisis stabilization unit, developing a special interest in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Prior to joining Home Base, Kaitlin worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner for a dual-diagnosis mental health and substance use partial hospitalization program. Kaitlin is honored to support veterans, service members and their families through her role in the Intensive Clinical Program and TBI program.

Sunday Morning: Coping With Substance Use and Addiction

Jenna Preston, PsyD, LP ART-BC

Dr. Preston is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist. She earned a Master's in Art Therapy from The George Washington University in 1996 and was an adjunct professor at George Washington University from 2010 to 2014. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from the American School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. in 2016 using her spouse's Post 911 GI Bill. Her career and training includes serving children, adolescents, and adults within community mental health, inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, correctional, residential substance abuse settings, and a unique opportunity to work with the Metropolitan Police in Washington, D.C. Dr. Preston is a proud (retired) military spouse. Her husband retired from the Air Force in 2015. While stationed overseas in England from 2003 to 2006, she opened a private art therapy practice serving military children and spouses. Currently, Dr. Preston works as a Clinical Psychologist at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado serving active duty military from all six branches, their spouses, and military children.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Open Art Studio

Denise Hall Brown Rollins, PhD

Dr. Rollins lives her purpose every day: helping people to Live Intentionally Fearlessly and Expectantly! As a L.I.F.E. Coach and L.I.F.E. Consultant, she helps individuals and organizations to purposefully maximize their effectiveness. Dr. Rollins knows the importance of living on purpose. Following the sudden and tragic deaths of her mother, son, aunt, and husband between 1995 and 2009, she opted to walk away from 25 years in Corporate America to pursue her passion. This includes using her education, experience, and skills to help individuals and organizations access the resources and relationships needed to master life. As a speaker and writer, Dr. Rollins is known for making audiences think, feel, and act as she shares her insightful messages. And as she impacts the lives of others, Dr. Rollins is committed to helping people address their grief from both death and life so they too might Survive (make it through life's challenges) and Thrive (maximize life's opportunities)!

Friday Afternoon and Saturday Morning: First Aid for the Grieving Heart

Amal Saade

Amal Saade has been teaching on the Theatre Lab faculty since 2007, and the Life Stories faculty since 2010. She is currently on the theater faculty at the Lab School of Washington, and has also taught at ArtStream, Inc., Imagination Stage, and Jamestown Elementary School. She is a graduate of The Theatre Lab’s Honors Acting Conservatory, and has performed at theaters including Theater J, Olney Theatre, 1st Stage, Rorschach Theatre, Taffety Punk, Young Playwright’s Theatre, and The Source Theatre Festival. Amal holds a master's in theatre education from Catholic University.

Saturday Afternoon: Lightening the Load: Improv for Survivors with The Theatre Lab

Alexander Silva

Alexander served in the United States Air Force from April 2011 to November 2023 in the Mental Health career field. In this clinical role he performed suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention for Active Duty service members in multiple settings and capacities. Additionally, he oversaw suicide response training for mental health personnel, and developed outreach programs across base communities. Following the loss of a friend in 2018, Alexander began volunteering the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter, initially serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors until tasked with a year-long assignment to Korea in 2020. Alexander returned to the D.C. Area to serve as Mental Health Flight Chief at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and rejoined his Chapter Board with approval to pilot a unique role in Military and Veteran Engagement. With the combined input of committee members from the Veteran community, Alexander was able to utilize his experience in military suicide prevention to bring AFSP's mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide to previously unreached communities. After 12 years and five assignments, Alexander separated from the military to join AFSP as the organization's first Manager of Military Programs.

Sunday Afternoon: Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Discussing Suicide

Carla Stumpf Patton, EDD, LMHC, NCC, FT, CCTP

Dr. Stumpf Patton serves as the Senior Director of Suicide Prevention & Postvention Programs at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), where she oversees programs and services provided to military community members and families after a suicide loss. She is a suicidologist and subject matter expert in the areas of grief, trauma, and suicide prevention, intervention, and Postvention, is a registered ASIST trainer in suicide first aid, and is trained in Psychological Autopsy Investigations and Crisis Response Planning. Dr. Stumpf Patton holds a B.S. in Psychology, an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Guidance Counseling, and a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology. Her dissertation research focused on military families bereaved by suicide, and was a key contributor in the development of the TAPS Suicide Prevention Model™. Dr. Stumpf Patton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Certified Fellow Thanatologist, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Florida Qualified Supervisor, and a counseling educator in higher academia. She is the surviving spouse of Sergeant Richard Stumpf, an Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor and Gulf War Era Combat Veteran who died by suicide in 1994, several days before their only child was born. She is remarried to a retired U.S. Marine, who was also a suicide survivor widower, with whom she shares five children.

Friday Afternoon: Ten Things We Know Can Help After Suicide Loss

Clare Stupinski, LICSW

Clare has worked as a clinical social worker at Home Base since 2018, providing mental health services to military service members, veterans, and their loved ones. She primarily works in the trauma-focused 2-week Intensive Clinical Program (ICP) where she does individual therapy, groups, and case management, incorporating cultural humility throughout. Her individual therapy is primarily in trauma and she is trained in Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy, and the Unified Protocol. She feels fortunate to have worked on Home Base's Families of the Fallen ICP in both group and individual capacities since its inception.

Saturday Morning: Home Base: Suicide Loss Trauma Treatment and Coping Skills

Jesse Tubb

MSG Jesse Tubb is currently serving his 27th year in the Army as a trumpet player in the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”. He spent the last 16 years competing in various endurance sports around the world. His accomplishments include competing in the 2019 Eco Challenge, an 11 day race in Fiji filmed on Amazon Prime, winning both the 2018 U.S. Adventure Racing Association National Championship and the 2022 24-hour Adventure Racing National Solo Championship, as well as numerous top 10 finishes in ultra marathons and triathlons. He's the Founder and Creator of GRIT Adventures, a youth program that uses adventure racing as a vehicle for teaching kids valuable life skills. Through this program, kids gain a greater understanding of their own capabilities, develop resilience, perseverance, conflict resolution skills, mindfulness, self awareness, and learn to work effectively with others. His mission is to help all his clients find ways to become more mindful, take ownership of how they react to life's challenges, and learn to find more peace and joy in their life.

Friday Afternoon: Building Emotional Resilience: Nurturing Inner Strength
Saturday Morning: Strengthening Bonds for the Grief Journey
Sunday Afternoon: Healing Beyond the TAPS Weekend

Kara Turner

Kara is a Life Stories teaching artist, and served as Marketing and Events Manager of The Theatre Lab from 2017 to 2022. Outside of The Theatre Lab, Kara has acted in The Welders' The Earth That Is Sufficient, Theatre Prometheus' (Anon)ymous, and in staged readings of new works and adaptations. Locally, her mixed media works and videos have been shown at Rhizome DC and DC Art Center. She also volunteers with Pyramid Atlantic Art Center.

Saturday Afternoon: Lightening the Load: Improv for Survivors with The Theatre Lab

William Wagasy

William Wagasy, a former Notre Dame football player under Coach Lou Holtz, William graduated with an accounting degree and a second major in philosophy in 1996. He went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in 2000 and his master's in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine in 2001. Following the attacks of 9/11, he enlisted in the Navy. He is a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL, having completed four combat tours from 2002 to 2012, three to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. After his time in the Navy, he served as the Director of Veterans Outreach for the Gary Sinise Foundation and continues to be an official ambassador for the foundation as well as sitting on the Advisory Board for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the Board Council for Hope for the Warriors, the West Coast Host Committee for the Navy SEAL Foundation and also on the Selection Committee for the Orange County Community Foundation's veteran initiative. Today he is the Vice President of National Sales, National Commercial Services for Commonwealth Land Title Company as well as for Fidelity National Title Group for Home Builder Services.

Saturday and Sunday Mornings: Kindness, Mental Resilience and the Courage to Be Where You Are

Candace Wheeler

Candace Wheeler is Director of TAPS Government & Legislative Affairs. As a staunch military family advocate with over 30 years' experience, Candace works to protect the rights and earned benefits of surviving families. TAPS is committed to improving support provided by both federal and state governments, and advancing policy and legislation to strengthen the families of the fallen. During the 116th Congress, Candace led efforts to finally eliminate the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) – Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset, commonly referred to as the "Widow's Tax". The TAPS policy team was instrumental in creating a new strategy, educating Congress, garnering support from veterans and military service organizations, and empowering surviving spouses to advocate on their own behalf. Candace is also a leading advocate for the families of those who died as a result of illnesses connected to toxic exposure while serving in the military, and represents TAPS on the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition. As the former President of The Military Coalition (TMC) and Chairman of the Board for the National Military Family Association (NMFA), and Spokesperson for the Save Our Benefit Coalition, Candace has championed military families before Congress, State Legislatures, Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). As a military spouse, Candace is committed to strengthening the military and veteran community, their families, caregivers and survivors.

Sunday Afternoon: Using Your Voice for Change

Lisa Zucker, MSW, LCSW, CT

Lisa is the owner of GriefTREE, a grief and trauma therapy practice offering Therapy, Resources, Education, and Events in South Florida. Lisa and her team of clinicians offer therapeutic services to people who have experienced losses of all kinds. She has served on boards including the TAPS Advisory Board, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center for Broward County, and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies infant mortality review board. Following the tragic events in 2019 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Lisa was a founding member of Professionals United for Parkland where she served on the board, assisted with trainings, and provides pro-bono services to families impacted by the shooting. During this time, Lisa also became trained in additional trauma interventions including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). After unexpectedly losing her father in 2019 and her brother in 2021, Lisa expanded her therapy practice to a group practice in order to reach more people who are grieving or had experienced trauma, knowing that this helped continue her family legacy of serving the community and caring for others. As a Qualified Supervisor and Certified Thanatologist, Lisa guides her team of clinicians in grief and trauma therapy as well as providing the community with debriefings following tragedies, educational opportunities, and events for grievers, caregivers, and professionals wanting to learn more about grief and trauma.

Friday Afternoon: More Than the Way They Died
Saturday Afternoon: Having Difficult Conversations About Suicide Loss
Sunday Morning: Grief & Preservation of Self After Trauma
Sunday Afternoon: The Physical Effects of Grief and Trauma