Keynote Speaker 

Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D., President 
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
As President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Michele Nealon-Woods, Psy.D. oversees one of the most successful nonprofit professional graduate schools in the nation. As a result of Dr. Nealon-Woods’ leadership, The Chicago School continues to earn national recognition for its service to the community. An alumna of the school’s doctoral program in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Nealon-Woods later served as a faculty member and chair of this program at the Chicago Campus before moving to California. In 2006, Dr. Nealon-Woods received the institution’s Distinguished Teaching Award in the area of public service teaching, and is an accomplished writer and speaker on a wide range of psychology-related topics. She is also an active blogger for the Huffington Post.

Honorary Chairwoman 

Marilyn McCoo
Marilyn McCoo has enjoyed a multi-dimensional career as a singer and entertainer, host, actor and author. As a solo artist, a member of The 5th Dimension, and part of a duo with her husband of 44 years, Bill Davis, Jr., McCoo ranks among the top 10 black female vocalists of the rock era. She has received eight Grammy awards, numerous Gold and Platinum records, has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has enjoyed starring roles on television and stage.  

McCoo began her relationship with the Los Angeles Mission in the 1990s as a member of the Celebrity Action Council which worked with the women at the Anne Douglas Center. She joined the Los Angeles Mission Board in 2002, currently serving as vice chairperson. 

Presenters

Melody Bacon, Ph.D., Department Chair, MFT Program, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Melody is the department chair of the MFT programs, MA and Psy.D., for the Los Angeles, Westwood and Irvine campuses. She has been an instructor and administrator for over 15 years and has been with the Chicago School of Professional Psychology for over 5 years. She has a passion for teaching and mentoring new mental health professionals.In addition to her work with TCSPP, Dr. Bacon is a clinical psychologist specializing in relational issues. Her clinical orientation devolves around the work of Dr. Carl Jung and is informed by Bowen Family Systems. She is the author of The Grace Filled Divorce (2012).

Lee Broekman, Principal, Organic Communication
Lee provides communication and management guidance to professionals and firms. An expert in persuasion, presentation and interpersonal communication, Lee trains decision makers in top organizations to communicate, collaborate and innovate naturally and effectively. Lee is a frequent speaker in legal and business gatherings. She coaches Am Law 100 law firm leaders and senior managers of Fortune 1000 companies. Lee shows executives and attorneys how to attract clients, increase productivity, innovate service and adopt smart strategies. A professor for over 15 years, Lee has taught courses at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Marshall School of Business, guest teaches at UCLA, and is on the leadership faculty of the California Health and Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.

Lori Chaikin, MFT, Director of Workplace Wellness Division, Blue Heron Wellness
Lori has advanced training in both traditional and non-traditional psychology and has been in practice for over 17 years. She has been very involved with the program “Freedom To Choose” that brings workshops to maximum security prisons for both men and women. Lori received her Doctorate from Ryokan University and holds Masters degrees in Clinical Art Therapy from Loyola Marymount University and Spiritual Psychology with an emphasis on Consciousness, Health and Healing from the University of Santa Monica. She is a Level 2 trained EMDR clinician with an emphasis on Mindfulness and Attachment based trauma therapy.  Lori also has extensive training in Trauma through the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine. She continues her training in Psychodrama and is a SoulCollage Facilitator. 

Judith facilitates trainings that focus on communication, management, collaboration and leadership.  Judith is especially interested in issues of well-being and the high-achieving professional. A lawyer, lecturer at UCLA School of Law, certified mediator and coach in social and emotional intelligence, Judith creates programs for service professionals and executives who are driven to thrive both professionally and personally. Judith practiced law before her segue into business communications. She was Associate Director of Communications at the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan economic think tank, and she headed the marketing and professional development department at Buchalter Nemer, a full-service business law firm.

Alina Gorgorian, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Clear View Women's Center for Borderline and Emotion Regulation Disorders
Alina is the clinical director of the Clearview Women’s Center for Borderline and Emotion Regulation Disorders in Venice California. She was brought on board to develop a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program. Currently, she oversees this internationally recognized comprehensive residential DBT program for women. She manages a multidisciplinary team of 25 master’s and doctoral level mental health providers and a psychiatrist, provides clinical supervision and consultation, conducts workshops and teaches a DBT course. 

Jenn has managed the Downtown Women's Center's Permanent Supportive Housing, Medical and Mental Health Programs for over 4 years. Jenn currently oversees DWC’s Trauma-Informed Day Center and specialized field-based programs such as HUD-VASH, SSVF and Housing for Health. In total, these programs serve over 4,000 women a year throughout Los Angeles County. With over thirteen years of experience in the public and private sector, she is responsible for streamlined program operations and developing high-performing teams. Jenn also provides technical assistance on program design, implementation, evidence-based practices, and capacity building. She holds a Master of Social Work from UCLA.

Jane Mirshak, Executive Director, Naam Yoga LA Healing and Research Center
Jane Mirshak has gratefully served as Executive Director of Naam Yoga LA Healing and Research Center 501c3 for the past  four years and for four years prior to that while headquartered in New York City. She leads the Community Outreach effort at Naam Yoga LA designed to help spread Naam Yoga Therapies throughout the LA area and beyond, free of charge or at low cost, for those in need. This year alone the Community Outreach Program has reached over 10,000 people in the LA Metro area. The Chamber of Commerce of Santa Monica awarded Jane The Chairman Award for her service to the community in June, 2015. Ms. Mirshak works closely with other local non-profit organizations, civic organizations and almost anyone who seeks to experience the healing impact and joy that Naam Yoga delivers. She is an ERYT 200 with Yoga Alliance and teaches both Naam Yoga Therapies and Shakti Naam Yoga. Her teaching has led her across the United States from California to Washington, D.C., to several countries in Europe and Mexico.

Rev. Sheree Thompson, Minister and Professional
Life Coach
Minister, spiritual teacher, life empowerment coach, dynamic motivational speaker, radio host and writer, Sheree is committed to teaching and enabling people to experience their highest vision of life. She serves as the Assistant Minister and Director of Spiritual Education at Understanding Principles for Better Living Church (UP Church) overseeing both adult and youth programs. Sheree teaches traditional and online classes and workshops based on the mystical teachings of Jesus, such as effective prayer, spiritual healing and visioning.In addition to her work at UP Church, she is also a licensed professional Life Coach focused on helping single moms and dads create a healthy co-parenting partnership for the individual and collective peace, success and well-being for the entire family unit. Sheree also facilitates life-changing Empowerment Parties for groups, couples and individuals who are ready to take their life experiences to higher heights. An experienced motivational speaker, she also delivers powerful keynote addresses to organizations around the country.

Jessica Torres, Doctoral Student, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Jessica Torres is a Marriage and Family Therapist/Art Therapist. Ms. Torres is currently a third year MFT doctorate student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jessica received her Master degree in MFT/Art Therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. She enjoys using art therapy with children, adults and their families. Ms. Torres is currently working with Building Bridges Program as a case supervisor with families whose children have autism, down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. She has been practicing for the last six years.

Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education, UCLA's Mindfulness Awareness Research Center
Diana has been the Director of Mindfulness Education at UCLA Semel Institute’s Mindful Awareness Research Center since 2006. She is the co-author (with Susan Smalley, Ph.D.) of Fully Present: The Science, Art, and Practice of Mindfulness and the CD, "Mindful Meditations” (2008). She has been teaching mindfulness nationally and internationally since 1993 and has brought mindful awareness into schools, hospitals, businesses, and nonprofits, as well as to leaders, educators, and health professionals in the US and Asia. Her work has been mentioned in the New York Times, Newsweek, O Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, CBS and ABC News, and the LA Times, among others. She has been called by the LA Times: “one of the nation’s leading mindfulness teachers.”