Speakers & Presenters

Opening Speakers

Elizabeth R. Cantwell, President, Utah State University (she/her)

Elizabeth R. Cantwell became Utah State University’s 17th president on Aug. 1, 2023.

At the time of her appointment, she served as the senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona, where she was responsible for an $825 million annual research portfolio and a research and innovation enterprise that spanned 20 academic colleges with locations across Arizona, 12 university-level centers and institutes, and other major research-related affiliated organizations conducting classified and contractual work.

She also devoted time to student-athlete focused programs and projects, believing that athletics programs have power to help land-grant universities serve the public and raise awareness of the good these institutions do in communities.

Cantwell previously served as Arizona State University’s vice president for research development and CEO of the ASU Research Enterprise. She led an organization of 150 and grew the overall research enterprise at ASU from $435 million to $680 million over three years, and in her CEO role, she grew the applied research entity from no contracts to $15 million in annual awards.

Before her work in university research leadership, she served the U.S. national security mission as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s director for economic development and director for engineering mission strategy, and earlier as the deputy associate director for global security at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she worked with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and NASA.

Cantwell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School (MBA, 2003); the University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, 1992); and the University of Chicago (BA, Human Behavior 1976).

A member of the National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on NASA Critical Workforce, Technology & Infrastructure, Cantwell participated in its most recent Academy Strategic Planning Committee. She has served as the co-chair of the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board and as a member of several National Academies studies in space science, space systems engineering, National Laboratories operations, and advanced manufacturing. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in industrial science and technology.

Jill Anderson, CEO, CAPSA (she/her)

Jill Anderson, as the CEO and Executive Director of CAPSA (Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse), has dedicated three decades to championing the rights of survivors and driving systemic change. Under her visionary leadership, CAPSA has emerged as a beacon of hope, setting the standard for social service agencies across Utah and Idaho. CAPSA is recognized as the North Star of social service agencies in Utah and the premier nonprofit organization for domestic violence and sexual assault support and recovery in the region.

Jill’s career began in the social services sector, working with at-risk youth at the Cache County Juvenile Detention Center and Bear River Mental Health. It was her transformative volunteer experience at CAPSA, however, that marked a pivotal moment in her life - igniting a passionate commitment to aiding survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Witnessing firsthand the resilience and hope of the families she served, Jill vowed to dedicate her career to preventing abuse and supporting those in need.

Ascending to the role of Executive Director in 1997, Jill has steered CAPSA from a modest single-home shelter to a robust support network. Under her stewardship, CAPSA now boasts a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the intricate needs of survivors, including shelter, advocacy, therapy, and support for over a thousand individuals annually.

Jill’s expertise and relentless commitment have positioned her as a leading voice in policy discussions at both state and federal levels. Her advocacy has led to significant policy shifts and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from Utah State University’s Center for Women and Gender, and in 2023, both the Melvin C. Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award and the Utah Governor’s Spirit of Service Award. These honors celebrate her lifelong dedication and significant impact on the field, alongside her extraordinary advocacy for survivors and efforts in community empowerment.

Jill's unwavering commitment to empowerment-based, survivor-informed initiatives propels her mission to nurture a community where individuals and families can find refuge, support, and the chance to flourish. She champions the belief that through knowledge, strength, and communal support, survivors can establish safe and stable homes, catalyzing positive change within the community.

With a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a Master of Business Administration from Southern Utah University, Jill’s academic achievements complement her extensive fieldwork, equipping her to lead CAPSA with compassion and strategic insight. Her journey from a devoted volunteer to the CEO of CAPSA is a testament to her profound influence on countless lives and her steadfast commitment to eradicating domestic violence and sexual assault.

Keynote | Rachel Louise Snyder | No Visible Bruises

Author, Journalist, and Domestic Violence Advocate

Rachel Louise Snyder (she/her)

Rachel Louise Snyder is the author of Fugitive Denim: A Moving Story of People and Pants in the Borderless World of Global Trade, the novel What We’ve Lost is Nothing, No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us and the memoir Women We Buried, Women We Burned (May ’23), a best book of the year from Kirkus and Audible, among others. Her work has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times magazine, the Washington Post and on NPR, and she was a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow. No Visible Bruises was awarded the 2018 Lukas Work-in-Progress Award, the 2020 Book Tube Prize, the 2020 New York Public Library’s Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism and the Sidney Hillman Book Award for social justice. It won Best Book in Translation in Taiwan in 2021 and has been translated into Russian, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Turkish, Spanish, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian, and others. It received starred reviews from Kirkus, Book Riot and Publisher’s Weekly and was named one of the best books of 2019 by the Los Angeles Times, Esquire, Amazon, Kirkus, the Library Journal, the Economist, and BookPage; the New York Times included it in their “Top Ten” books of 2019. No Visible Bruises was also a finalist for the Kirkus Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the LA Times Book Award, and the Silver Gavel Award.

Over the past two decades, Snyder has traveled to sixty countries, covering stories of human rights, gender-based violence, natural disasters, displacement and war. She lived, for six years, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and two years in London before relocating to Washington, DC in 2009. Originally from Chicago, Snyder holds a B.A. from North Central College and an M.F.A. from Emerson College. She was a Guggenheim Fellow in 2020-2021. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Pittsburgh, Boston, and London. She is currently a professor in creative writing in the MFA program at American University.

Land Acknowledgment | Darren Parry

Darren is the former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. He serves on the board of directors of PBS Utah and the Utah Humanities Council. He is the author of the Bear River Massacre, A Shoshone History. Darren works tirelessly to make sure his people are not forgotten, and his passions in life are his family and his Aggie family.

MC | Chris Wilson

Chris Wilson completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a finance emphasis, at Utah State University, and is a proud Aggie! He is a third-generation owner of a family business, Wilson Motor Company. Volunteerism and community service are important to Chris. He has served in various capacities both in professional and non-profit associations and is committed to actively supporting CAPSA and other local organizations. He has served as State Senator for District 2 (in Cache and Rich Counties) since he was elected in 2020. He and his wife, Kiersten have a blended family of ten children and twenty-one grandchildren.

Breakout Sessions

Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace: An HR Perspective on Ethical Challenges and Solutions

The impacts of domestic violence are felt in the workplace and its presence introduces some ethical implications for employers and managers. In this session, we'll explore how to identify the signs of domestic violence in an employee population and the scope of its impact. We also discuss how to support employees when their lives intersect with domestic violence. Finally, we'll share how partnering with an organization like CASPA can help an employer navigate this complex environment.

Shauna Karren (she/her)

In her 17 years at Conservice, Shauna has seen the company grow from 100 to over 3,000 employess today. She led training and marketing before moving to HR in 2016. In her current role, she supports senior operations leaders as well as their employees. She's partnered with CAPSA on multiple projects and joined their board in early 2023.

Addressing Stalking: A Collaborative Approach

This presentation will break down the basics of criminal stalking, ways that stalking can be investigated to best support the survivors, and the possible roadblocks needed to overcome. It will provide an overview of different resources available through criminal and civil avenues.

Nick Bowman (he/him)

Nick Bowman has been employed as a law enforcement officer in Cache Valley for the last 13 years. Six of those years has been as an investigator. His current role is as a Special Investigator with the Cache County Attorney's Office.

Ronnie Keller

Ronnie Keller is the Chief Prosecutor for the Cache County Attorney's Office. He is a Cache Valley native with a deep love for the community in which he was raised. The desire to engage in a legal career among the criminal justice system surfaced early in his life, and his ability to prosecute crimes committed against victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking materialized early in his career.

An Introduction to Practicing Cultural Competency

In this presentation, we will delve into the concept of cultural humility in case management, focusing on the importance in providing equitable services to diverse populations such as refugees, immigrants, and those with limited English proficiency. We will explore key aspects including the continuum of cultural competency, practical strategies for application and other facets of cultural understanding. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into effective communication and collaboration with clients of diverse backgrounds. By the end of the session, participants will emerge equipped with actionable knowledge and skills that will help them be more inclusive and effective in their case management strategies.

Annette Vazquez-Torres (she/her)

Annette Vazquez-Torres serves as the Justice Program Coordinator for Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC). Her position involves consistent collaboration with Citizens Against Physical and Sexual Abuse (CAPSA) on multiple federal grants from the Office on Violence Against Women. Her work is targeted towards encouraging positive interactions among refugees, immigrants and the justice system through education, program development, and collaboration. Annette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Utah State University, and is passionate about equal access to justice.

Daniel Beus (he/him)

Danny’s story with refugees and immigrants begins at a young age. Being the son of an immigrant mother, Danny has spent his entire life surrounded and supported by diverse communities. Because of this positive impact on his life, Danny has found ways to give back to these communities in every aspect of his career. Danny brings several years of advocacy and 5+ years of nonprofit management and 15+ years working in Social Services. He is a graduate of Utah State University and enjoys spending time with his family exploring Utah’s lovely public lands and traveling with his wife, Kathryn. Danny is the Executive Director of the Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection, a local nonprofit that serves the refugee and immigrant community of Cache Valley. Recently, CRIC has become Utah’s 3rd resettlement agency and the first outside of Salt Lake County.

Cultivating Linguistic Resilience: A Leadership Imperative for Multilingual Service Workers in Human Services

This presentation aims to shed light on the issue of multilingual burnout among human service providers and professionals. It emphasizes the crucial role of leadership in cultivating a supportive environment for these workers. We examine the unique challenges faced by multilingual workers, and make a compelling call to action for administrators to increase incentives for this essential workforce. Through a nuanced understanding of linguistic resilience, the session offers practical strategies for leaders to implement, promoting a healthier and more sustainable work environment. The attendees of this session will gain insights into the specific needs of multilingual service workers and acquire the tools to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes their well-being and maximizes their contributions. We invite you to take part in this critical dialogue on leadership and multilingualism in the human services sector.

Luis Rodriguez (he/him/his/Él)

Luis is a highly skilled social work professional who possesses fluency in both English and Spanish languages. He has extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs for a diverse range of communities. Luis firmly believes in the values of anti-oppression and anti-racism, reflected in his work approach. He is a proficient bridge-builder who excels in creating and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders. Luis has worked with many underrepresented groups, managing multi-agency program development, leading community coalition-building efforts, and mentoring students of color. His impressive background and exceptional skills make him an invaluable asset to any team.

Dangers of Strangulation & IPV: Why An Exam?

In this presentation, we will discuss the anatomy & function of the structures in the neck, as well as the dangers of strangulation and the importance of recommending medical care. Additionally, we will discuss interpersonal violence (IPV) & the high rate of domestic violence (DV) homicide for women in Utah. We will give an overview of the legislative funding available to pay for the strangulation exam.

Trish Crump (she/her)

Trish has been a nurse for 20 years and has been a forensic nurse for 14 years. She works as a Adolescent/Adult Forensic Nurse and Educator for Wasatch Forensic Nurses (WFN). She is a SANE Program Educator with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). Trish has specialized training in the sexual assault exam process, strangulation & interpersonal violence, touch DNA, DFSA, and human trafficking.

Empowerment: Helping Survivors Navigate the Resources and Decision Making

As a victim service provider, one of the most important things for us to keep in mind is that most of the people we serve have had their ability to consent taken from them. As we do our best to support and help, it's important for us to also ensure that these individuals feel empowered to make their own decisions. In this presentation, we'll have a discussion about the best methods and practices that empower and enable those we serve to make decisions for themselves.

Shaun Anderson (he/they)

Shaun Anderson is a Victim Advocate at the USU SAAVI Office. His background is in English education.

Ending Sexual Violence in the Military: The UTNG and Community Partners Coming Together

This presentation will focus on educating the community about the UTNG Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and how it has improved over the years. It will include information about the investigative process, procedures and protocols; which services we can provide and what services we require from the community. We will also discuss our outreach and education efforts (trauma informed) to hopefully prevent sexual assault and harassment, and intimate partner violence.

Andrew Kalinen (he/him)

Veteran of Air Force stationed in AZ, Turkey, NH and UT; Therapist specializing in Trauma; last three years as the Utah National Guard Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Officer. Married to wife JaNae; household of dogs, cats, a snake and a chicken.

Jessica Osman (she/her)

Jessica has spent the past 8 years working in the advocacy, crisis response, and trauma response fields. She has worked in a variety of settings including the rape recovery center, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, the district attorney's office, and now the Utah National Guard. Jessica's desire to support survivor's and support prevention efforts led her to her current position as the Victim Advocate Coordinator for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Team with the Utah National Guard. In her free time, Jessica enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her three dogs, and gardening with her partner.

Hope, Justice, and Healing: Using Courts and Legal Processes to Help Victims Heal, Hold Killers Accountable, and Recover after the Homicide

The legal process can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for those who have lost a loved one to homicide. This workshop is designed to provide survivors of homicide with an overview of the legal system and how it pertains to their situation, whether it be homicide, dui homicide, domestic violence homicide, a cold case etc. Participants will learn about their rights as crime victims, the criminal justice process, the various civil justice systems, and social programs. We will cover topics such as victim compensation, protective orders, and navigating the court system. We will also provide tips on how to work effectively with attorneys, law enforcement, and other legal professionals.

Brandon Merrill

Brandon Merrill is the Executive Director of Utah Homicide Survivors, a nonprofit organization that provides support and resources to those who have lost a loved one to homicide. With years of experience working in the field of victim services, Brandon is dedicated to helping survivors heal and find justice. In 2022, Brandon worked with legislators to pass 3 laws to make it easier for families to obtain justice over perpetrators and implement the strongest “Slayer Rule” in the country. While he did not start UHS as a survivor, he became one when his cousin was killed in a road rage incident in 2022.

Leading the Charge Against Vicarious Trauma: Understanding Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma, and What You Can Do About It

This presentation will aim to define the constructs and symptomology of the phenomenon of burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma. We will explore the consequences of untreated vicarious trauma. Personal and organizational strategies for prevention and management will be presented. Participants will be offered a self-assessment tool to support their ongoing efforts to mitigate and manage the effects of working with trauma survivors.

Taya Burzlaff (she/her)

Taya is a clinical therapist at CAPSA specializing in trauma and recovery related to domestic and sexual violence. She has spent time at CAPSA studying the impacts of working with individuals who have experienced personal trauma. In her free time, Taya enjoys going kayaking with her family, doing paint by numbers kits, and relaxing on the couch.

LGBT+ 101

In this fast-paced training, participants will learn about key terminology, microaggressions, differences between sex/gender/sexuality, and other issues pertaining to the LGBT+ community. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and reflect on their ability to become an ally for the LGBT+ community.

Erika-Danielle Lindstrom (she/her)

Erika-Danielle Lindstrom (she/her) is a sociology doctoral student at Utah State University focusing on social inequality. She is also the LGBT+ and Ally Coordinator for the USU Inclusion Center and her role is to support our LGBT+ and Ally community through advocacy, education, leadership, and community building events.

Role and Power of Family in Ending Violence: How to “Do Family Right”

Family relationships often hold greater power to harm or to heal individuals than do societal forces. Community organizations and initiatives do well when leaders direct their influence toward building strong families, especially in the fight to end violence. Yet how exactly are strong families built? And how can we approach that question for both the victim and the perpetrator of violence? This presentation lays out a blueprint for strong families that would end violence and strengthen communities if universally applied.

L. Reece Nielson (he/him)

Twenty five years of experience with mental health and family services. Constantly affected by trauma and resilience and endlessly curious about the power of families to harm and to heal. Graduate of Virginia Tech (PhD Marriage and Family Therapy), U. of Alabama at Birmingham (MA Agency Counseling), and Utah State University (BA Family and Human Development).

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth: How Positive Adult Relationships Become Violence Prevention

This presentation will explore why LGBTQ+ youth are at an increased risk of violence in their homes, schools, and communities, and how fostering safe, supportive relationships with adults can be an effective strategy for prevention.

Kelsey Crowson (she/her)

Kelsey Crowson (she/her) is the Director of Cache Pride Center, an organization providing safety and support to Cache Valley’s LGBTQ+ youth. She is currently in her second year of her doctoral program in School Psychology at Utah State University where she specializes in LBGTQ+ youth issues and self-regulated learning. Prior to her current role, she was a 7th grade English teacher in Wyoming where she helped to establish a network of support for sexual and gender minority youth as well as mental health and behavioral support for all youth within the local school system.

Using AI and Emotional Intellegence to Create Collaborative Leaders

If we own our own company, we are CEOs. If we are in leadership within a larger organization, similar skills are needed, without the title. In this workshop, we explore the concept of Collaborative Leadership as we seek to lead our lives and teams with purpose and intention. You'll engage in hands-on exercises designed to strengthen your leadership skills in Connection, Presence and Vision for your Life-Impact. Unlock the transformative power of leading yourself FIRST.

Miriam Gunn, LMFT, PCC, MS (she/her)

Miriam Gunn, MS, LMFT, PCC is the founder and CEO of Leave Better, Inc. a company dedicated to helping 7-figure owners (and other entrepreneurial high performers) develop both their current ventures and also their secondary heart-focused mission—All toward leaving your world better than it was. With almost 40 years invested in the growth of others (through her leadership roles in a global non-profit, as a licensed therapist and running her own businesses), she is no stranger to what it takes to succeed and flourish (not always the same thing!) She partners with her clients to integrate the habits, systems, and mindsets that are required to break through to their next level of success and joy. With her support, they are able to accomplish their larger dreams.