Speakers

Dr. Mike Thomson
For the past 25 years, Dr. Mike Thomson has been described as “The Master of Entertainment Comedy, Fun and Learning”. More than 2 million people worldwide have enjoyed his presentations. Over the years Dr. Mike has been an author, therapist, consultant, coach, educator, university professor, and internationally admired speaker. His wide variety of professional experience began in the public school system in Austin, Minnesota, where he worked between the schools, court system and the police department.

Dixie Jordan
Dixie Jordan is the parent of an adult son with ADHD, depression and learning disabilities. She has initiated numerous programs on behalf of children with disabilities, including a Statewide American Indian Project and a Project for Parents of Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders at PACER Center in Minneapolis. She is the Director of the Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE Project) at PACER, and author of numerous books, articles and training curricula related to special education law, services, and outreach to diverse families. Dixie is a highly sought speaker with a candid and forthright style that is both engaging and thought provoking.

Arabella Perez
Arabella Perez, licensed clinical social worker, is the Director of the "Thrive Initiative: A Trauma Informed System of Care" for the State of Maine. As director she focuses on the design and delivery of mental health services for children, youth and their families, affected by trauma. Prior to Thrive, Ms. Perez was the manager & coordinator of Child and Family Services for Tri County Mental Health Services in Lewiston, Maine where she implemented and supported the development of evidence based practices for children and families.

Brianne Masselli
Brianne Masselli is the Training and Continuous Quality Improvement Manager, formerly the Youth Engagement Specialist, for THRIVE, Maine’s Trauma Informed System of Care, and most recently has been the lead in creating a local Youth Advocacy Organization for youth and young adults affected by emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges.

Nancy Moore, LISW-S
Nancy is passionate about parents having the resources they need to meet the physical and emotional needs of their children. While serving as Vice-Chair for the Ohio Federation for Children’s Mental Health she has become an advocate for parents to be an active part of their children’s mental health treatment. She is the owner of Moore Development Strategies, LLC which offers consultation & professional development solutions for Non-Profit Organizations, Mental Health, Human Service, Early Childhood Professionals and Educators.  

Knute Rotto, MSW, ACSW
Knute I. Rotto, MSW, ACSW is the chief executive officer of Choices, Inc. He brings extensive experience to systems of care clinical and fiscal reform. Knute has held positions as a juvenile probation officer, child protection worker, and clinical manager for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Children’s Mental Health Demonstration Project in Madison, Wisconsin. Today, Knute has created a care management organization that has developed a cost effective, comprehensive local system of care using managed care technologies, wraparound philosophies, and an information technology platform that provides strengths-based care plans to youth and families.

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