Shelly Beaver, MS, CTRS is a Senior Lecturer in the Ellmer College of Health Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU), with a teaching focus in Recreational Therapy and Health Sciences. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) with over 10 years of clinical experience in physical rehabilitation, long-term care, and community settings and over 14 years of teaching experience in recreational therapy and disability culture. Shelly is also a doctoral scholar in Human Movement Sciences at ODU with research interests in the intersection of recreational therapy practice and disability studies concepts.

Jo Burns (CTRS) is known for her work bringing together professionals from parks, recreation, public health, built environment, libraries and non-profit health organizations.  She is the Director and co-founder of the Colorado Public Health/Parks & Recreation Collaborative and the Chief Connection and Collaboration Officer for Jo Burns Connects, LLC. Jo is a skillful connector with experience in community, camp, professional association and higher ed parks, recreation and TR settings.  Jo has served as an educator in park, recreation, TR and camp management at Indiana University and Metro State University Denver. She has earned accolades as the TR of the Year in Colorado, Public Health Hero of the Year, and the CPRA President’s Award. Jo's superpower is creating unique multi-sector education opportunities with the goal of improving community health. She serves on the Apex Park & Recreation District Board of Directors, the Region Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership (RIHEL) Board of Directors and the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Board of Directors.  With numerous public speaking engagements, and critically acclaimed workshops, Jo is a recognized expert in parks and public health arenas. She really enjoys bringing people together to cultivate health, promote connections and belonging in organizations and communities. Given the opportunity, Jo would rather hit a trail covered in dirt or snow than sit in front of her computer. And she always rolls up her reusable grocery bags when she gets back from the store.

As Executive Director for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Dementia Care Center of Excellence, Carrie is responsible for the integration of dementia care services across the various settings that comprise the Network.  This includes spearheading dementia care program development to maintain state-of-the-art programming uniformly across campuses. It also includes planning and implementing ongoing educational programs that ensure that every team member at every level of the organization has the understanding and competencies to meet the holistic needs of persons living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Carrie is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships that can support the Network in our goal of enhancing the quality of life both for the individuals impacted by the disease as well as the family caregivers coping with the disease as well as the creation of the Dementia Care Center of Excellence: Expanding our Reach through the Center for Innovation and Care Transformation.

Emily joined the Eden Alternative Home Office Team in July 2023 as a Community Builder. She has her bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from York College of PA and her master’s degree in Long Term Care Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Dementia Practitioner with 25 years of long-term care experience. Emily has been an adjunct faculty member at York College of PA since 2006.

Shay Dawson is an Associate Professor of Disability Studies & Community Inclusion as well as Recreational Therapy and Rehabilitation within the College of Education and Human Services at Central Michigan University. Dr. Dawson is also an adjunct faculty member in the College of Medicine specializing in disability and medicine trainings. Dr. Dawson received his PhD from Indiana University’s School of Public Health-Bloomington. His research interests focus on the development of evidence-based psychosocial support programs for clients impacted by disability and chronic illness. Shay offers a faculty led study abroad trip each summer focused on disability in Southeast Europe and also leads a Disability and Medicine Seminar Series in the College of Medicine at Central Michigan University. Dr. Dawson is the former Director of Bradford Woods, Indiana University’s 2,500 acre universally designed outdoor center offering pediatric medical specialty camps through Riley Hospital for Children as well as therapeutic programs focused on veterans, families, and equine-assisted activities. Leadership roles include the former Board Chair for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Academic Coordinator at Central Michigan University and Indiana University, Supervisor for the Therapeutic Services Behavioral Health Department at Bethesda Hospital, and as an Associate Editor for both the American Journal of Recreation Therapy and the Therapeutic Recreation Journal. Shay has co-authored, with Dr. David Austin, the 9th edition of the textbook Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques: Evidence Based Recreational Therapy. Dr. Dawson has received the Michigan Association of State Universities Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, David Austin Member of the Year Award from the Recreation Therapists of Indiana chapter, as well as the Unsung Hero Award and two adjunct teacher of the year awards from Indiana University’s School of Public Health.

Pat Griffith is a certified Tai Chi Chuan instructor and founder and President of Chair Chi. He has been teaching at health clubs, senior and wellness centers and senior facilities since 1997. He has taught locally, state, national and international seminars and demonstrations since 2010.

Jess Jones, BRLS(Hons)TR, TRS Owner and Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Jess Jones Recreation Therapy (JJRT) Jess Jones holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. As the founder of Jess Jones Recreation Therapy (JJRT), Jess creates inclusive, person-centered programs that promote wellness, personal growth, and community connection. Specializing in neurodivergent individuals, seniors, and those facing life challenges, Jess integrates evidence-based practices to deliver impactful recreational experiences through art, music, cooking, and more.

Sherri McGregor, a recently retired engagement specialist from Penn State Altoona, dedicated 42 years to fostering community connections and enhancing student experiences. Known for her commitment to inclusivity, she developed programs that promoted collaboration among students, faculty, and local organizations. Sherri’s initiatives focused on increasing student involvement and civic engagement, earning her recognition both within the university and beyond. Now, she continues to work with local organizations, advocating for initiatives that empower communities. In her free time, Sherri enjoys gardening, spending time with family, and looks forward to traveling and new adventures.

Kelly Munly, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Penn State Altoona Department of Human Development and Family Studies, with a research and teaching focus in Adult Development and Aging. Her doctoral degree in Human Development, as well as Gerontology and Future Professoriate certificates, are from Virginia Tech. In academia, government contract settings, nonprofits, and direct care settings, she has studied and worked with a range of topics, including adult family care, caregiving relationships, intersectionality, intergenerational programming, and community-based public health intervention.

Deanna Page, MSCP, LPC, NCC, CDP, is a Program Specialist on the Jewish Healthcare Foundation's Aging Initiatives team. She is also a Statewide Co-coordinator for Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania and Dementia Friends Pennsylvania, and she assists with the PA Long-Term Care Learning Network and related aging and policy efforts at the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Deanna served as a care coordinator for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network’s Dementia360 program, where she worked directly with family caregivers of persons living with dementia to educate and support their efforts in providing quality care in the home setting and extending the length of time living at home for the person living with dementia. She has experience as a Care Coach with Familylinks, Inc. in the Caregivers First Initiative, which administered Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II, a structured caregiver intervention based on individualized caregiver needs, to family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias. Deanna also has experience in family-based mental health services with UPMC on the OCD and anxiety disorders team. Previously, she volunteered with the Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh initiative and was the co-chair of Dementia-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, a collaboration built to create awareness and engagement throughout the community about dementia and how we can support those living with dementia and their care partners. Deanna earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Allegheny College and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Vicky is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Certified Dementia Practitioner, HealthRhythm drumming facilitator, and have been using Expressive Arts, (music, dance, visual arts, psychodrama, improv, storytelling, poetry, journaling, therapeutic drumming, leisure coaching, therapeutic photography, and mindful walking) and an eco-psychosocial approach to treatment in clinical and community settings for over 40 years.