Dr. Lauren Chase is a passionate Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a founder of Climbing Hills Counseling and core faculty at Walden University. With a PhD in Counselor Education from UNC Charlotte and extensive experience in both child and adult development, Dr. Chase is dedicated to empowering high-achieving women, children, and families to overcome anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Drawing from her work as a play therapist and educator, she combines compassion with evidence-based techniques to support clients in achieving personal growth and healing. Through her practice, Dr. Chase helps individuals of all ages develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate life's challenges and reach their full potential.

André Collard is a Senior Administrator in the Office of Professional Learning, where he supports central service employees in developing their professional learning skills. With over a decade of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and coordinating teacher, André brings a wealth of expertise in educational leadership and instructional best practices. He facilitates key courses such as Getting Things Done, Crucial Influencer, Planning Purposeful Professional Learning, and Dynamic Delivery of Professional Learning, empowering educators to enhance their impact through effective professional learning strategies.

Ms. Córdoba Montoya is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in psychology and a growing specialization in cognitive science and neurophilosophy. A deep curiosity about consciousness, trauma resilience, and the philosophical foundations of the mind drives her academic path. She has published on the nature of phenomenal consciousness and currently collaborates on research that explores the psychological impact of childhood adversity and the healing potential of creative expression. With hands-on clinical experience and a passion for integrative research, Ms. Córdoba Montoya aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the mind sciences, contributing meaningfully to both academic inquiry and real-world mental health outcomes.

Co-presenter: Dr. Whitney Wall is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Fayetteville State University. She teaches various undergraduate and graduate-level psychology courses including health psychology, personal adjustment, and research methods. She's also a counseling psychologist with a background in public health and her specific research interests include patient-centered culturally sensitive healthcare delivery, culturally sensitive health promotion, community participatory research, and exploring the associations among social system injustices and health.

Dr. Deni recently retired after 54 years as a school psychology trainer at Appalachian State University. He has been a member of NCSPA since 1976. During his tenure, he has had the privilege of serving as NCSPA President five times. He is the recipient of the NCSPA Jack Bardon Lifetime Achievement Award, now the Dr Jim Deni Lifetime Achievement Award since 2018. In 2022 he was named the Trainers of School Psychologists' (TSP) Trainer of the Year for his Outstanding Contributions and Service to the field of School Psychology. He is an active researcher and presenter at state and national conferences.

Co-Presenter: Chelsea Chapman, Appalachian State University 
Chelsea graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.A. in psychology in May 2021. After working as a research assistant at the UNC Mother Infant Studies Lab for two years, she enrolled in Appalachian State University's Master's & Specialist in School Psychology Program. She is dedicated to improving the lives and well being of students in North Carolina.

Co-Presenter: Mollie Bollinger, Appalachian State University
Mollie is completing her graduate work as an intern for Onslow County Schools. She completed her undergraduate work at NC State University in May 2021 and worked as an Intensive In-home Services Professional prior to enrolling in Appalachian State University's Master's & Specialist in School Psychology Program. 

Co-Presenter: Diane Coffey, Appalachian State University

 More info coming soon. 

Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABPdN is dually trained as both a nationally certified school psychologist and board certified pediatric neuropsychologist. He has more than 20 years of experience working directly in public education, and is currently in private practice assessing children at the Monocacy Neurodevelopmental Center in Frederick, Maryland. Dr. Feifer has earned numerous distinctions throughout his career including being awarded the Maryland School Psychologist of the Year, the National School Psychologist of the Year, and received the Outstanding Contribution to the Education and Training of Psychologists award by the Maryland Psychological Association. He remains a popular speaker at many state, national, and international conferences, and has authored eight books on learning and emotional disorders in children. Lastly, Dr. Feifer has also authored three tests on diagnosing learning disabilities in children, all of which are published by PAR.

Her proudest accomplishment is raising her son as a single parent, working full-time and completing her doctorate. Dr. Fields knows what it is to be in a 'stuck place.' In July 2021, Dr. Fields wrote a #1 Amazon Bestselling Book entitled "I Am Enough." This book is a self-reflection and motivation for women and young ladies who are feeling undervalued and passed over. Later, she became an International Bestseller for being a co-author of the book entitled "Women Motivated by Purpose." This anthology seeks to motivate others to live life with purpose. Her last book endeavor deals with the topic of loss. She lost her mother in 2017, and grief changed her life. She turned pain into purpose. This anthology titled "Grief Matters: Authentic Perspectives of Life and Loss" is a #1 New Release and #2 Amazon Bestseller. Dr. Fields is also an adjunct professor for Liberty University in their Community Counseling and School Counseling departments. She hones aspiring counselors' skills through her love of God and experience. Additionally, Dr. Fields founded The Healing Group, which is a directory of African American mental health professionals in SC. For further inquiry, the website is www.thehealinggrp.com. Her mottos are "Every day you have the chance to change two people's lives, yours and someone else's" and to always remember You Are Enough! If you would like to connect with Dr. Shanelle, she can be emailed at [email protected]. Her practice website is www.takingthefirststep.net. 

Heather Hill has been a school psychologist in North Carolina for 10 years. She worked as the director of a camp for autistic individuals in WNC and as a natural support for the Autism Society of North Carolina for 4 years in her early career. Currently, she works as the school psychologist at the Bridges Program and Mount Vernon Middle School, two alternative schools in WCPSS.

Co-presenter: Amber Nickerson, LCSW, LISW-CP, Crisis Specialist (Wake County Public School System)

In addition, Marc has volunteered with hospice for many years in bereavement. Marc earned his PhD from the University of Minnesota and Educational Psychology. He is a certified Professional Development Specialist through the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He is a Certified Thanatologist through the Association of Death Educators and Counseling and Certified in Death and Grief Studies from Colorado State University through the Center for Loss and Life Transition. He has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Marc has published three books on grief, book chapters, and numerous articles.

Previously, as a school district administrator supervising psychological services, she oversaw evaluations and eligibility for special services, led the district's crisis training and response teams, and co-chaired the district's MTSS committee. Dr. Monahan is also an active leader with both the National Association of School Psychologists and the SC Association of School Psychologists.

Amanda Mullins has been serving as the school based Occupational Therapist for more than 10 year. Prior to working in the school system, she practiced in adult inpatient rehabilitation at a Level 1 trauma hospital, where she specialized in supporting individuals with neurological and physical impairments. While she valued the fast-paced hospital environment, Amanda ultimately returned to her passion—working with children with disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from East Carolina University, along with a graduate certificate in Assistive Technology. Amanda is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential through developmentally appropriate, student-centered supports.

Co-presenter: Lisa Mesecar, MS, OTR/L

Dr. Natalie Murr is a Licensed Psychologist, Associate Clinical Faculty, and Director of the Psychoeducational Clinic at NCSU. Dr. Murr earned her doctoral degree in School Psychology from North Carolina State University before completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities in Chapel Hill, NC. Interests include psychological/psychoeducational assessment, intellectual and developmental disabilities, emotional and behavioral development in children, and supporting parents of young children. In her role as NCSU Clinical Faculty, Dr. Murr also provides training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and intervention to masters and doctoral level graduate students in the School Psychology program at NCSU. 

Michelle Queen has been a School Psychologist in the state of North Carolina for 19 years after graduating from Western Carolina University. Michelle currently serves at the preschool, elementary and middle school levels in Cabarrus County Schools where she has been for the past 11 years. Previously, Michelle served in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Rowan-Salisbury School districts.

Co-presenter: Diana Arévalo has been a Bilingual School Psychologist for 10 years after graduating from Queens College in New York. She served students in the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) for 4 years. Then, she served students in the City School District of New Rochelle (CSDNR) for 5 years. Diana currently serves at the elementary and middle school levels in Cabarrus County Schools (CCS), where she has been since July 2024. Sydney Riedel is a first year School Psychologist in the state of North Carolina after graduating from the University at Buffalo.

Co-presenter: Sydney Riedel served as a School Psychologist Intern in Cabarrus County Schools last school year, serving the elementary and middle school levels. Sydney currently serves at the preschool, elementary and high school levels in Cabarrus County Schools.

She has worked in the area of victim services since the 1990s at a domestic violence agency, rape crisis center, prosecutor's office, and police department in Rhode Island, Arizona, and North Carolina. She is currently overseeing the FRESH (Family Re-Entry Support and Help) program in 14 re-entry prison facilities. Melissa has extensive experience working with correctional facilities, community organizations, and other entities to develop opportunities for children to connect with their incarcerated parents and generate community support for the children whose parents are incarcerated or being released. She has presented (in person and virtually) at the local (individual schools and school districts, county DSS offices, and Smart Start programs, etc.), state (statewide conferences for afterschool programs, school social workers and counselors, Head Start and Early Head Start, among others), and national (Smart Start, national TASC, National Organization for Victim Assistance) levels to teachers, school counselors, social workers, and nurses, DSS professionals, afterschool and child care providers, school resource officers, treatment professionals, and corrections (adult and juvenile) staff.

Shawna is a frequent presenter at the state and national levels on topics including mental and behavioral health services, school-based threat assessment, school safety and crisis response, MTSS implementation, and professional supervision. An active volunteer leader, Shawna has served her state association as president and committee chair. She is a past Delegate to NASP and has served on the NASP Board of Directors as a Delegate Representative and Strategic Liaison for Professional Advocacy. In 2017, Shawna was recognized as the NASP School Psychologist of the Year.

She has been recognized by the NC Council for Exceptional Children with the Felix S. Barker award, and was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Cooper. Sherry has also held several adjunct positions at state and private universities, in the special education department. Sherry is currently providing educational consulting to Foster Family Alliance-NC. A native of Lincoln County, NC, Sherry lives in Raleigh and is married to John. She enjoys time with her family-especially her grandchildren, reading, volunteering and kayaking on the lake.

Co-presenter: Kate Peterson, Foster Family Alliance-NC

Molly Ware, MEd, EdS, is an Assessment Consultant for Hogrefe with more than ten years experience as a practicing school psychologist. Molly has served on the board of the New Hampshire School Psychology Association. During her career in public schools, Molly has been an agent of change supporting students' social-emotional wellbeing, advocating for and developing local school policy improvements (MTSS, Threat Assessment, Inclusive Disability Classifications). While practicing, she specialized in conducting comprehensive evaluations for young children, presenting trainings to colleagues, and collaborating as a leader of multidisciplinary teams to support special education process and procedures. Presently, Molly puts her knowledge to use developing trainings, presentations, and webinars, as well as supporting the standardization of new and adapted assessment tools for Hogrefe.

Mary Whitehouse has practiced school psychology in elementary and middle schools in Wake County for the past 11 years. She is currently a lead psychologist and district coordinator for the SEL/Behavioral Health Universal Screener. She operates out of her values of justice and compassion, working to help others get what they need not just to make it, but hopefully to thrive. She is married and has two children born 20 years apart. When she's not working or actively co-parenting, she's probably working out, doing yoga, or chipping away at her ever growing to-be-read pile.

Co-presenter: Marc Giandenoto, MA, CAS, NCSP, Lead Psychologist in Wake County Public School System 

Jackie Zins is a Lead School Psychologist with the Wake County Public School System. She is also the current Committee Chair for the NCSPA Equity Committee. Ms. Zins has a passion for data-based problem-solving, using the science of reading to support student learning, and working with early career school psychologists.