2025 Global Conferences

Anthony Goulet is a transformational author and speaker whose writing and work in youth violence prevention and suicide prevention is endorsed by the Dalai Lama and other leaders. Anthony has been working in youth development for more than 30 years. For more than a decade he was on-call 24/7 as a street-level Gang Interventionist and Street Outreach Worker, serving youth and young adults who were homeless, runaways, missing and trafficked. His full-time office was under bridges, within drug houses, abandoned buildings, and inside emergency rooms delivering the Creator's light of love, hope and healing. 

Pershlie “Perci” Ami, a member of the Hopi/Tewa Tribe, from the Village of Walpi, AZ. For more than ten years, Perci has served as a strong advocate for suicide prevention, substance abuse, and addiction, devoting her time to the Native American Center for Excellence Substance Abuse Prevention Program as a facilitator for the Gathering of Native Americans (GONA). Perci received the Women’s Federation for World Peace USA, Her Story Award, and the Marcus Harrison Jr. Leadership Award for her exemplary work in healing, serving and advocating for Native American communities. Perci utilizes her values of culture, traditions, and family in her peace work, helping Indigenous people connect and focus on healing the mind, body, and spirit. In addition, Perci volunteers at a local ministry in Phoenix, AZ. 

Sharon is a descendant of the Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr, and Biripi language groups from the mid-north coast of NSW. She was a member of the victorious Australian Netball Diamonds World Cup teams in 1991 and 1999, Commonwealth Games team in 1990, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to the sport of netball. Sharon is one of only three Aboriginal women to have ever represented the Australian Diamonds. Her industry experience spans over three decades, working in the private, public, and community sectors, including state government, educational and financial institutions, not for profit organisations, media and sport.

Dr. Bernie Singleton has had a career in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander affairs spanning fifty years and was Chairman of Apunipima Cape York Health Council for 13 years. Uncle Bernie grew up in Yarrabah. His paternal grandfather was a Yirrikanji man whose country runs from Cairns to Port Douglas. His paternal grandmother was an Umpila woman whose land is a part of the KULLA Land Trust and runs into the Lockhart River Land Trust. His maternal grandfather was a Blindal man (Townsville) of the Birri Gubba tribe while his maternal grandmother was a Woppaburra woman from Great Keppel Island. Uncle Bernie also has family connections all over Queensland. When Uncle Bernie was elected Chairman of Apunipima, there were only 15 employees and the organisation was on the brink of closure. His stewardship saw Apunipima grow and develop its role as a community-controlled health service. One of his greatest achievements was in 2004 when he was instrumental in securing a Deed of Commitment from the Cape York Regional Health Forum to develop a community-controlled health organisation in Cape York. Shortly afterward, Apunipima began to deliver Maternal and Child Health Services, Healthy Lifestyle services and medical services across 11 communities in Cape York. During his 13-year tenure as Chairman, Uncle Bernie also ensured that Apunipima was an active member of NACCHO and QAIHC, national and state peak bodies for Aboriginal and Islander health. Currently, Uncle Bernie imparts his wisdom as Senior Member of Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective.

Nona has dedicated nearly a decade of his life to the noble cause of caregiving, particularly as a foster care provider. His extensive experience spans over 14 years as a Support Worker at the Diversionary Centre Cairns, where he navigated the complexities of his role with resilience and compassion. Throughout his tenure, he forged enduring connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

In early 2022-2023, Nona undertook a pivotal transition, redirecting his expertise to support the establishment of the Kunjur First Nations Men's Collective a fully funded service provider for men in Cairns. Despite the cessation of funding in March 2023. He embraced yet another challenge by joining Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) to spearhead the delivery of culturally appropriate disability support services as a dedicated Support Worker.

In addition to working for DIYDG, Nona continues by volunteering his time to sustain the Kunjur First Nations Men's Collective support group, ensuring its continuity and impact on the lives of its members. Through his contributions, Nona embodies commitment to uplifting and empowering individuals within his community.

Dr. Amber R. Logan is a traditional Kahungunu Māori wahine, a New Zealand Health Psychologist and Doctoral Fellow in Public Health at Otago University. She teaches health psychology course work at the University of Auckland & Otago University and is well-known in New Zealand for her work in methamphetamine education and community activism. She is a consummate grant writer, health services evaluator and health services program designer. She has presented extensively in Australia, Canada, and the USA at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and to the US Federal Government.

Dr. Joseph B. Stone, PhD is an Anasaki-pikuni ceremonialist and traditionalist and member of the OKKAN (Sundance), the Last Star Thunder Medicine Pipe and Beaver Lodge. Dr. Stone works at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga – a Kaupapa Māori Health Provider; Awhina Whanu Family Services, and the Napier Family Centre all located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He has clinical experience with adult prisoners & corrections and juvenile justice in both New Zealand and USA. He is affiliated with the National Centre on Trauma and Project Making Medicine – Indian Health Service Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse at Oklahoma State University. He has presented to, and served as consultant to, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs of Native Youth Suicide. Dr. Stone’s publications include articles on trauma, suicide, and other cultural & behavioural issues.

Mark Robertson is a highly acclaimed and talented musician, MC, producer and secondary school teacher. Mark has built a solid reputation with his teaching methods. Mark’s achievements in this field were recognised when he was awarded the 2009 Young Social Pioneer of the Year Award for Innovative projects toward social and educational change, and his work with Indigenous youth earned him national recognition by being one of 20 Australians invited to meet His Royal Highness Prince Harry at Kirrabilli house in 2013. Mark was also a final nominee for 2011 Australian of Year Award and 2014 finalist for New York global citizens award.

Matthew Tafoya is Tl’aashchi’i born for the Tewa Corn Clan, his cheiis are Ta’neeszhahnii and his nalis are the Tewa Winter Clan. Married with children and living in St. Michaels Arizona, where Matthew grow food and develop food systems. His educational background is in justice studies, business, economic development, green infrastructure, American Indian studies, Native Nation Building, climate change adaptation, food sovereignty/security, built environments, and health promotion. Matthew's interests are in developing Indigenous economic ecologies, social ecologies, Indigenizing Native institutions, improving governance, and creating new institutions that adapt to colonization, climate change, and colonial constructs like Indian reservations. Similarly, Matt believe in tribal sovereignty, self-determination, self-governance, and working with community to develop community. His hobbies include permaculture, cultural preservation, rebuilding food systems, outdoor recreation, travel, and learning from other cultures. Currently, Matt work as director of the Navajo Tech Innovation Center in Church Rock, NM.

Adrian Salliego is an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe. His Maternal clan is Bitterwater and born for the Deerspring Clan. His Mother is from Tuba City, AZ and Father from Cedar Ridge, AZ. Adrian grew up on the Navajo Reservation his whole life. He was raised with the Traditional way of the Navajo people. Adrian surrendered to the disease of addiction on November 3, 2004. He went into the Friendship House in San Francisco, CA on November 5, 2004. He started a new way of life in a 12-step fellowship. Adrian has traveled across Turtle Island meeting with many Tribal members to help the people seeking recovery. Adrian lives in Tempe, AZ and continues to work with a sponsor in a 12 step fellowship. He also participates in the Welbriety talking circles in the Phoenix area and across Turtle Island. Helping the fellow addicts seeking recovery has become a service commitment for Adrian Salliego.

Mitch Wallis is one of the most authentic and respected voices in psychology, specializing in connection, resilience, and leadership. Trusted by global brands such as KPMG, American Express, and Coca-Cola, his expertise has shaped the way organizations approach emotional intelligence.

After earning his undergraduate degree in Commerce and spending nearly seven years in global roles at Microsoft, Wallis made the bold decision to leave his corporate career to dedicate his life to mental health. He now holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Columbia University, combining 20 years of lived experience with evidence-based expertise to create lasting impact.

He is the founder of Heart On My Sleeve, a global mental health movement, and the creator of Real Conversations, a transformative program used by Fortune 500 companies across four continents to foster emotionally intelligent communication and reshape workplace culture.

Wallis has served as an advisor to the United Nations and the Corporate Mental Health Alliance and has been recognized as a GQ Man of Impact for his groundbreaking work. Through his thought leadership, advocacy, and programs, he continues to inspire positive change in mental health worldwide.