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Expertise: Policy and Procedure Development, Peer Support Services, Recovery Oriented Care, Person Centered Services, Personal Outcomes Measure, and Training Development.

Aurora Baugh graduated from Mississippi State University with a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree. She is a Stennis Institute of Government Executive Development graduate and completed the Mississippi State Personnel Board's Certified Public Manager’s Program. Brough has twenty-eight years of experience in state government, twenty-five of those in various roles with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (MDMH), retiring as the Coordinator of the Division of Recovery and Resiliency. She served six years as a legislative analyst and is a consultant and trainer with experience and skills in aligning treatment with a recovery-oriented approach; planning, Implementing, sustaining, and assessing Peer Support Services; and facilitating person-centered recovery-oriented treatment planning. 

Aurora's achievements include developing the MDMH’s Certified Peer Support Specialist Program; coordinating the state’s initiative to transform to a person-centered recovery-oriented system of care; serving as a member of numerous work groups tasked with the development, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral health programs/services; integrating Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (referred to as Clubhouse) within the state’s behavioral health system; and developing the states Golden Thread of Documentation Training, that is used throughout the state. 

Expertise: Human Trafficking, Victim Advocacy, Child Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Predators, Child Abuse Investigations, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Trauma Informed Care/Organizations/Schools, Complex Trauma and PTSD, Spiritual Wounds from Trauma, Simulation in Social Work Education and Training, and MDT Approach to Child Abuse and Neglect.

Hollie is the founder and CEO of ACE Institute, LLC, an organization dedicated to helping survivors of child trauma thrive through equipping professionals and communities with trauma-informed strategies to prevent and respond to adverse childhood experiences. Hollie has spent the last 22 years of her career working in the field of child welfare and advocacy. She is a national speaker and trainer in the areas of child abuse and neglect, child/victim advocacy, human trafficking, child trauma, ACEs, online safety, child sexual exploitation, and child sex predators. Hollie is a 3x presenter at the Crimes Against Children Conference in Dallas, Texas, the largest child abuse conference in the country. Hollie is also the coordinator for the ACE Institute Annual Human Trafficking Symposium, a survivor-led human trafficking conference for the community and professionals. 

Hollie spent 15 years with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection working on the frontline as an investigator, supervisor, and later as the Director of Resource Development and Therapeutic Placement. She is currently a visiting instructor at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy for the Criminal Investigators Program. She is an expert consultant for The Mitchell Firm, PLLC where she provides expert consulting for child abuse and sexual assault cases. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center in Pearl, MS. In the past, Hollie was also an Adjunct Professor at Belhaven University where she taught Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) courses certified by the Zero Abuse Project.

Expertise:  Strategic Planning, Conference Coordination, Continuing Education Application Submission, Staff Development, System of Care Principles and Implementation, Mental Health Related topics, Trauma Informed Care, and Youth Engagement.  

Jackie Chatmon is the former Project Director for the MS Department of Mental Health. She oversaw the federally funded System of Care grant graduated sites, Crossover XPand, Crossover, and MTOP.  In this role, she ensured the achievement of goals and compliance with federal requirements in collaboration with service delivery sites. She fostered collaborative relationships, including inter-agency and across organizations in support of a coordinated system of care for Mississippi’s families. Jackie is both a trainer and coordinator of professional development opportunities including technical assistance, train-the-trainers, symposiums, learning collaboratives, and conferences. In addition, she has trained participants in Mental Health First Aid's Youth, Adult, Law Enforcement, and Higher Education modules, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), and Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) as well as other behavioral health topics. 

Jackie has coordinated the Nationally recognized Annual Trauma Informed Care Conference for the past 9 years, in collaboration with other local and state agencies.  Additionally, she coordinates the Annual Men’s Wellness Conference. She has over 28 years in behavioral health and 7 years in the private sector.  Previous experience includes employment at a local Community Mental Health Center serving in several roles including Program Administrator, Outpatient Substance Abuse Coordinator, Substance Abuse Director, Intake Counselor at a private behavioral health hospital, and an Outreach Specialist at a transitional A&D residential center for female ex-offenders. 

Expertise:  Mental Health First Aid Trainer (MHFA) for Youth, Adults and Public Safety and Mental Health Advocacy.

Tameka Tobias, founding member of Tobias and Co. is a dedicated Mental Health First Aid Instructor, former grassroots nonprofit executive director, and a passionate mental health advocate. With a deep commitment to fostering understanding and support for mental health issues, Tameka has made significant contributions to the field through education, advocacy, and community engagement. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Tameka empowers individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges. Her approach is characterized by empathy, inclusivity, and a genuine desire to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. 

Prior to her role as a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Tameka served as the executive director of a grassroots nonprofit organization, where she played a pivotal role in addressing the needs of underserved communities. Her leadership was marked by innovative programming, collaborative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to making mental health resources accessible to all. Tameka is a driving force in grassroots initiatives. She is a founding member of Open Up Mississippi, a youth and young adult lead leadership council that focuses on creating a supportive environment for mental health discussions and resources. Her work is fueled by a personal mission to create a society where mental health is prioritized, and individuals feel empowered to seek help without fear of judgment.

Expertise:  Professional Development Training, Women and Addiction, Trauma, Adolescent Behavior, Strategic Planning, and Team Building. 

Fran embarked on her speaking journey at the age of 10 with an inaugural speech delivered to a 4H club, which has now spanned over 55 years of public speaking experience, Fran holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi and achieved a Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration in 2003. In academia, Fran has shared her knowledge at Jackson State University and guest lectured at seven Mississippi Universities and Junior Colleges. Her teaching expertise spans various subjects, including women and addiction, trauma, adolescent behavior, strategic planning, and team dynamics.

Recognized as a proficient trainer, Fran specializes in "Whatever Fran Baker Wants to Present," engaging audiences with her experiential facilitation skills at diverse Mississippi venues. Fran is the founder and Executive Director of Bornfree of Mississippi, Inc., a program dedicated to aiding pregnant and parenting-addicted mothers and their children. Teaming up with her daughter Michele, Fran is a co-owner of Treasures of Egypt Tours, LLC. Together, they have recently launched a bed and breakfast near the Sphinx in Cairo, Egypt.

Expertise: Public Relations, Marketing, Program Development, Professional Development, Strategic Planning, Youth Engagement, Mental Health, Juvenile Justice and Social Emotional Learning.

Ingrid Cloy holds a bachelor’s degree in English/Mass Communication, a Master of Social Work, and a Master's in Criminal Justice and Correctional Services. She works as an advocate, program development specialist, and community organizer, utilizing a collective impact model that engages stakeholders from all sectors to work in collaboration to transform the lives of individuals, children, and families living in underserved communities. Her work is rooted in the belief that when people are empowered through education, personal development, employment opportunities, and social capital, they will thrive, creating positive outcomes for themselves. 

As a youth engagement specialist, Ingrid was instrumental in developing Open Up Mississippi and Mississippi Youth Voice, which are statewide youth and young adult lead leadership councils for mental health and foster care. Ingrid is a former Deputy Director for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, former Director of Mississippi Center for Excellence, former Deputy Director for Mississippi Families for Kids, and former Director of Marketing for WLBT-TV. She has also co-developed courses approved by the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training.

Expertise: Licensed Professional Counselor, Caregiver Support and Resources, Adult Telehealth Provider, and Behavioral Health Trainer.

Natasha Griffin, a Licensed Professional Counselor and is the owner of Phases Counseling & Wellness, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Master of Public Administration degree and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling. Her work is aimed at empowering individuals with practical tools to help manage life's challenges and develop healthy coping skills. She believes that personal success and healing lie within and is committed to walking with each of her clients on the path to achieving these goals.

Natasha has worked with individuals who have been challenged with substance use, depression, anxiety, anger, abandonment issues, grief, and family issues. Additionally, she has seven years of experience helping individuals through the suicide crisis line of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and has been a trainer for QPR – Question, Persuasion, and Refer. She is a former instructor for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) as well as Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and is currently working toward certification in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which allows her to provide trauma-focused treatment for individuals who may have developed mental health challenges as a result of trauma.