Summit Archives

About the 2023 Let's Connect Summit

The 2023 Let’s Connect Summit was held on May 24-25, 2023 at the KSU Center in Kennesaw, Georgia. The event featured a variety of keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and a Exhibit Hall that showcased the many professionals and organizations performing the important work of suicide prevention for Georgia service members, veterans, and family members. Click here to access the 2023 Summit Program to learn more about the schedule of events at this event.

Photos from the 2023 Let’s Connect Summit

Click here to see photos from the 2023 Let's Connect Summit

Hosts of the 2023 Let’s Connect Summit

Learn more about the SSG Fox SPGP

The Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. (SSG Fox SPGP) is a three-year grant program funded by Congress that assists community-based organizations in outreach, suicide prevention services, and connection to community resources. The grant allows organizations to provide services including outreach, mental health screening, education, case management services, and other services necessary for improving the mental health status and well-being and reducing the suicide risk of eligible individuals and their families.
Learn more about the Georgia Suicide Prevention Task Force

The objectives of the Georgia Suicide prevention programs are to increase the availability of suicide prevention gatekeeper trainings, decrease perceived stigma of suicide, increase awareness of suicide prevention and intervention strategies, and increase the use of evidence-based suicide prevention strategies, and collaborate with existing and/or emerging suicide prevention coalitions to achieve local objectives that contribute to state-level positive outcomes.
Learn more about the Georgia Department of Veterans Service

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) is an agency of state government created for the purpose of advising, counseling, and assisting Georgia’s veterans and their families in receiving their rightful benefits under the vast and complex framework of veterans’ laws. Representatives from GDVS have collaborated to plan and implement this summit in order to maximize prevention and outreach efforts for veterans and their families.
Learn more about the AMES Research Center

The Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services (AMES) aims to bring mental and organizational health resources to military, veteran, and emergency services populations, as well as their families and communities. Representatives from the AMES Research Center have collaborated to plan and implement this summit in order to enhance prevention and outreach efforts for service members, veterans, and their families.

Contributors to the 2023 Let’s Connect Summit

Keynote Speakers
Keynote addresses allowed attendees of the Let’s Connect Summit to gain valuable awareness related to suicide prevention and related services for military service members, veterans, and their families. The Let’s Connect Summit is grateful to all keynote speakers for sharing their expertise on this important topic!
- MG Thomas Carden, Georgia National Guard
  Biography: I am a soldier with nearly 37 years of service. I started as an Infantry Private.
- Dr. Bianca Channer, DSW, LCSW, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Bianca Channer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Human Services at Kennesaw State University teaching clinical social work practice classes. Dr. Channer has more than 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to at-risk youth and young adults in a variety of settings. Dr. Channer’s research interests include expanding educational opportunities, pedagogy, and teaching methods to support veterans, LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Higher Education; veteran and emergency medical service professionals; psychological resiliency; Examining discrimination and knowledge gaps within clinical social practice settings working with the above identified populations.
- Lisa Dawson, Georgia Department of Public Health
- Dr. Chris Hess, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Chris Hess is a social demographer and Assistant Professor of Sociology at Kennesaw State University. His research focuses on residential segregation, housing inequalities and applying demographic methods to heterogeneous data. Dr. Hess is currently working on a mixed-methods study focused on housing insecurity and homelessness among Georgia veterans.
- Dr. Kristin Horan, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Dr. Kristin Horan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University. She has a background in Industrial Organizational Psychology and performs research on interventions to improve safety, health, and well-being, particularly for first responders. She coordinates outreach and community engagement efforts for the AMES Research Center.
- Dr. Brian Moore, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Brian A. Moore, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. Before joining Kennesaw State, he served more than 10 years in the United States Army as an Infantry officer and continues to serve as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. Dr. Moore has a Ph.D. in military health psychology and has completed pre- and post-doctoral fellowships in health and trauma psychology.
- Katherine Moore, LCSW, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Katherine Moore is a licensed master social worker and the clinical case manager for AMES. Katherine has over 10 years of experience working with child welfare agencies, federal/state law enforcement agencies, and indigenous and military populations across the U.S. Katherine’s recent focus has been centered around providing best practice evidence-based therapeutic interventions such as psychoeducation, and psychological resiliency to the military, first responder community, and their families.
- Dr. David Rozek, University of Central Florida
  Biography: Dr. David Rozek is a clinical psychologist and the Director of the National Center of Excellence for First Responder Behavioral Health at UCF RESTORES. He received his PhD from the University of Notre Dame and completed his residency at the Orlando Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Prior to joining the University of Central Florida, Dr. Rozek held positions at the University of Utah in the Department of Psychiatry with a secondary appointment as the Director of Training at the National Center for Veterans Studies. Dr. Rozek’s research and clinical expertise are in cognitive and behavioral therapies for suicide, depression, and PTSD. He regularly provides training to clinicians and medical professionals about managing suicidal patients and is an active researcher focusing on how to best improve clinical care.
- Rick Twist, LMSW, Higland Rivers Behavioral Health
  Biography: I am a 42-year-old Army veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom in the 82nd Airborne Division. I am a person in long-term recovery from alcohol, substances & PTSD, with 11 1/2 years sober. I am married with three children, ranging from ages 26 to 7, and reside in Canton, Ga. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker/Therapist with seven years in the mental health/substance abuse field. I currently hold the title of Veterans Services Coordinator with Highland Rivers Behavioral Health, work full-time as the service provider for the Cherokee County Veterans Treatment Court, and own & operate a small private practice named Twist of Fate Counseling & Consulting LLC., serving veterans in a group capacity within residential treatment settings. I am working on a PhD in Social Psychology from Liberty University. I have been living with suicidal ideation for 35 years.
Breakout Session Leaders
The Let’s Connect Summit allowed attendees to tailor their experience by attending breakout sessions covering more focused topics related to suicide prevention and related services for service members, veterans, and their families. The Let’s Connect Summit is grateful to all breakout session leaders for their role in enhancing suicide prevention.
- Dr. Bianca Channer, DSW, LCSW, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Bianca Channer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Human Services at Kennesaw State University teaching clinical social work practice classes. Dr. Channer has more than 10 years of experience providing therapeutic services to at-risk youth and young adults in a variety of settings. Dr. Channer’s research interests include expanding educational opportunities, pedagogy, and teaching methods to support veterans, LGBTQ+, Latinx, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in Higher Education; veteran and emergency medical service professionals; psychological resiliency; Examining discrimination and knowledge gaps within clinical social practice settings working with the above identified populations.
- Dr. Stacey Dixon, Military and Veteran Services, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Dr. Stacey Dixon comes to us from National Louis University in Chicago where she was the Director of Student Veteran Support Services for five years. She served as a Meteorologist and Oceanographer in the U. S. Marine Corps for 21 years. After military retirement, Dr. Dixon worked as a Financial Advisor/Stockbroker with an international brokerage firm in Palm Springs, Ca. She later relocated to Chicago where she taught JROTC and Leadership Development. Dr. Dixon received her BS in Mathematics/Science from Thomas Edison College, her MBA from National University in San Diego, and her Doctorate from Argosy University in Chicago. She has a daughter and son, and four grandchildren.
- Calandra Fergerson, Georgia Department of Veterans Service
  Biography: Calandra “Fergie” Fergerson serves as the Suicide Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS), and the State Lead for the Governor’s Challenge to prevent Suicide among SMVF. GDVS Suicide Prevention Teams is one of the two recipients in the state who were awarded the SSG Gordon Parker Fox, Suicide Prevention Grant. The SSG Fox grant allows Calandra and her team to provide Suicide Prevention Training and Awareness, gather data to identify “Hot Spots” in the state and connect SMVF with the resources they need, utilizing the Veterans Administration and community resources. Additionally, Calandra is a Military Veteran with 24 years of service During her military career, she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) (2003 – 2004). She also served in various positions while in the military, to include a Senior Interrogator, Human Intelligence Collector, Platoon SGT, Recruiter, and Senior Human Resources SGT. Lastly, Calandra is a graduate of the University of Phoenix with an associate degree in health care administration, with emphasis of medical Records (2013). She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology (2017), as well as a Certification in Human Resources (2019) She served for 11 years as the Manager for the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Team for the Georgia Army National Guard’s 11,000 Soldiers and holds a Master Certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Trainer (ASIST). Calandra is dedicated to improving the lives of Service Members, Veterans, and their families, and removing the stigma surrounding mental health.
- Dr. Qwynn A. Galloway-Salazar, In Their Honor LLC
  Biography: Meet Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar, an Army Veteran and End-of-Life Doula, Educator, and Founder of In Their Honor, LLC. Throughout more than two decades of dedication to enhancing the quality of life and well-being of our Nation's Military and Veterans, Qwynn has acquired a deep understanding of how military experiences can have long-term impacts on one's life and the lives of loved ones. Qwynn's passion for serving those who have served their country is reflected in her work. She deeply understands the unique needs and challenges that Veterans face as they approach the end of their lives. Her recent work has touched the hearts of those compassionately caring for and supporting Veterans and their loved ones. Qwynn works closely with communities, End-of-Life professionals, and organizations to ensure Veterans receive the care and compassion they deserve. Her warmth, dedication, and compassionate approach inspire and touch the hearts of all those she serves. Since sparking critical conversations related to death and dying amongst our Nation's Veterans and their loved ones, Qwynn has had the pleasure of collaborating with various organizations throughout the country, including the PsychArmor Institute, The International End of Life Doula Association, End of Life University, the International Doulagivers Institute, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's- We Honor Veterans Program, and the National End of Life Doula Alliance, to educate those who serve Veterans. Her commitment to this cause is unwavering and has far-reaching implications. In addition to her work as an end-of-life doula and advocate, Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Minority Veterans of America, sits on the Advisory Board of the Veterans Studies Association, and is the Co-Principal Investigator for the City University of New York's Brooklyn College: Veterans History Project. Additionally, her research interest includes women veterans' visibility and story collecting. Her contributions to the field of Veterans' care are significant, and she has an impressive academic background, having earned a doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Walden University. In 2022, Qwynn was recognized as the inaugural Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year for her unwavering dedication to service.
- Rachael Holloman, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
  Biography: Rachael currently works for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as the Suicide Prevention Director and previously worked for DBHDD as the Transition Coordinator for Residential Services in the Region 4 Field Office in Thomasville, Georgia, since 2016. She has a Master’s Degree in Clinical/Counseling Psychology and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has been providing services in the field of Behavioral Health for approximately two decades. Some of her past experience includes supervising a Community Support Team in rural communities, providing leadership as the Mental Health Director of a DJJ Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC), supervising an Intensive Family Intervention (IFI) team, as well as providing services in a private capacity for individuals involved with DJJ and DFCS, and assisting rural farmers in understanding, applying for, and receiving much needed grant funding following natural disasters. Rachael has spent her entire life both living and working in rural communities in Georgia, especially South Georgia. Rural mental health services and suicide prevention services are passions of hers.
- Marcus Laird, U.S. Air Force
- Chelle Lamb, LCSW, Atlanta VA, HCS
  Biography: Chelle Lamb, MSW, LCSW earned her BA in Psychology and MSW in Social Work with honors from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. She worked as a Social Service Director in two nursing homes prior to entering graduate school and upon completion of her studies, worked in Hospice settings as a Case Manager and Coordinator before moving to GA to be close to family. Upon moving, she became employed at the Atlanta VA Health care System. Ms. Lamb served in the homeless program for 6 years then transitioned to Suicide Prevention where she has been since 2017. Ms. Lamb received several accolades for her work in the Homeless Program, and was most recently named Atlanta VA’s Employee of the Month in May 2022. Ms. Lamb enjoys working in her current role and with veterans in general as she finds it rewarding to see the resilience of the human spirit, especially in our nation’s heroes. Her favorite quote is Be the Change You want to see in the world and strives each day to fulfil this to the best of her ability.
- Dr. Brian Moore, AMES Research Center, Kennesaw State University
  Biography: Brian A. Moore, Ph.D. is a health psychologist and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Kennesaw State University. Before joining Kennesaw State, he served more than 10 years in the United States Army as an Infantry officer and continues to serve as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve. Dr. Moore has a Ph.D. in military health psychology and has completed pre- and post-doctoral fellowships in health and trauma psychology.
- Gregory J. Rosso, Unite Georgia
  Biography: Gregory has more than 20 years of experience in building community and corporate partnerships, fundraising, public relations and volunteer management. He has a history of building long-lasting relationships with community partners such as schools, faith-based organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Gregory retired from the United States Air Force, where he spent 21 years in the Human Resources arena. Social Services has been Gregory’s second career, where he has a total of 10 years of experience working directly with case managers to assist with finding creative ways to fill gaps within the community. As a Community Engagement Manager with Unite Georgia, Gregory is passionate about the communities he works in, understands their history, culture, and challenges, and wants to make it healthier and more equitable for everyone. Gregory connects health and social-care organizations to build local networks through the Unite Us Platform. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Effingham County Family Connection Commission.
- Sharonda Watson, Georgia Army National Guard
  Biography: CH (MAJ) Sharonda Watson. I have served in the Georgia National Guard as a chaplain for 12 years. I also work in a title 5 position as a prevention specialist with the Ga National Guard, full time. I have been married for 22 years and have two children ages 20 and 17. I have a Masters in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Masters of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia and a current Doctor of Ministry student at Wesley Seminary in DC.
Exhibit Hall Organizations
There are many organizations and professionals performing the important work of suicide prevention and related services for service members, veterans, and their families. In fact, it can be difficult to keep track of every organization and professional. In order to promote awareness of the resources and services provided throughout the state of Georgia, the Let’s Connect Summit featured an opportunity for attendees to get to know a selection of relevant organizations in the Exhibit Hall.
- - AboutFace-USA
  - Atlanta VA
  - Cobb Collaborative Connecting Cobb Veterans
  - Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
  - GA Department of Public Safety -
  - Office of Public Safety Support
  - Georgia Department of Veterans Service
  - Georgia Military Women
  - Georgia National Guard Integrated Primary Prevention Program
  - Georgia War Veterans Home
  - Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
  - Mental Health America of Georgia
  - Riverwoods Behavioral
  - Shepherd Center - SHARE Military Initiative
  - The Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services Research, Kennesaw State University
  - The Warrior Alliance
  - Unite Georgia
  - US Military Vets Motorcycle Club
  - VA Vet Center (Marietta)