Connecticut Women’s Consortium

Robert F. Anda, MD, MS

Monday, October 19th – Morning Keynote

Dr. Anda spent 20 years conducting research as a medical officer in the U.S. Public Health Service at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. His research involved a variety of areas including disease surveillance, behavioral health, mental health and disease, cardiovascular disease, and childhood determinants of health.

He played the principal role in the design of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and serves as its Co-Principal Investigator. He has presented findings from the ACE Study at Congressional Briefings and numerous conferences around the world. 

Tonier Cain

Wednesday, October 21st – Keynote

Tonier works tirelessly to raise the awareness about trauma informed care around the world. Tonier is an advocate and educator, speaking on trauma, addiction, incarceration, homelessness, substance abuse and mental health. Her work has been used as a model in other countries for the establishment of their trauma informed care protocols. Currently she works to create international leaders in the field of Trauma Informed Care.  
Tonier is the C.E.O. and Founder of Tonier Cain International, Founder and President of Neen Cares, Inc. as well as the Founder and C.E.O. of Purposeful Entertainment Production Company. She is an award-winning Film Producer and author.

Stephanie Covington, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.

Monday, October 19th – Afternoon Keynote

Dr. Stephanie Covington is an internationally recognized clinician, author, organizational consultant, and lecturer. She is a pioneer in the field of women’s issues, addiction, trauma, and recovery. She has developed an innovative, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed approach that results in effective services in public, private, and institutional settings. Her presentations, staff-development seminars, and technical assistance focus on systems change and the development of caring, compassionate, and empowering therapeutic environments. They provide professionals an opportunity to learn new skills for dealing with personal, institutional, and societal changes and are always in demand, both nationally and internationally.

Nelba Márquez-Greene

Tuesday, October 20th – Afternoon Keynote

Nelba Márquez-Greene is the founder of the Ana Grace Project and a clinical fellow at the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She has worked in private practice, community mental health, and academic settings in the U.S. and Canada.

After Nelba’s daughter Ana Grace’s sensless murder at Sandy Hook School in 2012, Nelba, her family, and her community adopted the slogan “Love Wins.” Now, Nelba refers to that slogan as she maintains an online community of over 100,000 followers and the Ana Grace Project community where people from all over the world learn, share, grow and witness love through grief.

In 2018, Nelba was selected as one of “100 Women of Color” and as a YWCA Women’s Leadership Award recipient. She is featured in the 2019 release “ The Book of Gutsy Women” by Hillary Rodham and Chelsea Clinton and in People Magazine’s October 2019 issue as one of ten Women Changing the World. Nelba has testified and advocated at the state and federal levels on many different mental health initiatives, hosted TEDx talks, and is a sought after speaker nationally.

Hope Payson

Tuesday, October 20th- Morning Keynote

Hope Payson, LCSW, LADC is a licensed clinical social worker, alcohol and drug counselor and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant who specializes in the treatment of addiction and trauma. She has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of community settings that address the needs of individuals with histories of complex trauma. She was the Clinical Director for the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program for seven years and remains an active volunteer. Most recently, Hope co-produced the documentary “Uprooting Addiction: Healing From the Ground Up” which explores the root causes of addiction and the transformational power of recovery.

Daryl McGraw

Tuesday, October 20th- Morning Keynote

Daryl McGraw is the CEO of Formerly Inc., Connecticut’s first criminal justice consultant agency that is staffed entirely by formerly incarcerated individuals who seek to assist and support those impacted by the criminal justice system. 

Formerly Inc. was founded in 2018 by Mr. McGraw to raise awareness to the issues of injustice that exist within the criminal justice system. With over ten years of personal and professional experience with urban trauma, addiction recovery and community reintegration, Mr. McGraw is highly regarded as an expert in the field. He is a dynamic speaker who often gives speeches and trainings which support the recovery and reintegration process.