For the 50th year, this milestone event brings together prevention, treatment, recovery, and community health professionals for dynamic plenary sessions, 40+ engaging courses, meaningful networking, and the distinguished Carl Nowell Award presentation.
David Woods Bartley is an award-winning, internationally renowned mental health advocate, three-time TEDx speaker, and survivor of severe childhood trauma, depression, and a suicide attempt. After receiving life-saving support, he began a transformative journey from mental “hellness” to mental wellness. Today, David uses his lived experience to spark courageous conversations around suicide, male sexual trauma, human connection, and Hope. He has delivered more than 1,000 talks to global audiences, including all branches of the U.S. military, NATO, NASA, the VA, healthcare systems, major corporations, universities, K-12 schools, and interfaith communities. Known for powerful storytelling, David is passionate in his belief that connection creates Hope, and Hope saves lives.
Maurice Clarett’s physical prowess as a football athlete at Warren High School caught the eyes of recruiters at The Ohio State University who saw his potential. This would prove to be great insight as he would be the first freshman running back to start, be named Big Ten freshman of the year, and set the freshman rushing and touchdown season record, seamlessly solidifying his role as a leader on the field.
Most notably, Clarett played an instrumental role in The Ohio State Buckeyes team clinching the National Championship in 2002 with two pivotal plays: “the strip” and scoring the go-ahead touchdown.
He would later play professionally for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. During his freshman year at The Ohio State University in 2002, in a widely unexpected move, Clarett was drafted on the first day of the 2005 NFL Draft with the final pick of the 3rd round (#101 overall) by the Denver Broncos.
After a series of personal set-backs, which interfered with his destined NFL career, Clarett stood at a crossroad in his life with two paths to choose from; either succumb to his challenges or overcome them.
He chose the latter, compiling the lessons he learned throughout his tumultuous journey of being dismissed from The Ohio State University and 7 ½ year prison sentence to develop The Maurice Clarett brand, which offers an acute acumen and expertise in the worlds of athletics, education and business. As the CEO and founder of MCB, Clarett’s distinctive personality and drive to empower diverse audiences over the world has made him a nationally sought-after speaker, garnering partnerships with some of the nation’s top businesses and professionals, including Warren Buffet.
His success as an author and motivational speaker is a testament to his transparency and ability to teach self-accountability and personal responsibility. Never one to shy away from his past mistakes, his courage to openly share the secrets of his own challenges has created a loyal following of thousands.
Maurice Clarett founded The Red Zone—a behavioral health agency dedicated to empowering youth and adults in need by providing comprehensive and therapeutic services in 2016 after he noticed a need for mental health awareness and access in his community.
He notes, “I grew up in the heart of an inner-city neighborhood. It lacked resources that could have encouraged healthier lifestyles and choices amongst myself, my peers and the adults around me. I witnessed people suffer silently because of this, and made it my life’s mission to connect as many families as I could with the proper tools so that they could live fulfilling lives.”
TRZ currently serves more than 1,500 children and adults in north and central Ohio, who are impacted by drug and alcohol abuse, low-income disparities and mental illness. Its meteoric growth is due to The Red Zone’s holistic methodology of creating evidenced-based initiatives that facilitate social and emotional support that’s engaging, fun and collaborative.
Marc Fomby is a Certified Prevention Specialist and the founding CEO of FTC Prevention Services, LLC in Pearl, MS. He is a member of the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition, dedicated to youth life skills and peer education training. Marc is a member of the Recovery School District of New Orleans, a national initiative committed to breaking the cycle of violence and providing support assistance to youth. He is also the conference coordinator of the Mississippi School for Addiction Professionals, the first statewide educational hub for prevention, intervention and treatment specialists in the state of Mississippi as well as the conference coordinator for the annual statewide Juvenile Justice Symposium. He received his Bachelor’s degree in business management from Belhaven University. He has also been preaching and teaching the Gospel since 2005. He served as Co-Youth Pastor at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Brandon, MS after being Licensed and Ordained in the Ministry. He now serves as the Dean of Chapel for The Piney Woods School in Braxton, MS. He is in his ninth year as Chaplain where he serves the students and faculty of the school weekly by spreading the Gospel.
Tim Lupinacci is Chair and CEO of Baker Donelson, one of the nation’s 100 largest law firms. He leads 1,400 employees across 25 offices in 15 states, guiding the execution of the firm’s five-year BakerVision 2028 strategic plan. With over 34 years of experience, Tim is recognized for his expertise in bankruptcy, restructuring, and financial services, particularly within the healthcare sector.
With more than 20 years of experience in addiction treatment, Joshua has devoted his career to advancing effective, compassionate care for individuals and communities impacted by substance use disorders. Beginning in 2001 working with children affected by parental addiction, he advanced into leadership roles across adolescent and adult treatment settings, earning a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and specializing in Medication-Assisted Treatment. Since 2016, Joshua has served as Regional Director at Acadia Healthcare, overseeing seven Opioid Treatment Programs in Western Pennsylvania and leading the development of new OTP sites in Ohio, as well as Pennsylvania’s first and only jail-based methadone induction program within the Allegheny County Jail in Pittsburgh, PA. Widely respected for his collaboration with state and federal agencies, legislators, and healthcare systems, he has helped drive regulatory reform and expand access to evidence-based treatment. Joshua also serves as President of the Pennsylvania Association for the Treatment of Opiate Dependence, previously served as a CARF Surveyor, and brings a strong sense of service to his work as an ordained minister, husband, and father of five.
