Menu
NOVA's 46th Annual Training Event
At-a-Glance Agenda
List of Breakouts
training event featured speakers
Karen Vadino
Karen Vadino is a Motivational Speaker, Humorist, Trainer and Consultant. In her thirty-plus years as a human service professional, most of Karen’s experience has been in the field of chemical dependency, both as a licensed clinician and as a certified prevention specialist. She has considerable experience working with children and families, having served as a clinician and supervisor in Children’s Services group homes and a Children’s Psychiatric Hospital. For the past twenty-five years, Karen has been a nationally recognized speaker and trainer sharing her inimitable insights with thousands of people – adults and youth – each year. Karen has been described as “one of those rare people who can make you laugh and cry in the same moment”.
Regardless of the topic, Karen’s workshops and presentations are humorous in nature, reflecting her own insightful approach to dealing with life’s daily challenges. She is well known for her “Vadinoan Theories”, including her exhortation to “release your dolphins” and her firm belief that we should never wait until we are entirely happy before we laugh.
Helen Witty
Helen Witty joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in 2001, less than a year after her 16-year-old daughter, Helen Marie, was killed by a drunk and drugged teen driver while rollerblading on a designated bike path near the family’s Miami home. Shattered by the sudden, violent loss, Helen found hope through MADD, which soon gave her a platform to help others who had suffered similar tragedies. Before becoming National President in 2019, Helen spent 11 years as a MADD volunteer victim advocate, helping survivors and victims. In addition, she spent seven years as a staff member facilitating MADD’s prevention programs in South Florida.
chris wilson
Dr. Chris Wilson is a licensed psychologist from Portland, Oregon and the Director of Being Trauma Informed, an organization dedicated to making the science of trauma accessible and practical. Prior to starting BTI, Dr. Wilson had a private practice conducting evaluations and psychotherapy, while also providing training with a focus on domestic violence and sexual assault. For seven years he worked in the Oregon Department of Corrections and for ten years ran groups for abusive men.
STALKING: AN IN-DEPTH CASE STUDY AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESPONSE
Anna Nasset: Anna Nasset is an emerging expert, activist and writer in the field of stalking and sexual assault. For the last 9-12 years Anna has been stalked by a man she does not know. In August 2019 Anna was the main victim and witness in the case of Washington State vs. FR which resulted in conviction of felony aggravated
stalking and felony cyberstalking. This conviction led to the historic sentence of the maximum 10 years in prison. With her business Stand Up Resources, Anna has turned her experience of psychological and sexual abuse into working with law enforcement, victim service agencies, DOD, universities and more to be part of the solution through speaking and training.
Prosecutor James Kennedy: James Kennedy was born and raised in the Seattle Metro area and graduated from Ithaca College in 2003 with a degree in History. Upon
graduating college, James was commissioned as an Officer in the United States
Army where he served for nearly 6 years and completed two tours in Iraq. After
leaving the Army, James attended the Seattle University School of Law and
graduated in 2012. James has worked in prosecution ever since his second year
of law school and has worked in several jurisdictions throughout Washington
State. James was elected as the Prosecuting Attorney for Jefferson
County in 2018 where he currently lives with his wife and three children.
Judge (Ret.) Jill Landes: Over 30 years ago, Jill Landes began her career in Criminal Justice working as a crisis counselor and Community Education Coordinator at a local Rape Crisis center in Alaska. She later worked as a sex offender treatment specialist before relocating to Washington State in 1987. Working as a social worker for DSHS, Jill decided to attend law school to become a prosecutor. After 13 years as a prosecutor, she ran and was elected as Jefferson Country District Court Judge, where she remained for 12 years before retiring.
About us
Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States and is the recognized leader in victim advocacy, education and credentialing.
Our theme this year
Hope in Action
Why We Advocate
Contact Us
- nova46@trynova.org
- 703-535-6682