We Are the Movement: 2026 WSCADVSA Conference: Full Schedule

This year’s conference honors the people who built this movement, and the people continuing to carry it forward. For generations, survivors, advocates, organizers, and community members have created safety, support, and change together. Their lived experience, knowledge, and care have shaped this work from the very beginning. Join us for two days of connection, learning, and envisioning what’s possible when we build safety, healing, and belonging together.

Speaker and workshop announcements coming soon! For more information, please see our FAQ page or contact us at [email protected].

For more information about the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, visit our website.

8:00am PDT

Check-In & Morning Coffee

Monday September 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Lobby

Come get checked in for the conference and pick up your nametag and swag bag. Enjoy some coffee and tea before we get started. Please note we will not be serving breakfast.

Monday September 28, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Lobby

Break

9:00am PDT

We Are the Movement: Lineage, Belonging, and the World We Are Becoming (Monday Plenary)

Monday September 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Ballroom (CD)

Workshop Evaluation

Every movement has ancestors. Every movement has a future. The question is: who are we becoming in between?This opening keynote invites us to reflect on the people who built this movement, the communities that continue to sustain it, and the relationships that will carry it into the future. Through story, reflection, and imagination, we'll explore what itmeans to belong to a movement that is...
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Speakers

Alexis Flanagan

CEO, Resonance Network

Alexis Flanagan (she/ella) is a queer Black feminist DC girl whose heart pumps to the beat of “the Pocket” that holds down DC go-go music and culture.

After living abroad as an exchange student in Argentina during her senior year of high school and receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature from University of Maryland, College Park, Alexis began her career as a K-12 and adult educator, teaching Spanish to... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Ballroom (CD)

Plenary

10:00am PDT

Morning Break

Monday September 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT

Lobby

Monday September 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
Lobby

Break

10:30am PDT

Creating Medicine Shields

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Advocates will create their own Medicine Shield in this hands-on workshop. Medicine Shields have long served as symbols of protection and strength within Native traditions, including all cultures. This session invites participants to discuss how incorporating cultural practices like this one into their work can support resilience, self-care, and a deeper, more culturally responsive connection to...
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Speakers

Arlene Red Elk

Yeha:wi Healing Journey Facilitator, Mother Nation

Elder Arlene Red Elk (Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe) is Lead Facilitator and master designer of the Circle of Life workshop series. She specializes in multi-abuse trauma of violence against women and is well known across Indian Country as designer of services such as the original Ina... Read More →

Bridgette Light

Yeha:wi Healing Journey Co-Facilitator, Mother Nation

Bridgette (Jamestown S’klallam Tribe) joined Mother Nation in 2023 to assist Elder Arlene Red Elk with the Yeha:wi Healing Journey. She is a member of the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe and a holistic nutritionist currently studying plant medicine and indigenous food pathways. Bridgette worked for her Tribe for several yea... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, culturally specific advocacy, Native-led advocacy, hands-on workshop, self-care/sustainable practice

10:30am PDT

Healing in the Web of Trauma: Culturally Responsive Care for Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), more than one-half (53.6%) of the Black women surveyed experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking that was committed by an intimate partner during their lifetimes. Black women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique challenges, often shaped by the intersecting identities of...
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Speakers

Doris O'Neal

Director, GBVSS, YWCA Seattle-King-Snohomish

For more than 25 years, Doris O’Neal has been dedicated to survivor-defined advocacy, public policy, and restorative justice, with a focus on helping survivors who are African American, living in poverty, or experiencing housing instability. Doris O’Neal is currently the Director... Read More →

Dr. Carolyn West

Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Washington

Dr. Carolyn West is an award-winning Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington, expert witness, author, and consultant who has investigated gender-based violence in the lives of Black women for more than three decades. She has authored more than 100 publications... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, culturally specific advocacy, systems advocacy, trauma & mental health, domestic violence

10:30am PDT

Make It Make Sense! Why the State Budget Matters for Survivors and Your Program

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Washington State is one of the top 5 wealthiest states in the country. And yet, programs that support survivors are being slashed, our own programs are stretched to the limit, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cry poverty when balancing our state budget. Make it make sense! This workshop will help you better understand our state budget, what it funds, and why safety net programs are the...
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Speakers

Traci Underwood

Director of Policy Development & Research, Economic Opportunity Institute

Traci Underwood holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Washington where she focused on public policy and nonprofit administration and has been working for economic justice for Washingtonians since 2001.

She is the Director of Policy Development & Research at the Economic Opportunity Institute where she has been on staff for 4 years. Some recent policy successes Traci has worked on include, strengthening our state’s Paid Sick & Safe Leave and Paid Family & Medical Leave programs... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic community engagement & organizing, economic justice, public policy, managers & directors, systems advocacy, domestic violence, sexual assault

10:30am PDT

Safer in a Digital World: Practical Tech Safety for Advocates

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Technology is increasingly part of the safety concerns survivors bring to advocates, from phones, social media, location tracking, and hidden devices to online harassment, impersonation, and rapidly changing AI tools. This practical workshop will explore how technology is being used to monitor, intimidate, exploit, and harm survivors, while giving advocates concrete strategies for responding....
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Speakers

Leslie Briner

Principal, Social Strategies

For over 25 years, Leslie Briner has served people experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, systems involvement, and trauma. Leslie operates Social Strategies, an education and technology agency based in Seattle that equips public agencies and social service organizations with... Read More →

Chris Free

Operations & Technology Director, Social Strategies

Chris Free is the Operations & Technology Director at Social Strategies, bringing over 25 years of experience in systems design, technology infrastructure, and public policy. He leads the technical architecture and development of complex digital learning ecosystems—including statewide... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, domestic violence, sexual assault

10:30am PDT

Supporting Survivor Defendants

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Many people who are incarcerated have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault prior to system involvement. This training will provide context for how survivors become criminalized, explore advocacy approaches across different court systems, and share strategies for building effective relationships with defense attorneys and therapeutic courts. Participants will also examine organizational...
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Speakers

Liz Uchitelle

Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Liz Uchitelle is the Legal Advocacy Program Coordinator at WSCADV/SA, where she supports survivors navigating the criminal legal system and pushes for justice reform rooted in survivor-informed advocacy. She also brings a trauma-informed yoga practice to her work, using it as a tool... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, legal advocacy, systems advocacy, domestic violence, sexual assault

12:15pm PDT

Monday Lunch

Monday September 28, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

Ballroom (CD)

Monday September 28, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Ballroom (CD)

Break

1:30pm PDT

Arte, Sanación y Esperanza: Construyendo una Comunidad Más Allá de la Violencia Grupo de Apoyo para Mujeres Rurales de YWCAWW / Art, Healing & Hope: Building Community Beyond Violence YWCAWW Rural Women’s Support Group

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

This workshop will be presented in Spanish with limited English interpretation available. Arte, Sanación y Esperanza: Construyendo una Comunidad Más Allá de la Violencia Grupo de Apoyo para Mujeres Rurales de YWCA WWEste taller explora cómo la creatividad y el arte pueden apoyar a las sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica y agresión sexual en su camino hacia la sanación, la conexión y...
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Speakers

Celia Guardado

Community Outreach and Relationships Coordinator, Crossing Borders Survivors Advocate, YWCA Walla Walla

I have a great passion for working alongside domestic violence and sexual assault immigrant survivors and have done so for several years starting out working with a grassroots nonprofit, Amigas Unidas, out of Yakima, Washington under the umbrella of YWCA. Upon ending the contract... Read More →

Maria Enriquez

Promotora, YWCA Walla Walla

My name is Maria Enriquez. I am an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico. I was a victim of domestic violence.

Three years ago, I was in a great depression suffering from domestic violence and did not know what to do. Someone told me to call the YWCA. I spoke to an advocate on the phone... Read More →

Maria Venturi

Promotora, YWCA Walla Walla

My name is Maria Venturini and I am from Lima, Peru, South America. I immigrated to the United States when I was 12 yrs old. I lived in Miami Florida all my life where I was fortunate to go to college and earn my degrees.

I later married a North American man where my life with him was one of extreme verbal, emotional and economic abuse. He was living a double life when we divorced. I mourned my separation and my relationship but left with our two daughters and went back to school for my 5th degree... Read More →

Carmen Garza Ceron

Promotora, YWCA Walla Walla

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, community engagement & organizing, culturally specific advocacy, domestic violence, hands-on workshop, immigrant & refugee communities, rural communities, sexual assault

1:30pm PDT

Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGM/C) in Washington State

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in WA State is an interactive session designed to increase attendees understanding of FGM/C in Washington state, address common myths and misconceptions, and strengthen participants’ ability to support prevention and survivor-centered responses. Through storytelling, reflection, and discussion, participants will develop an understanding of the cultural and...
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Speakers

Dr Muna Osman

Washington Coalition to End FGM/C

Dr. Muna Osman is a doctor-prepared nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare. A Somali-American mother and first-generation refugee, she arrived in the U.S. 25 years ago with her one-year-old daughter. Muna is a passionate advocate and policy leader dedicated... Read More →

Severina Lemachokoti

Social Worker, Washington Coalition to End FGM/C

Severina Lemachokoti is a member of the Washington End FGM/C Coalition and actively supports the implementation of Washington State’s FGM/C law passed in 2023. She serves as a Community Advisory Board (CAB) member and collaborates with the Department of Criminal Justice in developing... Read More →

Jalang Conteh

FGMC Program Implementation Specialist, Mother Africa

Jalang Conteh serves as the Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Implementation Specialist at Mother Africa, where she supports the implementation of Washington State’s FGM/C Prevention and Response Project. In this role, she collaborates closely with community organizations... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, community engagement & organizing, culturally specific advocacy, immigrant & refugee communities

1:30pm PDT

Principles of Coaching for Managers and Directors

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Are you looking for ways to feel that spark of creativity and connection again with your staff and team? What about yourself? Coaching skills can be a way to encourage and engage, build self-awareness, and foster a healthy organizational culture. Come learn about some principles and practices of coaching and how it relates to survivor advocacy and program management. This interactive...
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Speakers

Keri Moran-Kuhn

Executive Director, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Since 1991, Keri has been engaged in supporting survivors. Her work began in Ohio, then continued in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and eventually lead her to Oregon in 2000. Keri has been with the Coalition since 2005 in various roles and currently is the Associate Director. Keri... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic self-care/sustainable practice, managers & directors, domestic violence, sexual assault

1:30pm PDT

The Living Lineage Project: Story, Art, and Belonging Across the Movement

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

Who helped shape your journey into this work? What wisdom do you carry? What do you hope others inherit from you?Join us for a creative, story-centered workshop where we'll reflect, connect, and contribute to a collaborative art project honoring the many people, experiences, and communities that make up this movement. Together we'll explore how storytelling and collective creativity cultivate...
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Speakers

Alexis Flanagan

CEO, Resonance Network

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, hands-on workshop, self-care/sustainable practice

1:30pm PDT

Virtual Presence, Real Impact: Tele Forensic Exams in Practice

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

This workshop will provide an overview of the new statewide Tele Forensic Program. Participants will learn about the program's structure and services, explore the types of support available, and gain an understanding of the advocate's role within the Tele Forensic model.

Speakers

Terri Stewart

Forensic Nurse, Manager of Forensic Nurse Training, Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center

Terri Stewart has been a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) with Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center (HATC) since 2002 and has dedicated her career to advancing trauma-informed forensic nursing care. She previously served as the Health Program Operations Manager for the HATC SANE Team... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, systems advocacy, sexual assault

3:00pm PDT

Afternoon Break

Monday September 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Lobby

Monday September 28, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Lobby

Break

3:05pm PDT

Stretch & Reset

Monday September 28, 2026 3:05pm - 3:25pm PDT

Room H

A short, grounding practice rooted in trauma sensitive yoga and trauma-informed principles. Designed to help advocates reset between sessions, whether that's client work, court, or back-to-back meetings. No mat or experience is needed. Take what you learn and bring it back to your own workday.

Speakers

Liz Uchitelle

Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Monday September 28, 2026 3:05pm - 3:25pm PDT
Room H

Activity

3:30pm PDT

Advocacy Under Pressure

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Advocates are carrying tremendous pressure as they support survivors while navigating increasingly strained systems that can push emotional and professional capacity to its limits. This interactive session creates space to acknowledge those challenges, examine the evolving role of advocacy, and explore how cross-sector partnerships, particularly with home visiting programs, can strengthen support...
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Speakers

Jami Bess

Director of Services, Open Arms Perinatal Services

Jami Bess is a maternal and reproductive health leader with over a decade of experience advancing equity for low-income families in Washington State. As Director of Programs at Open Arms Perinatal Services, she oversees community-based doula and home visiting initiatives that center... Read More →

Marcella Taylor

ParentChild+ Program Manager, Start Early Washington

Marcella Taylor is the ParentChild+ Program Manager for Washington State, with over 20 years of experience in early learning, home visiting, and family support. Her professional journey was shaped by her personal one—as a young parent and former ParentChild+ participant. That experience... Read More →

Florida Steele

Early Learning Coordinator, Open Arms Perinatal Services

Florida Steele is a family advocate with 30+ years of experience supporting under-resourced communities through direct service and systems advocacy. As a mother of four, she centers her work on relational, strengths-based support that honors families lived experiences. At Open Arms... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, children & parenting, community engagement & organizing, reproductive justice

3:30pm PDT

Building Washington's Sexual Assault Movement: One Year of Progress & What's Next

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

One year after WSCADV/SA became Washington's designated sexual assault coalition, join members of the Sexual Assault Working Group (SAWG) and the Coalition for a conversation about where we've been, what we've learned, and where we're headed. We'll share updates on statewide policy, emerging priorities identified by advocates across Washington, and opportunities to strengthen our collective voice....
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Speakers

Sherrie Tinoco

Managing Director, WSCADVSA

Sherrie Tinoco is the Policy Director at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV). Sherrie previously worked with direct victim service programs for over 20 years that provided support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes... Read More →

Roshelle Cleland

Director of Public Policy, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Roshelle Cleland is the Director of Public Policy at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Prior to joining the coalition, she served as Director of Advocacy & Education at the Lutheran Community Services Northwest, where she led Spokane County’s... Read More →

Kate Garvey

CEO, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC)

Kate was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center in October 2023. She leads a staff of more than 60 employees, and works closely with the 22-member Board of Directors to meet KCSARC’s vision and mission. Kate brings almost two decades... Read More →

Carlyn Sampson

Executive Director, Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center

Originally from Tennessee, Carlyn holds bachelors degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice and a masters degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She moved to Pierce County, Washington in 2012 and began service with Rebuilding Hope as a volunteer victim advocate on the 24/7 helpline... Read More →

Sara Owen

Prevention/Outreach Specialist & Survivors Advocate at Beyond Survival, Sexual Assault Resource Center for Grays Harbor Washington

I'm the Prevention/Outreach Specialist & a Survivors Advocate at Beyond Survival, the Sexual Assault Resource Center for Grays Harbor Washington. I specialize in working with at risk youth, underserved communities & trafficking victims. Much of my time is spent teaching, creating... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic sexual assault, public policy

3:30pm PDT

Navigating Community Resources for Immigrant Survivors

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Supporting immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault requires an understanding of how immigration status, language, race, gender identity, disability, income, and geographic location shape both survivors' experiences and their access to safety and support. This workshop explores the unique barriers immigrant survivors face and how advocates can provide culturally responsive,...
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Speakers

Marleny Silva Velarde

Community Resource Manager, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

Marleny was born in Nayarit, Mexico, and raised in a small dairy-farming town in Washington State’s North Puget Sound region. A formerly undocumented immigrant and DACA recipient, she immigrated to the U.S. with her family at the age of four. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she... Read More →

Yahaira Padilla

Deportation Defense Organizer, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network

Yahaira Padilla grew up undocumented and is a beneficiary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). She was born in Jalisco, Mexico, and came to the US at the age of 4 along with her mother and siblings.

In 2006, Yahaira moved from East Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington where she started organizing in High School as she faced the reality and challenges of being an undocumented student. While in high school, Yahaira cultivated an after-school club for Latinx students as she was politicized... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, immigrant & refugee communities

3:30pm PDT

Supporting Survivors Through Mental Health Challenges (Part 1)

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

This training equips non-clinicians with practical skills to recognize and respond to common mental health challenges experienced by survivors. Participants will learn how trauma can affect emotional well-being, how to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support, and when and how to connect individuals with professional resources. The session emphasizes building confidence in supportive...
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Speakers

Minu Ranna-Stewart

Director, Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center

Minu Ranna-Stewart, LICSW, is the Director of Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center and by training is a licensed clinical social worker. She graduated with a master’s degree in social work from the University of Washington and has over 25 years of professional experience as a social... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, trauma & mental health

3:30pm PDT

Survivor Driven Housing Advocacy

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Housing advocacy plays a vital role in helping survivors achieve safety and long-term stability. This workshop will focus on integrating trauma-informed, survivor-driven advocacy practices throughout the housing search process, ensuring survivors' choices, strengths, and goals remain at the center of every step. Participants will explore common barriers survivors face when accessing housing,...
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Speakers

Sarah Kendall

Housing Stability Coordinator, WSCADVSA

Sarah Kendall serves as the Housing Stability Coordinator at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, where she supports over 70 member programs with housing justice, program management, and continuation of the domestic violence housing first model. Prior to this... Read More →

Monday September 28, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic advocacy skills, housing, systems advocacy, domestic violence

6:30pm PDT

Movement Trivia Night

Monday September 28, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Bale Breaker Brewery & Taproom

Join hosts Nan Stoops and Suzi Fode for a rousing session of trivia, with questions that only advocates will know how to answer. 6:30-8:30pm at Bale Breaker Brewery & Taproom, about 10 minutes from the convention center. Come early to settle in, socialize, and check out the food trucks on site.From the Bale Breaker FAQ:We offer a variety of sodas and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase and a...
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Monday September 28, 2026 6:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Bale Breaker Brewery & Taproom 1801 Birchfield Rd. Yakima, WA 98901

Activity

7:00pm PDT

Evening Events

Monday September 28, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

TBA

Details coming soon!

Monday September 28, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
TBA

Activity

7:00am PDT

Morning Flow: Start Your Day

Tuesday September 29, 2026 7:00am - 7:45am PDT

Room H

Join Liz Uchitelle, TCTSY-certified yoga instructor, for a trauma-informed practice grounded in choice, interoception, and connection with your body. Designed specifically for survivors of trauma, this class is also a great opportunity for advocates curious about bringing this practice to their own program to experience it firsthand. No mats necessary — bring your own if...
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Speakers

Liz Uchitelle

Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Tuesday September 29, 2026 7:00am - 7:45am PDT
Room H

Activity

8:00am PDT

New Directors Meet-Up & Cohort Preview

Tuesday September 29, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT

Room H

Designed for directors within their first two years of leadership, this early morning session offers an opportunity to connect with peers, discuss the realities of nonprofit leadership, and learn about the upcoming New Director Training and Support Cohort. Join longtime Executive Directors Suzi Fode and Sherrie Tinoco for conversation, networking, and insights to support your leadership journey.

Speakers

Suzi Fode

Retired!

After spending more than two decades doing meaningful, heavy lifting in the anti-violence movement, I’ve officially swapped my work badge for a life of adventure and relaxation. These days, I’m a proud retired mom of two amazing adult kids and one remarkably huge yellow Lab who... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Room H

Activity

Topic managers & directors

8:00am PDT

Morning Coffee

Tuesday September 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT

Lobby

Come enjoy some coffee and tea before we get started. Please note we are not serving breakfast.

Tuesday September 29, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am PDT
Lobby

Break

9:00am PDT

Becoming the Movement: A Collective Practice of Belonging (Tuesday Plenary)

Tuesday September 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Ballroom (CD)

Movements don't survive because of organizations alone. They survive because people keep choosing one another.This interactive gathering invites the entire conference into a shared experience of connection, reflection, and hope. Together we'll explore how belonging is intentionally created, how stories become bridges across generations, and how small, everyday practices can strengthen the movement...
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Speakers

Alexis Flanagan

CEO, Resonance Network

Tuesday September 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Ballroom (CD)

Plenary

10:00am PDT

Morning Break

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT

Lobby

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am PDT
Lobby

Break

10:30am PDT

Great Governance: Getting Everyone on Board

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

A high functioning board is one of the best things that can happen to an organization. But it doesn’t just happen. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how to build, orient, and support your board’s development so that they can become confident and passionate ambassadors for your organization’s mission. In this interactive time together, we’ll talk about roles and responsibilities,...
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Speakers

Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin

speaker

Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin is a self-described numbers geek who worked in finance and accounting before finding her dream job combining her strong financial and fundraising skills with her passion for community-based social justice work in support of a great mission. She recently retired... Read More →

Board Chair and ED Relationship Article pdf

Board Engine Quiz docx

Board Member Contract docx

Board Chair CEO Partnership Table pdf

Division of Roles pdf

Micromanagement What it is and How to Handle docx

sample agenda ED meets with Board Chair pdf

Who Decides pdf

Who is responsible pdf

Table of Contents Board Book docx

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, managers & directors

10:30am PDT

Making the Invisible Visible: Identifying and Proving Coercive Control

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

This session will provide an overview of domestic violence and take a deeper dive into understanding on coercive control, along with strategies to assess for coercive control as an act of domestic violence and concrete action plans for survivors navigating the courts.

Speakers

Riddhi Mukhopadhyay

Executive Director, Sexual Violence Law Center

Riddhi Mukhopadhyay is Sexual Violence Law Center's Executive Director. Working with survivors for over 20 years, Riddhi was an interpreter for immigrant survivors, then worked as both a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate. Riddhi is a former public defender and started... Read More →

Elizabeth Hendren

Advocacy Counsel, Sexual Violence Law Center

Elizabeth Hendren is Sexual Violence Law Center's Advocacy Counsel, joining the team after founding the Reentry Initiated through Services and Education (RISE) Project at Northwest Justice Project and working for over ten years as a family law attorney to facilitate family reunification... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, advocacy skills, legal advocacy

10:30am PDT

The Truth About Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Black Communities

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

TBA

Commercial sexual exploitation affects Black youth, adults, families, and communities across generations, yet myths, racial bias, and gaps in our service systems can shape how exploitation is understood and addressed. This workshop brings together data, advocate expertise, and the knowledge of people with lived experience to examine the realities of commercial sexual exploitation in Black...
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Speakers

La Tanya Horace-DuBois

Founder & Executive Director, The Silent Task Force

La Tanya has worked in human services for over 20 years, managing, coordinating and creating programming for Black and brown communities of King County. She has worked in mainstream domestic violence agencies for 8 years, AA women and churches on breast and cervical health and screenings... Read More →

Ze'lla Adams

Lead Advocate, The Silent Task Force

Ze’lla Elaine Adams is the Founder, CEO and Transformational Coach of Made To Empower Faith, Hope & Wellness Coaching Services, also serves as The Silent Task Force Lead DV, SA, CSE Advocate, and serves as a DV Specialist for Reclaiming Our Greatness.As a Certified Trauma Transformational... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Topic culturally specific advocacy, sexual assault, prevention & youth, advocacy skills, community engagement & organizing, systems advocacy, domestic violence

10:30am PDT

Workshop Session TBD

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop description coming soon!

Speakers

Alison Price

Board Chair, Director, Rural Resources Victim Services & CAC

Alison Price is the director at Rural Resources Victim Services and Children's Advocacy Center, an agency that serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other types of crime in Stevens, Ferry, and Lincoln Counties. Since joining the movement over a decade... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

10:30am PDT

You Are the Intervention: Worldwide Indigenous Wisdom for Supporting Parents and Children on their Healing Journey

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

How we show up is the work. Knowledge and interventions matter, but the relationship you build with surviors is the strongest predictor of healing. In this workshop, we'll cover: How to support someone who has experienced domestic violence without taking over, causing more harm, or making them feel more alone. How to help parents protect their children's childhoods — recognizing that a child's...
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Speakers

Betty Peralta

Mental Health and Education Specialist, Children in Bloom

Betty Peralta, MIT, MS-MHC, IMH-E® Mentor-Clinical, is a mental health and education specialist with 26 years of experience: 14 as an educator, 12 as a mental health therapist, 12 as a parent coach, and 8 as a reflective consultant and trainer for family support professionals. She... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, advocacy skills, children & parenting, self-care/sustainable practice, trauma & mental health

12:15pm PDT

Tuesday Lunch & Annual Meeting

Tuesday September 29, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

Ballroom (CD)

You are invited to attend this year's Coalition Annual Membership Meeting! It will be held during Tuesday's lunch. This is the time for elections to the Board of Directors, and a chance for you to hear about the past year's highlights. This year, Member Programs will also vote on proposed bylaws changes.Each voting Member Program in good standing should designate one person to submit a ballot for...
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Tuesday September 29, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Ballroom (CD)

Membership Annual Meeting

1:30pm PDT

Carrying It Forward: Practices for Belonging, Storytelling, and Movement Memory

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

TBA

Belonging doesn't happen by accident—it grows through the stories we tell, the relationships we nurture, and the practices we choose together.Whether you helped create the Living Lineage Project on Day One or are experiencing it for the first time, this workshop invites you to add your voice to the collective story while exploring practical ways to strengthen connection within your own...
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Speakers

Alexis Flanagan

CEO, Resonance Network

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
TBA

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, hands-on workshop, self-care/sustainable practice

1:30pm PDT

Developing Housing Options for DV Survivor Families

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Finding safe, stable housing is a critical step toward long-term survivor safety and stability. This workshop will explore the full continuum of survivor housing options, from emergency shelter and transitional housing to permanent housing solutions. Participants will learn strategies for helping families secure affordable rental and permanent housing opportunities while gaining a better...
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Speakers

Angie Pacheco

Executive Director, Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties

Angie Pacheco is a nonprofit executive with more than three decades of leadership across community health, affordable housing, and social services. She currently serves as Executive Director of Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties in Kennewick, Washington, where... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, community engagement & organizing, housing, rural communities, managers & directors, systems advocacy

1:30pm PDT

Navigating Your Money Story While Supporting Survivors

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Many advocates feel hesitant to offer guidance when they are still navigating their own financial journeys. In this workshop, we will explore our personal money belief systems to build the self-awareness needed to lead with empathy and clarity. By understanding our own relationship with money, we can more confidently facilitate difficult financial conversations with survivors, even while...
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Speakers

Kitty Gresswell

Financial Empowerment Instructor, YWCA, Seattle, King, Snohomish

Kitty Gresswell is a financial empowerment educator specializing in trauma-informed financial literacy, coaching, and economic resilience. She has developed and facilitated financial education programs for survivors of domestic violence and individuals experiencing financial instability... Read More →

Jennifer Quiroz

Executive Director, Financial Empowerment Network

Jennifer Quiroz is the Executive Director of the Financial Empowerment Network (FEN). Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit programming, focused on gender-based violence, immigrant communities and financial empowerment. Prior to taking on this role in 2021, Jennifer... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, advocacy skills, economic justice, self-care/sustainable practice

1:30pm PDT

Vicarious Trauma & You

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

We know that trauma impacts the clients we serve, but how does witnessing, helping with, or hearing about trauma day after day affect you personally and professionally? What is its impact on the organizations we work in?

Join this workshop to understand the “occupational hazards” of victim advocacy, and to identify what you can do to minimize the risk to yourself and your organization.

Speakers

Stephanie Sacks

Clinical Director, Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center

Stephanie Sacks, LMHC is the Clinical Director with Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center serving Pierce & Kitsap Counties, where she has worked for the last 32 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and is licensed with... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, self-care/sustainable practice, trauma & mental health

1:30pm PDT

When a School Community Faces Harm: A Restorative Response

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

When teacher misconduct and boundary violations came to light at Vashon Island’s only high school, the community faced a choice: react with blame or respond with intention. This case study traces how the Vashon Island School District and The DOVE Project built a multi-stakeholder workgroup grounded in restorative and transformative justice. With this work, producing four concrete pillars of...
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Speakers

Heidi Jackson

Executive Director, The DOVE Project

Heidi Jackson is the Executive Director of The DOVE Project, a domestic violence and sexual assault agency serving Vashon Island, Washington. With deep roots in serving the community and a lifelong commitment to ending relational violence, Heidi brings community-centered leadership... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, community engagement & organizing, prevention & youth, rural communities, systems advocacy

3:00pm PDT

Afternoon Break

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

Lobby

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Lobby

Break

3:05pm PDT

Stretch & Reset

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:05pm - 3:25pm PDT

Room H

Speakers

Liz Uchitelle

Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:05pm - 3:25pm PDT
Room H

Activity

3:30pm PDT

Developmental Dreamcatcher Workshop for Advocates

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

In this interactive workshop, advocates create their own Developmental Dreamcatcher, with each bead representing a milestone from their career journey in advocacy to where they are today. The activity is grounded in Indigenous teachings on growth and healing, drawing a direct line between the clinical practice of trauma-informed advocacy and the cultural traditions that have long supported healing...
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Speakers

Martin Spotted Bear

Waatunwan Case Manager, Mother Nation

Martin (Blackfeet Nation) brings experience in social work to his calling to implement Trauma-Informed Care with a cultural approach to assist Native people struggling from chronic homelessness. He is a believer in utilizing traditional values to advocate for the Indigenous communities... Read More →

Shanna Howtopat

MMIWP Advocate, Mother Nation

Shanna is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and descended from the Umatilla and Warm Springs tribes. She is experienced in the legal field and her calling has been to advocate for her Native people through local, state, and tribal systems. She is honored to be a MMIP Advoca... Read More →

Zoey Martin

Yeha:wi DV Advocate, Mother Nation

Zoey (Taino, Peruvian) is a Yeha:wi service advocate, providing help to our relatives who are fleeing domestic violence. She also works at the Spirit Journey House advocating for our sisters that are in recovery. She believes it is such an honor to be a part of this good work and... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic culturally specific advocacy, Native-led advocacy, hands-on workshop, self-care/sustainable practice, domestic violence, sexual assault

3:30pm PDT

From Advocacy to Action: Public Policy, Lobbying, and Engaging Decision-Makers

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Have you wanted to use your voice to help leaders and legislators better understand what survivors truly need? Are you unsure whether your staff can engage in lobbying? This session will help answer those questions and learn how! Whether you are new to policy advocacy or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will explore the fundamentals of public policy, the differences between...
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Speakers

Roshelle Cleland

Director of Public Policy, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic systems advocacy, public policy, sexual assault, managers & directors, domestic violence

3:30pm PDT

Mandated Reporting: Do Less

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Mandated reporting has caused real harm to survivors — and a lot of that harm comes from over-reporting. This training provides context around challenges and problems within our current system that create harm for families seeking support and get practical about what domestic violence advocates are actually required to report (spoiler: it's less than you think). Liz and Trina will walk through...
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Speakers

Liz Uchitelle

Legal Advocacy Coordinator, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Trina Ewing

CAP Lead Survivor Advocate, New Beginnings

Hi, I’m Trina Ewing, the CAP Lead Survivor Advocate with New Beginnings in Seattle, WA. My path to this work is deeply personal; as a survivor of domestic violence myself, I know firsthand the courage it takes to seek safety and rebuilding. Over the past five years, I have dedicated... Read More →

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, culturally specific advocacy, children & parenting, systems advocacy

3:30pm PDT

Supporting Survivors Through Mental Health Challenges (Part 2)

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Speakers

Minu Ranna-Stewart

Director, Harborview Abuse & Trauma Center

Tuesday September 29, 2026 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT

Workshop

Topic domestic violence, sexual assault, advocacy skills, trauma & mental health

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