Anna Nasset is the owner and creator of Stand Up Resources, a business that provides marketing, communications and web design for victim service agencies. She is also an emerging national speaker on the subject of stalking and sexual assault. Anna has been an on-going victim of stalking, by a man she does not know, for the last 7 years and turned her experience of sexual and psychological abuse into that of speaking, outreach and activism.* The trauma, confusion and terror that comes from such a crime affected her life in every aspect: professionally, relationships, home, family and location. For many years she lived in fear and "in the shadows" doing whatever she could do to disappear. She lost her business and went to such lengths as to relocate across the country. She has worked with countless victim service providers over the last seven years to successfully get prosecution against the offender, she speaks about her experience with her providers and community. She now work

Arianna Saykally-McAdams is a licensed professional counselor, substance abuse counselor, and certified clinical trauma professional who has worked in the field of interpersonal trauma for the last 22 years. She worked at New Horizons, a domestic violence shelter and outreach center for 16 years as an advocate and then as a psychotherapist. She has been a psychotherapist for the Sexual Abuse Counseling and Support Program at Gundersen Health System for the last 7 years. She has provided presentations for medical staff at Gundersen on topics related to trauma including the neurobiology of trauma, vicarious trauma, and skills, tools, and resources for working with survivors of interpersonal trauma.

Growing up, Vang was always surrounded by Hmoob womyn who were breaking gender norms. Over the years her passion to fight for justice has grown due to the amazing womyn of color in her life. They’ve shown her that this is something we must do, to survive and to thrive in a society that is against us. She’s an ambitious Hmoob womyn, who’s invested in empowering her community and fighting for liberation.

As a recipient of the Emmy Award documentary, “The Road Beyond Abuse” is a sought ought international empowerment speaker extraordinaire, compelling author, and trauma/child sexual abuse expert. She aids to empower and inspire individuals to move from hopelessness to hope by becoming of aware of their cycles that impede them and take action to break them to reach their fullest potential in their life. Dr. McSwain, is the author of her compelling autobiography, “Rising Above the Scars”, describing her life’s triumphant journey of how she broke generational cycles of brutal childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse, high school drop-out, single parenting, promiscuity, poverty, jail, and death. In 2015, with hard work and tenacity she earned her Ph.D., in Social Work Policy and Administration at Clark Atlanta University. She travels worldwide to encourage and empower women and young girls by sharing her story of survival, and triumph, redemption and forgiveness, and self-love.

Gayle was honored to work for 10 years responding to violent crime scenes in Tribal communities, assisting victims, survivors, and their families through the investigative and often through the prosecution phases of the criminal justice system. She served on the FBI’s nationwide Rapid Deployment and Evidence Response Teams that responded to critical incidents across the country; such as Ground Zero after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and the Red Lake Nation school shooting. Gayle was the first FBI direct-service Victim Specialist, implementing the program in what DOJ calls “Indian Country”. The program has now grown to 40+ FBI Indian Country VSs. She was privileged to help implement the CAP Crash Assistance Program for the SD Highway Patrol, and assisted with developing the first Victim Assistance Academy training for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) VSs.

Ms. LaSpisa was appointed District Attorney in May, 2021. Prior to this appointment, Ms. LaSpisa was an Assistant District Attorney in Green Lake County since 2019 where she focused on crimes of interpersonal violence. Prior to joining the Green County District Attorney’s Office, Ms. LaSpisa was an Assistant District Attorney in Dane County where she focused on child sexual assault prosecutions. From 1999 – 2005, Ms. LaSpisa served as an Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County. From 1994 – 1999, Ms. LaSpisa served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Illinois. Over her career, Ms. LaSpisa has developed experience in a wide array of criminal matters. However, her focus and passion has been to provide compassionate service and support to crime victims and witnesses. In addition to her prosecutorial experience, she also served as the executive director of a children’s charity, working to enrich the lives of children with physical disabilities.

Jen Tingle, Prevention Coordinator for Golden House in Green Bay, utilizes her many years of experience and passion for working with at-risk populations to network and educate individuals within area schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, and other community partnerships in an effort to prevent and reduce domestic violence.

Jesse Crowe has been in law enforcement since 1993 where he worked in local law enforcement and has held the positions of patrol officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, and Detective Sergeant. In 2010 Jesse was hired by the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) as a Special Agent and was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Jesse now holds the position of Special Agent in Charge and supervises ICAC Investigations in field offices in Wausau, and Eau Claire. Jesse is the Commander for the Wisconsin ICAC Task Force and the Commander for the DCI Child Abduction Response Team (CART). Jesse has conducted hundreds of investigations into the online sexual exploitation of children and has extensive investigative experience in peer-to-peer and online undercover chat.

She brings change globally through her transformational training series. Jessica's commitment to bringing awareness to sexual crimes against children reigns true both nationally and internationally. As a former Child Protective Investigator and Clinical Mental Health Therapist, her experiences have equipped her with skills and techniques to educate professionals and global citizens combating sexual crimes against children. Obtaining certifications in child sexual trauma, and more, Jessica has made it her moral imperative to serve and protect children and families. In 2018 Jessica was one of several world-changers selected to help develop policies to accelerate Alliance 8.7: Ending Forced Labor, Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking & Child Labor at the United Nations. Since then, Jessica has had the privilege to speak on several global platforms. Jessica has developed the Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Child Protection Agency LLC. and Global Prevention Academy.

Ms. Vue graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with her Bachelor's in Organizational Communication and an LGBTQ+ Certificate where she was an activist in battling systemic injustice on campus; aiding in the creation of the Critical Hmong Studies Program. She then graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with her Master's in Student Affairs Administration in 2021. She served as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate at Family Support Center prior to transitioning to this role and served as a Military Victim Advocate for the Wisconsin Army National Guard. She believes in harnessing the power of collective and radical hope to bring forth change. She is a homebody and enjoys spending time with her brothers, traveling with loved ones, and writing/performing spoken word poetry.

Kelli is a community health nurse, award-winning trauma-informed stand-up comic and storyteller and author of seven hilarious nonfiction books about not humorous subjects including the best-selling Boy's Body Book (Cidermill Press) and How to Survive And Maybe Even Love Nursing School (FA Davis, 3rd edition, 2017). Kelli's has appeared on Showtime, the Discovery Channel, Jubilee Media and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness and speaks frequently to healthcare providers and other folks who have impossible jobs about laughter at the end of life, using humor to combat vicarious trauma, and storytelling as an act of radical self-care. Kelli's award-winning but dubiously named Second Helping: Two Dead Lovers, Dead Funny was called "a love letter to the power of community" by the Bechdel Theater was featured in last year's Edinburgh Fringe and is touring nationally. Kelli's substack Second Helping Gazette is a free funny practical newsletter dedicated to helping helpers help.

Leigha has been with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) Office since 2014 and has served as the agency’s PREA Director (Coordinator) since 2018. In the same year, she was certified as a USDOJ PREA Auditor. Prior to joining WI DOC, she oversaw all major service delivery functions as the Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army of Dane County. She came to Madison from San Diego where she was the Community Health Program Manager for the Transitional Case Management Program, a joint re-entry initiative of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the University of California-San Diego. Leigha has experience managing caseloads of dual diagnosed confined people, providing therapy to court-mandated youth and their families, and facilitating grief and loss therapy. She is the current chair of the National PREA Coordinators Working Group and consultant for Impact Justice’s National PREA Resource Center.

Lynn Cook, MSW, CAPSW received her MSW and Certificate in Trauma Counseling at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2008. Lynn is responsible for implementing statewide initiatives that improve the investigation, prosecution, and judicial handling of child abuse. Prior to this position, Lynn worked as a Forensic Interviewer at the Milwaukee Child Advocacy Center of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She began her work in that capacity in July of 2015 and has conducted well over 2,300 forensic interviews of children and teens who have experienced or witnessed violence and child maltreatment. She continues to conduct forensic interviews at Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center in Madison. Lynn conducts many other statewide and national trainings in areas specific to child abuse dynamics. She is often called to testify as an expert witness in criminal trials in Milwaukee County and across the state.

As Deputy District Attorney, Matthew Torbenson oversees the domestic violence unit, the sensitive crimes unit, the child protection and advocacy unit, and the Chapter 980 (sexually violent persons) unit within the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. Matthew also directly handles child homicides and complex child maltreatment cases. Matthew has extensive training & experience in prosecuting complex child abuse and child neglect matters, with specialization in child homicides, abusive head trauma (formerly shaken baby), child torture cases, inflicted burn injuries, medical child abuse & child neglect. Matthew has directly prosecuted over 75 child homicide cases and over 60 abusive head trauma cases. Prior to becoming a Deputy District Attorney, Matthew Torbenson served as the first team captain of the Child Protection & Advocacy Unit (CPAU), and played an integral role as the team captain of the juvenile sensitive crimes unit for over 5 years.

Nela Kalpic is a dedicated expert, trusted advisor, & public speaker focused on domestic violence, victims' rights, and the criminal justice system. She leads efforts to implement Marsy's Law in Wisconsin and ensures the recognition and protection of crime victims' rights. Nela's commitment extends beyond victims' rights, as she collaborates with diverse stakeholders to foster safer communities for everyone. Her influential role includes serving on the Wisconsin Crime Victims' Rights Board, the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse, and U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus Advisory Committee, appointed by Co-Founder and Chair, Congressman Jim Costa. Recognized with the esteemed Governors' Courage Award in 2017, Nela's expertise and unwavering dedication have made her a sought-after voice in state and national media. With her global background and proficiency in multiple languages, Nela actively engages with diverse communities, fostering relatability and understanding.

Ms. Thao is a co-founder and executive director of the Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc., a statewide coalition whose mission is to build the capacities of Black and Brown advocates and their communities to end violence against women, queer and trans folx and young people. She is deeply involved in the movement to end violence against womyn and children through her work with the international Building Our Future Campaign and her leadership at the Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc. Thao is an experienced nonprofit professional with expertise in capacity building, program development, nonprofit management, and fundraising. From Eau Claire, WI, she serves on local non-profit boards such as the Chippewa Valley Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and is an active community advocate. In 2020, Thao created the fiscal project, Power Up Eau Claire, which is a community power building program aimed at amplifying the voices and experiences of the local Hmong and other API.

Bob is a 45-year veteran prosecutor. Bob spent nine years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County, Illinois State’s Attorney’s office. In 1987, he came to Wisconsin as an Assistant District Attorney in the Felony Unit of the Dane County District Attorney’s Office. In 2014, Bob joined the Criminal Litigation Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Justice as an Assistant Attorney General. Bob has lectured on all aspects of prosecution and investigation of crimes, including but not limited to murder, child abuse, sexual assault, gang crimes, sexual assault, strangulation, victims’ rights, competency to stand trial, the mental disease or defect defense, the rules of evidence, prosecutor ethics, law enforcement investigations and working with prosecutors’ offices, all aspects of trial practice, witness preparation, sentencing and plea negotiations. Bob is certified as a Trial Advocacy Instructor by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy.

Shira Phelps has dedicated her career to ending gender-based violence and human trafficking. For over 20 years, she has focused her energy on building partnerships and developing multidisciplinary responses to human trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives through her work as an advocate, researcher, resource and program developer, grant administrator, policy analyst, staff attorney, program manager, trainer, and technical assistance provider. Ms. Phelps approaches this movement grounded in equity and racial justice, dedicated to continued personal learning and growth.

Sophia is currently a Victim Advocate at the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services of Northeast WI. She’s a graduate of the social work program at the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay, with additional degrees in human services and substance abuse education. Sophia has a special passion for serving crime victims, with specific interest in areas related to victim advocacy for children and teens, people who identify as LGBTQ+, the impact of childhood trauma and human trafficking.

Tanya Grassel-Krietlow is an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribal Nation, where her mom was born and raised. She graduated high school in Chamberlain, SD, went to UMM- Morris, graduated from SDSU with a BA in Psychology, and then attended grad school at USD. Tanya’s son recently graduated from the Indian Police Academy. He is employed by the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. Her husband, Kurt, is a real-life Daniel Boone who hunts and fishes as hard as he works. We are a family that cooks what we harvest and are equal parts outdoorsy, tree hugger, and river rat. Tanya has been privileged to have had a lot of career paths from law enforcement to education to grants management. All have involved working with Native Americans and their families. She currently lives in Pierre, SD and is working with The South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault as Program Manager for the FAST Tribal Sexual Assault Initiative.