Wellness & Education Conference 2024
Empowering Educators and Health Providers
The mission of the WE (Wellness & Education) Conference is to provide a forum for educators and providers of health and wellness services to share scholarship, ideas, and innovation. We are committed to creating a community of collaboration and networking that brings people and organizations together to promote a system of change. This meeting features invited talks, papers and workshops addressing a wide range of topics related to education and wellness across the lifespan and in multiple contexts. The conference is open to educators, psychologists, counselors, health services providers, wellness providers/coaches, community partners and organizations, students, and members of the public.
OCTOBER 24-26
Bolingbrook Community Center
What is the WE Conference?
Get to Know Us
The mission of the WE (Wellness & Education) Conference is to provide a forum for educators and providers of health and wellness services to share scholarship, ideas, and innovation. It's a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and gain insights into the latest developments in wellness and education.
Keynote Speakers
FOLLOW
Dr. Maria Malayter, PhD
Well-Being Centered Leadership: Techniques to Create a Thriving Team
Dr. Maria Malayter, Ph.D. launched her career working alongside researchers from the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine and the U.S. Navy leading a health and wellness productivity program. She is an accomplished professor of applied behavioral science, leadership, and business psychology and author of several books. As a global researcher and presenter, Dr. Maria was nominated for the 2023 Success Magazine Women of Influence award for her global impact in teaching, mentoring, and volunteerism. Her company, Innovations in Change, LLC, assists individuals in peak performance coaching, consulting, and strengthening mental fitness through the Positive Intelligence © program. Beyond coaching and consulting, Dr. Malayter is the host of The Joy Chemistry podcast where she leads the conversation on whole person and leader wellness.
Dr. Syeda Ali, MD
The Role of Social and Emotional
Well-Being in Preventing Chronic Diseases:
A Physician's Perspective
Dr. Alli Cipra, PhD
Cascading Effects: The Importance of SEL in Schools
Dr. Alli Cipra, Ph.D. is a professor and Assistant Dean at Governors State University. She mentors students in the research process and is the director of the Social Development Lab. Much of her work focuses on social emotional learning and the brain-body connection. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Applied Research (JAD), author of An Introduction to Critical Thinking & Research Writing in the Social Sciences as well as numerous research articles. She has presented her research at juried conferences in the United States, Italy, Scotland, and Madeira. As co-founder of Gr2IT Inc., Dr. Cipra works to provide students, educators, and parents with the skills children need for continued positive development.
Dr. Syeda Ali, MD is a distinguished board-certified internist and obesity medicine physician renown for her expertise in a wide spectrum of acute and chronic diseases and cutting-edge treatment modalities. She is deeply committed to the principles of functional medicine, with a focus on preventative care for her patients. Dr. Ali’s specialized interests lie in the realm of Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance and Obesity. Furthermore, Dr. Ali serves on multiples advisory boards, contributing to the advancement and innovation of healthcare. Her remarkable contributions have earned her ongoing recognition across various platforms. Additionally, she was honored as a Powerful Woman by Uplifted Care in 2023.
Dr. Duaa Hamoud, DMD
A Personal Account of Adversity: Storytelling Segment
Dr. Hamoud is an alum of Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine and the owner of Orland Premiere Dental. Dr. Hamoud is proficient in full mouth rehabilitation, including full arch veneers aka the “Hollywood Smile.”
Education has always been on the forefront of Dr. Duaa’s priorities. She has traveled across the country and abroad to invest in her dental knowledge and bring the latest and greatest advancements to her patients. Her most recent adventure was to Cannes, France last fall where she became certified in orthodontic bracket placement for cases where clear aligners aren’t recommended. Dr. Duaa’s passion for academia became reality when she joined her Alma Mater, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, as adjunct faculty, teaching and mentoring first year dental students in the patient and simulation clinic. Each year she participates in Dental Health Awareness Month at local schools to teach children the benefit of good dental hygiene from a young age. She also loves to share her passion for dentistry at high school career fairs promoting higher education in the medical field.
Agenda - Please note changes
Thank you to Avanzare Restaurant for providing the conference lunch on Thursday!
Thank you to our anonymous donors for providing the conference lunch on Friday!
The Venue
Bolingbrook Community Center
201 Canterbury Ln, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
The Bolingbrook Community Center in Bolingbrook, Illinois is conveniently located with ample parking. The venue provides a spacious and versatile setting ideal for our three day conference. Enjoy productive sessions in comfortable surroundings, with all your conference needs seamlessly met.
Thursday & Friday 8:30-5:00
Saturday 9:00-2:00
Special Thanks to Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta for all her support!
Born in Egypt, Mary Alexander-Basta moved to the United States and grew up in Tennessee. She studied Mass Communications, TV & Radio Broadcasting at the American University in Cairo and then attended Tennessee State University. Her professional background includes social and corporate event planning and hotel and club management.
Prior to stepping into office as Mayor in August of 2020, Mary was involved in community service in a multitude of ways, including serving as a Village Trustee, serving on the village’s Public Safety and Public Services Committees, Chair of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, President of the Bloomfield West II Homeowners Association, executive board member of the Bolingbrook Soccer Club, President of her children’s elementary and middle school PTAs, and founding vice president of Bolingbrook STEM Association for youth. Her professional experience along with her expertise in strategic planning, communication, sales management, and relationship building has supported her in her goals as Mayor of the Village of Bolingbrook. They include improving the quality of life, economic growth, and civic participation in the diverse and vibrant community.
Mayor Mary has been recognized with the CAPE (Coordination of Parent and groups for Educational Efficiency) award in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2024, was Bolingbrook’s Female Citizen of the Year in 2018, and was recognized as one of the Top 20 Global Women of Excellence in 2021. She was selected to the Empower10 by the Arab Business & Professional Association and was featured in Shine Powerful Women Magazine in 2022.
Our Sponsors
SUPPORTING WELLNESS & EDUCATION
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Law Office of Todd H. Fox
Nittany Landscape Management, Inc.
