Speakers

Dr. Nicole McNichols is a human sexuality professor at the University of Washington, where she teaches the largest human sexuality course in the United States, educating more than 4,000 undergraduates each year. She is the author of You Could Be Having Better Sex (Simon Element, 2026) and one of today's most trusted public voices on modern intimacy.

Nicole has been featured in The New York Times and CNN, appeared on The Tamron Hall Show and NPR, and her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, as well as in national and international press. She is a sought-after guest on leading podcasts including The Mel Robbins Podcast, Almost 30, Liz Moody, The Model Health Show, The Dhru Purohit Podcast, The James Altucher Show, and Kelly Corrigan Wonders, reaching tens of millions of listeners worldwide.

With more than 500,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, Nicole translates cutting-edge science into practical tools for cultivating eroticism in long-term relationships, navigating modern dating culture, closing orgasm gaps, redefining consent, and reclaiming sexual confidence. She speaks on the powerful intersection of sex, stress, mental health, and peak performance, showing how pleasure fuels resilience, creativity, and success. Her work also challenges sexual shame and stereotypes, expands conversations about erotic diversity, and advocates for a future of sex education centered on pleasure, empowerment, and connection.

Whether she's keynoting for couples, Fortune 500 leaders, students, therapists, or biohackers, Nicole brings intelligence, relatability, and joy to every room she enters.

Nicole lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and three children, balancing teaching, writing, and the beautifully imperfect realities of modern family life.

Patrick Ahrens proudly represents the 26th Assembly District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley within the Santa Clara County. Assembly District 26 includes the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale, and part of the City of San José including the communities of Alviso and West San José, as well as the unincorporated communities of Burbank and Fruitdale.

A native of Silicon Valley, Ahrens is deeply committed to addressing the challenges faced by his constituents in one of the most dynamic yet demanding regions of California. His journey into public service was shaped by his own challenges, including growing up in a house with substance abuse issues and facing homelessness and housing insecurity as a college student. These experiences fueled his passion for public service and inspired his career advocating for affordable housing and education equity. He has championed policies to expand access and affordability in higher education, focusing on supporting community college students and ensuring pathways for economic mobility.

Assemblymember Ahrens is the Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and a Member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and the Bay Area Caucus.

Prior to joining the Assembly, Ahrens served as a Trustee on the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board, where he led efforts to build affordable housing for faculty, staff, and students. A first-generation college graduate, Ahrens earned an associate degree from De Anza College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and a master’s degree in public administration from San José State University. He resides in Sunnyvale and is proud to represent the vibrant communities of Santa Clara County in the State Assembly.

Leslie Abrams is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in primary care. For more than 13 years, she has provided comprehensive primary care to college students at Stanford University's Vaden Health Center. Leslie has a particular focus on the medical management of eating disorders, with a special interest in the intersection of athletics and disordered eating. Her additional areas of expertise include reproductive and sexual health, preventive care, and travel medicine. 

Candice Banducci, DNP, FNP-C is a dedicated nurse practitioner with a diverse clinical background spanning college health, women's health, interventional cardiology, hospice and palliative care, and pediatrics. She serves as both a clinician in a college health clinic and a nursing faculty member, committed to advancing student health and nursing education.

As a product of the university she represents, Candice earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) and recently completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Touro University Nevada. 

Candice has contributed to student wellness initiatives, including leading a campus study to increase student health service utilization through collaboration with campus affinity groups. She has also shared her expertise through professional presentations including a version of this one at the Equity in Action Conference: Driving Healthcare Change Through Engagement and Belonging held at the CSU Office of the Chancellor, Long Beach, CA.

Amruti Borad, DO, is an Osteopathic Concierge Family Medicine Physician, TEDx speaker, and Medical Student and Physician Coach. She completed her accelerated medical training through the Pitzer College–Western University program, followed by Family Medicine residency at UCLA. Dr. Borad has served in multiple leadership roles at UC San Diego Health, including Clinic Medical Director, Department Wellness Director, and COVID‑19 Lead Physician. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt–certified and a graduate of the UCSD Health Leadership Academy, with a strong focus on clinician well‑being and system‑level improvement. She currently practices Concierge Medicine at UCSD Health and is also a certified coach, working with premed students, medical students, and physicians to build resilience and well‑being.

Erika Delamar, MPH, MS,  is the Director of Student Health Services at California State University, Bakersfield, where she has over 25 years of leadership experience in higher education administration. She oversees all aspects of departmental operations, including strategic planning, accreditation, compliance, risk management, and operational management, fostering organizational excellence while mentoring staff and supporting institutional priorities. Erika is responsible for developing and implementing health equity initiatives in the clinic, including founding the Health Equity, Accessibility, and Leadership (HEAL) Taskforce and leading university-wide DEIA efforts within Student Health Services.

A recognized champion for equity and inclusion, Erika received the CSU Champions for Advancing Health Equity Award (2024) and the CSUB Unity Award (2021). She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Public Health at San Diego State University.

Michael DelGrosso, MS, AT-Ret, is a Retired U.S. Army Medical Technologist, Medical Education Specialist (Arthrex), Strategic Account Manager - Clinical Lab (Henry Schein), Bachelors in Athletic Training, Masters in Sports Medicine

Dr. Lauren Fulkerson is a board-certified pediatrician, mother of four, parenting and health coach, and CrossFit Level 2 trainer with a background in clinical medicine, family systems, and behavior change. Trained at Vanderbilt University and UCLA in pediatrics, she has practiced outpatient pediatrics and worked in mental and metabolic health advocacy.

After living abroad in Hong Kong for over nine years, she developed a deeper perspective on health, connection, and resilience, broadening her interest in the role all these aspects contribute to overall well-being.

Her work focuses on integrating clinical medicine, family systems,  and mental and metabolic health to better understand the main contributors of overall well-being. She is particularly interested in how family dynamics, connection, and physiological health influence behavior, resilience, and long-term wellness.

Dr. Fulkerson is passionate about helping clinicians move beyond symptoms toward a more integrated approach that supports sustainable behavior change, stronger connection, and improved health outcomes for children and families.

Maleah Herbaugh (she/her), MPH, is a public health professional passionate about substance use prevention, harm reduction, and recovery support. Her person-centered approach is shaped by years of community-based work and a focus on creating spaces that encourage connection and participation. She brings this perspective to university health promotion and mentoring Peer Health Educators to create stigma-free experiences for students. Maleah believes effective health promotion starts with listening without judgment, honoring individual experiences, and supporting people in making choices that align with their goals and well-being.

Sergio Gallardo Palma serves as the Senior Associate Director of the Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program at Pepperdine University. He received a BA and an MA at Pepperdine, and has served RISE since 2021. In 2022, Sergio became a Certified Professional Life Coach through CLCI. Since he joined the RISE Program, Sergio has overseen the RISE Coaching initiative, serving as a resilience coach for multiple individuals and groups, and training faculty, staff, and student coaches. Sergio supervises and works alongside the RISE team’s RISE Coaching Specialist, Soo Jin Kim, who will co-lead the session.

Karuna Jain is a Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Corporate Speaker who works at the intersection of human behavior, emotional resilience, and inner transformation. Her work bridges science-backed understanding of the mind with contemplative and reflective practices, helping individuals and organizations navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.

With a global client base, Karuna is known for creating deeply engaging and thought-provoking experiences that move beyond inspiration into practical, lasting change. She specializes in helping people break unconscious patterns, strengthen self-trust, and cultivate grounded confidence in both personal and professional environments.

Her talks are a blend of insight, presence, and real-world application—inviting audiences to reconnect with their inner stability, respond to challenges with awareness, and lead from a place of clarity and compassion.

Karuna’s mission is simple yet impactful: to support individuals in building a strong inner foundation so they can thrive, lead, and live with authenticity in an ever-changing world.

Melissa Johnsgard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience in community mental health. She worked for years at Pacific Clinics, the largest Medi-Cal behavioral health agency in California, and worked in private practice before transitioning to Mission College as their first Mental Health Supervisor. At Mission College, she developed and oversees the Mental Health Internship Program, supervising five mental health interns who provide therapeutic support to the college's diverse student population. Melissa is trained in EMDR and holds an Advanced Process Therapist certification from the Process Therapy Institute. She specializes in experiential interventions, offering innovative therapeutic approaches tailored to her clients' needs.

Soo Jin Kim serves as the RISE Coaching Specialist of the Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program at Pepperdine University. Soo graduated from Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology in 2025. During her time in graduate school, she served as the RISE Program's graduate assistant for RISE Coaching, providing crucial support for the initiative. Upon graduating, Soo joined the RISE team as professional staff, serving as primary manager of the RISE coaching initiative. Soo is currently working toward the ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential.

Michael J. LaFarr, PsyD, MBA is a higher education executive, licensed clinical psychologist, and national leader in collegiate health and well-being with more than 25 years of experience in student affairs and higher education. He currently serves as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health & Wellness at the University of Denver, where he provides executive leadership for an integrated portfolio encompassing medical services, counseling, health promotion, prevention, and behavioral health strategy. He leads a multidisciplinary organization of more than 50 professionals and oversees an annual operating budget exceeding $7 million.

Dr. LaFarr also serves as Chair of the American College Health Association’s Health & Wellness Executive Leaders Section, providing national leadership and advancing dialogue around the evolving role of senior health and well-being executives in higher education. His career has included executive and academic leadership roles at Brandeis University, the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

His work focuses on integrated health and behavioral health systems, organizational transformation, student success, crisis and risk management, and building institutional cultures that support well-being. Dr. LaFarr holds an Executive MBA from the University of Denver, a Doctor of Psychology degree, graduate degrees in Higher Education Administration and Counseling Psychology, and a bachelor’s degree in Education.

Stacey Lee Gobir is the director of the Resilience-Informed Skills Education (RISE) Program at Pepperdine University and serves as a resilience educator and trainer for students, faculty, staff, and community members. With more than a decade of experience in higher education, Gobir has served in various roles across Pepperdine's Housing and Residence Life, the Office of Student Accessibility, and health and wellness. Her professional and personal passions have also led her to serve local villages and live on a medical mission in Fiji, volunteer with the Los Angeles Superior Court as a civil harassment mediator, and support veteran and nontraditional students at Stanford University. A proud Pepperdine double alumna, she earned her undergraduate degree from Seaver College and a master's in dispute resolution from the Caruso School of Law.

A proud member of the HIV Positive Community, Vanessa Leja, MPA is the current HIV Community Liaison for Gilead Sciences. Having been positive for 10 years, she has made it her mission to learn as much as she can about HIV and her own disease to help those in the HIV Positive community as well as those who could benefit from PrEP. A former educator in K-8 Education, Vanessa believes that all adolescents and young adults should be informed about HIV/STI Care and Prevention. She is passionate about education and inclusion and is thrilled to share knowledge and information about HealthySexual, a Gilead powered presentation, alongside anecdotes of her own story. Vanessa holds a Master's degree from UW in Public Administration and has worked in the HIV field since her diagnosis in 2015. 

Executive director of ReSouled and TEDx speaker, Michelle Livingston Thorstad is an author,  trainer, counselor and freedom fighter.  She helps people reframe pain as a pathway to healing and transformation - liberating them from harmful paradigms and guiding them into true freedom.  

Douglas Dizon Marania, MD, is a sports medicine and family medicine physician at Stanford University’s Vaden Health Center and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine. He served as President of the Pacific Coast College Health Association for the 2025–2026 term and previously co-chaired the American College Health Association Sports Medicine Coalition from 2022 to 2024. In addition to caring for Stanford students, he provides sports medicine care for more than 30 club sports teams. His clinical focus is on practical musculoskeletal medicine, injury evaluation, and improving the integration of sports medicine principles into primary care and college health settings.

After graduation from med school in Munich, Germany in 2006, Susanne Martin moved to the USA for research in oncology and pursued an Internal Medicine Residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, CT.   The desire to help a unique age group, let to a niche fellowship called Adolescent Medicine from 2011-2014 at Stanford.   A big focus of the fellowship and main research projects allowed Susanne to learn the ins and outs of medical management of eating disorder patients.   Following fellowship, Susanne started working at the Vaden, Stanford student health center (currently Assistant Clinical Professor), as the primary care doctor of a residential facility treating teens with eating disorders (Center For Discovery) and stepped into the role of Medical Director at The Health Teen Project, a PHP and IOP program for teens with eating disorders.   In addition, she is seeing patients of all ages in her private practice to sum up the various levels of care. 

Melissa McClure Fuller, MSOT, MPH has a background in public health, occupational therapy, small business ownership, and working for nonprofit organizations with foster youth and early intervention programs. She has an interest in work that impacts communities in terms of reproductive and sexual health outcomes, social change, and community safety. Melissa works at SJSU as a Health Promotion Specialist in the ares of healthy sexuality.  She received her Master of Science (Occupational Therapy), and Master of Public Health (MPH) from San José State University.

Geno Mehalik, MPA, is the Outreach & Professional Development Manager at UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center and has worked in Student Affairs since 2012, with a professional focus on communications, outreach, professional development, and engagement in higher education and student health. He also serves on UCLA Staff Assembly. As Vice President of Wellness, he developed the Wellness at Work program in collaboration with UCLA’s student-led Bruin Birding Club, bringing birdwatching for wellness into practice as a campus-based employee wellness initiative.

Prior to entering Student Affairs, Geno served as an AmeriCorps member in Yosemite Valley, where he managed a Sierra Nevada Conservancy conservation grant focused on the intersection of agriculture and nature-based tourism. An avid queer birder and amateur bird photographer, Geno has developed birdwatching as both a creative practice and a meaningful way to connect with nature and support mental well-being. His work explores how accessible encounters with the natural world—particularly the practice of observing birds—can create opportunities for mindfulness, connection, restoration, and reflection.

Helen Nguyen is the Quality Improvement and Compliance Manager at UC San Diego Student Health Services. Committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, Helen supports clinical teams in translating data into actionable enhancements that drive high-quality, patient-centered care. A champion for regulatory compliance and the staff/patient experience, Helen collaborates across clinical and administrative lines to build sustainable, high-quality document control and compliance systems.

Lynnea Palazzolo is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. Since 2013, she has been dedicated to helping individuals of all ages improve their mental and emotional well-being, working across multiple settings including non-profits, hospitals, autism clinics, and schools. Lynnea holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University and is passionate about integrating a compassionate, client-centered approach in her work. Specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Lynnea is also currently undergoing training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to further enhance her therapeutic skills. Lynnea is the Mental Health Supervisor at West Valley College and the owner of Empathic Empowerment Therapy Services, a group practice based in San Jose. In her supervisory roles, she provides guidance and support to mental health professionals, fostering an environment of growth and learning.

Outside of her professional life, Lynnea enjoys pickleball, traveling, spending time with her family, and riding her motorcycle, finding joy in both adventure and connection.

Dr. Agam Patel serves as Executive Director of Student Advocacy and Support within UC Riverside’s Health, Well-being & Safety division, providing strategic leadership for the Student Disability Resource Center, Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education (CARE), and Basic Needs. His work centers on student success, inclusive growth, and strengthening campus and community partnerships.

Patel has held leadership roles at UC Riverside since 2008, including serving as Executive Director of the UCR Palm Desert Center and President of UCR Staff Assembly. His experience spans higher education administration, community relations, program operations, and student services.

Beyond UCR, Patel serves on the Board of Directors for Lotus Outreach International and as a committee member for the First 5 Riverside County Children and Families Commission. He holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance.

Hanna Pepich  is the Assistant Director, Business Development. Hanna has extensive AAAHC-Accreditation experience and is dedicated to fostering long-term partnerships and driving client satisfaction, seeking to leverage relationship-building prowess to enhance client loyalty and accelerate business growth. Before her role in Business Development, she worked in our Accreditation Services department, holding multiple roles as an Account Manager and Education Coordinator. Most recently, she managed our Midwest/CQA and Early Option client team.

Ignacio Ruiz Hens is a mental health advocate, author, and TEDx speaker who speaks openly about living with bipolar disorder. Diagnosed in 2020 and hospitalized in 2020 and 2021, he has rebuilt his life through some of its hardest chapters, and now turns that experience into advocacy and method. He created A Peaceful Mind, a non-fiction work applying a 10-step methodology to mental wellbeing, which he is currently bringing to publication with his literary agent, and he has given talks for several non-profits specializing in bipolar disorder, including Bipolar UK, the International Bipolar Foundation, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance in the United States.

He has also completed a high performance coaching certification grounded in Steven Kotler's method, which he uses to help people facing mental health challenges break free from limiting beliefs and pursue their goals with strategy and routine rather than letting their condition hold them back.

Writing and building are how he stays alive and creative. He is the author of Arzan Darkhorn and the creator of The Rift Chronicles, his speculative fiction universe, which he develops collaboratively, co-creating alongside other authors. He has an active reader community around his work and publishes his fiction through Valhalla Ediciones. An investment banker and managing director in renewable energy in New York before his diagnosis, he rebuilt his career from more junior roles and now works at a Deep Tech fund in Spain, focused on R&D and venture capital.

A dual Spanish-American national and father of three, he divides his life between Madrid and New York.

Nick Shelton is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and student connection specialist who helps students build meaningful relationships, increase visibility, and navigate real world social environments more effectively. His work focuses on practical, behavior based strategies that support student belonging, confidence, and engagement.

A U.S. Air Force veteran and former environmental specialist, Nicholas brings a grounded, real world perspective to his work. He has spoken at universities and organizations across the country, helping students and educators better understand the gap between participation and true connection.

Nick is the author of "An Introvert’s Guide to World Domination", and his work centers on helping individuals who feel overlooked, develop the skills needed to be seen, remembered, and supported.

Dr. Allen Silanee is a board-certified Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Surgeons and an accomplished physician, surgeon, educator, and mentor. He has held multiple faculty positions throughout South Florida and Ohio, where he has educated and mentored medical students, nurse practitioners, and OB/GYN residents in training. Dr. Silanee serves as Chief OB/GYN Medical Officer for Women’s Services at the Miami Beach Community Health Center, which has been recognized among the nation’s leading community health centers for quality of care. He was also integrally involved in the development and establishment of the OB/GYN residency program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Throughout his academic and clinical career, Dr. Silanee has served in various investigator roles for clinical studies and has published case reports addressing postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, and fetal twin anomalies. He earned his BA in Biopsychology from Vassar College and his MD from the University of Cincinnati before completing his residency training in Michigan, where he received the “Resident of the Year” award while serving as chief resident. A highly proficient surgeon, Dr. Silanee has performed more than 200 robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures. His areas of special interest include vaginitis, sexual wellness, perimenopause, hormone therapy for reproductive-age women, and hormone replacement therapy for the menopausal population.

Christina Song, MSN RN is a Staff Nurse with Stanford University’s Vaden Health Services, where she supports the health and wellness needs of Stanford’s student community. In addition to her broader role within Medical Services, Christina is a member of Vaden’s Travel Clinic team, providing travel-health services and supporting students preparing for international travel. Her work includes patient education, pre-travel health assessment, and vaccination-related care as part of Vaden’s experienced travel-health nursing team. Affiliation is provided for identification purposes only. Stanford medicine does not endorse or sponsor this activity or business.

Yusef Wiley, formerly known as Andre Lovell Wiley, is a keynote speaker, certified trainer, coach, and Founder and Executive Director of Timelist Group, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to reducing homelessness and recidivism. His life reflects resilience, redemption, and purpose-driven leadership.

Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Yusef spent 22 years incarcerated after becoming involved in gang life at a young age. During that time, he embraced Islam and transformed his life. Since his release in 2012, he has devoted himself to empowering individuals, supporting reentry, reducing youth violence, and advancing social justice.  Yusef holds degrees in Small Business Management and Paralegal Studies and is a certified trainer, coach, and speaker. He has served as a Union City Human Relations Commissioner, an Islamic Studies instructor, and a contributor to the Tayba Foundation, working to strengthen underserved communities through leadership and education.

He is also the author of If I Knew Then and What I Know Now, inspiring audiences nationwide with messages of faith, accountability, transformation, and hope. Through his leadership and lived experience, Yusef continues to be a catalyst for positive change in communities across the country.

Dr. Spencer Wong is a physician, board certified in family medicine and obesity medicine with experience working in the community and outpatient settings within the Bay Area and Central Valley in California. Dr. Wong is passionate about medical education and has special interests in point of care ultrasound, obesity medicine, gender affirming care and medicine in austere environments. He provides comprehensive care, full time at Cal State East Bay's Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS). He is TECC/TEMS-T certified and serves as the campus tactical physician and SHCS Threat Liaison Officer (TLO) to the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center. Dr. Wong also works part time as the former medical director of Cañada College's Student Health Center in San Mateo County. 

Sophia Yen, MD, MPH is CEO and co-founder of Pandia Health, an asynchronous women’s hormonal telehealth and pharmacy service. She is passionate about preventing unplanned pregnancies, making periods optional, and improving peri/menopause care.

Board-certified in Adolescent Medicine, she has over 20 years of medical experience. She earned a BS from MIT, an MD from UCSF, and an MPH from UC Berkeley, and serves as a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford. She co-founded the Silver Ribbon Campaign to Trust Women and SheHeroes.org.

Dr. Yen advocates for easier access to birth control, relief from painful or heavy periods, and better education, research, and insurance coverage for peri/menopause. She also teaches about birth control, menstrual regulation, acne, obesity, and adolescent health, and grew up in the Bay Area.

Dr. Xuan Zhao is the CEO and co-founder of Flourish Science and a research scientist at Stanford. She received her PhD in social psychology and human-robot interaction. She is a nationally recognized expert and sought-after speaker on the psychology of social connection, well-being, and ethical AI. Dr. Zhao has extensive experience designing science-based products that translate research insights into practical tools and cultivate meaningful social connections. After earning her PhD from Brown University, she completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and worked at Stanford as a Research Scientist. Her research has been published in top academic journals and featured in major media outlets including TIME, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, BBC, and NPR.