Thank You to our 2023 Edge of Amazing Speakers (from left to right): Jessica Burt, Luis Ortega, Annie Thomas-Landrum, Tonya Drake, Kristy Carrington, Barry Stueve, Laura Chun & Cynthia Gahan
2023 Keynote Presentations
2023 Mid-morning Keynote
The Stories We Tell: Critical Hope, Healing & Joy with Luis Ortega, M.Ed
Since time immemorial, stories have embodied humanity’s power of meaning-making. They shape how we understand ourselves and each other. They influence our policies, institutions, and cultural norms. Through the lens of Healing-Centered Engagement (Ginwright, 2022) and asset-based storytelling, we’ll uncover how embracing our strengths and cultural assets can cultivate wellness, nourishment, hope, and joy in our lives. Join us on this journey to create meaningful, healing connections in a culturally responsive and inclusive way.
2023 EOA Emcee
Tonya M. Drake, PhD
A leader in higher learning, Dr. Tonya Drake has dedicated her career to expanding access and success to high-quality and relevant higher education. She serves as the Regional Vice President for the Northwest at Western Governors University (WGU).
Morning Keynote
The 2023 Snohomish County State of Well-being Report with Jessica Burt, MPH
Revealing the results of the 8th Annual Health & Well-being Monitor™ for Snohomish County. Organized around six dimensions of health & well-being, hear insights about people’s beliefs and attitudes about their health and well-being, including lingering impacts of the pandemic, their capacity to do more, what it takes to flourish, and who in our community fall within lower or higher indicators of well-being.
A poster presentation and resources regarding how communities are tailoring this tool for use in their own communities will also be available in the afternoon session.
2023 Workshop
Exploring Health Policy and Access
Engaging our diverse communities across the well-being spectrum through innovation, connection, community, and policy. Moderated by Councilmember Megan Dunn.
Local program and policy leaders across the well-being spectrum will discuss: What lessons from the pandemic are being integrated and carried forward? How are efforts addressing common barriers such as affordability, community trust, and cultural responsiveness? What supports are needed to strengthen sustainable connections to health and social need resources.
2023 Morning and Afternoon Sessions
Practicing Mindfulness and Compassion with Laura Chun, MPM, PMP, C-MT
Mindfulness practice brings presence to the moment, it enriches your experiences, reduces stress, improves well-being, deepens connections, enhances self-awareness, boosts creativity, and nurtures gratitude. It allows you to live a more fulfilling, authentic, and meaningful life. Compassion means to recognize suffering and being moved to relieve suffering, including being gentle and kind with our own experiences of suffering. Together, mindfulness and compassion offer a rich and meaningful resource for cultivating emotional well-being.
Our day together will include two brief guided opening and closing mindfulness practice sessions.
2023 General Session & Art Room
The Healing Power of Art and Creativity with Cynthia Gahan
Re-connecting with hope, well-being and belonging through creative practice for yourself and your communities
There is a positive connection between art and mental health—creative activities are known to lower stress levels and promote mental calmness, boost confidence, and make us feel more engaged and resilient, promoting well-being and creating a space for social connection.
Cynthia Gahan from Heart Art Healing will facilitate participants through several areas of personal exploration, including an interactive community art mural, an individual card collage project, an inspirational art exhibit, and a resource table with additional opportunities and information about using art for wellness with your communities.
2023 Afternoon Keynote
Becoming Human: Finding Our Humanity as Helpers Once Again With Annie Thomas-Landrum, MSN, RN
What do we do when our superhero helper persona, the one that doesn’t rest because the need is so great, wears suddenly thin and our humanity comes screaming through? When the story we write as helpers suddenly goes dark and we can’t find the passion and joy in the work anymore? Annie will take us through her own journey of burnout and compassion fatigue as a helper and invite us to join her on a journey of healing and restoration.