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Agenda

8:45 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

2024 Waco Snapshot Report

  • Jeremy R. Rhodes, PhD, Prosper Waco

9:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

Addressing the Crisis: The State of Behavioral Health in Texas Today

  • Hani Talebi, PhD, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

The Role of Primary Care in Addressing Mental Health Crisis

  • Jackson Griggs, MD, Waco Family Medicine

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

From Crisis to Collaboration: Behavioral Health's Role in Waco Law Enforcement

  • Hani Talebi, PhD, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Moderator)

  • Ryan Adams, CPA, HOT Behavioral Health Network

  • Lance Kelley, PhD, Waco Family Medicine

  • Chief Sheryl Victorian, Waco Police Department

10:45 a.m. - 11:25 a.m.

Fireside Chat: Role of Cities in Advancing Innovative and Equitable Strategies

  • Clarence E. Anthony, National League of Cities

  • Councilwoman Andrea Barefield, City of Waco

11:30 a.m.

Lunch by AC Hotel Waco Downtown

12:00 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.

Fireside Chat: Empowering Talent: The Role of Workforce Development in Economic Growth

  • Chairman Bryan Daniels, Texas Workforce Commisssion

  • Jessica Attas, Prosper Waco

12:40 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.

From Training to Transformation: Upskilling Wacoans for Success

  • Rick Tullis, P.E., WorkSITE Industry Advisory Committee (Moderator)

  • Kacey Darnell, Texas State Technical College

  • Councilman Darius Ewing, City of Waco

  • Tiffany Gallegos Whitley, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce

  • Frank Graves, EdD, McLennan Community College

1:20 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.

Opportunity Youth: Catalysts for Community Transformation

  • Hannah Gourgey, PhD, Aspen Institute

1:35 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Investing in Tomorrow: Strategies for Supporting Waco Opportunity Youth

  • Ron Kimbell, HOT Behavioral Health Network

  • Assistant Chief Jared Wallace, Waco Police Department

  • Tim Packer, The Cove

2:15 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Shaping a Hunger-Free Future: Policy Insight and Strategic Solutions

  • Jeremy Everett, DMin, Baylor Collaborative for Hunger and Poverty (Moderator)

  • Congressman Pete Sessions, US House of Representatives

  • Sari Vatske, Central Texas Food Bank

2:50 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.

From Awareness to Action: Guiding Waco to Become Hunger-Free Community

  • Diedra Emerson, City of Waco (Moderator)

  • ​Pastor Rubén Andrade, Jr., Family of Faith Worship Center

  • Robert "Bob" Gager, Shepherd's Heart

  • LaShonda Malrey-Horne, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District

  • Aranza Torres, McLennan Community College

3:25 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.

Break

3:35 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

From Recruitment to Retention: Creating a Resilient Teacher Pipeline

  • Sarah Beal, US Prep, Texas Tech University

3:50 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Securing Tomorrow’s Classrooms: Creating a Sustainable Educator Pathway

  • Jerry Maze, EdD, ESC Region 12 (Moderator)

  • Kenny Berry, ESC Region 12

  • Brandi Ray, Texas Tech University, Waco

  • Sharon Shields, PhD, La Vega ISD

  • Bonnie Trammell, West Avenue Elementary, Waco ISD

4:20 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where do we go from here? Our Chief Executive Officer will discuss next steps and an exciting announcement for 2025!

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Summit Sips: After-Summit Cocktail Hour 🍸

Join us for after-summit cocktail where you can network with like-minded leaders and community members!

7:30 a.m.

Registration Starts & Light Breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 a.m.

Welcome to the 2024 Prosper Waco Summit: Hear remarks from Prosper Waco Chief Executive Officer, Jessica Attas and Prosper Waco co-founder and former Waco mayor, Virginia Dupuy.

Helping Hands

Reserve Your Ticket Today!

The Prosper Waco Summit is a unique opportunity for advocates, professionals, and community leaders to come together, get inspired, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Waco community. By registering for the summit, you'll gain access to a diverse array of panel discussions, keynotes, and networking opportunities designed to inspire and empower. Join us, and let’s inspire change together!

Don't miss out on this dynamic event. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. All tickets include access to a full day of summit panels, keynotes, and lunch.

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