Presenters

Dr. Unber Ahmad is the Director of Assessments and Lead Psychometrician for the National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, where she oversees and maintains eight critical examination programs that serve as the gateway to certification and licensure for mental health professionals across the country. In her role with these high-stakes examinations, she leads the team responsible for ensuring the examinations are based on rigorous work analyses, the items are developed in accordance with psychometric best practices, and the passing decisions are produced by formal standard-setting procedures. Dr. Ahmad holds a PhD and Master of Science in industrial/organizational psychology from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in statistics. In addition to her work at NBCC, Dr. Ahmad leads a specialized consultancy that partners with public sector clients to develop customized assessment solutions and ensure psychometrically appropriate assessment development. She also provides psychometric services to partners in the K–12 domain for statewide assessments. In prior roles, she has worked at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, the Durham VA Medical Center, and the Carolina Population Center.

Brian D. Banks is the Chief Government Affairs Officer and the Executive Director of the Policy, Advocacy, and Research in Counseling Center (PARC) for the National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates. He has over 25 years of government affairs experience, including working for Non-Governmental Organizations, the Air Force, Congress, and for-profit organizations. He also served a term as a White House Community Leader for the Obama administration, as well as the Congressional Strategy and Engagement Lead for former United States Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. His résumé boasts a variety of experiences focused on issues including health care, education, tax policy, gaming, healthy food access, and the environment. Banks earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Marshall University, where he was a member of the Thundering Herd football team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Salisbury University, where he studied business communication. He earned his Master of Arts in politics with a focus on congressional studies from The Catholic University of America. Banks is a native of Washington, D.C., and is a published author. In his spare time he enjoys perfecting his culinary skills, pilot training, boating, and going for motorcycle rides, but spending time with his family is his favorite thing to do.

Brian Carnahan is Executive Director of the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. He currently serves as a Treasurer of the Counseling Compact Commission Executive Committee. Formerly a Compliance Manager in the affordable housing industry, he regularly publishes articles on a variety of topics, including licensure, regulatory affairs, affordable housing, and adoption.

Patricia Dobratz’s education and professional background span the fields of law, behavioral health, and academia. She worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney before pursuing a career in behavioral health and becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Arizona. Dobratz has provided counseling and supervision in settings including community mental health, schoolbased programs, and private practice. She has also held several leadership positions such as Clinical Supervisor, Director, and Vice President of Behavioral Health in various settings before launching the Clinical Best Practice Institute (CBPI). CBPI partners with Collaborative Counseling Institute to elevate training and networking opportunities for behavioral health professionals in Arizona.

Dobratz is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s (AAMFT) Arizona Interest Network, for which she has served in various capacities. She also served on the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners as a Professional Member and Chairperson and has presented on a variety of topics including ethics and supervision; assisting behavioral health practices in developing documentation, policies, and procedures; and teaching for multiple behavioral health graduate programs. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of behavioral health professionals and upholding the field’s integrity.

Dr. Kelly Duncan serves as the Executive Director of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). She has been involved in the profession of counseling for over 30 years and has worked as a counselor educator since 2003. Dr. Duncan had the privilege of serving as a counselor educator at three universities, coordinated a university counselor training clinic, and was a Dean of a school of education prior to joining the ACES staff. She was also the Executive Director of a state counseling branch for 15 years. Her background in counseling and association management allows her to meld her skills in her current role.

Since coming to ACES, Dr. Duncan has worked to highlight the work of the association more visibly and to facilitate collaborations between ACES and other counseling affiliate groups. Promoting professional counselor identity and advocating for counselor educators and supervisors has been one of her focus areas in the past year.

Her past professional leadership experiences include being Secretary of NCACES, Chair of the ACA Midwest Region, and serving two terms as the Midwest Region representative to the ACA Governing Council. She’s been the Chair of several ACA task forces and committees. In her home state, she received appointments from three governors to serve as a member of the South Dakota Board of Education for almost 20 years. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in South Dakota.

Isabel Eliassen is the Product Manager for CompactConnect, a software application used to operate multiple occupational licensure compacts. She works at the National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC) within The Council for State Governments (CSG). She previously provided Interim Director services for the Counseling Compact, ASLP Compact, and OT Compact.

David B. Fye, JD, is the Executive Director for the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB), a composite board that licenses mental health professionals, including counselors, social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors, and others. Fye received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washburn University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration (emphasis in economics and management) from Washburn School of Business, and a Juris Doctor from Washburn University School of Law. Previously, Fye served the Kansas Legislature for 8 years as a Principal Fiscal Analyst for the Kansas Legislative Research Department. As Executive Director for the BSRB, Fye assists the Board in modernizing licensing processes and utilizing fair and legally defensible approaches to public protection.

Stacy Griffin, Director of Operations at InspiringApps, has more than 25 years of experience leading teams to deliver business-critical solutions across Fortune 500 companies and startups. Griffin is an expert in Agile methodologies, driving complex projects from planning to execution while ensuring transparency, budget control, and team cohesion. Griffin is also skilled in project metrics, reporting, and software development and has a proven track record of delivering high-impact results in diverse industries.

Dr. Brenden A. Hargett serves as the Director of Ethics for the National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, Inc. He holds a PhD in rehabilitation counseling and rehabilitation counselor education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dr. Hargett is credentialed as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Master Addictions Counselor (MAC), a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), and a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS).

Dr. Hargett also works as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Counseling at North Carolina A&T State University and in various other roles. He works tirelessly to improve and enhance behavioral health to create a responsive and comprehensive array of resources and services.

Suzette Mirabal is a distinguished professional in education and neuroeducation. She received a doctorate in educational management and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She has also received postgraduate degrees in the neuroscience of learning from Ponce Health Sciences University; mind, brain, and teaching from Johns Hopkins University; applied educational neuroscience from Butler University; and advanced neuroeducation from the University of Barcelona.

Dr. Mirabal is a professor in the mental health counseling program at Cambridge College and Ana G. Méndez University. With over 20 years of experience in professional development in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Latin America, she is also the founder of Brain Connections Corp., a company dedicated to disseminating knowledge about neuroeducation and the science of learning. As the coauthor of the book Construye y diviértete con Neironi: 65 actividades neuroeducativas para estimular el cerebro, she has significantly contributed to the field’s literature, providing valuable resources for parents, educators, and health professionals. Her research focuses on the impact of outdoor spaces on therapeutic services, exploring new dimensions of mental health and well-being. Dr. Mirabal continues to be an influential voice in neuroeducation, inspiring professionals and academics to integrate innovative approaches into educational and therapeutic practice.

Callie Marino received her Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in couples and family counseling from UNC Greensboro. In her current role, she ensures NBCC standards for all certifications and credentials, including ethical codes and continuing education provider responsibilities. Marino also oversees examination development and maintenance in accordance with best practices in credentialing and test development. She is also a marriage and family counselor in private practice in Greensboro, North Carolina.

As Chief Executive Officer for Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International, Dr. Holly Hartwig Moorhead oversees the management of one of the largest professional counseling organizations with more than 176,000 members initiated and 460+ chapters chartered since the Society was founded in 1985. She is responsible for enacting CSI’s mission to promote and recognize academic and clinical excellence in professional counseling. Dr. Moorhead received a PhD in counseling and counselor education from the UNC Greensboro as well as a master’s degree in community counseling. She also earned bachelor’s degrees in art communications, sociology, and studio art from Florida Southern College. Dr. Moorhead has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and a Certified Investigator/ Inspector through the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR).

Prior to becoming a professional counselor, Dr. Moorhead was a case manager for a national youth mentoring organization and worked in university residence life. As a professional counselor, she has worked in a variety of roles as a clinical counselor and a counselor educator, as well as within professional counseling organizations. Her clinical background includes crisis mental health assessment and counseling, and counseling children, adolescents, and adults within in- and out-patient, middle school, and community agency settings. As a counselor educator, Dr. Moorhead taught in CACREPaccredited counselor education master’s and doctoral programs. Additionally, she previously served as the NBCC Ethics Officer. Dr. Moorhead’s professional service includes work within national and state professional counseling associations as well. Within CSI, she has been involved in various activities including serving as Executive Council Secretary, Leadership Intern, contributor of the CSI Exemplar “Faculty Advisor Profile,” Chapter Development Committee Co-Chair, and member of the Advocacy Committee, Excellence Grants Review Committee, and the Developmental Counseling and Therapy Grants Review Committee.

Robert Romig serves as the Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), a state occupational licensing agency that regulates the practice of psychology, social work, counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Prior to joining BHEC, Romig was a Review Director for the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, a legislative commission that reviews state agencies to improve efficiency and effectiveness in government operations. Romig’s Sunset review of Texas’ mental and behavioral health professions led to the creation of BHEC in 2019. Romig’s other professional experience includes serving as a post-conviction attorney for capital habeas corpus writs and clerking for the Texas Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. He received a JD from the University of Texas School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University.

Harry Samit retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in April 2020 after a 21-year career as a Special Agent. During his time in the FBI, Samit served as a Case Agent and Human Source Handler, while also performing collateral duties as a SWAT team member, SWAT observer/sniper, and Special Agent Aviator (Fixed Wing). He was assigned to the Minneapolis Division, working high stakes international terrorism investigations of members of Al Qaeda and other violent extremist groups.

In his final assignment, Samit was assigned to recruit and operate human sources whose task it was to collect evidence and intelligence supporting terrorism investigations. This mission involved planning and executing complex operations in the United States and Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Before joining the FBI, Samit was a Naval officer for 9 years. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) at the Pennsylvania State University as a Special Duty (Intelligence) Officer. He served for 3 years in Attack Squadron 35 aboard USS SARATOGA, for 3 years as a Defense Intelligence Agency Liaison Officer to the Canadian Forces in Ottawa, and for 2 years as the Staff Intelligence Officer and an instructor at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).

Greg Searls currently serves as the Executive Director of the Counseling Compact Commission. Searls is a licensed funeral service practitioner in the state of Wyoming. He began his work in the regulatory world when he was appointed by the governor of Wyoming to serve on the Board of Funeral Service Practitioners in 2010. In 2016, he resigned from the Board when he was hired as an Executive Director in the State of Wyoming Professional Licensing Board office. Searls formerly served as the state’s Executive Director for the Mental Health Professions Licensing Board, Board of Registration in Podiatry, Board of Midwifery, Board of Examiners in Speech–Language Pathology and Audiology, Board of Hearing Aid Specialists, Board of Athletic Trainers, and Board of Occupational Therapy. Wyoming passed the statutes to join the ASLP-IC, Occupational Therapy Compact, and Counseling Compact during Searls’ time as Executive Director. He served as the ex-officio representative to the Counseling Compact Commission for AASCB until Wyoming joined the compact and was then named Commissioner for his home state. He has a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science and a certificate of gerontology from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and an associate degree in specialized funeral service technology from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. He is coauthor of the article “Counseling and the Interstate Compact: Navigating Ethical Practice Across State Lines,” published in The Professional Counselor in the fall of 2023.

Ms. Shaughnessy is the Professional Counseling member of the composite Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) and serves as Chair of the Professional Counseling Advisory Committee for the BSRB.

Kimberly Speakman is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Mental Health Service Provider with nearly 30 years of experience in community behavioral health. She is also certified in health care compliance. Speakman is the Chair of the Counseling Compact Executive Committee. She also serves on the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists.

Brad Weber, CEO of InspiringApps, is a pioneer in digital transformation and enterprise software innovation. A former Big 6 consulting veteran with over 30 years in the industry and two business degrees, Weber guides organizations in creating transformative digital products. His leadership has earned InspiringApps recognition as an Inc. Power Partner and a 4X certified Great Place to Work while building sophisticated solutions for Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands.

Tobi Zavala is the Executive Director of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. This board regulates the practice of behavioral health professionals by licensing counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and substance abuse counselors. After serving more than 4 years as Deputy Director and Assistant Director, she was appointed as the Executive Director in 2014. She is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she received a Bachelor of Social Work. Ms. Zavala’s goals are to maintain the safety and welfare of the public, ensure our applicants and licensees are treated fairly and equitably, and monitor behavioral health and licensing trends to keep the board aligned with federal and national standards. Her passion is to ensure that she and her staff strive for continual improvement in board operations. Ms. Zavala’s commitment to the board and committee members, the public, and our licensees is that she will enhance our processes and procedures where possible, while maintaining the integrity the regulated community has come to expect from the board.