Co-Keynote Speakers: Kendrick Dial and Derrin Ford
Building Bridges with Art and Empathy
This unique keynote session utilizes creative expression to help leaders and trainers to explore the transformational power of empathy in learning environments. Using storytelling, visual imagery and spoken word, our co-keynotes Kendrick Dial and Derrin Ford will co-create a shared experience that centers empathetic connection and culturally responsive engagement.
Participants will gain a fresh perspective on adult learning theory while discovering practical tools for fostering emotionally safe, inclusive spaces. Through the lens of coaching and cultural responsiveness, we’ll demonstrate how to hold space for difficult conversations in ways that resonate and stay with learners. Whether you're new to training or a seasoned facilitator, this session will turn the abstract concept of empathy into a usable, impactful skill.
Kendrick Dial, M.S.W., artistically known as Mr. Lyrical Groove is a multidisciplinary artist, spoken word poet, and front man of the award-winning band The Lyrical Groove, known for blending soul, hip-hop and thought-provoking lyricism. With experience as a Navy veteran, creative and executive coach and leadership trainer, he brings a unique blend of structure and soul to his work. Under the umbrella of his own consulting brand Creative Engagement, he fuses professional development and creativity to allow learners and professionals to explore personal narratives with cultural commentary, using music, poetry and performance as tools for healing and social change.
Derrin Ford, M.Ed., is a visionary coach and workforce development coach and trainer. Representing on behalf of California’s Academy of Professional Excellence (Southern Academy), Ford coaches clients to improve their self-awareness through a technique he calls mastering internal dialogue. With more than 10 years of professional experience, including roles as a career counselor and a workforce development coach and trainer in CWDS, he brings critical thinking and self-awareness strategies into group environments to improve everyone's internal validation and autonomy.
Keynote Speaker: Avni Panchal
Thriving Together: Strategies to Navigate Burnout & Enhance Well-Being
Explore how self-care serves as the foundation for collective healing in this interactive and engaging keynote session. The session presents trainers who support child welfare workers with practical strategies for achieving personal and professional balance while fostering collaboration and resilience. Participants will gain insights into managing stress, establishing healthy boundaries and optimizing time to enhance their well-being.
Avni Panchal, LCSW, MSW, teaches in the Social Work Graduate Program at San Francisco State University and currently trains child welfare workers and mental health professionals. Panchal has more than a decade of experience in child welfare, working across emergency response, dependency, investigations, independent living and adoptions. In addition, Panchal runs a virtual private practice that offers individual and couples therapy as well as empowerment coaching. She also facilitates wellness sessions, dialogue circles, and discussions on racial equity, trauma-informed care and other mental health topics. Her work emphasizes strength-based practices and cultural responsiveness in learning environments.
Keynote Speaker: Nora Gerber
Networking Our “TOP” Neuro-informed Practices
This unique and highly interactive keynote is designed to move us beyond passive listening through the integration of brain science and the practice of deliberate networking. Dive into deliberate, high-energy networking powered by Bowman’s “TOP” Brain Science Principles—where movement tops sitting, talking tops listening and creativity drives connection. You’ll share ideas, swap strategies and co-create practical tools to transform your teaching. Leave fired up, connected and ready to deliver courses that deeply and positively impact learners!
Nora Joanne Gerber is an instructor for multiple Health and Human Services programs and a member of the UC Davis Human Services faculty. As an independent education and training consultant, Gerber created “Welcome to Service with Heart City,” along with numerous experiential learning workshops and UC Davis Training for Trainers sessions. She received an Outstanding Service Award for Teaching from UC Davis and the first Distinguished Service in Training Award from the National Staff Development and Training Association. Known among her colleagues as someone who "walks her talk," Gerber brings more than 50 years of training expertise with passion, creativity, curiosity and humor.
2025 West Coast Child Welfare Trainer's Conference
Sacramento: Sept. 8-10
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