Keynote Speakers
Daniel Witherell
We are excited to announce Daniel Witherell as the opening keynote speaker at the Statewide Summit for Public Assistance Professionals!
Daniel Witherell has more than 40 years of experience in California public assistance programs and workforce development and is widely recognized for his expertise in CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, program integrity, supervision and eligibility operations. Witherell has trained professionals in 54 California counties and worked extensively with the California Department of Social Services and the Department of Health Care Services on statewide initiatives, including major eligibility system implementations. He also consults with counties to reengineer business processes, improve service delivery and navigate complex policy issues, while advocating for legislative improvements at the state level. His contributions have been recognized with the UC Davis Outstanding Teacher Award and the California chapter of the National Eligibility Workers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additional keynote details and speakers to be announced soon!
Workshop Presenters
Kelly West-Binning
Kelly West-Binning is a training instructor with more than 15 years of experience in health and human services. She specializes in designing and delivering engaging training programs that support staff development and organizational success. Known for her approachable and empathetic style, West-Binning emphasizes active listening, effective communication and practical skill-building. She has expertise in CalSAWS, Microsoft Office applications and multimedia tools used in both virtual and in-person learning environments. Her training experience spans CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, employment services, clerical operations, diversity, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care. West-Binning collaborates with subject matter experts and program leaders to develop workforce capacity and strengthen service delivery.
Mandi Brum
Mandi Brum is a health and human services leader with more than 20 years of experience in public service, program administration and workforce development. In addition to serving as a division director, she has held roles as a program administrator and administrative analyst and has supervised programs in public assistance, housing and homelessness, and staff development.
Brum is an experienced trainer and facilitator who has developed and delivered professional development and leadership training for audiences at all levels of an organization. Her instructional approach emphasizes strengths-based practice, integrated service delivery and the importance of building organizational capacity through effective leadership. She is committed to supporting helping professionals in developing the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to serve individuals, families and communities effectively.
Laurie Cozart
Laurie Cozart, MBA, MCC, MCNLP, is an executive coach, leadership strategist and CEO of Brain Squared Leadership Solutions. A Master Certified Coach (MCC), a credential held by a small percentage of coaches worldwide, she brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience and more than 10,000 hours of coaching senior leaders across the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Cozart serves as faculty for the UC Davis Executive Leadership Programs, where she helps leaders navigate complexity, lead change and build high-performing teams. Her approach combines evidence-informed, brain-based strategies with practical leadership application to produce measurable and sustainable results.
Her honors include the UC Davis Dean’s Outstanding Service Award for “Creating a World of Learning,” the Outstanding Women Leader Award, recognition among the Top 50 Women Leaders of San Francisco and designation as one of the Top Coaches in America. She is passionate about helping leaders translate insight into action and achieve meaningful impact.
Jay David
Jay David is a human services professional and instructor with nearly 20 years of experience in public service, workforce development and instructional design. He serves as a staff development specialist for Contra Costa County and as an instructor with UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, where he developed and teaches From Practice to Possibilities: Artificial Intelligence in Human Services.
David specializes in helping organizations leverage technology to improve learning, communication and service delivery. His work focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into instructional design, training development and workforce support to create engaging, scalable learning solutions. Through his teaching and consulting, he helps human services professionals apply AI responsibly and effectively while addressing ethics, privacy and bias. David is passionate about equipping the workforce with practical tools to adapt to change, strengthen performance and better serve their communities.
Alicia Finley
Alicia Finley is a public assistance professional with more than 23 years of experience advancing equitable access to health care and social services. Her expertise centers on the Affordable Care Act and California’s Medi-Cal program, where she has helped individuals and families navigate complex eligibility and enrollment processes. Finley is recognized for her strong policy knowledge, practical problem-solving skills and commitment to improving access to essential benefits and services. Throughout her career, she has focused on supporting vulnerable populations, promoting program integrity and helping communities access the resources they need to thrive.
Catherine Payne
Catherine Payne is an experienced trainer, facilitator and coach with a strong background in public service and leadership development. She brings more than a decade of experience in curriculum design, workforce development and interactive facilitation. Her work spans social services, executive team development and employee coaching, with an emphasis on creating engaging learning environments that support professional growth and organizational effectiveness.
Payne is passionate about helping individuals and teams strengthen communication, enhance collaboration and build the skills needed to succeed in complex service environments. She is committed to delivering practical, learner-centered training that equips professionals with tools and strategies they can apply immediately in their work.