Cody Inman serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), where he oversees agency-wide programs advancing the well-being of children, youth, and families. He also performs the duties of the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) (delegated), overseeing the Children’s Bureau and the Family and Youth Services Bureau. Inman brings extensive leadership experience across federal and state government, with a strong background in human services policy, grants management, and technology modernization. He has led government-wide efforts to modernize federal grants systems, coordinating across more than 50 agencies to improve transparency, performance, and program integrity across a $600 billion portfolio. He previously served as a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor of Oklahoma. He also held senior leadership roles at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, leading reforms across child welfare, disability, and aging systems to improve access and services for individuals with high-acuity needs. Throughout his career, Inman has focused on connecting policy, technology, and operations to strengthen program delivery, improve program integrity, and achieve better outcomes in human services. He is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, where he earned a degree in pre-law with a minor in business management and history.

Steven Franklin is married to Anna and they have 3 daughters, Hadley (10), Sydney (6), and Naomi (2). He graduated from Northside High School (2010) and from The University of Arkansas Fort Smith (2016) with a bachelor’s degree in communication. He grew up in and out of the foster care system and knows what it is to belong to a family in need of advocacy and assistance. He hopes to contribute perspectives from lived experience and give back whenever he can. He and his family currently reside in Fort Smith, AR where he works as a Sales Professional for Veritiv Corporation. When he is not at work he spends time with family, volunteering at church or in the community, reading or running.

Chrisna Chunn serves as a Community Schools Site Director for the Batesville School District, where she works to connect students, families, schools, and community partners to create stronger systems of support. Through initiatives such as the Pioneer Pantry, Mobile HUB, Friday Friends, and community partnerships, Chrisna helps coordinate resources and services to remove barriers and improve outcomes for students and families. Chrisna is passionate about building meaningful partnerships and creating a school community where every student and family feels seen, supported, and connected. Her work reflects the Community Schools belief that when schools and communities work together, they can create lasting change.

Shelley Horak is the Director of Early Intervention and Support for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. She holds a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University and a master’s degree in public health from Des Moines University where she is an Assistant Professor in the institution’s MPH program. Dr. Horak is committed to exploring solutions to the complex problems facing children and families.

Heather Edwards serves as Director of Community Success for Restore Hope, where she equips communities, agencies, and cross-sector partners to collaborate more effectively and achieve measurable results. Her earlier work leading an adult literacy nonprofit deepened her commitment to walking alongside individuals and families as they pursue stability and opportunity, and taught her that lasting change happens when communities align around shared goals. That conviction led her to serve as Sebastian County Coordinator for the 100 Families initiative from 2020 to 2024, where she saw firsthand how coordinated, cross-sector work moves families forward. Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Pepperdine University and a Master of Arts in English Studies from Minnesota State University. She is a graduate of the inaugural Human Flourishing Academy Fellowship, which strengthened her passion for helping communities create environments where individuals and families can thrive.

Teresa Yates serves as a Local Family Support Partner for the Batesville pilot site as an employee of the Batesville Public Schools. With 17 years of teaching experience, Teresa is a dedicated and passionate educator who holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (B.S.E.). Throughout her career, she has fostered a nurturing and engaging classroom environment where every child feels valued and motivated to learn. Her teaching philosophy centers on the belief that young learners thrive through hands-on experiences, positive relationships, and consistent encouragement. Teresa has experience supporting diverse learners and collaborating with families to ensure each child’s success. She is committed to promoting social-emotional development, building foundational academic skills, and instilling a lifelong love of learning. Outside the classroom, she continues to grow professionally through workshops and community involvement focused on early childhood best practices. She is the mom to one son and two daughters and 4 wonderful granddaughters and another one set to arrive in October.

For more than 25 years, Jason Curry has dedicated his life to helping people maximize their potential. This year alone, he is scheduled to speak to more than 150,000 people. As the founder of Finish Empty®, Jason equips leaders, teams, businesses, and organizations through speaking, coaching, and training. In 2025, he released his debut book, Finish Empty®, and was named AY Magazine’s Life Coach of the Year. Jason and his high school sweetheart, Courtney, have been married since 2003 and have two daughters, Carson and Cameron.

Lindsay Wallace was appointed as the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections in 2024. She has been serving the State of Arkansas since 2007. She began her career writing policy with the Department of Human Services before transitioning to the legal section of the Arkansas Sentencing Commission in 2009. While at the Commission, she worked with stakeholders in other criminal justice agencies on legal issues pertaining to sentencing and consulted on legislative proposals impacting Corrections resources. Secretary Wallace joined the Department of Corrections through Transformation in 2019 as the Director of the Arkansas Sentencing Commission. In August of 2020, she began her tenure as Chief of Staff for the Department of Corrections. Secretary Wallace is a lifelong resident of Arkansas. She resides in Greenbrier, Arkansas, and has been married to her husband, Adam, for 11 years. They have two children: Tripp and Emma. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) and her law degree from the UALR Bowen School of Law.

Matt Whitson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Arkansas Family Alliance, an organization committed to uniting communities to support children and families in crisis. He also serves as an implementing partner of CarePortal across Arkansas, helping connect churches and communities with tangible opportunities to meet the needs of children and families involved in the child welfare system. As an adoptive dad and former pastor, Matt brings both personal experience and professional perspective to his work. His journey as a father has given him a firsthand understanding of the needs, challenges, and opportunities surrounding children and families, while his years in ministry have shaped his belief that the Church has a unique opportunity and responsibility to engage the community around child welfare. Matt is also a consultant, speaker, and culture builder who is passionate about helping organizations and individuals move toward meaningful change. Whether he is speaking to churches, nonprofits, child welfare professionals, or business leaders, his goal is the same, to challenge people to see differently, lead differently, and become the best version of themselves. His message is practical, personal, and rooted in the belief that lasting transformation happens when people choose to step beyond what is comfortable and become part of something bigger than themselves.

Nicole is the Founder of Monarch 61 Project and the visionary behind OASIS: The Emotional Health Conference for Professionals. Her work centers on helping women and caring professionals reclaim their voice, identity, and emotional authenticity after trauma. With over 7 years of experience as a forensic nurse, Nicole has walked closely with survivors in some of their most vulnerable moments. In addition to her clinical work, she spent more than a decade traveling, researching, and learning from organizations serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking, gaining deep insight into both crisis response and the long-term gaps in restorative care. Nicole holds a Business Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, bringing both strategic leadership and trauma-informed clinical expertise to her work. As a survivor herself, she understands the complex layers of shame, guilt, and disconnection that often follow trauma. She also understands the power of restoration. Founded in August 2020, Monarch 61 Project was created to walk with women and girls beyond crisis and into healing through creativity, connection, and community. Monarch 61 opened a 4,000-square-foot trauma-informed healing space dedicated to long-term restoration. Nicole also founded OASIS, a first-of-its-kind emotional health conference in Arkansas designed to support nurses, counselors, advocates, ministers, and leaders in sustaining their work without losing themselves in the process.

Cortney Kennedy has been a licensed attorney in Arkansas since 2014. She currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel in the Office of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Prior to her current role, she served as Criminal Justice Attorney in the Governor’s Office. Before joining the Governor’s Office, she served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Faulkner County from 2015 to 2023. In 2026, Cortney was named the Distinguished Young Alumni by her alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Cortney is a former member and past president of Conway Noon Rotary and a graduate of the Conway Area Leadership Institute and the Jeff Farris Leadership Program. She currently serves as Chair of the Conway Civil Service Commission and is a member of the StopDV Board of Directors and the Arkansas State Council for the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision. Cortney lives in Conway with her husband, a major with the Conway Police Department. Together, they have four children, two cats, a dog, and a flock of chickens.

Ben O’Dell is the Senior Advisor at the Center for Faith at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS Faith Center). Ben is a recognized expert on facilitating partnerships between faith-based, philanthropic, and community organizations and government at all levels. Ben’s interest in strengthening local faith-based and community leaders and community engagement principles to religious, community, and government interest has led him to develop deep relationships, knowledge, and expertise on a broad range of issues from strengthening fathers and families to strategies for bringing groups together in collaborative networks. Ben has served at the Faith Center for over twenty years making him one of the longest-standing employees of any faith office across the federal government. Ben received his Master’s degree in Organizational Development and Knowledge Management in 2007 from the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Ben resides outside of Washington, D.C., with his wife, Kristin, and implements his own personal fatherhood initiatives with their two kids.

With over 20 years in the non-profit space, Jared brings expert insight and innovation to For Others, shaping the organization’s identity and strategy. He developed the Well-Being Support Ecosystem, a groundbreaking plan aimed at ending the child welfare crisis within our lifetime. Jared’s strategic vision continues to guide For Others towards impactful partnerships and sustainable solutions.

Les Ford is a Senior Fellow at the Alliance for Opportunity, where she works to uplift vulnerable citizens. She focuses her research on the entirety of the safety net: reforming welfare so low-income Americans can build flourishing lives, transforming U.S. health care to be free-market based and consumer-oriented, ensuring individuals with disabilities are empowered, and strengthening child welfare so every child is safe. Before joining the Alliance, Les was the Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy on the White House’s Domestic Policy Council from 2018-2020, where she worked to fulfill the president’s objective to empower all Americans by implementing the Executive Order, “Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility.” Les also led the White House initiative to draft the Executive Order, “Strengthening the Child Welfare System for America’s Children.” Before that, Les served as a legislative advisor to Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) on health care, welfare reform, education, labor, religious freedom, and child welfare policy. Les is also the President of Ford Policy Solutions. She, her husband, and their four children live in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dr. Summer DeProw is the Chancellor at University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC) and a member of the University of Mississippi School of Education’s Hall of Fame. Prior to being selected as UA-PTC’s Chancellor, Dr. DeProw served as UA-PTC’s Provost, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Assessment and Accreditation at Arkansas State University, and Associate Professor and Department Chair at Williams Baptist University. DeProw has served higher education since 1997 and throughout her career has mentored hundreds of students, developed curriculum and programs, coached national award-winning collegiate teams, participated in economic and workforce development, and served many faculty and staff. She has a strong background working with international and other diverse student populations. In 2014, DeProw graduated from the University of Mississippi’s (UM) doctoral program in Higher Education where she researched student intercultural competence development, postsecondary education systems in South Africa, and the history of faculty participation in campus integration during the US Civil Rights era. Dr. DeProw was named outstanding doctoral student University of Mississippi’s School of Education. In addition to her post-graduate work, Dr. DeProw holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, an MBA, and a Specialist in Community College Teaching from Arkansas State University. In her limited spare time, she enjoys spending time with her three older brothers and their families. Additionally, she has two miniature schnauzers, Otto and Inga, that are clever, energetic, and very spoiled.

Robert McGough was appointed as Chief Data Officer in March 2023. McGough has over 20 years of experience in data management and analytics, supporting public-sector entities through the Office of State Technology. He served as lead author on the Feasibility and Cost Study on the Development of a Statewide Data Warehouse Program and as the state’s technical liaison with the White House OMB for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. McGough holds an M.S. in Information Quality and has completed the UALR Institute for Chief Data Officers, the ASU Six Sigma Black Belt, and the Coleridge Initiative Applied Data Analytics programs, along with numerous credentials in data and analytics. He is currently an Information Science Ph.D. candidate conducting research to advance the field of longitudinal data analysis. He also serves on the Governor’s Technology Advisory Board and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) IT committee.

Greg Baker was saved while working on a gubernatorial race in April of 2010. Since then, God has repurposed Greg's interests and passions in government, to make them useful for a bigger, eternal Kingdom. Greg has since founded a ministry called the Church Ambassador Network, an initiative of The FAMiLY Leader Foundation, which aims to inspire the Church to engage government for the advance of God's Kingdom.

Wright joined DCFS in 2009 as a family service worker tasked with providing protective and foster care services to children experiencing abuse and neglect. In 2016, she was promoted to Foster Care Program Manager, working to engage, support, and recruit foster families across the state. In 2019, she became the Foster Care and Adoption Program Administrator. In this role, she bolstered efforts to bring permanency to children in foster care and engaged partners in impactful initiatives like the Project Zero Heart Gallery, which features compelling biographies and photos of adoptable children in need of loving forever homes. Wright later served as Community Services Program Administrator, supporting field operations across the state and working to guide staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, she became the Assistant Director of Field Operations, supervising the directors of each DCFS area and ensuring that agency resources are available to provide needed services to children and families on a 24/7 basis.

Janée C. Harvey worked as a social worker in New York, NY, for more than a decade before transplanting to Des Moines, IA, in 2015 with her wife and two kids. She is a graduate of Hunter College with a Master of Social Work (MSW). She has worked with runaway and homeless teens, LGBTQ youth, and families, children and youth involved with the child welfare system for the past 25 years. Most recently, she served for four (4) years as the Child Welfare and Community Services Bureau Chief for DHS and as the Division Administrator over Adult, Children and Family Services (ACFS) beginning in 2020, until her transition to Division Director of Family Well-Being and Protection for HHS in 2022. In addition to her professional roles within Child Welfare, she was a foster parent for seven (7) years and is an adoptive parent.

Clarence H. Carter was appointed to serve as a member of Governor Bill Lee’s Cabinet as the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) in January 2021. Mr. Carter oversees the state's second-largest agency, with an operating budget of more than $3 billion and nearly 4,000 employees across 95 counties. TDHS provides more than 17 programs and services, including nutrition programs, employment assistance, vocational training, and protective services, aiming to strengthen Tennessee by strengthening Tennesseans. A chair of multiple state task forces, a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and a published author, Mr. Carter is recognized for his leadership and innovation in public administration. With over 30 years of experience, including roles under four Governors, two Presidents, and a Mayor, Mr. Carter has significantly contributed to public service, focusing on improving the safety net for socially and economically vulnerable citizens.

Dr. Jared A. Cleveland previously served 7 years as the Springdale Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Cleveland has worked in public education for the past 32 years. Prior to joining the district, he served as Arkansas Department of Education Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent of the Lavaca and Magazine School Districts. He is married to Cristi Cleveland and they have three adult sons, Crason, Callen, and Camden. Dr. Cleveland earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Arkansas Tech University in 1993. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Specialist, and doctorate of P-20 Education, all from Harding University. Dr. Cleveland has served in various capacities at the state and national level. In 2005, he served as the Arkansas Commissioner for the Education Commission of the States. He has also served on the national steering committee for ACT State Organization, the Arkansas Activities Association Board of Directors, and the Arkansas Association of School Administrators Board of Directors. He is a current member of the Governing Board to the prestigious American Association of School Administrators Board of Directors representing Arkansas. Dr. Cleveland was recognized in 2009 as the “Outstanding Early Childhood Professional of Arkansas”. In 2020, he was recognized as the “Arkansas Association of School Personnel Administrator of the Year” by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. Most recently, Dr. Cleveland was named the 2023 Arkansas Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Cleveland is passionate about preparing students to enter the global workforce through the integration of technology, rigorous instruction and real-world application of learning. His mission is to develop minds that think, hearts that care, and hands that serve.

Mischa Martin is an attorney and the Arkansas Principal for AxAdvocacy, a national government relations and public affair firm, where she helps clients navigate public policy, government relations, and strategic advocacy. She previously served for seven years as Director of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services before being appointed by Governor Sarah Sanders as Deputy Secretary of Youth and Families, overseeing child welfare, juvenile justice, child care, and TANF programs. A nationally recognized policy leader, Mischa has spent her career advancing policies and partnerships that strengthen children, families, and communities.

Morgan Warbington has previously served as the Governor’s Education Policy Advisor. Prior to that, she served as a Public School Program Advisor in the Office of Computer Science at the Arkansas Department of Education. Morgan is an Arkansas native, growing up in White Hall and graduating from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville before joining the education policy team under former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

Cody Waits serves as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Connections which functions as the State of Arkansas Workforce Agency. Exec. Director Waits is responsible for executing state and federal workforce development programs and coordinating strategic initiatives across state departments. Additionally, he is responsible for Titles I-IV of WIOA, the Office Skills Development, and Arkansas Industry Connect which functions as the business engagement and training solutions group supporting new and expanding businesses and the states Manufacturing Extension Partnership working closely on economic development projects. Arkansas Workforce Connections is currently administering the $35.8MM American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund Cooperative Agreement in partnership with the US Department of Labor. Executive Director Waits previously served as the director of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development, a division of the Department of Commerce, from 2019 to 2023. He also served as deputy director of the Department of Career Education from 2017 to 2019 and prior to returning to state government in 2024, he served as Senior Government Engagement Manager for Transfr, a virtual reality vocational career exploration and training company. Cody currently co-chairs the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Registered Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning committee and serves as the Region 6 Board of Director for NASWA. Cody is married to his Wife Anna Waits and is the father to their four children Ava, Mia, Willow, and Hudson.

In this role, Christine supports the foundation’s efforts to inform and educate federal and state policymakers about the need for practice and funding strategies that support efforts to improve outcomes among children and families. She also supports the foundation’s efforts to improve child welfare public policy in states across the country. Ms. Calpin brings more than 25 years of public policy experience to her job. Prior to joining Casey Family Programs in 2011, she worked as an independent consultant on child welfare, child care and family support programs for states and tribes. Prior to that, Ms. Calpin worked for two years at the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She first served as associate director of the Child Care Bureau, and then as associate commissioner for the Children’s Bureau, where she oversaw a $7.2 billion budget and 130 employees responsible for all child abuse prevention, foster care and adoption programs delivered by state, local and tribal agencies. She also served as lead congressional staffer for the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means. There, she worked with members of Congress and others on passing legislation affecting programs including child welfare, child care and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Prior to joining the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means staff, Ms. Calpin worked as an Analyst in Social Legislation for the Congressional Research Service. She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from Chatham University and has a Masters of Science in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Rochester. She and her husband Patrick live in Falls Church, VA with their children Henry and Elizabeth.

Dr. Debbie Faubus-Kendrick, is a nationally recognized leader in adult education, workforce development, and lifelong learning with more than four decades of experience in education. As Director of the Crawford County Adult Education Center in Arkansas, she has championed innovative programs that expand educational access, strengthen workforce readiness, and improve opportunities for adult learners. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Faubus-Kendrick has served in numerous leadership roles in state and national adult education organizations, helping shape policy, advance best practices, and advocate for adult learners. She is also a graduate of Leadership Crawford County through the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, reflecting her commitment to civic leadership and community engagement. Her outstanding contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2022 Workforce Development Hero Award, the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, and induction into the 2026 Van Buren School District Hall of Honor. She is widely respected for her commitment to educational excellence, workforce development, community engagement, and empowering individuals through lifelong learning.

Kristi Putnam brings more than 25 years of policy leadership and hands-on experience across human services, early childhood, education, workforce development, and health policy. Throughout her career, she has led transformative, state-level initiatives in maternal health, Medicaid, foster care, early learning and school readiness, and the integration of AI and technology to strengthen health and human services through an ecosystem approach. Kristi has held senior leadership roles in multiple states, including serving as Child Welfare Services Director in Florida, Deputy Secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and most recently as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services under Governor Sarah Sanders from January 2023 to July 2025. In addition to executive leadership, she has provided trusted policy and strategic guidance to legislative leaders—including the Kentucky House Speaker and House leadership—federal agencies, and numerous state health and human services agencies and associations. At the core of Kristi’s work is a belief in the transformational power of human connection and the importance of disrupting the status quo in government systems to achieve better outcomes for families. She joined Cicero because of its relational, partner-centered approach to supporting states with rigorous research, data, and strategy, as well as its commitment to transparency and to ensuring government safety net services are limited, time-bound, and highly effective. Kristi and her husband, Claude, live on a small farm in Kentucky. They are the proud parents of three adult daughters and the joyful grandparents of three grandchildren.

Dr. Karen Jointer Bryant is a seasoned child welfare executive with more than twenty-five years of multi-state and international social work leadership experience spanning public agencies, hospitals, and nonprofits. Her career reflects a uniquely integrated professional tapestry—each role a carefully selected piece that, when stitched together, forms a comprehensive and deeply informed perspective on child and family well-being systems. She holds a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Millsaps College. Dr. Bryant currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for Regional Operations at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, where she leads statewide practice, oversees integrated service delivery, and translates real-time ecosystem insights into strategic recommendations for executive leadership. Previously, Dr. Bryant served as Deputy State Director of Child Welfare Services for South Carolina DSS, Director of Social Work at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Executive Director of the Tennessee Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers, and Director of Community Partnerships for Tennessee DCS. Her experience also includes international practice in the United Kingdom and early-career roles with Casey Family Services and Youth Villages. Across these positions, she led statewide operations, conducted landscape analyses, strengthened multidisciplinary networks, developed workforce and quality improvement initiatives, and produced actionable system insights that informed policy, practice, and partnership development. Dr. Bryant’s professional journey—rich, layered, and intentionally crafted—equips her with a rare blend of operational expertise and relationship-driven leadership.