Our Keynote Speakers

David Grant

David is the founder of BIHN, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a comprehensive array of resources designed to support brain injury survivors and caregivers. David is a freelance writer and the author of several books about life after brain injury. He is also a regular columnist for HEADWAY, the print publication of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire. David has dedicated his time to advocacy on behalf of the brain injury community. He founded the BIHN Facebook Community, a vibrant online community for people living with brain injury, family members, and caregivers.

Deirdre Henriquez, Melissa O’Neill, and Tammy Weir
-Staff at Central Iowa Shelter & Services-

Deirdre Henriquez has been with Central Iowa Shelter & Services for many years. She was born in Chicago and has lived in big cities like New York and LA. When she first started working at CISS she knew this would be the place for her. “The mission here at CISS embodies everything that I stand for, it aligns perfectly with who I am.” Deirdre enjoys putting a smile on peoples face every single day, even if she has to get people to do a little karaoke. “I have the most amazing co-workers here at CISS, we are a great team, a great family. Just being around people who want to help others is absolutely amazing to me.” Deirdre expressed how much each memory means to her, and being able to make an impact on other individual lives is a blessing. “My favorite memory is housing people and just seeing a big genuine smile on their face as we all sing them our farewell song.” One message Deirdre would like to share with our community here at CISS is “Everyone has to believe in themselves, even when no-one else does, keep faith alive, for yourself and others.”

Melissa O’Neil has been the Chief Executive Officer of Central Iowa Shelter & Services since February, 2016. Prior to her position with CISS, Melissa worked at IJAG as Vice President. She has consistently served in leadership roles including Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for three years and Graduate Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach for two years. She leads with passion and purpose. Melissa has volunteered her time and talent with Christ the King Girls Basketball team, Indianola Tribe Soccer and United Way of Central Iowa. She received her Bachelors in Communication from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2001 and her Masters in Advertising from Syracuse University in 2003. Melissa resides in Indianola with her husband - Jeremy, daughter – Katie, son – Patrick, and puppy Aspen.

Tammy Weir is the payroll & HR Specialist at Central Iowa Shelter & Services. She is in charge of not only making sure the administrative and shelter staff get what they need in terms of financial support and resources, but the job trainees as well! Tammy holds to Bachelor’s degrees, one in Accounting and the other in Health Services. She also has an A.A in Medicine. She has years of experience in staff accounting and being a controller. Tammy and her family (husband and 3 kids) moved from LA to Iowa 8 years ago for her husband's job. 4 years ago, while Tammy was going to school at Mercy, a part of her health program was to do service hours at a nonprofit. She picked CISS to serve at and worked in different areas around the shelter. When she saw the job opening this year, she was excited to apply with how familiar she already was with the shelter. Tammy also works as a paramedic in Marshalltown when she is not at CISS.

Suzanne Spencer

Suzanne Spencer took countless calls and story ideas over a decade working as a TV news reporter and anchor. When her phone rang in 2021, the news was delivered to her – that she had a brain tumor – and it changed the trajectory of her life. Suzanne is now a two-time brain surgery survivor, inspirational speaker, and storyteller who pivoted to create her own business, Suzanne Speaks, with a core mission to guide audiences through challenges. Suzanne lives in Milwaukee with her husband Paul, daughter Jane, and dog Wally.

Additional 2026 BIAW Conference Speakers

Francis Jareczek, MD, PhD

Dr. Frank Jareczek is an assistant professor of neurosurgery with subspecialty training in neurocritical care and endovascular neurosurgery. Dr. Jareczek grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and obtained degrees in biomedical engineering and biology from Boston University. He returned to the Midwest for combined MD/PhD training at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, where his thesis work on the neurobiology of pain led to a PhD in Neuroscience. Dr. Jareczek then completed neurosurgical residency at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He pursued additional fellowship training in neurocritical care with the goal of being able to comprehensively manage all body systems in his critically ill neurosurgical patients to optimize their overall outcome. His advanced training in endovascular neurosurgical techniques has equipped him with the skillset to offer more minimally invasive approaches to treating brain aneurysms and vascular malformations, as well as the ability to effectively treat patients with vessel blockages causing strokes. Dr. Jareczek has a strong interest in training the next generation of neurosurgeons and neurocritical care providers and is actively involved in many local and regional teaching activities.

Marc Cicero, MD, FAAP

Mark X. Cicero MD, FAAP is an associate professor in the section of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) at the Yale School of Medicine. Prior to this appointment, he completed medical school at State University of New York at Buffalo, pediatrics residency and chief residency at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and PEM fellowship at Yale. He has designed experiential and didactic curricula in pediatric disaster medicine, and has published original research about disaster medicine educational strategies. His research is sponsored by Emergency Medical Services for Children and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. He has served nationally as a consultant for prehospital and hospital pediatric disaster preparedness. Firsthand disaster experience includes hurricane Isabel in Norfolk VA, as well as an epidemic. He serves as the chair of the pediatrics committee of the National Association of EMS Physicians, and on the National Biodefense Science Board.

Michael Ward, MD

Dr. Ward is a graduate of The University of Michigan Medical School where he also
completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He specialized in clinical care for children and adults with traumatic brain injuries for 36 years including 24 years with the Clearview Brain Injury Center.  He is currently an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, where academic activities included coordination of educational programs for medical students in a multidisciplinary neuroscience course and for residents in medical care and rehabilitation after brain injury.

Audrey Nelson, MS

In 1981 Audrey experienced a brain Injury in a car accident during her Freshman year of college; she was 18. In 1983, she was a co-founder and facilitator of a brain injury support group in Eau Claire that met for over 30 years. 

Audrey earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 1987 and subsequently, a Graduate degree in Vocational Rehabilitation in 1994.  Since 1985, she has had several different roles on the board of directors of the Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin. She also currently serves on the Mayo Clinic Brain Injury Advisory Board. Audrey began Reality Unlimited, LLC in 1995, providing residential care for individuals with brain injury.  She recently sold this company and is looking forward to the next chapter in her work in brain injury advocacy. One of her most exciting projects was started in 2020, a brain injury & poetry support group that recently published a book of poetry. 

She is the mother of 3 adult children and recently, a proud grandmother who loves to spend time with her family.

Valerie Frazer, OD, FCOVD

Before entering optometry school, Dr. Valerie Frazer received her BA in human physiology from Southern Illinois University with additional studies in the areas of psychology and literature. After graduating from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Frazer moved to Wisconsin to complete a yearlong residency with a concentration in vision therapy and functional vision. Two years later, she achieved her board certification in these same areas from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) now known as the Optometric Vision Development and Rehabilitation Association (OVDRA).  Dr. Frazer sees
patients in both the Madison (Waunakee) and Waukesha locations.

Timothy Behrens, PhD, CHES, RFSA, FACSM

Timothy "Tim" K. Behrens is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a stroke survivor that occurred during COVID in 2020-21. At the time of his injuries, he was Dean of the College of Health Sciences at UWM.

In the years since his strokes, Dr. Behrens has dealt with many common difficulties facing survivors of brain injury. In his presentation, Dr. Behrens will share the catalyst for his recovery (Therapeutic Recreation) and how he continues towards continual recovery through his teaching, research, and community engagement.

Andrew & Linda Bub

Andrew S. Bub, also known as GamerDad, has spent over 25 years writing about video games, movies, and children. He shifted from magazine journalism to focus on media violence and educating parents, collaborating with various outlets and policymakers. After suffering two strokes in 2022 that affected his vision and cognitive abilities, Andrew used board games as therapy and now shares these strategies as “BrainerDad.” His wife, Linda Bub, is an advanced practice nurse and educator with 35 years of experience. Together, they will present on using games to promote health and well-being in brain injury recovery.

When people think of brain injury recovery, they think of hours of therapy, not fun and games. For those that don’t qualify for therapy or those looking to supplement therapy with something fun, board games are a way to do just that! Learn how games can help in recovery, allow you to see progress over time and just have fun! Andrew and his wife Linda (a gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist and nurse educator) discuss gaming and the impact on brain health and wellbeing as well as a fun way to improve overall health and wellbeing. Andrew and his wife have presented to clinical professionals and the community on using games for recovery, health promotion, and sharing a passion for gaming.

Alec Wendelboe, BS

Alec Wendelboe currently serves as the Education and Community Outreach Manager at the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance since May 2021, where responsibilities include presenting workshops on brain injury and stroke basics and coordinating educational Lunch & Learn sessions for social service professionals. Previous experience includes working as a Case Manager at the same organization, providing Waiver Case Management services. Earlier roles include Research Assistant at the Wesley and Lorene Artz Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Sales Associate at Dunham's Sports, and Construction Worker at Front Street Construction. Alec holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Hamline University, obtained in 2021, and graduated from Albert Lea Senior High School in 2018.

Katie Strong PhD, CCC-SLP

Dr. Katie Strong is an Associate Professor at Central Michigan University where she leads the Strong Story Lab. With over 30 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Katie partners with people living with aphasia and brain injury to co-construct stories that support identity, hope, and healing. Her work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to tell their story - and that clinicians play a vital role in making that possible.

Robert Karol, PhD, LP, ABPP-RP, CBIST

Dr. Karol is President of a group private practice, Karol Neuropsychological Services & Consulting, in Minneapolis, that specializes in counseling for persons with brain injury and other disabilities, neuropsychological and rehabilitation evaluations, program development consultation for organizations, workshops & staff training, and case consultation for providers, insurers, and attorneys.

Dr. Karol has also recently served as Vice President of Brain Injury Services responsible for Brain Injury Services’ programmatic leadership, marketing, and admissions for a provider of long-term care, assisted living facilities, and other services through specialty programs across multiple states. Prior work was as Director of a hospital based behavioral program for people with challenging levels of behavioral dyscontrol who had failed other programs, but were able to return to the community through his program.

Dr. Karol is Board Certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) as a Rehabilitation Psychologist and is Certified by the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST). He received the American Psychological Association Rehabilitation Division Lifetime Practice Excellence Award in 2015 for “excellence in clinical practice and contributions to the field of rehabilitation psychology.” He is a member of the Minnesota Academy of Medicine.

Emily Wheeler

Emily Wheeler currently serves as Program Manager of the Special Needs Trust Program
at Life Navigators, helping individuals and families around Wisconsin protect their public benefits and plan for their futures. Emily has over 10 years of experience in the disability services community. Prior work experience of Emily’s includes working in case
management and workforce development within the disability community. Emily
graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and
a minor in Public and Environmental Affairs.

Emma Janes

Emma Janes is a Trust Information Coordinator at the disability services agency, Life Navigators. Since earning her Bachelor of Social Work in 2018 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she has worked as a social services professional in community case management, medical case management, and disability services. In her role as Trust Information Coordinator, she helps educate individuals, families, and professionals on special needs trusts as a planning tool for financial and benefit management. Emma values meeting people where they are at in order to help build bridges for them to connect with the resources they need.

Robert Frank, MSN, APNP, A-GNP, PMHNP

Robert is a psychiatric mental health and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. He received his Bachelor's degree in nursing in 2008 at Marian University in Fond du Lac and worked as a registered nurse in intensive care and correctional care before going on to pursue his Master's degree at Marian. After receiving certification as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner he worked in primary care for several years before returning to study mental health at the University of Wisconsin Madison where he received his psychiatric certification in 2018. He is now a clinician in mental health care with experience in treating mood and trauma related disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia, brain injury, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and dementia care.

Survivor and Family Panels

Matt Dykas

Patrick Buckley

Clare Buckley