16th Annual Military & Veterans Mental Health Summit

Brigadier General (Ret.) Karen A. Berry has dedicated her life to service - as a decorated military officer, respected educator, and passionate advocates for veterans. 

A University of Delaware ROTC graduate, Berry was commissioned in 1990 and went on to serve more than three decades in the Delaware and Connecticut National Guards. Over the course of her distinguished career, she commanded at multiple levels, including as Commander of the 261st Signal Brigade, and deployed to Afghanistan as Deputy Commander of the 335th Signal Command. She later served as Director of the Joint Staff in both Delaware and Connecticut before retiring in 2023 as Special Assistant to the Adjutant General in Delaware. 

Her military service was recognized with some of the nation's highest honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross. 

In addition to her military career, Berry spent more than 25 years in education, teaching mathematics in the Laurel and Indian River School Districts and later serving as Mathematics Specialist at Sussex Central High School. Since 2023, she has served as a Veterans Advocate at Delaware Technical Community College's Owen Campus in Georgetown, supporting student veterans and their families. 

Berry holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering Technology from the University of Delaware, a Master of Education in Mathematics from Salisbury State University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Active in professional and civic organizations, she is a member of the National Guard Associations of the United States, Delaware, and Connecticut, as well as the Signal Corps Regimental Association and the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics. 

Throughout her career, Berry has been guided by a simple principle: service before self. Her lifelong commitment to country, community, and education continues today in her work to honor and support Delaware's veterans.

Stephanie Evan, MSN, RN, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Refuge and a U.S. Navy veteran with more than a decade of experience in behavioral health, psychiatric nursing, and substance use treatment. A dedicated healthcare leader, she has built her career at the intersection of clinical excellence, operational leadership, and compassionate, patient-centered care.

Stephanie began her nursing career in 2011 after earning her Registered Nurse credential in Washington State. She gained early experience as a psychiatric nurse in an acute behavioral health hospital while completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Following her move to San Diego in 2014, she joined the region's largest privately operated psychiatric hospital, where she expanded her expertise across a broad continuum of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. 

Throughout her career, Stephanie has worked with diverse patient populations and treatment modalities, including trauma-informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), medical and geriatric psychiatry, chemical dependency treatment, eating disorders, child and adolescent behavioral health, electrioconvulsive therapy (ECT), and dual-diagnosis care. As a lead nurse, she played an instrumental role in developing and launching the hospital's first medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, helping expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment. 

In 2019, Stephanie returned to Texas, where she served as Director of Nursing before advancing to Chief Executive Officer of Starlite Recovery Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Texas Tech University and is a Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN). 

As CEO of The Refuge, Stephanie is passionate about advancing clinical excellence, fostering innovation in behavioral healthcare, and creating pathways to lasting recovery. She remains committed to building high-performing teams and delivering transformative treatment programs that empower individuals to heal, grow, and thrive. 

Jessica Lewis, CPT, CNC holds close to two dozen professional licenses in Tai Chi / Qigong (including T'ai Chi Chih, her primary focus), Personal Training, and Nutritional Counseling, providing her with unique insight into the constant interplay and positive impact of high-quality relaxation, movement, and whole food nutrition on all aspects of human health. 

As the founder of both SCULPT YOUR LIFE, a complete Lifestyle Coaching private practice, and the unique T'AI CHI CHIH FOR VETERANS program especially designed for Veterans and their loved ones, for over two decades Jessica has been guiding others to achieve holistic and integrative wellness. 

To learn more, visit www.SculptUrLife.com & www.SculptUrLife.com/tai-chi-chih-for-veterans or connect with Jessica on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

Michelle A. Washington, Ph.D. - Dr. Washington received her doctoral degree from Texas A&M University. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene. Additionally, she holds a Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Certificate from Fielding Graduate University. She is a licensed psychologist in Virginia and Washington, DC. Currently, she works as a psychologist/neuropsychologist/Coordinator of PTSD Services in the Outpatient Behavioral Health Services clinic at the Wilmington VAMC. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and is a member of the Polytrauma/TBI Team. She is certified in Prolonged Exposure, Written Exposure Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy for the treatment of PTSD. Prior to working at the VA, Dr. Washington, served as a forensic inpatient psychologist and Director of Psychology Services at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, DC.

Jaime Kazmarck, LCSW, is the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator (CEPC) for Suicide Prevention at the Wilmington VA Healthcare System. With more than 25 years of experience in behavioral health, she has served in a variety of clinical and community-based roles, including psychotherapy, homeless Veteran services, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. In her current role, Jaime develops strategic partnerships across Delaware and southern New Jersey to strengthen suicide prevention efforts, expand access to care, and improve outcomes for Veterans. She is also a New Jersey Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC), providing behavioral health support during disasters and other critical incidents. 

Dayton Ann Williams, MBA, PMP, MSW, is a veteran advocate, grief companion, and the author of two books on healing and loss. A former Senior Project Manager at IBM, she left a distinguished career following the death of her son to devote herself to the work that truly mattered - walking alongside others in their darkest moments. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she authored a published thesis on posttraumatic growth and depreciation in combat veterans. She is a certified Mental Health Peer Support Specialist who provides pro bono telehealth peer support to veterans, and a speaker on grief, loss, and veteran mental health. 

At the heart of everything Dayton does is a simple belief: no one should have to suffer alone. In honor of her son Tyrell, she established The Sgt. Tyrell Seth Williams, USMC Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas at Austin where each year a veteran is chosen to sit 'in Ty's place'. She lives in Delaware with her Afghan Hound, Feli. 

Stacey is a Social Worker at the Wilmington VA Medical Center and is employed as a case manager for the Post 911 Military 2 VA case management program. In this role, she assists service members as they transition out of the military, and connects them to care and services at the VA. She started her VA career in 2012 as a medical support assistant, then as a certified peer support specialist in 2013, and she received her social work degree in 2017.

Stacey served in the US Navy Reserves, and her unit was activated during Operation Desert Shield. She was assigned to Fleet Hospital 15 in Bahrain. Stacey has faced many personal challenges but has risen through the ranks personally and professionally. She proudly serves her fellow Veteran population with the same compassion that was provided to her. She went from seeking servies at the VA, to being a provider of services at the VA. 

Lorne Peterson is a 33-year military veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps and the Delaware Air National Guard, retiring in 2017. He now serves as a Corporal with the Wilmington Police Department. 

Donna Peterson is a classically trained chef and General Manager for Restaurant Associates. She has studied in France, worked in Italy, Atlantic City and many venues in the Northeast. 

They are the parents of Sayer Evans, who served in both the United States Marine Corps and the Wilmington Police Department. Sayer died by suicide on November 19, 2022. Donna and Lorne honor Sayer's life by speaking openly about mental health and carrying forward a legacy of service, strengthm and love. 

Donna and Lorne Peterson are dedicated professionals and proud parents whose lives reflect service, leadership, and resilience.

Lauren Unrath, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and serves as the Director of Psychological Health for the Delaware Army National Guard. She leads behavioral health initiatives that support the resilience and well-being of service members and their families through crisis intervention, prevention, education, and access to care. Passionate about reducing stigma and fostering meaningful conversations around mental health, Lauren works closely with military leaders and community partners to strengthen readiness and resiliency. She is honored to moderate today's discussion, highlighting the experiences, challenges, and strengths of military families and the vital role resilience plays in their journey. 

The Mears family is a Delaware Army National Guard family of six navigating the unique experiences of military life together. Major David Mears has dedicated 19 years to the Delaware Army National Guard, highlighted by his command of the 160th Engineer Company during a 2023 deployment. His wife, Sarah, also serves the community as a Military Family Readiness Specialist for the Delaware National Guard. Together, they are proud parents to Eli (15), David (14), Hunter (9), and Addison (5).

Dr. Dawn Sheree Paramore is an award-winning, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and licensed pyschotherapist with over a decade of clinical experience specializing in trauma, mental health, and prevention science. She is recognized for her ability to bridge clinical research, lived experience, and real-world application to create transformative outcomes for individuals, organizations, and communities. 

She holds a Doctor of Social Science in Prevention Science from Wilmington University, where her doctoral research focused on health disparities affecting premenopausal Black women with breast cancer - providing critical insight into the intersection of trauma, health inequities, and systemic barriers to care.

As the creator of the R.I.S.E Framework (Recognize, Identify, Strategize, Elevate), Dr. Paramore equips audiences with actionable strategies to break cycles of trauma, improve emotional wellness, and achieve sustainable personal and professional growth.

Her TEDx talk, "Even Therapists Break: Behind the Professional Smile," positions her as a leading voice on high-functioning burnout, resilience, and mental health awareness. 

Dr. Larence Kirby is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and owner of Key 2 Clarity Counseling Services. 

He retired from the Air Force after 30 years of active-duty service. During his career, he earned the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Afghanistan and served at the Dover Port Mortuary, where he took dental radiographs that assisted in the identification of hundreds of fallen heroes from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. 

Dr. Kirby is a dedicated advocate for veterans, having served as Veteran Counselor at Delaware Technical Community College, Executive Director of the Delaware Office of Veterans Services, and Lead for the Delaware Governor's Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicide. 

He continues to support service members, veterans, and their families through counseling, education, and advocacy.