2026 Continuing Education  Presenters

Heather Rose Artushin, MSW, LISW-C

 Heather Rose Artushin, MSW, LISW-CP is a social worker with a passion for the power of the written word. Holding a bachelor’s degree in honors psychology and a master’s in social work from the University of Michigan, she has served the community as a licensed clinical social worker and writer for over a decade. Her written work applies social work competencies to shed light on important issues through person-centered storytelling and solution-focused reporting. Sharing evidence-based mental health information using peer reviewed sources is her specialty. Learn more by visiting https://heatherrosewriter.com.

Julie Fanning, DSW

Julie Fanning, DSW, LCSW, is a therapist, consultant, and owner of Holding Hope Services. She also serves as Director of Programs at Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. With 25+ years in social work, Julie specializes in trauma, professional grief, identity, and reducing bias in health and mental health systems—particularly related to mental illness and weight stigma.

Jack Paul Gesino, DSW, LCSW

Dr. Gesino, retired Professor with over 40 years of clinical experience specializing in the clinical treatment of elders and families and in providing consultation and education to individuals and organizations looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in helping elders to thrive. He was designated an “Expert Trainer” in geriatrics by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) GeroEd Center. He has received numerous grants from The Hartford Foundation and CSWE GeroED Center for curriculum development and training social workers for working with elders and their families and in person-centered/participant directed care.

He has received extensive training in neuroscience and Positive Psychology. He continues to provide numerous training and educational programs for clinical practitioners, organizations and the lay public. Programs include “Helping Caregivers Thrive”; “Rewiring the Brains of Elders”; “The Use of Happiness Activities”; “Have FUN: The Use of Play for Helping Our Clients and Ourselves to Thrive and Flourish”; “Making Magic in A World That Could Use More: A Neuroscience Guide for Thriving in Uncertain Times: Principles for Hope and Happiness”.

Dr. Gesino also maintains a private clinical and consultative practice in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Kim Howard, MSW, CAPSW, (she/her)

Kimberly Howard (Kim), MSW, CAPSW (she/her) is a medical social worker, entrepreneur, and business coach with over 20 years of experience in social services. She currently serves as President of the NASW-WI Chapter where she is passionate about supporting and empowering social workers while advancing the profession through leadership, innovation, and systems change. Kim has worked across diverse settings within and beyond healthcare. She is the founder of Mind Renewal Psychotherapy, a group practice where she specializes in clients with chronic health conditions, and founder of Therapy Directory Online, a national directory connecting individuals to therapists. Kim also provides coaching and consulting to social workers and other helping professionals, guiding them in building sustainable businesses and developing impactful programs that serve communities and the profession. 

Adam McCormick, MSW, PhD

 Adam McCormick, MSW, PhD is Professor of Social Work at St. Edward’s University in Austin and teaches courses on topics related to social work with families and childhood trauma. He has a number of research interests and speaks frequently on a number of topics including LGBTQI+ youth in the child welfare system, the trauma of family separation in child welfare, the weaponization of poverty in child welfare, the relationship rights of siblings in foster care, the intersections of child welfare and immigration, social work and moral injury, and masculinity and mental health. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The unfinished business of our childhood: Healing the child trauma wounds of helping professionals. Dr. McCormick is also the author of the book LGBTQ youth in the foster care system: Empowering approaches to an inclusive system of care.

Lisa S. Panisch, PHD, MSW

Lisa S. Panisch, PhD, MSW, is an Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She specializes in interdisciplinary research on intergenerational patterns of trauma transmission and subsequent biopsychosocial consequences of complex trauma and dissociation. She also evaluates biobehavioral interventions and trauma-informed approaches to care and service provision. Dr. Panisch is a dedicated social work educator who promotes innovative instructional methods to equip future social workers with trauma-responsive skills. She is currently studying barriers and opportunities for incorporating curricular materials about developmental neurobiology in regard to complex trauma and dissociation into graduate social work education.

Barb Perkins, LCSW - Licensed in WI & NC, (she/her)

• Barb Perkins, LCSW, owns a sole private practice since 2013 after decades of working in hospital and mental health settings. In Feb 2016, Barb’s work style was written about in “O, The Oprah Magazine” as having “the same calming effect on me as Mr. Rogers’s ritual of putting on his house shoes and cardigan”.  She has created material and spoken at national and local conferences on several topics, including day treatment in physical rehabilitation, traumatic brain injury, psychosocial programs, telehealth, and improving well-being.  

Nicholas Smiar, PhD, ACSW, CISW (he/him)

Nick has been a social worker for fifty-seven years. He is Professor Emeritus of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; board member, NASW- Wisconsin; County Board Supervisor, District 15, Eau Claire County; board member, Western Dairyland EOC; board member, Woodland Enhanced Health Services Commission; board member, Human Services Board, Eau Claire County; lifetime member, National Association of Child Care Workers (South Africa). His MSW and PhD in social work are from the University of Illinoisat Chicago in social welfare policy; his MA and Abd. are from The Divinity School, The University of Chicago, in theology and church history. Nick works in Germany and South Africa. He has been doing training in ethics in continuing education since the requirement began, in 1994.

Brenda J. Stueber, MSS

Brenda Stueber has dedicated more than thirty years to the field of social work—both as a practitioner and an educator. Her practice experience began serving as a county social worker specializing in juvenile services, as well as a school social worker across all educational levels. In higher education for more than twenty years, Brenda currently serves full time as the Social Work Program Director at Marian University of Fond du Lac.

Her passion for the profession has evolved into a mission to strengthen and sustain those who dedicate their lives to helping others. Having a masters in school social work and holding a certificate in industrial psychology, Brenda has become increasingly focused on addressing the challenges of burnout, resilience, and emotional well-being among helping professionals.

Brenda’s scholarship and training emphasize generational intelligence and generational empathy—an approach that deepens understanding of how lived experiences, historical context, and age-based worldviews shape behavior, communication, and needs. She integrates these concepts to help professionals build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues across generational lines.

Throughout her career, she has explored and conducted research on topics such as poverty, leadership, and resiliency in the helping professions. Brenda’s work reflects her belief that fostering compassion, purpose, and resilience is essential not only for those we serve—but also for those who serve others.

Gigi Tsontos, LCSW, LSCSW, MPA,PCC

Gigi Tsontos, LCSW, LSCSW, MPA,PCC aka, Angelique, is the Executive Director of Not One More Vet. She continues her work as a nonprofit consultant, leadership coach, and clinical therapist. Gigi serves as the secretary for the KNASW and as a member of the board of the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center.

After studying Social Welfare Policy at the University of Kansas, Gigi spent two years in Mali West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, returning to complete a Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University and a second Master’s of Public Administration from San Diego State University. Her career led her to work in social services, homeless services, mental health, victims’ rights, and nutrition supporting administrative roles and becoming a clinical social worker licensed in California and Kansas. Gigi’s passion for organizational development has led her to provide consulting support to several nonprofits as they engage in change management, fundraising campaigns, and provide leadership development within organizations and communities.

As a clinical social worker and coach, Gigi has supported learning activities in communications, leadership, administration, mental health and a variety of other topics specifically focusing on the veterinary community. She has led NOMV to a new phase of development creating a forward thinking, results driven culture to ensure the profession survives and thrives.

Gigi lives in the Midwest with her husband and four furry children. She sees the world as her home and has traveled extensively. She has a passion for animal welfare, volunteering for rescues, and supporting animal sanctuaries.

Bryan G. Victor, PHD, MSW

Bryan Victor, PhD, MSW, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. His research focuses on improving system responses to children’s exposure to domestic violence, reducing harm associated with child welfare involvement, and enhancing prevention efforts through cross-system collaboration. Dr. Victor’s work also explores the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence into social work practice. He currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.

Jeanne Wagner, MSW, LCSW, ACSW

Jeanne Wagner joined the staff at the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare in May 2005 as the Director of Social Work Field Education Programs. She received her MSW from Jane Addams College of Social Work, Chicago, IL and her BSW from Morehead State University, Morehead, KY. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Professor with extensive clinical, management, administrative, and educational experience. She has worked in a variety of social service settings prior to her appointment with UWM, which include child welfare, adoption (domestic and international), mental health, intellectual disabilities, geriatrics, and private practice. She currently teaches courses in social work, develops and presents continuing education programs covering social work ethics and boundaries, leadership and supervision, case management, documentation, confidentiality, adoption competency, safety in the field, etc. She is a Trainer for the Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) curriculum through the Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE) and UWM’s Co-Director for TAC. She has served in the role of Ombuds for UWM since 2007 and has 10 years of experience in Quality Assurance.