Speakers & Special Guests

Lorrena Black's distinguished military career spanned from 1997 to 2022. She served honorably for 21 years as an active-duty Army service member before transitioning to the reserves in 2018. After a total of 25 years of dedicated service, Lorrena retired as a Major in 2022. She is in the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Fame. She is the founder and CEO of She Served, LLC.

Lorrena actively contributes to her community by serving on multiple non-profit boards, is a member of the Women's Army Corps Wolverine Chapter 67, and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency's Women Veterans Coalition. Lorrena holds a B.A.S. in Resource and Technology Management from Troy University in Alabama and a Master's in Management and Leadership from Webster University in Missouri. She is also a certified Emotional & Social Competency Inventory Practitioner, an Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator, and a Co-Active trained Professional Coach.

Suhey Fisher is an Army combat veteran, Founder & CEO of Inner North™, and Founder of Sailor's Manifesto — a Lake Michigan–based suicide prevention nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans through trauma-informed, transformational resilience workshops.

Through Sailor's Manifesto, she uses experiential environments — particularly nature and sailing — as vehicles for nervous system regulation, post-traumatic growth, and community reconnection. Her mission is rooted in reducing suicide ideation among veterans by providing tools that integrate breathwork, neuroscience, and embodied leadership practices.

Suhey is a yoga instructor, advanced neuroscience meditation student of Dr. Joe Dispenza, shamanic practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, Adamantine Quantum Healing Facilitator, Emotional Intelligence facilitator, Certified Mental Health First Aid Responder, and auricular therapy practitioner specializing in acupressure for autonomic nervous system support.

Her work bridges ancient modalities with modern neuroscience, creating structured, trauma-informed experiences that support emotional regulation, resilience, and purposeful reintegration. Through both Inner North™ and Sailor's Manifesto, she is committed to building scalable models of prevention, coherence, and human transformation.

Antonia (Toni) Kennedy is a dedicated Veteran Advocate and community leader with over 20 years of experience in community engagement, constituent relations, and project management. A proud U.S. Army Veteran, she has made significant contributions to veteran services through her collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.

As a former Regional Veteran Navigator for Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health, Toni successfully managed outreach efforts across multiple communities, organized educational sessions, and developed strategic partnerships to enhance the overall well-being of veterans. Her expertise in public speaking, training development, and advocacy has enabled her to deliver meaningful presentations on topics relevant to veteran support and community development.

She remains actively involved in several organizations, including the American Legion, NAACP, and YWCA. She serves on multiple boards throughout Kalamazoo County, including the Veterans Affairs Committee. Toni's outstanding dedication has earned her the Veteran Distinguished Service Award and the Veteran of Hope Award (2024) for her exceptional contributions to the veteran community.

She holds an Associate in Arts from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is pursuing her Bachelor's degree at American Military University. In 2025 she recognized a need to educate and better address the issues facing veterans, especially those in need, and established Veteran 1st — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to meet those needs. She serves as its President and CEO.

Major General Dennis E. Lutz graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1973 and was commissioned through ROTC as a Lieutenant, Signal Corps, U.S. Army. In 1976, after serving with the 4th Battalion, 37th Armor, he joined the Army Reserve.

From 1976 through 2005 he served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the Army Reserve from platoon leader through Brigade Commander. In 2005 he was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, promoted to Major General, and deployed to South West Asia. While deployed he was responsible for Army Communications throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Upon returning he was responsible for all Army Reserve Signal and Chemical units in the continental United States. In 2009 he retired from the Army.

MG Lutz holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master's degree in Business Administration, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. While serving in the Army Reserve he worked for the Eastman Kodak company, responsible for the design and delivery of digital cameras and film scanners.

His awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Parachutist Badge. In 2016 he was inducted into the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps National Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.

MG Lutz is married to the former Helen Brys of Cleveland, Ohio. They have been married for over 53 years and have three children and seven grandchildren.

Following a global career in systems change and service, Susan Rosas (she/her) joined YWCA Kalamazoo as CEO in January 2024. Susan brings proven expertise in strategic growth, high-quality programming, and trauma-responsive leadership. Her unwavering commitment to equity sparks fearless innovation. Bold problems require bold interventions.

Susan is originally from Michigan, though her career has led her to work in a variety of systems worldwide. In Cambodia, Susan led systems change efforts through government demonstration projects, resulting in the country's first steps toward prioritizing family-based care over harmful orphanages. Through a Texas-based global nonprofit, Susan led what grew to be the U.S.'s largest national home visiting program for unaccompanied children and families. She then founded the ORR National Call Center and Sexual Abuse Hotline (the U.S.'s bilingual crisis and support line for unaccompanied children and their families), and Common Thread, which under her leadership became Texas's largest domestic anti-trafficking program for youth and young adult survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

She returned to Michigan in 2021 and served in the child welfare and homelessness sectors as the CEO of a statewide nonprofit. Susan joined YWCA Kalamazoo in January 2024 as its CEO.

Elaine Taylor is a business strategy, marketing, and executive leadership professional. She currently serves as Executive Director of the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), where she leads the organization's mission to support and certify veteran-owned businesses. In this role, Elaine oversees organizational strategy, stakeholder engagement, corporate partnerships, business development initiatives, veteran outreach, operations, and program growth.

In addition to her leadership at NVBDC, Elaine serves as Executive Vice President of the Arsenal of Democracy Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and State of Michigan president for AUSA Second Region, helping to strengthen relationships between the Army, industry partners, policymakers, and the public.

Elaine also provides strategic consulting through her company, Fusion Strategic, LLC, a woman-owned business advisory and management consulting firm.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, integrity, and results-driven approach, Elaine is passionate about supporting veterans, strengthening industry partnerships, and helping organizations achieve sustainable growth.

Toni Moses has devoted more than fourteen years to advocating on behalf of veterans. As a service-disabled veteran, she is deeply committed to empowering fellow veterans through education on how to maximize their veteran status and access the benefits available to them. In 2012, she joined Disabled American Veterans (DAV), where she served for more than seven years as a National Service Officer, further strengthening her lifelong commitment to veteran advocacy. As an advocate, she represented veterans, spouses, and their dependents in the VA claims process.

In 2019, Toni joined the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) as a Certification Analyst. In that role, she developed extensive knowledge of NVBDC certification standards and the certification framework of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), further deepening her expertise in supplier diversity and veteran business advocacy. She currently serves as Relationship Manager for NVBDC, where she supports and advances the growth of underrepresented veteran-owned businesses. Her dedication to this work is informed by her own lived experiences and the challenges she has navigated as a service-disabled veteran.

Toni currently serves on committees and advisory boards for several organizations, including:

• Great Lakes Women's Business Council
• MCSB Advisory Committee

Alison Mencarelli is the current Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in West Michigan. As a member of the VA National Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Leadership Council, she has contributed to the development and implementation of national policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing care and resources for veterans. At the same time, Alison developed programs and services at the local VA Medical Center and outpatient clinics in a 21-county catchment area.

Alison earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Social Work from Boston College. She has prior experience working with older adults in medical and behavioral health settings.

With over a decade of experience working with veterans and their families, Alison is deeply committed to providing trauma-informed care and advocating for the well-being of those impacted by intimate partner violence, particularly within the veteran community.

Michele Pascoe is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as an Aviation Electrician specializing in helicopters. Following her military service, she earned her degree from the Western Michigan University School of Social Work in 1998 and has since dedicated her career to the field of behavioral health.

She has been a licensed Social Worker for 28 years and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). She has been employed by Summit Pointe — Calhoun County's Community Mental Health for 23 years, currently serving as the Veteran Navigator where she focuses on connecting veterans and their families to critical services and supports.

Michele is a certified facilitator in Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention and provides Military Cultural Training to enhance community understanding of veterans' unique experiences. She actively serves on several community boards and is the Chapter Lead for Battle Creek's Women's Veterans Strong (WVS), advocating for and empowering women who have served.

Her passion is helping others — especially female veterans — and making sure they have the services and resources they need to be successful. She is married and the proud mother of three children, grandmother of two granddaughters, with another grandchild on the way.

Lindsey King works for YWCA Kalamazoo as the SANE Volunteer Supervisor and SAKI Victim Advocate. Lindsey has a bachelor's degree in organizational communication from Western Michigan University (WMU), with minors in Social Work and Nonprofit Leadership. She also obtained a Master of Public Administration degree in Nonprofit Administration from WMU.

She has been working with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking since 2018, when she first interned at YWCA Kalamazoo. Lindsey started work full time at YWCA in 2022. In her role as SANE Volunteer Supervisor, Lindsey coordinates the 24-hour sexual assault response volunteer program. This includes leading trainings and managing program interns as well.

Lindsey is also the community-based advocate for the Kalamazoo SAKI project, an interdisciplinary team that works through cold-case sexual assaults. This is a partnership between the YWCA, Kalamazoo Prosecutor's Office, and the Office of the Attorney General. As the advocate on the team, she provides support to survivors during the reinvestigation and prosecution of their cases, as well as support services for those who do not wish to reinvestigate.

Sherry Brockway, LMSW, has been employed at the YWCA Kalamazoo since December 2003. She is the Director of Training and Prevention. The focus of her career has been working in the field of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

She developed an emergency response program in Kalamazoo that has been credited with reducing intimate partner violence homicides in the city of Kalamazoo. She has also been qualified as an expert witness in several counties in Michigan. She is actively involved in several community collaborations, public education, systems change work, and eliminating racism.

Rachel Newcomb is the current Women's Health Social Worker at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, and also offers telephone and video appointments for the Wyoming, Lansing, Benton Harbor, and Muskegon clinics. Rachel is also part of PACT social work and provides PACT social work for women veterans.

Rachel is trained in RISE therapy and offers several different groups throughout the year, including healthy relationships, ROSE pregnancy groups, mindfulness, and crocheting. Rachel also coordinates the events for Women's Health.

Rachel is from Savannah, Georgia, and received her Bachelor in Political Science from Savannah State University in 2010. In 2015 she received her Master's in Social Work from Savannah State University. Rachel has worked in community mental health with adults and children before coming to the VA. She has experience working in the ER as a social work emergency services responder, and is also trauma-informed.

As Director, Battle Creek VA Medical Center (VAMC), Ms. Martin leads, manages, and directs the planning and evaluation of healthcare services for a healthcare delivery system in the western part of Michigan covering a 21-county geographic area with approximately 45,000 enrolled veterans. She implements a comprehensive healthcare system tailored to the veteran needs in this area. The VA Battle Creek Medical Center also has outpatient clinics in Benton Harbor, Lansing, Muskegon, and Wyoming, Michigan. The Battle Creek VAMC is classified as a neuropsychiatric facility and is the hub of mental health care for all VA Medical Centers in the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Ms. Martin was appointed Acting Director at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center on March 29, 2020. Prior to that she was the Associate Director for Patient Care Services (ADPCS) at the Medical Center. Ms. Martin has over 25 years of experience in a variety of Nursing, Nursing Leadership, and Quality Management positions. She joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in March 2012 as the Facility Telehealth Coordinator. She held several clinical and management positions of progressive responsibilities at Northern Indiana Health Care System (VA NIHCS) before being appointed as the ADPCS at Battle Creek.

She holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and an Associate of Science in Nursing.

Ina Golden is a proud Navy Veteran who served during the Vietnam Era, caring for women and children with compassion and skill. Using the GI Bill, she became a Registered Nurse and has been licensed for 45 years, building a career across Pediatrics, the Emergency Department, and Nursing Education.

Ina has been deeply active in Veteran organizations, including the American Legion and the Holly Area Veterans Resource Center. In 2019, she and her husband founded Hometown Heroes, a community program honoring local young people on active duty where yellow ribbons are displayed around an old oak tree in the heart of town.

Now living up north in a log cabin along the Muskegon River, Ina continues her lifelong commitment to service by assisting an Amish midwife in delivering babies.

Born and raised in Illinois, Hoffman arrived in Kalamazoo with the idea of being a teacher. But life had other plans, and before she knew it she had made a name for herself as a professional singer performing with the Lana Hoffman Trio. The trio is currently made up of vocalist Lana, Terry Lower playing piano, and Larry Ochiltree on drums.

Lana has performed at festivals and at the Kalamazoo Civic and Farmers Alley theaters. She is also an entrepreneur, having opened Lana's Boutiques in Kalamazoo, Saugatuck, and St. Joseph, plus a pop-up trailer boutique — and has fostered about 400 cats. Since then, she has scaled down to two boutiques (in downtown Kalamazoo and St. Joseph), but has not slowed down.

Austria Johnson is a disabled U.S. Army combat veteran of the Gulf War. Her experiences during military service shaped every part of her life. Serving as a woman in the military, she faced physical, mental, and emotional challenges that left a lasting impact.

Following her honorable discharge in 1992, her transition led to tears, nightmares, anger, shame, suicidal thoughts, depression, and isolation from friends and family. In January 2022, she chose to reshape her story. Refusing to become another statistic, she embraced music therapy and DJing — both became powerful tools for her mental health and survival.

While DJing isn't a cure, music has lifted her through difficult times and reminds her that "life happens." By sharing her journey, she hopes her story inspires someone who needs it, encouraging them to discover what sparks their mental strength and well-being.

• Single mother of 2
• Attended Madonna College, Eastern Michigan University, and DeKalb College
• U.S. Army, 12 years
• "Dayroom" columnist, Battle Creek Shopper
• American Legion Post 298 Service Officer
• Retired Department of Defense (34 years)
• NAACP Veteran Image Awardee
• Foster parent of 29 children, adopted 1