Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs

REGINA AGUILERA, MS Regina Aguilera (Yaqui) holds a Master's degree in Oriental Medicine and specializes in acupuncture, herbology, and martial arts. Regina utilizes the combined philosophies of Eastern and Native cultures to encourage Native people toward wellness. She especially enjoys working with Native youth and adults in disease prevention and in promoting healthy lifestyles. She and her husband are actively involved in the San Diego Native community.

REV. LEO BOOTH, MTh A former Episcopal priest, Reverend Leo Booth is a Unity minister, an internationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and trainer on all aspects of spirituality and recovery from depression, addictions, compulsive behaviors, and low self-esteem.

A Certified Addictions Counselor, a Certified Eating Disorders Counselor, and a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, Rev. Leo speaks at many National and International conferences, plus churches of all denominations. In addition to specific in-services and lectures on religious addiction and abuse, Rev. Leo presents workshops, lectures, and training on a broad spectrum of issues to a variety of organizations and institutions.

Rev. Leo contributes regularly to newspapers across the United States and is the author of 10 publications, including When God Becomes a Drug, The Wisdom of Letting Go, and Pearl in the Rice. Rev. Leo has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Geraldo, Sally Jesse Raphael, and Good Morning America.

LINDA ELLERBEE Linda Ellerbee is an outspoken journalist, award-winning television producer, best-selling author, breast cancer survivor, mother, grandmother and one of the most sought-after speakers in America. She is a woman of spirit and determination who has enlightened and entertained us for almost 40 years. Ellerbee began her career at CBS, and then moved to NBC News where, after years covering national politics, she pioneered the late-night news program NBC News Overnight, which she wrote and anchored. Overnight was cited by the duPont Columbia Awards as "the best written and most intelligent news program ever." In 1986, Ellerbee moved to ABC News to anchor and write Our World, a weekly primetime historical series. Her work on Our World won her an Emmy.

Revered as a pioneer, a survivor and role model for young and old, Ellerbee charms sell-out audiences across the country. She speaks to them about surviving a changing world with her heart intact. They come to hear her trademark wit and wisdom on everything from family life, friendship, getting fired, building a career, starting a company, discovering love, politics, feminism, surviving breast cancer, recovering from alcoholism, overcoming obstacles, climbing mountains and making a noise. (Photo credit: Gordon Munro)

ROBERT FELLOWS, MTS Robert Fellows motivates his audiences to seek wellness, find balance, challenge the impossible, and see the humor in life—using audience involvement, captivating stories, and entertaining illustrations. He speaks from over thirty years of experience as a wellness consultant to corporations, hospitals, colleges, school systems, and governmental institutions in the United States, Canada, and Australia. His topics include "The Power to Manage Stress and Change," "Breakthrough Performance in Personal Safety," and "The Illusion of Tobacco."

BRUCE LEONARD, MPH, CHES An expert in developing community media based behavior change programs, Bruce Leonard's topics include "Worksite Health Promotion: Where To Start," "Designing Behavior Change Interventions," and "Applying Lessons Learned From Tobacco To Physical Activity." His workshop on "Principles of Behavior Change" is full of practical applications that come from years of experience with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, physical activity, nutrition, and smoking cessation.

GEORGE OBERMEIER, MS With a background in teaching and sports psychology, George Obermeier has worked with many student assistance programs. His presentation “Natural Highs” is a highly acclaimed approach to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. A former hospital administrator, he presents on creativity, humor and wellness.

MARK POTUCK, MSPH With a Master's degree in health education and a deep background in theater, music, and humor, Mark Potuck has a unique ability to combine quality entertainment and information into compelling and memorable keynotes and workshops. He sincerely believes anyone can change his or her lifestyle for the better. Sometimes he appears as "Dr. Stosh" and it may take a while for the audience to realize that the speaker is not really a doctor. They always end up laughing— and resolving to change their lives. As a county tobacco education director, Potuck knows how to motivate people. Presentations include "Inch by Inch, It's a Cinch; Yard by Yard, It's Too Hard!"

JAMES PROCHASKA, PhD Changing for Good. Author of over 100 publications including three books, Dr. Prochaska developed the groundbreaking stage model of behavior change. He is Director of the Cancer Prevention Research Consortium, a clinical and health psychologist and a widely sought after speaker.

MARTIN SHAIN, SJD Modify the organization of work to make it healthier and safer. Martin Shain is a long-standing partner with Health Canada in developing and refining the Workplace Health System and is a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. He is the author of Healthier Workers: Health Promotion and Employee Assistance Programs.

GEORGE E. VAILLANT, MD Author of Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development and The Wisdom of the Ego: Sources of Resilience in Adult Life. Dr. Vaillant is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of Research for the Division of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital. He has spent the last 25 years as Director of the Study of Adult Development at the Harvard University Health Service. Dr. Vaillant has been a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and has been an invited speaker and consultant for seminars and workshops throughout the world. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, Dr. Vaillant did his residency at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center and completed his psychoanalytic training at the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute. Dr. Vaillant has received the Foundations Fund Prize for Research in Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association, the Stecker Award from the Institute of Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Semrad Award from the Massachusetts Mental Health Center.