The 2017 Conference Presenters are leaders in their fields. We have gathered experts, those with front-line experience in the fields of psychiatry, law, and guardianship. This topic is timely, the presenters are knowledgeable, and the information is relevant to today’s issues.

Viki Kind is a clinical bioethicist, professional speaker and hospice volunteer.  Her award winning book, The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making:  Making Choices For Those Who Can’t, guides families, conservators and other professionals through the difficult process of making decisions for those who have lost capacity. Her newly released book, The Caregiver’s Path:  Resource Workbook, Conversation Guide and Visual Toolkit, provides uniquely designed communication tools for managing challenging conversations such as  evaluating danger and risk, managing guilt and denial, end-of-life decisions, and helping the family know when it is time to create a new care plan.

David Forman, LMSW, CASAC is a licensed Social Worker in New York and New Jersey, and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). He has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings including community-based mental health clinics, inpatient adolescent addiction treatment centers, mental health shelters, and most recently at Parallax Center, a leading detoxification and treatment center in New York City. David has provided MI trainings to both private and public entities and co-developed the online Motivational Interviewing course for Columbia University School of Social work, where he also earned his MSW. He is currently a doctoral student in the psychology department at the University of New Mexico.  

Mary Galvez MA, CMC, NMG: A Nationally Certified Master Guardian (NMG) and Certified Manager of Care (CMC), Mary has been providing guardianship and care management services in New Mexico for 18 years. She has extensive professional experience serving the elderly and disabled population in New Mexico. She owns and operates Guardianship and Care Management Services LLC, a local agency which serves as Guardian, Court Visitor, Care Manager, and Healthcare Power of Attorney.

 

Mary serves on the boards of the New Mexico Guardianship Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. She is the New Mexico Affiliate Representative to the National Guardianship Association and also serves on the Adult Protective Proceedings Task Force and WINGS (Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders) Steering Committee. Mary co-chairs the Brown Bag Guardianship Discussion Group and the Corporate Roundtable Discussion Group.