*Access to recorded sessions for 30 days.
Save the Date for the 2023 Annual Symposium
October 18–20, 2023
Details coming soon!
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Be a Symposium Sponsor! Learn more.
Join Us
Join us October 19–21, 2022 for the 11th First Place Global Leadership Institute Symposium with the option to attend in person in Phoenix, Arizona and/or via webinar.
Benefit from decades of research and community-building know-how, along with experiences and strategies for navigating today’s opportunities and challenges inherent in the development of homes and inclusive communities.
Take advantage of our powerful, in-depth three-day program—and build momentum for your supportive community, vision and outcomes.
Be inspired by and engage with others from the private, public and charitable sectors—and work with us to help change the world for those we serve.
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Agenda & Details
Wednesday, October 19
2:00–8:30 p.m. PDT (In Person Only)
2–5 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Setting the Stage: Property & Community Experiences
6–8:30 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Casual Reception, Dinner & Networking, Southwest Margarita-Style
Thursday, October 20, 2022
8:30 a.m.– 8:30 p.m. PDT (In Person) / 11:30 a.m.– 6:45 p.m. EDT (Online)
8:30 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Promising & Innovative Models: One First Leads to the Next
Denise D. Resnik
Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ ;
Co-Founder, SARRC and Matt’s Mom
brad herron-valenzuela
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Center for Education, Training & Employment
9:20 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Defining the Marketplace: Segmentation & Integration
Dr. Amy Lutz
Vice-President, National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA)
Christopher Ptomey
Executive Director, ULI’s Terwilliger Center for Housing
10:15 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Break
10:30 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Housing Policy & Approaches: Focused on Marginalized Populations
Dana Flannery
Senior Policy Advisor to the Director, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Tom Simplot
Director, Arizona Department of Housing
Dave Brown
CEO, Valley Leadership and Board Chair, Home Matters to Arizona
11:30 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Changing Life Course Outcomes: Traditional & Innovative Practices
Dr. Amy Lutz
Vice-President, National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA)
Denise D. Resnik
Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ and Matt’s Mom
Maureen Casey
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Centers for Applied Research & Public Policy; Coordinator, Creighton Medical School Elective
12:15 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Catered Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Knocking Down Barriers at the State & Federal Levels
Linda J. Walder
Founder, President & Executive Director, The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation
Maureen Casey
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Centers for Applied Research & Public Policy; Coordinator, Creighton Medical School Elective
Denise D. Resnik
Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ and Matt’s Mom
2:00 p.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Understanding & Responding to Your Market's Needs
Maureen Casey
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Centers for Applied Research & Public Policy; Coordinator, Creighton Medical School Elective
Denise D. Resnik
Founder & President/CEO, First Place AZ and Matt’s Mom
2:45 p.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Advocating for Broad & Diverse Needs: Respectful & Persuasive Approaches
Dr. Amy Lutz
Vice-President, National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA)
Dr. Thomas Insel
Co-Founder & Executive Chair, Vanna Health
Dr. Stephen Shore
Author; Board Member, Autism Speaks; Professional Advisory Board Member, Autism Society; Professor of Special Education, Adelphi University
3:45 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Break
5:30–8:30 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Evening of Expression, Exploration & Engagement
Reception, Dinner & Keynote Speaker
Healthier Outcomes: People, Places & Purpose – Keynote Speaker Dr. Thomas Insel, Former NIMH Director and Author of Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health.
In addressing today's mental health crisis, Dr. Insel concludes that what the world needs now is not another pharmaceutical intervention but the three Ps: people, places and purpose.
Enjoy a specially curated art exhibit by Calvin Shin, First Place Transition Academy graduate, along with a facilitated panel with Drs. Thomas Insel, Stephen Shore and Raun Melmed. The panel will discuss that co-occurring conditions for autistic people and those with Down syndrome and other intellectual/developmental disabilities are not uncommon and frequently manifest during adolescence and adulthood.
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Friday October 21, 2022
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. PDT (In Person) / 11:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. EDT (Online)
8:30 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Making Life Less Complicated: Current Tools & Data
brad herron-valenzuela
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Center for Education, Training & Employment
Maureen Casey
Director, First Place Global Leadership Institute Centers for Applied Research & Public Policy; Coordinator, Creighton Medical School Elective
9:15 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Jobs Matter: Getting to Work & Succeeding
Ernie Dianastasis
Founder & CEO, The Precisionists, Inc.
Dr. Stephen Shore
Author; Board Member, Autism Speaks; Professional Advisory Board Member, Autism Society; Professor of Special Education, Adelphi University
10:15 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Community Development Impacting Everyone: Fundamental Approaches
Marc Garcia
President and CEO, Visit Mesa
Alison Brooks
Director of Destination Experience and Advocacy, Visit Mesa
Todd Hornback
Partner & Chief Advancement Officer, Cohere Life, Inc.
11:00 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Break
11:15 a.m. (PDT)
In Person & Online
Activating Your Community by Cultivating Treasures in Your Own Backyard
12:15–2:00 p.m. (PDT)
In Person Only
Working Lunch: Rolling Up Our Sleeves
Additional Information for In-Person Attendance
Included
- Wednesday property & supportive community tour
- Thursday evening reception, dinner & keynote speaker
- Friday afternoon workshop
- Networking
- Meals
Not Included
- Airfare and airport ground transportation
- Hotel
We suggest Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown North. Use our group rate (good through Friday, Sept. 30) and enjoy their complimentary breakfast.
Speakers
Toyosi AdesoyeFirst Place Global Leadership Institute The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Center for Public Policy Fellow and ASU Morrison Institute for Public Policy Fellow
Alison BrooksVisit Mesa Director of Destination Experience and Advocacy
Dave BrownValley Leadership CEO
Maureen CaseyFirst Place Global Leadership Institute Centers for Applied Research & Public Policy Director
Ernie DianstasisThe Precisionists, Inc. Founder & CEO
Dana FlanneryArizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Senior Policy Advisor to the Director
Marc GarciaVisit Mesa President and CEO
Brad Herron-ValenzuelaDirector, First Place Global Leadership Institute Center for Education, Training & Employment
Todd HornbackCohere Life, Inc. Partner & Chief Advancement Officer
Keynote Speaker
Tom InselVanna Health Co-Founder & Executive Chair
Tom InselVanna Health Co-Founder & Executive Chair
Desiree Kameka GallowayAutism Housing Network Director; Neuro-Inclusive Housing Solutions CEO
Amy LutzNational Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) Vice-President
Christopher PtomeyULI’s Terwilliger Center for Housing Executive Director
Tom SimplotArizona Department of Housing Director
Linda J. WalderThe Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Founder, President and Executive Director
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