About the Keynote Speakers:

Ali Rheaume is an encouraging light in the journey of overcoming brain injury. She has a Bachelor's degree in Movement Science and a Master’s in Health, physical education, and Recreation. She is the founder and facilitator of a virtual support group called Life After Concussion and an in-person social hour for individuals navigating disability called Rise Up. Ali also serves on the Brain Injury Council of Massachusetts, is a member of the Franklin Disability Commission, and is the owner of her own art business called Embracing Unique. She uses social media to help multiply hope, provide new perspectives, and apply her gift of teaching to educate and advocate. She is passionate about people and bringing the community together as a collaborative effort to support, advocate, and increase awareness of brain injury.

Nick Prefontaine is a 3x best-selling author named a top motivational speaker of 2022 in Yahoo Finance. He’s a Speaker, Founder, and CEO of Common Goal.
Using the S.T.E.P. system he can lead clients through their trauma. Once they make it through, that is where their limitless potential lies. Nick’s been featured in Brainz Media, Swaay, and Authority Magazine.

You can watch one of Nick's most recent talks here: My Introduction to Stillness was a Coma, https://youtu.be/EDrRSD5-gL8?si=vAI1XmP4irOzKIxZ

About the Event-
Your registration gives you access to all 3 days!
Recordings will be available upon request on 12/16/24

Opening Remarks on Day 1: 9:30 am- 9:45 am

Provider Instruction: 9:45 am - 10:00 am

Session 1: 10:00 am-11:00 am

Provider Instruction: 11:00 am - 11:15 am

Session 2: 11:15 am - 12:15 pm

Provider Instruction: 12:15 pm - 12:30 pm

Break for Lunch: 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

Session 3: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Day 1: Survivors and Families

Session 1: Journaling for Better Health with Sarah Gaffney - Please bring something to write with(pen and paper, tablet, journal etc.)

Session 2: Shadows Unveiled: The Interplay Between Adolescent Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) with

Dr. Ann Leonard-Zabel

Session 3: Becoming a Therapeutic Caregiver with Holistic Life Skills with Jacqueline D'Aries

Day 2: Professionals (Survivors & Families welcome!)

Session 1: Concussions in Students with Otto Pierce and Julia Booth-Howe

Session 2: Teaching Compensatory Strategies with Jenn Williams

Session 3: Brain Injury, Behavior, Pre-Escalation, and De-escalation with Tom Brown

Day 3: Keynote Speakers -All Attendees Welcome!

Session 1: "The Blank Paper: Discovering Purpose after Brain Injury" with Ali Rheaume

Session 2: "Taking the first step, no matter how small, will allow the next step to become possible." with Nick Prefontaine

To read more about our speakers, please go to: https://biavt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024-Speaker-lineup-bios.pdf

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

Vermont's 36th Annual Brain Injury Conference

Registration gives you access to all 3 days!