Presenters 2015 /

PRESENTERS

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Michalle Mor Barak

Keynote Speaker

Presenter: Michalle E. Mor Barak is in the vanguard of a new breed of social work and management experts focusing on global workforce diversity. In her award-winning book, Managing Diversity: Toward a Globally Inclusive Workplace (SAGE, 2nd edition, 2011), she proposed an original model for creating an "inclusive workplace"– one that helps businesses, as well as public non-profit organizations integrate with society via expanding circles of inclusion at the organizational, community, state/national and international levels. The book has won the CHOICE award from the Association of College and University Libraries and the Academy of Management's Terry Book Award for "the most significant contribution to management knowledge."

Ranked #4 among the top 100 authors of the most influential articles in the social work discipline over the past decade based on overall and yearly citations, Mor Barak conducted a meta-analysis study (in collaboration with former doctoral students Amy Levin and Jan Nissly) that examined retention in the child welfare and social work workforce. She has conducted several longitudinal studies examining the effects of diversity and quality of supervision on retention among child welfare workers.

For more information, click here.

Reference:

Michalle Mor Barak, M.E. (2014). Managing Diversity: Toward a Globally Inclusive Workplace. 3rd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

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Ossie Mair, MA

Opening Drumming Ceremony

Drumming is one of the most primitive forms of music making, and the drum circle has been used throughout the ages, and around the world for ceremonial purposes, celebrations, communication, and healing. Group hand drumming is rapidly becoming a more common pastime for all types of people in western society. It has significant health benefits, including boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Each one of the conference members will participate in the drumming if they wish to. A variety of formal and informal drumming instruments will be available.

Presenter: Ossie Mair is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. He is a counselor for the Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Psychological Trauma Center’s Share & Care program, serving LAUSD students, and he also independently facilitates drum circles and sound baths for addiction and rehabilitation facilities in the Los Angeles area. As well as facilitating private and corporate drum circles, Ossie regularly facilitates community drum circles at the REMO Recreational Music Center (www.remormc.com) in North Hollywood. He is also an instructor with UCLArts and Healing (www.uclartsandhealing.net).

Links: omrhythmcircles.com and omtherapist.com

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Ending Ceremony - Armenian Dance

Patille and Cynthia Albarian are sisters that have been dancing together for 13 years. Patille graduated from California State University of Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Dance. Cynthia will soon complete her general education at Pasadena City College and will continue her education to become a physical therapist. With both sisters having a passion for dance, they opened their own dance studio a year and a half ago called Patille Dance Studio which is located in Pasadena. They teach children Armenian dance along with Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and International dances. Throughout the years, they have performed at numerous prestigious events and have also performed for the President of Nagorno-Kharabakh of Armenia. Just recently they had the honor to also perform for Congresswoman Judy Chu. They are the dancers for the 5 Sing & Dance Along DVDs with the world famous Armenian Children’s singer Taline & Friends. Patille Dance Studio enjoys presenting Armenian Dances to various audiences. “To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.” –Aubrey Lynch.

They will be performing two Armenian Dances. First one is called, "Yes Kez Sirdits Chem Hani" (I’ll always keep you in my heart). The emphasis for this dance is to show the elegance and unique arm and hand movements women use in traditional Armenian dance. The second dance they will present is called, "Dino." The emphasis on this dance is the quick feet movements which is a tradition during Armenian Folk Dance.

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