Trauma Informed Care Conference

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‌Itunu Ilesanmi, Ph.D.

Itunu O. Ilesanmi, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at the University of Northern Iowa. Her areas of interest include forced migration, with a particular focus on the resettlement and reintegration of refugees, immigrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Dr. Ilesanmi has experience working through research in community settings, examining the experiences of this population to advocate for effective and efficient culturally responsive approaches to healing and reintegration and strength-based interventions that foster resilience in communities impacted by crisis, conflict, or natural disasters. Passionate about empowering displaced individuals, communities, and other minoritized groups from a culturally responsive and trauma-informed approach, Dr. Ilesanmi is committed to promoting dignity, safety, subjectivity, and well-being in every aspect of care, resettling, and reintegrating refugees, IDPs, and other people of international protection.

Sarah Fischer, Ph.D. (c), MSW, MAHS

Sarah Fischer, Ph.D. (c), MSW, MAHS, has over 20 years of experience in community outreach within not-for-profit and federally qualified health organizations. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in sports medicine and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s in social work from the University of Northern Iowa, a master’s in holistic health studies from St. Catherine University, and she will graduate in May 2025 with a Ph.D. in counseling and psychological studies at Regent University. She has worked as a Rural Outreach Specialist, Community Health and Benefits Coordinator, Trauma Specialized Social Worker, and Director of Behavioral Health. Her current work is with children and families across Iowa as the Director of Community Development at Families First Counseling Services. Sarah has gained over a decade of experience in program coordination, holistic health education, business development, and project management. She cultivates, creates, and maintains value-based program designs and development through future-oriented and meaningful strategic planning, creative and continuous improvement, and transformational processes that support the well-being of children, families, and communities.

‌‌Kylie Russell, LISW, EMDR Certified

Kylie Russell, LISW, EMDR Certified, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified EMDR therapist. She obtained her MSW from the University of Northern Iowa in 2019 and founded Resilient Solutions, LLC, a private practice specializing in EMDR therapy, perinatal mental health, and trauma-informed care. Throughout her career, Kylie has developed a deep understanding of complex trauma and the inspiring accounts of healing and resilience. Both professionally and personally, she has found passion in working with women navigating perinatal mental health as well as trauma experienced by first responders. Kylie is a wife of a first responder and a mother to her two-year-old daughter.

R. Lane Forsman, Ph.D., LISW, CNP

R. Lane Forsman, Ph.D., LISW, CNP is a professor of social work at University of Northern Iowa. Their research focuses on the interaction of gender identity and trauma including in educational settings. They have previously worked as a consultant for Illinois Public Schools to train social workers on how to support LGBTQ+ students both in and out of the classroom.