Dr. Anthony De Jesús (he, him, él) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Equitable Community Practice and Director of the MSW Program at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT. Dr. De Jesús previously served as an Assistant Professor at the Silberman School of Social Work and a Researcher and Interim Director at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College (CUNY). He teaches courses on Research and Culture, Diversity and Human Rights and has conducted research on workforce development and culturally responsive services in community based mental health, child welfare and youth services.

Bianca De Bellis, LCSW, M.Ed, (she/her) is a doctoral candidate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. She is also a research fellow with the Race and Youth Development Research (RAYDR) Group where she contributes to the Just Discipline Project (JDP) and is co-designer and co-principal investigator for the DREAMs program. She focuses her scholarship on creating safer educational environments for students with trauma histories. As an expert in both trauma-responsive interventions and restorative practices in schools, she is dedicated to bridging the gap that too often exists between these approaches. Her research is informed by her practice experience, including six years of clinical therapy in private practice, five years of school social work, and eight years as a Special Educator. While working in schools, Bianca witnessed how trauma-affected youth were disproportionately excluded, which was further exacerbated by intersections with racism and poverty. She has dedicated her career to making school spaces safer for children and youth impacted by trauma.

Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW, RYT, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Lehman College, CUNY, with over 25 years of experience as a social work educator, practitioner, and researcher. Her scholarship focuses on bilingual Latinx school social workers in K-12 settings, cultural agency, and equity in education. A licensed clinical social worker, she is the founder of Abundance Counseling Services, LCSW, PLLC, where she provides psychotherapy and consultation, and the co-founder of Velocity Visions, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in self-care, emotional intelligence, healing-centered practice, and anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is the co-author of School Social Work: A Direct Practice Guide (2nd ed.) and presents nationally on a variety of topics including self-care and leadership. Dr. Bautista-Thomas holds an MPhil and  PhD in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center, an MSW from the University at Albany, SUNY, and a BSW from SUNY Stony Brook. A registered yoga teacher, she integrates mindfulness into her work to promote holistic well-being. When she is not teaching, researching, or facilitating workshops, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring nature, and embracing the joy of community.