2026 Speaker Bios
Carole Starr, MS
Silver Learnings: Lessons from 25 Years of Living with Brain Injury
Carole Starr has been living with brain injury since a car accident in 1999, which left her unable to return to her life as an educator and classical musician. With time, strategies, and support, Carole has reinvented herself as a national keynote speaker, the author of the award-winning book, "To Root & To Rise: Accepting Brain Injury," and the co-creator of the Get on Board Program for brain injury survivors. Carole has been active in the national brain injury community as a co-chair of the Brain Injury Advisory Council of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), and as a co-lead and member of the Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory and Leadership Group. She was also a faculty member for the Person-Centered Brain Injury Learning Collaborative.
Rene' Mills, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST
The Importance of Neuroplasticity in Life After Brain Injury
Rene' Mills is a speech language pathologist (SLP) specializing in neuro rehabilitation for over 30 years, with experience across the continuum of care, from ICU to home health and outpatient services. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST) with BIAA, a CARF Medical Surveyor, and co-chair of the board of directors of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. Rene' is also a provider relations manager at Craig Hospital, one of 16 Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of Care across the U.S.
Brooke Johnson, AOTA, CBIS, LSVT BIG, PAM
An Occupational Therapy Approach to Health Maintenance
Brooke Johnson is a senior occupational therapist at Sanford Health, bringing 15 years of experience in patient-centered rehabilitation and functional recovery in the adult neuro population. Her clinical experience spans inpatient rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient settings. Currently, her work is focused on the outpatient setting, where she is passionate about empowering patients to achieve meaningful improvements in daily living and long-term wellness. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS).
Shylah Schauer, ND
Feeding the Injured Brain
Shylah Schauer is a naturopathic doctor specializing in the gut-brain-microbiome axis. She pioneered the diagnostic concept Dysbiosis-Driven Disorder™ in her telehealth clinic Sustainable Medicine, and is the author of the upcoming book, "The Dysbiosis Effect," which translates complex microbiome science into actionable strategies for brain and mental health. She speaks nationally at medical and wellness conferences on the microbiome, nutrition, and mental health, and she collaborates with clinicians, therapists, and researchers to bring innovative, integrative approaches to care.
Luke Bohnenberger
Recycling Pain
The Intentional Brain – Six Pillars of a Healthy Brain
Luke Bohnenberger is a certified brain coach, national speaker, and proud member of the board of directors and leadership council for the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina. Ten years ago, Luke sustained a severe traumatic brain injury that left him in and out of hospitals for four years, facing multiple surgeries, seizures, and life-threatening infections. What could have broken him instead became the foundation of his purpose. Through his business, LukeSpeaks, he uses his lived experience and expertise on the brain to empower survivors, caregivers, and professionals to find healing, hope, and direction.
Nan Kennelly, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST (Copresenting)
Empowering Hope: Beyond the Injury with Three Perspectives on One
Journey – Brain Injury Awareness and Acceptance
Nan Kennelly earned her Master of Science from the University of North Dakota in 1994. She has dedicated her career to the treatment of cognitive-communication disorders related to brain injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Nan has gained extensive experience and specialized training in the subacute, acute, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and private practice settings. Currently, she is both owner and treating therapist at Onword Therapy. Nan enjoys working with high-level cognitive and communication needs in individuals with mild TBI, post-concussive symptoms, stroke, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges.
Heidi Fiskness, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS (Copresenting)
Empowering Hope: Beyond the Injury with Three Perspectives on One
Journey – Brain Injury Awareness and Acceptance
Heidi Fiskness obtained her Bachelor of Science in speech language hearing sciences, her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish in 2007, and her Master of Science in speech language pathology in 2009 from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has worked in private practice, rehab, acute, and outpatient levels for children through adult ages. She currently works in an outpatient setting at Sanford Health, where she provides evaluations of neurological diseases and appropriate intervention plans for her patients. She is a CBIS and is also certified in VitalStim Therapy, LSVT Loud, and SPEAK OUT! Heidi is a licensed speech language pathologist in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at the national level.
Brody Lavelle
Humor as a Coping Mechanism
Brody Lavelle is a traumatic brain injury survivor, part-time HVAC grunt, and full-time proof that hitting rock bottom doesn't mean you can’t still swing a hammer. After a catastrophic motorcycle accident in 2023, that left him with severe TBI, Brody spent 68 days in the hospital relearning everything from walking to finding his sense of humor again. Formerly sitting atop the construction world in a leadership role, Brody now works part-time in the field—getting his hands dirty and his boots dusty—while using his experience to inspire others. He’s the creator of BrainBooBooBrod, a YouTube channel where he shares raw, real, and often ridiculous insights into life after brain injury.
Megan Dooley, OTD, OTR/L
C.A.R.E.™ Checklist: Applying a Consent and Capacity Framework for Individuals Living with Brain Injury
Megan Dooley is an occupational therapist and founder of Innovative Therapy Solutions & Consulting, specializing in neurological rehabilitation with a focus on brain injury, cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. She is the co-author and publisher of the Context of Autonomy, Relationship, and Engagement (C.A.R.E.) Checklist, published in May 2025, which offers a structured, person-centered approach to navigating capacity, consent, autonomy, and safety for individuals with cognitive impairment. Megan is certified in LSVT BIG, Skills2Care®, CAPABLE, is a Certified Living in Place Professional, and a CBIS. She serves on the Bismarck Parkinson’s Support Group Board, partners with the Alzheimer’s Association, and sits on the North Dakota Brain Injury Network (NDBIN) Education Committee, providing education, consultation, and caregiver support statewide.
Carly Endres, MS, CBIST (Copresenting)
NDBIN and NDDSVC: Collaboration for Better Survivor Outcomes
Carly Endres is a senior project coordinator for the NDBIN at the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine & Health Sciences. In this position, Carly works on developing, implementing, and managing program initiatives for NDBIN, as well as developing, promoting, and implementing NDBIN educational activities. Carly previously worked with Grand Forks Public Schools as a special education strategist. Originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, Carly earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and a master's degree in special education at UND. In July 2019, she became a CBIS and in 2022, added the trainer portion and is now a CBIST.
Kayla Jones (Copresenting)
NDBIN and NDDSVC: Collaboration for Better Survivor Outcomes
Kayla Jones is the domestic violence program coordinator with the North Dakota Domestic and Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC). She is a skilled professional with an extensive background in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child advocacy. With years of practical experience in these areas, she has dedicated her career to supporting survivors, providing resources, and training multidisciplinary professionals. Driven by empathy and a genuine desire to make a difference, Kayla is deeply committed to creating safer communities and empowering those affected by violence and exploitation.
Sarah Ring, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST
Acute Care Management of TBI – Optimizing Interventions that Promote Recovery
Sarah Ring is a senior therapist in the Speech-Language Pathology Department at Sanford Health Fargo, where she has provided cognitive, communication, and dysphagia services for 28 years. Sarah has a special interest in acquired brain injury rehabilitation and concussion management across pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations. Her clinical practice has spanned acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient settings, including coordinated care clinics. Sarah earned the designation of CBIST from the BIAA in 2019 and was awarded CBIS of the Year (2021) by NDBIN. Sarah is an active board member of the North Dakota Brain Injury Advisory Council and serves as an instructor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Allyson Grimley, OTD, CBIS, PAMCA, LSVT BIG, PWR!
Beyond the Injury: The Overlooked Role of Sensory Processing in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Allyson Grimley is a doctor of occupational therapy and CBIS who works in neuro outpatient rehabilitation. Over the past four years, Ally has supported individuals with brain injury across diverse settings, focusing on how the sensory and nervous systems can be harnessed to promote neuroplasticity and functional recovery. With additional training in dry needling and physical agent modalities, Ally takes a holistic approach to healing – combining evidence-based practice with compassion and curiosity. Passionate about bridging the gap between emotional and sensory system regulation, Ally helps clients and clinicians alike understand how these systems shape daily function, participation, and quality of life after brain injury.