Keynote Speakers
Brian Chandler
Dr. Brian Chandler was born and raised in Boston MA. He has worked in the field of Mental Health for over 30 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kansas State University, and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is licensed as a psychologist in Utah and has a broad range of experience, having worked with clients spanning ages from 3 to 87 in outpatient clinics, residential group homes, hospitals, university counseling centers, and prisons. In 2018 he moved to Utah from Missouri where he was in private practice for over 20 years, specializing in treating adolescents and adults with depression and anxiety. His experiences there lead him to write a book which he has published entitled, Approaching Life With Confidence: Defeat Depression and Anxiety by Taking Charge of Your Mind. He also has a website mypracticalpsychologist.com which includes numerous blogposts and he has just recently started a podcast “My Practical Psychologist with Dr. Brian Chandler.” He currently works for the UT Dept of Corrections at the State Prison and at Therapy Utah, an outpatient clinic in Lehi.
Dr. Chandler served a full time mission in Taiwan and is a former bishop and stake president. He has been married to his wife Susan for 36 years and has four children and two grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys reading and cycling.
Keynote Speaker
Time: Saturday 9:00 AM
Daniel & Rebecca Mehr
Daniel Stanley Mehr II was born in Palo Alto, California, the third of four children. He served a mission in Argentina between 1973 and 1975. He studied business at BYU and played on the BYU basketball team as a freshman. Dan married Deborah Lucille Petersen in the Salt Lake Temple on February 20, 1976. Together they raised six children, four boys, and two girls. Dan owned various real estate companies during his business career in California, Arizona and Utah.
Dan’s wife Deborah passed away on January 2, 2007, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with leukemia. He married Rebecca Olpin on September 13, 2007.
Dan has served in several bishoprics and as bishop of the Highland 23rd Ward, and on the high council as stake young men’s president. With his wife Rebecca, he has served as a public affairs missionary in the Caribbean Area and mission president of the West Indies Mission. He served as a district president of the Provo MTC and recently was released as an Area Seventy in the Utah Area.
Rebecca Olpin Mehr was raised in New York and Maryland. She served a mission in Bordeaux, France, and graduated in computer science from BYU, with a minor in music. She sang for eight years with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Prior to her marriage to Daniel, she worked for twenty years as a marketing executive in the computer industry and also for the Church History Department. Sister Mehr has served as a member of the Relief Society General Board, the Provo MTC Relief Society Council and the BYU Women’s Conference Committee.
Daniel and Rebecca Mehr are from Highland, Utah, and enjoy twenty-seven grandchildren.
Keynote Speaker
Time: Saturday 3:30 PM
Workshop Presenters
Brian Chandler
Dr. Brian Chandler was born and raised in Boston MA. He has worked in the field of Mental Health for over 30 years. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University, a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kansas State University, and a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is licensed as a psychologist in Utah and has a broad range of experience, having worked with clients spanning ages from 3 to 87 in outpatient clinics, residential group homes, hospitals, university counseling centers, and prisons. In 2018 he moved to Utah from Missouri where he was in private practice for over 20 years, specializing in treating adolescents and adults with depression and anxiety. His experiences there lead him to write a book which he has published entitled, Approaching Life With Confidence: Defeat Depression and Anxiety by Taking Charge of Your Mind. He also has a website mypracticalpsychologist.com which includes numerous blogposts and he has just recently started a podcast “My Practical Psychologist with Dr. Brian Chandler.” He currently works for the UT Dept of Corrections at the State Prison and at Therapy Utah, an outpatient clinic in Lehi.
Dr. Chandler served a full time mission in Taiwan and is a former bishop and stake president. He has been married to his wife Susan for 36 years and has four children and two grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys reading and cycling.
Workshop 1
Title: Follow-up discussion - Understanding and Developing Emotional Fitness as Individuals and as Families
Time: 10:10-11:00 AM
Room: Chapel
Nicole Brouwer
Nicole Brouwer is a Stepfamily Relationship Educator for Healthy Relationships Utah. She also works as a therapist for Wasatch Behavioral Health. She earned her BSW from BYU-Hawaii and her Masters of Social Work degree from Utah State University. Nicole is happily married to a Dutchman and the proud mama of three adventurous kids. She loves to travel, read, hike, and find four-leaf clovers.
Workshop 1
Title: Five Research Based Strategies to Navigate the Challenges and Joys of Blending Your Family
Time: 10:10-11:00 AM
Workshop 2
Title: 8 Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Dave Johnston
Dave graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a degree in Finance. He immediately began his career as a financial advisor with a regional brokerage firm in Provo. He worked most of his 37 years as a branch manager and investment advisor for the global firms of Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley. Dave has always considered his clients his partners and has enjoyed his years of aiding them in realizing their financial goals. Dave is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC, and an investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC.
Presenting with: KC Johnston
KC majored in Accounting with a Masters degree in taxation from Brigham Young University in 2007. He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant and began his career at KPMG. When a career opportunity with the Department of Treasury came, KC trained and became a Special Agent. As a Special Agent, he investigated various frauds, public corruption, and Ponzi schemes. KC places a high value on honest investing and has enjoyed providing his clients with trustworthy advice since becoming a financial advisor in 2014. He also enjoys investigating companies instead of criminals. KC is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC, and an investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC.
Workshop 3
Title: Family finances: Yours, mine, and ours
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Family finances: Yours, mine, and ours
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Ruth Horsley
Ruth Horsley is a current student at BYUI finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies. At PG Cares, she oversees community education courses on protective factors for the families of Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a volunteer with the Sharing Place, she provides grief support for families with school-aged children who have had a family member die.
As a Family Life Educator, she intends to pursue a teaching career within a high school setting and become a life coach. During her free time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband John, his two sons Nate and Dave, and her five children, Lydia, Ethan, Liam, Isabel, and Sophia. Ruth and John have two sons serving missions and three children living at home. They have been remarried for 6 years. Ruth loves working with youth, learning, sharing her experiences, and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and everything He has done for her and her family.
Workshop 1
Title: Intimacy in Remarriage: A topic no one wants to discuss but a conversation everyone needs to have
Time: 10:10-11:00 AM
Workshop 3
Title: Intimacy in Remarriage: A topic no one wants to discuss but a conversation everyone needs to have
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Joella Gifford
Joella Gifford currently serves on the board of the Bradley Grief Center, where she is the Utah County Director. As the director of Utah County, she oversees weekly grief groups in seven junior high schools and works as a facilitator for two groups. She provides grief support for students who have had a family member die.
Joella studied sociology and received her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has been a stay-at-home mom for 29 years.
In her free time, Joella loves to volunteer and is involved with different organizations. She loves spending time with her husband Gray riding their SXS, gardening and going on date nights. Joella loves being a mother to her five children, Brady (Allison), Justin (Macy), Carter (Melissa), Kennedy & Ryker and a stepmom to Austin (Charity), Bronson (Chey), Lincoln (Pearl) and Logan. Her greatest joy is her 7 grandchildren.
Joella and Gray have one son serving a mission and one who is a senior in high school. They have been remarried for 4 years. They currently reside in American Fork, Utah. Joella is thankful for how she regularly sees the hand of the Lord in her life.
Presenting with: Ruth Horsley
Ruth Horsley is a current student at BYUI finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies. At PG Cares, she oversees community education courses on protective factors for the families of Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a volunteer with the Sharing Place, she provides grief support for families with school-aged children who have had a family member die.
As a Family Life Educator, she intends to pursue a teaching career within a high school setting and become a life coach. During her free time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband John, his two sons Nate and Dave, and her five children, Lydia, Ethan, Liam, Isabel, and Sophia. Ruth and John have two sons serving missions and three children living at home. They have been remarried for 6 years. Ruth loves working with youth, learning, sharing her experiences, and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and everything He has done for her and her family.
Workshop 2
Title: Healthy and practical ways to talk to your kids about death and why it matters
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Melissa Moen Smith
Melissa Moen-Smith is a happily remarried widow and mama to 4 incredible children, 4 equally incredible bonus children, and grandma to 4 adorable grandchildren.
She earned her BS at Brigham Young University in Public Relations and has been a health and wellness coach for nearly 10 years.
Melissa served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago Illinois…back when it was only “one” mission. She currently serves with the young women in her stake.
She resides in beautiful Cache Valley and is cheerfully creating “a life she loves.” And she gives all the credit to Jesus…1000%!
Workshop 2
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Kirsty Stalder
When Kirsty was a young girl, her favorite thing to do was play “office”. She had a typewriter and Rolodex and stamp pad set up in the basement and would spend hours on her rotary phone making and receiving messages as a secretary. As Kirsty has grown, her love of organizing and helping other people has grown as well. Starting with a friend who purchased an island in the middle of the Yellowstone River, Kirsty helped her vacate warehouses and cement sheds and host the most massive, successful yard sale ever! Fast forward 22 years, Kirsty has organized dozens of yard sales, helped countless people, and enjoys minimizing and bringing peace to clients’ lives through organization. She is the mother of five and grandmother of one. Kirsty lives in American Fork with her family.
Workshop 3
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
KC majored in Accounting with a Masters degree in taxation from Brigham Young University in 2007. He became a licensed Certified Public Accountant and began his career at KPMG. When a career opportunity with the Department of Treasury came, KC trained and became a Special Agent. As a Special Agent, he investigated various frauds, public corruption, and Ponzi schemes. KC places a high value on honest investing and has enjoyed providing his clients with trustworthy advice since becoming a financial advisor in 2014. He also enjoys investigating companies instead of criminals. KC is a Registered Representative with Kestra Investment Services, LLC, and an investment Advisor Representative with Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC.
Workshop 3
Title: Family finances: Yours, mine, and ours
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Family finances: Yours, mine, and ours
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Ruth Horsley
Ruth Horsley is a current student at BYUI finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies. At PG Cares, she oversees community education courses on protective factors for the families of Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a volunteer with the Sharing Place, she provides grief support for families with school-aged children who have had a family member die.
As a Family Life Educator, she intends to pursue a teaching career within a high school setting and become a life coach. During her free time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband John, his two sons Nate and Dave, and her five children, Lydia, Ethan, Liam, Isabel, and Sophia. Ruth and John have two sons serving missions and three children living at home. They have been remarried for 6 years. Ruth loves working with youth, learning, sharing her experiences, and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and everything He has done for her and her family.
Workshop 1
Title: Intimacy in Remarriage: A topic no one wants to discuss but a conversation everyone needs to have
Time: 10:10-11:00 AM
Workshop 3
Title: Intimacy in Remarriage: A topic no one wants to discuss but a conversation everyone needs to have
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Joella Gifford
Joella Gifford currently serves on the board of the Bradley Grief Center, where she is the Utah County Director. As the director of Utah County, she oversees weekly grief groups in seven junior high schools and works as a facilitator for two groups. She provides grief support for students who have had a family member die.
Joella studied sociology and received her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and has been a stay-at-home mom for 29 years.
In her free time, Joella loves to volunteer and is involved with different organizations. She loves spending time with her husband Gray riding their SXS, gardening and going on date nights. Joella loves being a mother to her five children, Brady (Allison), Justin (Macy), Carter (Melissa), Kennedy & Ryker and a stepmom to Austin (Charity), Bronson (Chey), Lincoln (Pearl) and Logan. Her greatest joy is her 7 grandchildren.
Joella and Gray have one son serving a mission and one who is a senior in high school. They have been remarried for 4 years. They currently reside in American Fork, Utah. Joella is thankful for how she regularly sees the hand of the Lord in her life.
Presenting with: Ruth Horsley
Ruth Horsley is a current student at BYUI finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies. At PG Cares, she oversees community education courses on protective factors for the families of Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a volunteer with the Sharing Place, she provides grief support for families with school-aged children who have had a family member die.
As a Family Life Educator, she intends to pursue a teaching career within a high school setting and become a life coach. During her free time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband John, his two sons Nate and Dave, and her five children, Lydia, Ethan, Liam, Isabel, and Sophia. Ruth and John have two sons serving missions and three children living at home. They have been remarried for 6 years. Ruth loves working with youth, learning, sharing her experiences, and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and everything He has done for her and her family.
Workshop 2
Title: Healthy and practical ways to talk to your kids about death and why it matters
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Melissa Moen Smith
Melissa Moen-Smith is a happily remarried widow and mama to 4 incredible children, 4 equally incredible bonus children, and grandma to 4 adorable grandchildren.
She earned her BS at Brigham Young University in Public Relations and has been a health and wellness coach for nearly 10 years.
Melissa served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago Illinois…back when it was only “one” mission. She currently serves with the young women in her stake.
She resides in beautiful Cache Valley and is cheerfully creating “a life she loves.” And she gives all the credit to Jesus…1000%!
Workshop 2
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Kirsty Stalder
When Kirsty was a young girl, her favorite thing to do was play “office”. She had a typewriter and Rolodex and stamp pad set up in the basement and would spend hours on her rotary phone making and receiving messages as a secretary. As Kirsty has grown, her love of organizing and helping other people has grown as well. Starting with a friend who purchased an island in the middle of the Yellowstone River, Kirsty helped her vacate warehouses and cement sheds and host the most massive, successful yard sale ever! Fast forward 22 years, Kirsty has organized dozens of yard sales, helped countless people, and enjoys minimizing and bringing peace to clients’ lives through organization. She is the mother of five and grandmother of one. Kirsty lives in American Fork with her family.
Workshop 3
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Ruth Horsley is a current student at BYUI finishing her bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family studies. At PG Cares, she oversees community education courses on protective factors for the families of Pleasant Grove, Utah. As a volunteer with the Sharing Place, she provides grief support for families with school-aged children who have had a family member die.
As a Family Life Educator, she intends to pursue a teaching career within a high school setting and become a life coach. During her free time, Ruth enjoys spending time with her husband John, his two sons Nate and Dave, and her five children, Lydia, Ethan, Liam, Isabel, and Sophia. Ruth and John have two sons serving missions and three children living at home. They have been remarried for 6 years. Ruth loves working with youth, learning, sharing her experiences, and sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and everything He has done for her and her family.
Workshop 2
Title: Healthy and practical ways to talk to your kids about death and why it matters
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Melissa Moen Smith
Melissa Moen-Smith is a happily remarried widow and mama to 4 incredible children, 4 equally incredible bonus children, and grandma to 4 adorable grandchildren.
She earned her BS at Brigham Young University in Public Relations and has been a health and wellness coach for nearly 10 years.
Melissa served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chicago Illinois…back when it was only “one” mission. She currently serves with the young women in her stake.
She resides in beautiful Cache Valley and is cheerfully creating “a life she loves.” And she gives all the credit to Jesus…1000%!
Workshop 2
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 11:10 - 12:00 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Living Your Best Chapter Two: Practical Steps to an Abundant Life
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM
Kirsty Stalder
When Kirsty was a young girl, her favorite thing to do was play “office”. She had a typewriter and Rolodex and stamp pad set up in the basement and would spend hours on her rotary phone making and receiving messages as a secretary. As Kirsty has grown, her love of organizing and helping other people has grown as well. Starting with a friend who purchased an island in the middle of the Yellowstone River, Kirsty helped her vacate warehouses and cement sheds and host the most massive, successful yard sale ever! Fast forward 22 years, Kirsty has organized dozens of yard sales, helped countless people, and enjoys minimizing and bringing peace to clients’ lives through organization. She is the mother of five and grandmother of one. Kirsty lives in American Fork with her family.
Workshop 3
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 1:40 - 2:30 PM
Workshop 4
Title: Finding Peace Through Organization
Time: 2:40 - 3:30 PM