Speakers

Nigel Wrangham has been a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Prevention Specialist since 2000. He’s been a preschool teacher, counselor for federal prisoners on parole, parenting coach for families experiencing poverty and homelessness, and a freelance illustrator. When he worked in Uganda studying wild chimpanzees, he taught forest conservation to young people in local villages. From 2003 through 2017, Nigel taught prevention science, psychopharmacology, and leadership studies at the University of Oregon. He has served as the National Youth Coordinator for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and is a certified Master Level Trainer for CADCA, where he develops curriculum and mentors young trainers in prevention and leadership. His passion is supporting young people to build the healthy society they deserve. He works with groups across the United States, sharing skills in prevention, brain development, and youth leadership. Nigel also spends time at home in Eugene, Oregon with his wife, his two extremely disobedient cats, and his two young children. When he gets the chance, he listens to old punk rock music way louder than he probably should. But these days he hardly ever gets the chance.

Janel Rodriguez suffered the loss of her 15-year-old son Noah Rodriguez, a Hays CISD student by Fentanyl poisoning on August 21, 2022. She started the organization Forever 15 project and has worked tirelessly across the nation to spread the word about the fentanyl crisis by sharing her story. Hearing from Ms. Rodriguez is life-changing for audiences.

Alex Graham, a Deputy Sheriff with a large metropolitan Sheriff's Office in Minnesota, has 10 years of full-time law enforcement experience. He is a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor since 2015 and a DRE and SFST Instructor since 2016. Alex began his career in Colorado as a Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer before moving to Minnesota in 2016, where he served as a lead DWI Training Instructor. He has received two awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his dedication to DWI enforcement, is a 5-time DWI All-Star in Minnesota, and has made over 540 DWI arrests. Currently, he serves as a full-time DWI Enforcement Deputy for the Sheriff's Office.

Kym Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services, Inc., HUGS, Inc., located in Westhampton Beach, NY. In this position she brings over 33 years of substance use prevention knowledge and expertise, leading the organization to provide a full array of multidimensional prevention services and recovery supports. Kym is a national trainer and speaker, working with notable leaders in prevention including CADCA.

Having participated in the HUGS, Inc. Teen Institute program in 1986 as a high school student, Kym understands firsthand, the profound impact, lifelong influence and workforce development the Teen Institute program provides to young people. From student leader to Executive Director in 2002, Kym’s mission has been to empower others to seek their full potential and become agents of change in the world. Kym offers dynamic, passionate and interactive keynotes, trainings and workshops for large and small groups with an uncanny ability to talk with and not at people.  Annually, Kym presents to over 25,000 individuals, young and old across our great country.

Kym’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of young people extends beyond her executive office and can be seen in the many leadership roles she holds. She is active on various local, state and national boards and task forces and served on the NYS Governor Opiate Task Force. Most notable is her personal recovery and commitment to push individuals to make the space better wherever they are. Her greatest joy is watching her two adult sons creating live a life of choice and forge their own course. She lives in Westhampton Beach with her husband, and way too many dogs.

Melissa Moore brings nearly 24 years of experience in Public Health, specializing in substance abuse prevention and coalition initiatives within diverse communities. Her extensive background enables her to effectively deliver a wide array of educational topics, including the latest drug trends, while providing insights into emerging issues through community assessments. Recognizing the necessity of addressing the underlying factors contributing to substance abuse, Ms. Moore has played a pivotal role in the assessment, planning, implementation, and grant writing processes aimed at transforming community responses to this significant challenge. As an expert in engagement and communication, she consistently seeks opportunities to translate innovative ideas into actionable solutions, addressing the critical question: “We acknowledge this issue; what can we do about it?”