Dear Friends and Community Members,
Welcome to the 13th Annual Yampa Valley Wellness Conference!
We’re thrilled to gather once again for a powerful day of connection, learning, and community-building as we explore bold and innovative approaches to health and well-being in the Yampa Valley. This year’s theme, The Power of Us – Building a Healthy Community Together, reflects our collective strength and shared commitment to creating a resilient, compassionate community for all.
We are honored to present an incredible lineup of keynote speakers who bring energy, wisdom, and heart to the forefront of our conversations. You’ll discover:
• How fun and play aren’t just nice extras, but vital tools for sparking collaboration, creativity, and engagement.
• The inspiring story of an immigrant and woman of color who will share how self-love is the foundation for true belonging and inclusive communities.
• Insights from local professionals using experiential learning and trauma-informed practices to build emotional resilience, confidence, and connection.
• How even small, joyful moments can be a powerful antidote to burnout, building personal and community-wide well-being.
Their diverse perspectives and powerful stories will ignite rich conversations and equip us with practical tools to bring back to our work, families, and communities.
We invite you to lean in—connect deeply, ask questions, share your own insights, and celebrate the collective wisdom in the room. Together, we’ll continue shaping a healthier, more inclusive Yampa Valley.
Here’s to the power of us!
We are better together,
Brittney Wilburn
Land Acknowledgement
Land acknowledgment is a traditional custom that dates back centuries in many Native nations and communities. Today, land acknowledgments are used by Native Peoples and non-Natives to recognize Indigenous Peoples who are the original stewards of the lands on which we now live.
The Yampa Valley Wellness Conference steering committee respectfully acknowledges the Indigenous Nations of Colorado, and the Ute people in particular, who originally inhabited and stewarded Northwest Colorado and on lands that we now live. With deep respect and commitment, may we all engage in our own reflection, education, and action toward reconciliation and healing today and in perpetuity.
To learn more about ancestral cultures and original inhabitants of Northwest Colorado, we invite you to visit information from Ten Tribes Partnerships, the Tread of Pioneers Museum in Steamboat, or the Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig.
Bitchin Kitchin
Bitchin Kitchin will provide a FREE make-your-own trail mix bar with fun + healthy choices to fuel your body while the conference fuels your mind – stop by their station throughout the conference.
Amuse Buche
Amuse Bouche is serving up delicious, thoughtfully prepared meals to keep you energized and inspired throughout the conference. Enjoy creative, locally crafted dishes during breakfast and lunch!
Danielle Zimmerer Photography
Capturing the spirit of the Yampa Valley, Danielle Zimmerer Photography specializes in lifestyle and event photography. Look for her capturing moments throughout the conference!
Special Thanks To Our 2025 Sponsors!
2025 Title Sponsors, Rocky Mountain Health Plans and The Health Partnership
2025 Keynote Sponsors, Memorial Regional Health and UCHealth
2025 Wellness Sponsors: Talon, Alpine Bank, Health Solutions West & REPS
Conference Schedule
Please write your name on the provided name tag.
2025 Presenters
Craig Zablocki
The Intelligence of Fun in Building Healthy Community
People have different ideas about what fun is. Yet, all organizations know, that being part of a team is fun. A state of openness and connection is fun, whether you are an introvert or extrovert, nurse practitioner or a spa owner…everyone loves the “Aha” moments when solutions to a problems come into view. Craig will help unlock the keys to seeing solutions to problems as fun – being solution minded and not problem focused.
The point is that working within a community where we take ourselves lightly and our tasks seriously, the Intelligence of Fun, is proven to increase a collaborative spirit, motivation, interest for new learning, and community engagement. It affects everything … from the bottom line to your safety, well-being, and yes, happiness!
Making a profound difference for nearly 25 years, Craig has spoken to over one million people internationally and in all 50 states. From cops to gang members, from surgeons to school superintendents, from lawyers to realtors; he addresses corporate executives, child-abuse-prevention specialists, and social service advocates of all kinds, …. college professors, federal prison workers, mental health specialists and the armed forces. Thousands of organizations rely on Craig to help them transform the obstacles that keep them stuck, lift them up and breathe new life into their purpose!
Juanita Rastello
(she/her)
Proposal Analyst at CU Boulder, Certified Life Coach
Belonging Begins with Self Love
This presentation explores how meaningful relationships and a true sense of belonging—within our communities and beyond—begin with self-love and self-acceptance. I’ll share parts of my journey as an immigrant and woman of color, and how embracing myself allowed me to find connection and purpose in a new community, even through hardship. When we honor ourselves fully, we create space to connect more authentically with others. By nurturing our own worth, we contribute to a more inclusive, compassionate, and healthy community. The Power of Us begins with the power within.
I’m Juanita Rastello (she/her), a Proposal Analyst at CU Boulder and a Certified Life Coach, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. I moved to the U.S. 15 years ago and have built a life and career rooted in integrity, compassion, and a deep love for helping people solve problems—whether through complex proposals or personal growth work. At 40, I started a new career, and while it’s been challenging, I’m proud of my ability to adapt, grow, and embrace each step of the journey. I believe that through self-love and resilience, we can create more inclusive and connected communities.
Whitney Bakarich, LPC.
(she/her)
Northwest Colorado Health
Building Resilience Through Connection and Co-Regulation
This interactive presentation explores co-regulation and experiential learning to strengthen resilience. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that highlight the nervous system’s role in safety and connection, emphasizing how co-regulation supports emotional well-being. Through experiential exercises and discussion, we’ll examine the power of shared experiences in fostering trust, adaptability, and collective strength. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to create environments that promote regulation, connection, and resilience—reinforcing that the power of us lies in our ability to co-regulate and support one another.
Whitney Bakarich is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in youth
development and rural mental health. She earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology
from the University of Alaska Anchorage and has served youth and families in the
Routt/Moffat region since 2014. As Youth Resiliency Program Manager at Northwest
Colorado Health, she facilitates groups from K–college and leads adult trauma-informed
trainings. She also co-leads inquiry meetings for Out Here Yoga’s 40 Day Yoga programs,
expanding her expertise in facilitation. Whitney is passionate about experiential learning, community collaboration, and the power of the arts for understanding and capacity building.
Amalia Pappanastos, LMFT, LSC.
(she/her)
Steamboat Springs School District
Building Resilience Through Connection and Co-Regulation
This interactive presentation explores co-regulation and experiential learning to strengthen resilience. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that highlight the nervous system’s role in safety and connection, emphasizing how co-regulation supports emotional well-being. Through experiential exercises and discussion, we’ll examine the power of shared experiences in fostering trust, adaptability, and collective strength. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to create environments that promote regulation, connection, and resilience—reinforcing that the power of us lies in our ability to co-regulate and support one another.
Amalia Pappanastos is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed School
Counselor. She received a masters from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling
Psychology with an Emphasis in Expressive Arts Therapy. Before working in schools, she
began her career working in private practice specializing in developmental trauma.
Amalia is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students can express
their truest selves without fear of judgment, encouraging self-discovery and a growth
mindset. She is passionate about education, integrating creativity into emotional
development, and using expressive tools to build confidence and resiliance.
Acey Holmes
(she/her)
MS, CCC-SLP
The Playful Cure for Burnout: How Small Moments of Play Build Resilience
The Playful Cure for Burnout: How Small Moments of Play Build Resilience is an
interactive session exploring how micro-moments of play can reduce stress, spark connection, and build both personal and community resilience. Grounded in neuroscience and practical application, this session helps participants recover from burnout by reconnecting with joy, creativity, and one another. Through inclusive, accessible strategies, attendees will gain tools to foster belonging, support emotional well-being, and strengthen the kind of meaningful connections that create healthier, more inclusive communities.
Acey Holmes is a professional speaker, facilitator, and the founder of BoredLess, where she helps individuals and teams reconnect with joy, creativity, and well-being through the science of play. With a background in education and speech-language pathology, Acey blends research with real-world tools to combat burnout and foster deeper connection. A TEDx and DisruptHR speaker, she’s known for delivering dynamic, inclusive sessions that leave people energized and equipped for meaningful change. Acey’s work centers on building resilient, playful communities where everyone feels valued and inspired.
2025 Yampa Valley Wellness Post-Conference Survey
Thank you for attending the 2025 Yampa Valley Wellness Conference. We appreciate your feedback and any thoughts you may have for upcoming conferences.
Many Thanks!
These companies who generously contributed in-kind donations, adding an extra touch of care and quality to our event:
Thank you to our committee!
Organizing this conference each year involves the efforts of many individuals! Our conference planning committee and subcommittee groups convene regularly throughout the year. They meticulously attend to myriad details in curating a thoughtful, relevant, and exceptional event. Please join us in acknowledging the dedication of this year’s conference planning team:
Emily Schweitzer, Angela Modesitt, Pamela Meijer, Tom Gangel, Catherine Olsen, Sarah Meade, Shelly Gainsley, Brittney Wilburn, Jess Mayberry, Anne Elgard