Angie Chaplin is an internationally respected speaker, consultant, coach, and educator with more than 30 years of expertise in human resources, strategic communications, and organizational leadership. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a heart for the nonprofit sector, Angie is owner of Mindful Leadership LLC and founder of Brave Leadership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to unlocking leadership potential within behavioral health and human services. Speaking openly about her own behavioral health journey, Angie is also a credentialed mindfulness teacher and peer recovery coach. Her courageous leadership-meets-real-life story epitomizes her values of credibility, curiosity, clarity, connection, and love, and she serves as a beacon of authenticity for many, emphasizing the integration of professed values and practiced behaviors. Academically grounded in evidence-based programs, Angie's educational foundation is rooted in a master's degree from Seton Hall University and a bachelor's degree from Buena Vista University. 

Rachel Charlot is a Certified Family Peer Support Specialist and Family Navigator for the Division of Child and Community Health and Child Health Specialty Clinics (CHSC). Rachel has been serving families through CHSC for 12 years as both a Family Navigator and in the Early ACCESS program as a Service Coordinator. Rachel is passionate about helping empower families with the knowledge and resources to help support their child throughout the life course.

Mikayla currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Heartland Family Service Peer Center and Behavioral Health Navigation in Council Bluffs. Mikayla spent several years working in homeless services before moving into the world of behavioral health. She is driven by a passion to close the gaps in behavioral health services and is inspired by her team of staff and peers who face every challenge bravely, creatively, and kindly. In her role as Peer Center Coordinator, she contributes to the agency’s training and development of peer support specialists, also advocating for the position in the broader community.

Josh Gitch, Certified Mental Health Peer Support Specialist (MHPSS), has worked in the field the past five years with Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health and served the Iowa Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) in various capacities. Josh graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre from the University of Northern Iowa and is certified as a Whole Health Action Management (WHAM), NAMI Connections, and NAMI Peer-to-Peer facilitator. Josh is the father of two young daughters, and they help keep him on the difficult yet wonderful journey of recovery. Giving back what's been given is a passion for Josh and he's excited to be a part of this evidence-based, growing profession.

Jodie McCollum (they/them) is a person in recovery from substance use disorder and mental illness, as well as a family member, friend, and ally to others in recovery. Jodie is a Recovery Coach Professional Facilitator through CCAR’s Center for Addiction Recovery Training, WRAP Facilitator, and advocate for peer-run support services. For two years, Jodie worked at a recovery community center in central Iowa, collaborating with others working in Iowa RCCs to expand peer-based services and grow training opportunities for recovery coaches. Drawing on their lived experience and chaplaincy training, Jodie now supports the holistic wellness of individuals in behavioral health and substance misuse treatment. Their work emphasizes mutuality, dignity, and connection as foundational values of effective peer practice and recovery. In their free time, you can find Jodie outside with their partner and three dogs or enjoying a relaxing yoga session.

Murphy has worked in the mental health field for over 12 years in various settings such as residential, managing a respite house, and now as a peer with an IHH department. He has facilitated several groups with NAMI, and is an Advanced Level WRAP facilitator. He loves to facilitate trainings, learning much from his peers. He continues to take as many trainings as possible to learn and grow in recovery. Murphy genuinely believes in the values and ethics of Peer Support and advocates for proper training to prevent harm to those we support and mostly for us as the supporters. He is the father of three wonderful kids.

Jen Riley has worked in the field since 2015 for Pathways Behavioral Services. In that time, she has provided services as a Family Peer Specialist, an IHH Intake Specialist, a Billing Specialist, and an MHPSS. In 2021, Jen was selected to manage the Peer Support Program, where she has greatly expanded the peer services across five counties. Jen is a member of the Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council and is committed to advocating for peer services in Iowa. Having two grown biological children as well as many bonus children that she has had the pleasure of raising, she is now navigating being an empty nester with her two dogs, Karma and Rip.

Scott has been working in community behavioral health in Council Bluffs, IA since 2008, and is currently the Outreach and Engagement Strategist for Heartland Family Service. HFS started their Peer Center in 2018 with Scott implementing and supervising the Peer Support, Intensive Psych Rehab, and Community Support programs. In 2021, Scott helped establish the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, which is housed out of the Peer Center. In July of 2025, the HFS Peer Center officially launched their CCBHC covering nine counties in SW Iowa, where Peer Support and Peer Recovery coaches play an integral part of the overall agency expansion. He finds collaboration as fundamental for growth and has made a point of visiting Peer Centers across the state of Iowa.