2026 Fall Members’ and Affiliates’ Conference
September 30-October 1, 2026 Lakefront Hotel Anchorage, 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99517
Welcome to the official home of the Alaska Behavioral Health Association’s annual Fall Members’ and Affiliates’ Conference in Anchorage this September 30-October 1, 2026.
This year’s Conference will be held at the Lakefront Hotel Anchorage and feature sessions on field innovations, exciting keynote addresses including those from Dr. Blas Villalobos and Miss Tonie Dreher (see below for more information), and panel discussions with State officials. We will post a full agenda at the end of August, so return to this site to review all the exciting events planned during our two days together.
As with the last two Fall Conferences, ABHA will offer free CEs for select sessions.
Registration will open in June.
Lodging will be available at the Lakefront Hotel at a special, discounted Conference rate and is limited. The block of rooms will be available in June for your reservations.
If you are interested in sponsoring the Conference or participating as a vendor, you can find a sponsorship application here.
If you have any questions, please contact Lance Johnson at Lance@akbha.org.
We are grateful for all YOU do and look forward to spending meaningful and impactful time with you September 30-October1, 2026.
Dr. Victoria Kildal, CEO, and Lance E. Johnson, COO
KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
Dr. Blas Villalobos is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and former Chief Executive Officer of Centerstone Military Services, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatment for veterans, active-duty service members, and military families. As the inaugural CEO, he led the development and expansion of a national access-to-care model that in 2025 delivered more than 60,000 therapeutic hours to over 7,100 clients across the United States and 24 countries.
With more than two decades of experience, he has dedicated his career to advancing veteran services, behavioral health, housing, higher education, public affairs, and military-connected nonprofit systems. Prior to joining Centerstone, he served as Director of Veterans Affairs at Chapman University and as Veterans Affairs Manager for the Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles, where he helped shape programs and initiatives supporting veterans, service members, and their families.
Known for his mission-driven leadership and commitment to those who have served, he is a respected voice and advocate for the military-connected community.
Last year, Tonie “Miss Tonie” Dreher, brought her passion and drive to the Fall Conference through an interview session; in 2026, Miss Tonie returns to share her story through a touching and “bare bones” Ted-style Talk.
Tonie Dreher currently serves as the Assistance Team Leader with CASES, the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services in New York, where she counsels recently arrested New Yorkers diverted to psychiatric care instead of jail and those needing care after prison. She does this so successfully by drawing on her own experience of decades struggling with substance use disorder, which she did not realize was tied to mental illness.
Tonie holds credentials as a Certified Peer Specialist, a Recovery Coach, a CASAC-T certification, and is currently working towards a full CASAC certification. Tonie also dedicates her time as a student and is currently working towards obtaining her bachelor's degree in social work.
Tonie is featured in Chapter Four of former Sen. Patrick Kennedy’s latest book, Profiles in Mental Health Courage, and she and her story have been featured on CBS Saturday Morning, the Living Ageless and Bold podcast, and many other media outlets where she continues to encourage and change.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPRING MEMBERS’ AND AFFILIATES’ CONFERENCE SPONSORS
