KEYNOTE PRESENTERS

Dr. Bethany Hall-Long is a lifelong educator, nurse, public servant, nationally recognized research scientist, and policy leader committed to cross-sector collaboration and bold innovation that strengthens communities and improves lives. She served as the 75th Governor of Delaware and the 26th Lieutenant Governor, following more than 15 years of distinguished service in both the Delaware State Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives. Dr. Hall-Long also served as Chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association and revitalized the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. She was DE's second woman Governor and the first nurse Governor in the US.

As the leading force and Chair of Delaware's first-ever Behavioral Health Consortium, Dr. Hall-Long led transformative statewide efforts to address mental health and substance use disorders. She spearheaded the creation of the nation's first comprehensive Overdose System of Care and launched the first combined xylazine and fentanyl testing strip program to combat the evolving overdose crisis. Under her leadership, Delaware expanded harm reduction efforts, wraparound social determinant services, and trauma-informed care and Social and Emotional Learning. Dr. Hall-Long also served as Co-Chair of the Delaware Governor's Challenge; part of a nationwide initiative focused on strategies to prevent veteran suicide.

As a legislator, Dr. Hall-Long sponsored more than 1,000 bills, many focused on behavioral health and public health policy. Working alongside former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, she helped lead efforts to expand mental health parity in DE, establish a Veterans Green Alert system, and partner with The Pew Charitable Trusts to advance innovative substance use disorder strategies.

Dr. Hall-Long is Professor Emeritus at the University of Delaware, College of Health Sciences, the Biden Institute for Public Policy & Administration, and Women's and Gender Studies. Throughout her career, she has secured more than $70 million in research funding to support prevention, treatment, and expanded access to care for vulnerable populations. She also led Delaware's Medical & Emotional Response Teams for disaster response, addressing crises ranging from COVID-19 to natural disasters and active shooter events.

Her combination of academic expertise and executive leadership has established Dr. Hall-Long as a respected voice in advancing evidence-based policy and building stronger, healthier communities at the state, national, and global levels.

She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University (BSN), Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), George Mason University (PhD) and currently lives in Middletown, DE, with her family.

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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.

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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. ‍