Our Speakers

Main sessions

Shasta Nelson, a friendship expert, is a leading voice on loneliness and creating healthy relationships. Whether she’s speaking at conferences or on TEDx stages, giving media interviews to outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, or appearing as a guest on The Harvard Business Review podcast or The Steve Harvey Show, she is constantly teaching all of us how to create healthier and more fulfilling relationships in our lives. Her research and wisdom can also be found in her 3 books: Friendships Don’t Just Happen! teaches us how to make new friends as adults, Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness teaches us how to make our relationships more meaningful and healthy, and her newest book The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time teaches us why we need to foster better relationships in our jobs.


Dr. Greg Nelson is a professional speaker, coach, and author of The Strategic Stop: Taking Back Your Life in a World Obsessed with Busyness – a guide to creating purposeful pauses for reflection and connection in our “always-on” society. He is recognized as an expert on motivation and resilience with an earned doctorate in personal and organizational effectiveness. He works with leaders and teams in high-profile companies and nonprofits such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Fitbit, Amazon, Walmart, Lyft, American Express, Golden Gate University, George Mason University, Sutter Health, Advent Health, and Kaiser Permanente. And when he isn't speaking and coaching (his deep passion), he wants to be cycling or sailing with his wife (his first passion).

Breakouts

Dennis Wallstrom, Ph.D.

Dr. Dennis Wallstrom seeks the “big picture” when collaborating on life problems. He has extensive training and experience in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, and spirituality and ministry, and applies a range of specific interventions proven to create relief and positive change for particular issues. A graduate of the School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, he naturally draws together helpful resources from his background in science, relational exploration, and faith and spirituality, in his clinical work. “Our personal pain may have much to teach us,” he says, “But we are more attentive learners when we find relief for our bodies, clarity for our minds, joy in our relationships, and peace for our spirits.” He strives to find the most direct route to relief from pain, and to the wisdom we may gain in the process.


Angela Yi, Ph.D.

Dr. Angela Yi is a neuropsychologist in independent practice at Foothills Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation Services. She applies her

specialized knowledge and training in brain behavior in providing neuropsychological assessments, cognitive rehabilitation and psychotherapy.

Dr. Yi received her doctoral degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology. Specialized training in neuropsychology was completed at UCLA, Long Beach VA, internship at NYU Langone Medical Center, Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, and post-doctoral fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Brain Injury Research Center (BIRC)



Sharon Tanghal, L.C.S.W.

I made the decision to be a follower of Jesus and was baptized when I was 9 years old. When I was 19 y/o, I studied the book of Romans and truly experienced what grace and having the assurance of my salvation was all about! I graduated from my Masters in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach in 2005. I became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2010. Several years ago, God stirred in me a strong desire to serve families in my surrounding community and in 2019, NEW PAtH - a faith based parenting program was born. I'm happily married to my husband, Oliver, of 17 years and we have two beautiful and amusing daughters, Leia (11) and Ariel (6).

Nella Valencia-Ngo, L.M.F.T.

Nella Valencia-Ngo is a Professional Christian Therapist who combines Biblical wisdom with clinical expertise. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in substance Abuse, school counseling, and is certified as a Clinical Trauma Specialist. Nella has extensive experience working with couples, families, and individuals struggling with a variety of issues including relational conflicts, grief, domestic violence, parenting (neurotypical as well as neurodiverse children), as well as depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma, among others. Using a strength-based approach, Nella provides a therapeutic environment that allows for clients to feel safe, understood, and empowered. Nella honors clients’ experiences and inner wisdom and aims to collaborate with clients in their journey towards healing, freedom, and self-actualization.