Speakers

Pam Arevalo is a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Director of Staff Development (DSD), and Clinical Instructor with extensive experience in healthcare education and clinical training. She is dedicated to preparing students and healthcare staff for successful careers in patient care by combining strong clinical knowledge with practical, hands-on instruction. Through her work in staff development and clinical education, Pam focuses on building competency, confidence, and compassionate care among future healthcare professionals. 

Dr. Krysten Bailey is a dedicated nursing educator and Program Director for the Nurse Aide for Healthcare program at St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, Texas. With extensive experience in classroom instruction, clinical education, and program leadership, she is committed to preparing students for successful careers in healthcare through high-quality, compliant, and student-centered training. Dr. Bailey leads curriculum development, accreditation efforts, and workforce initiatives, including securing major grant funding to expand access and strengthen outcomes. Passionate about mentorship and professional growth, she also champions dual-credit pathways and student leadership opportunities that empower the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Lakshmi is the Coordinating Teacher of Career Advancement at FUHSD Adult School, where she supports students and instructors across several workforce training programs, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Interpreter, Office Assistant, and In-Home Support Services. She plays an important role in guiding students as they explore career pathways and develop the practical skills needed to enter the workforce. Lakshmi is passionate about helping learners achieve their professional goals while supporting teachers in delivering high-quality career and technical education. 

Vicky Castillo, MSNed, RN, CNE, is the founder and CEO of FACETS Healthcare Training and the Council for Nurse Assistant Education and Certification (CNAE). With more than 38 years in nursing and over 17 years in nurse assistant education, Vicky has served as a nurse assistant instructor, program director, consultant, and test evaluator for both Headmaster and Prometric. Her mission is to provide credible and practical resources for nurse assistant education, close learning gaps, demystify the certification process, and remove barriers to CNA workforce entry—ultimately helping to increase the number of CNAs in healthcare.

Wendy Deras is a regional healthcare workforce development leader, nurse educator, author, and consultant with over 32 years of experience advancing safe, future-ready patient care. Her work spans clinical practice, higher education, curriculum design, and workforce system development across California.

She holds a BSN from Franklin University and two master’s degrees—an MSN in Nursing Education and an MS in Psychiatric/Mental Health Therapy—from Wright State University and Duquesne University. She is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing.

Wendy has educated learners across the nursing and allied health continuum and led curriculum development, accreditation support, and faculty advancement in both private and public institutions. She authored two textbooks supporting Home Health Aide and Acute Care Nursing Assistant training nationwide.

She is the founder and CEO of Envision Education, LLC, providing healthcare program development, compliance support, faculty training, and workforce consulting. As Director of Regional Health Initiatives for the Inland Empire, she partners with education and industry leaders to strengthen healthcare pipelines, expand clinical training capacity, and align education with workforce demand.

Her mission is to design education that transforms professionals, organizations, and communities.

Yuko Kawasaki

Gio is a Nursing Assistant adult educator who began teaching in September 2025 after gaining diverse clinical experience in women’s health, infusion therapy, and community-based care. She is dedicated to preparing the next generation of caregivers through hands-on clinical instruction, practical skill-building, and mentorship that connects classroom learning with real-world patient care.

Sue Roe, DPA, MS, BSN, RN