Tia Banks is an award-winning motivational speaker, certified resilience expert, and mountaineer on a mission to conquer the world's seven volcanic summits. A former professional athlete, Ti'a journey from academic struggles and mental health challenges to earning two degrees and thriving beyond sports embodies the resilience she teaches.

Mark Robinson is a highly sought-after entertainer who combines stand-up comedy, jaw-dropping magic, and motivational messaging to create unforgettable experiences for corporate events, theaters, and private functions. He holds a university degree in speech communication and spent nine years in sales before founding his own company, Best Motivational Speakers, which specializes in entertainment-based motivational presentations.

Tabitha Gibson, LMSW, is the Senior Vice President of Permanency for The Family Initiative, Inc. (TFI). In this role, she oversees and implements the case management contracts in Southeast and South Central Kansas, including out-of-home and aftercare case management services, as well as the special response team and relative/kinship teams. In addition to case management oversight, Tabitha has served on multiple internal TFI Leadership Teams, including as a member of the agency’s Development and Technology Teams, Chair of Management Team, and as a facilitator of the Agency’s Leadership Institute.
Tabitha began her social work career in 1997 with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) before becoming an Adoption Case Manager with TFI in 1998. Since then, she has served the agency in various capacities, including 11 years in the Foster Care program and nine years in the Kansas Case Management program. Tabitha also served as the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center in Pittsburg, Kansas, for 4 years and as the Director of Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment for the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas before returning to TFI.
Tabitha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Pittsburg State University and her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas.

Emily Hermesch is the Vice President of Permanency for The Family Initiative, Inc. (TFI) and has over 20 years of experience in child welfare. Emily currently leads all the support services positions in two permanency contract areas in Kansas. Emily is a Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner, a Solution-Based Casework Trainer of Trainers, and has journeyed with many children and families through their laughter and tears.
Emily is a co-author of a Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal article, “I Ran to Make a Point”: Predicting and Preventing Youth Absences from Foster Care. She believes that small things can make big impacts, in the lives of others. Emily is honored to serve the children and families of Kansas.
Emily holds a Master’s Degree in Family Life Education and Consultation from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Emily is a Licensed Social Worker through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB).