Welcome to Together TFI! 

Welcome to a full day event for all TFI employees with opportunities to connect, grow and have fun! We hope today is a refreshing and enjoyable day for you.

The 2024 theme is Resilience & Reinvention: Shaping the Future of Child Welfare. You will learn to…

  • become resilient in the face of challenges
  • overcome hardships
  • cope with stressful situations
  • reframe your thinking
  • move forward with a shifting culture

Together, we will transform the future of child welfare.

Event Schedule

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Find an "EVENT STAFF" member in a teal shirt!

Meet the Speakers

Jovan Glasgow

Jovan Glasgow

Keynote Speaker

Jovan Glasgow, the visionary founder of Glasgow International LLC., stands as a Global Keynote Speaker, Strategist, High-Performance Coach, and Celebrated Author. For over a decade, Jovan has been a transformative force, empowering Fortune 500 companies and cultivating extraordinary teams dedicated to integrity and vitality. Jovan's mission is to empower purpose-driven individuals and organizations by providing the clarity, confidence, and influence needed to reach the pinnacle of their purpose.

Keynote Speaker Session

The Profundity of Adversity: Embracing the Opposition & Seizing the Opportunity

Mercedes Hayes

Mercedes Hayes

Speaker

Mercedes Hayes has had an illustrious career as a Chemist and Microbiologist for a major pharmaceutical company, but she has since shifted her focus to ministry work. As a director, speaker, and leadership coach, she has dedicated her life to helping others. Mercedes is a proud mother of five, an avid reader, and a philanthropist. In her free time, she enjoys playing golf, tennis, traveling and reading.

Breakout Session

Racing Towards Personal Progress: How to Take Control of Your Time Through Realistic Time Management

Tia Murray

Tia Murry

Speaker

Dr. Tia Murry is a Motivational Speaker, Professional Certified Mindset Coach,
2x- Best Selling Author and Business Flight Plan Strategist through her
business FLI, LLC. She has a combined 22 years in organizational leadership
within local/state government, non-profit organizations and has successfully
customized organizational health assessments for small businesses.

Breakout Session

Managing Stress and Driving Success: How to Take Control of Your Time Through Realistic Time Management

Tabitha Gibson &
Emily Hermesch

Tabitha Gibson

Speaker

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

Speaker

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).

Breakout Session

Compassionate Systems: Understanding the Complexities of Child Welfare Systems and the Impact on Employees and Clients

DJ TEEJAY
Tiffany Welch

DJ TeeJay

Emcee & DJ

Owner of Be Entertained Events, a popular Dallas DJ.

Emcee & DJ

Executive Leadership

Important Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there WIFI available?

Wireless internet is available on a complimentary basis in the lobby areas of the building.

Where are the restrooms?

Restrooms are located on every floor of the building, near the meeting rooms. If you have trouble locating the restrooms, please ask an event staff member.

Is there a nursing mother's room?

Yes, lactation rooms are available on the second and third floors of the building.

In case of emergency, is there security in the building?

Yes, 24 hour security will be available at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

Where do lost and found items go?

Any items should be delivered to an Event staff member.

Is there specific accessibility provided for the event?

If you require any accommodations, please ask an event staff member to direct you to the Director of Marketing to help with your accommodation needs.

When is the on-site coffee shop open?

The on-site coffee shop on the 1st level of the convention center is available from 8:00 am – 10:30 am. However, complimentary tea, coffee and water will be available throughout the event.

Can I connect with a speaker after the event?

We have provided speaker information, but please feel free to chat with any of our guest speaker throughout the day! They would love to connect with you through their websites or social media.