We are excited to welcome you to the Time Out Workshop at The Lusk Center, a premier venue located at 2501 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC, 27405.
Our event speakers are industry experts dedicated to enhancing care and the second half of life for seniors and their loved ones. They bring valuable insights and practical knowledge, helping you grow professionally in a supportive, engaging and fun environment. The goal of this one-day, low-cost workshop is to examine issues relevant to social workers and other professionals who serve older adults. If you are a hardworking social worker, case manager, health care professional, home health business owner, nursing home administrator, geriatric care coordinator, or work in the senior care industry in any other capacity, this day is for you!
Section Chief, Planning, Division of Aging, DHHS - All Ages, All Stages
Divya Venkataganesan serves as the Chief of Planning for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging, where she leads statewide strategic initiatives to strengthen systems of support for older adults. Her work spans the development and implementation of the State Aging Plan and Multisector Plan for Aging.
With a background that bridges direct, beside-care experience and population-level planning, Divya brings a unique perspective shaped by working across the lifespan, from children and families to older adults. She is deeply committed to integrating community-informed and data-driven approaches, recognizing the critical need for aligned, cross-sector infrastructure that supports wellbeing at every stage of life.
In her current role, she also oversees statewide demographic and programmatic data efforts, supports cross-agency partnerships, and facilitates initiatives that reframe aging as a lifelong process that touches every individual and system. Through this work, she aims to ensure that all North Carolinians, regardless of age, geography, or identity, can access the resources they need to thrive.
Chief Well-being Officer, Director of Counseling/Disability Access Services at GTCC
Dr. Ernest Lawson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, addiction specialist, and educator with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and professionals on their paths to wellness and resilience. He currently serves as the Director of Counseling and Disability Access Services at Guilford Technical Community College, where he leads campus-wide efforts to promote mental health equity, trauma-informed care, and student retention.
Dr. Lawson has worked extensively with caregivers, healthcare professionals, students, and veterans, offering guidance on integrating sustainable wellness practices into everyday life to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. His practical, story-driven approach empowers people to care for themselves with intention while continuing to serve others meaningfully.
He is the author of the forthcoming book, Whole Wellness: A Guide to Living Fully and Building Resilience Across the Eight Dimensions—a holistic resource that combines clinical wisdom, real-life stories, and actionable tools to help readers reclaim balance and purpose.
Dr. Lawson is passionate about helping wounded healers become well healers and is committed to advancing conversations around wellness in professional and community settings.
Director, Center for Outreach in Alzheimer's, Aging and Community Health (COAACH), NC A&T
Dr. Travonia Hughes is a nationally recognized leader in aging and Alzheimer’s research, particularly in underserved communities. As Director of the Center for Outreach in Alzheimer’s, Aging and Community Health (COAACH) at North Carolina A&T State University, she has championed culturally responsive approaches to addressing health disparities in cognitive aging. Her distinguished academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Gerontology and multiple advanced degrees in public health and biology. Dr. Brown-Hughes has held prestigious roles at institutions like Johns Hopkins University, where she served as a Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow and contributed to national initiatives through the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (AD-RCMAR). Her groundbreaking work has earned her appointments to Virginia’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders State Commission and the board of the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Chapter, solidifying her impact as a trailblazer in minority aging and community health advocacy.
Steinbacher, Goodall, & Yurchak, Attorneys
After two decades of dedicated service as a geriatric social worker, Julieanne E. Steinbacher established her own law practice – in her garage – offering superior legal support for seniors since 2002. Specializing in asset protection for long-term healthcare, guardianships, and care management, her firm has expanded to seven offices across Northern and Central Pennsylvania with over 60 professionals, including long-term care planners and elder care navigators.
Julieanne is the President and Master Profitability Coach of The Million Dollar Solution– a coaching group that helps attorneys nationwide elevate their practice and profitability through personal, one-to-one coaching. Julieanne is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through the National Elder Law Foundation, an author, and sought after lecturer on diverse topics such as trust and estate planning, special needs planning, wealth protection, succession planning, leadership and work-life balance.
Honored with the 2015 Pennsylvania Bar Association Special Achievement Award for her dedication to the Association’s Quality of Life & Balance Committee, which she has co-chaired for three years, Julieanne is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
The Elderlaw Firm, Founder
Dennis grew up in Wisconsin and moved to North Carolina to attend UNC Law.
He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation & Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate by the North Carolina State Bar. He has been on many boards and is currently the past president of the Greensboro Society of Financial Service Professionals.
Dennis founded the Elderlaw Firm over 23 years ago with the mission of providing local families trustworthy guidance for the elder care journey.
He is an author and frequent speaker and has appeared on television many times.
Dennis and his wife, Lynne, have two sons and two grandchildren. They also live with their beloved bernadoodle, Jules, who often visits our office and is a popular guest of staff and clients.
Stay informed with our detailed agenda, ensuring you don’t miss any of the key presentations, networking opportunities, and activities throughout the day.
8:00 – 8:30 am:
Check-In, Continental Breakfast & Exhibitors
8:30 – 9:00 am:
Opening Remarks – introductions of sponsors, Welcome from AuthoraCare
9:00 – 10:00 am:
Presenter – Ernest Lawson, PhD – “Wellness in Action: Preventing Burnout
and Restoring Purpose”
10:00 – 10:15 am:
Break – Exhibitors
10:15 – 11:00 am:
Presenter – Divya Venkataganesan, MPH – “All Ages, All Stages NC: Moving Forward Together on North Carolina’s Multisector Plan for Aging”
11:00 – 12:00 pm:
Presenter – Julie Steinbacher, CELA, LLM – “Meeting the Moment: The Elder Care Response to a Growing Care Crisis”
12:00 – 1:00 pm:
Lunch & Energy Boost – Optional Stretching & Yoga, Exhibitors
1:00 – 2:00 pm:
Presenter – Dennis J. Toman, JD, CELA – “Essential Elder Law Updates for NC’s Senior Care Managers and Their Clients”
2:00 – 2:30 pm:
Break – Decadent Dessert Buffet, optional stretching, Exhibitors
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Presenter – Dr. Travonia Hughes, PhD, MPH – “Facing Alzheimer’s: Risk, Resilience, and Resources in Minority Communities”
3:30 – 3:50 pm:
Lightning Session
3:50 – 4:00 pm:
Closing – Evaluation and Awards
As a professional in the healthcare industry serving seniors and those who love them, your time is limited…. and often stressful. Here’s a professional growth opportunity to explore key issues that can help you and those you serve.