Exciting speakers to follow at the event
CEO, Open Sky Community Services
Ken Bates has been at Open Sky Community Services since 2016 as President and Chief Executive Officer. He has extensive leadership experience in non-profit industry. Prior to his position at Open Sky, he served as CEO at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts and Executive Director of New Business and Financial Growth for the Commonwealth Medicine at UMass Medical School. He also served as Vice-President of Behavioral Health at Advocates, Inc and as Director of Outpatient Services at Spectrum Health Systems. He received his undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from Worcester State University and his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption University. In 2021 he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. from Assumption University. He currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Board of the Association of Behavioral Healthcare of Massachusetts, Board Member on Parent Professional Advocacy League, Board Member of Harrington Healthcare System, Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force (Worcester) and Steering Committee Member for the Coalition for Healthy Greater Worcester. He was formerly on the board of the New England Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Track: Track 1
Date & Time: Fri, May 22, 2026 | 09:15 AM - 10:00 AM (EDT)
Location: Great Hall
CEO, SCENSOB LLC
Stephen Osei-Bonsu is an accomplished training facilitator with over 20 years of experience. Known for his strong emotional and cultural intelligence, Stephen has provided organizational training for people from diverse backgrounds in organizations across multiple continents. He is an entrepreneur, mental health and DEI practitioner, public speaker and a lifelong student of strategic leadership. Stephen's leadership is recognized through numerous awards, including the 2023 DEI Award from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, the 2023 Excellence in Best Practices Award from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare, 2022 Worcester Business Journal Movers & Shakers and 2021 Provider’s Council Foreign-Born Leader Scholarship Award. His education includes an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from William James College, an MBA in Management from the University of Nicosia and BSc in Chemistry from Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology. With his extensive experience in strategic planning, policy review, mentorship, and community engagement, Stephen is a dynamic facilitator dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. His work has been published, and he is a speaker and presenter in the fields of diversity, equity, mental health, management, personal development and leadership. Stephen Osei-Bonsu is committed to driving positive change and empowering individuals through impactful training and leadership development
COO, SCENSOB LLC
Yaw is a Certified Healthcare Instructor with 8+ years of experience in caregiving and healthcare leadership. Currently serving as Operations Director for one of Massachusetts’ largest staffing agencies, he oversees 95+ programs and 220+ staff. Yaw specializes in compliance-focused training for group homes and residential care facilities, with expertise in crisis intervention, behavioral support, medication administration, and regulatory compliance. He holds certifications in Safety Care, Positive Behavior Support (PBS), MAP, CPR, and advanced business degrees (MBA, BA). Known for creating practical, hands-on training, Yaw improves care quality, ensures compliance, and equips professionals at all levels with real-world skills.
Director of RPM, SCENSOB LLC
Roland K. Dennis is a healthcare and human services professional with over 15 years of experience in residential operations, program development, and team leadership. As the Residential Program Support Director at SCENSOB, he leads initiatives to improve training, enhance leadership, and ensure high-quality service delivery. His career includes senior roles such as Division Director at Open Sky Community Services and Program Director at Seven Hills Foundation, where he oversaw programs funded by DDS and MRC. Roland emphasizes operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and person-centered care to improve the quality of life for individuals served. Starting in direct care and psychiatric support within the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, he developed a leadership philosophy grounded in compassion and empathy. He holds a bachelor’s in accounting and a master’s in public administration with specialization in human service mangement from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and is a Doctoral Candidate in Healthcare Administration at MCPHS University. Roland's expertise spans program management, staff development, fiscal management, and policy implementation, driving meaningful change to empower staff and strengthen communities.
Assistant Director of Residential Services, Western Massachusetts
Alicia Jacques brings several years of hands-on experience in residential programs and complex medical settings, where she has served in a variety of leadership roles. Her career has been dedicated to supporting individuals in specialized care environments, with a strong focus on safety, dignity, and quality of life. Currently, Alicia serves as the Assistant Director of Residential Services for a well-respected agency in Western Massachusetts. In this role, she oversees program operations, staff development, and quality assurance—ensuring that residential services meet the highest standards of care and compliance. In addition to her leadership expertise, Alicia is a certified CPR/First Aid Instructor. She is passionate about equipping staff and community members with the lifesaving skills and confidence they need to respond effectively in emergencies. Her trainings combine professional rigor with an approachable, engaging style that makes learning practical and impactful. Alicia’s blend of frontline experience, clinical knowledge, and leadership insight makes her a trusted trainer and mentor, dedicated to building stronger, safer teams and empowering professionals in the human services field.
Senior Manager, SCENSOB LLC
Kwasi Asare is a seasoned training facilitator and leader with expertise in project management, operations, and IT. With an MBA and certifications including PMP and AWS Cloud Solutions Architect, he brings extensive knowledge to training initiatives. Kwasi is a Senior leader at Scensob where he empowers teams across multiple service areas and creates an environment for teams to increase their understanding. Kwasi specializes in essential training for staff compliance and excels in project management, leadership, and safety training. Kwasi has had the high-level oversight and led projects in multiple countries and across United States, Africa and Europe. He has facilitated training sessions for both government and private enterprises. He optimized operations and developed training programs towards the effectiveness of systems and empowering teams to be high performers. With a strong educational background with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business and a spectrum of certifications including PMP , Google Project Management, AWS Cloud Solutions Architect, MCSA, MCSE, and proficiency in Python programming and diverse skill set, Kwasi is well-equipped to drive strategic implementation and foster teamwork
Clinical Internship Director, Open Sky Community Services
Jessica Reid, LICSW (she/her), Clinical Internship Director at Open Sky Community Services, is a clinical leader dedicated to shaping the next generation of behavioral health professionals. She has played a key role in designing and implementing a comprehensive internship program that prioritizes hands-on experience, trauma-informed care, and equity-centered learning. In 2024, she co-presented at the NASW Conference on Building Resilient Care Communities: Holistic Approaches to Supporting Social Workers, reflecting her commitment to fostering sustainable, supportive environments for both clients and clinicians. With over fifteen years in human services, Jessica has worked across a wide range of settings including community mental health, crisis intervention, supportive housing, residential treatment, and integrated care teams. She has extensive experience supporting individuals with high-risk behaviors and co-occurring disorders. Her work is grounded in a holistic and relational approach to supervision, clinical care, and leadership. A passionate advocate for social justice, Jessica co-chairs one of Open Sky’s committees advancing DEIB and is the recipient of the organization’s 2024 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Award, as well as the 2023 ABH Best Practices Award. She holds a master's degree in social work from Simmons University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark University, with a minor in International Development and Social Change.
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Massachusetts
Rose Seibold Fasano (she/her), is a Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a certified Reiki Master. Motivated by a desire to combat mental health stigma and a desire to empower caregivers to prioritize their own wellness, Rose established her private practice, Holistic Mind Spa in March of 2020. Drawing from over two decades in the human service field, Rose emphasizes the importance of integrating all dimensions of wellness to help individuals achieve their personal goals. Her approach to individual therapy integrates evidence-based techniques with holistic principles, ensuring a comprehensive, trauma informed, and effective personalized care. Rose thrives on discovering new experiences and the beauty of the world. When she is not exploring hiking trails or soaking in the outdoors on a kayak, she enjoys Olympic weightlifting, a passion that pushes her limits and keeps her grounded. Rose also enjoys photography and documenting her travels with her family and husband. Their two dogs, Smee and Teddy, bring a level of excitement to their lives and can often be found along for the adventure. Teddy, a NEADS Service Dog, can be found alongside Rose at the office and is helpful during times of increased stress or crisis by bringing a grounding presence and a calming sense of physical touch.