PTSD Awareness & Suicide Prevention Conference

Katherine Beck (Kati) has performed almost two decades of distinguished service to our nation, bringing a deep commitment to service, connection, and advocacy for Veterans and their families. A retired United States Air Force Personnelist and Korean Cryptolinguist, Kati built a strong foundation in leadership, cross-cultural communication, and mission-focused operations while supporting global defense initiatives.

Following military retirement, Kati continued her dedication to service as a Peer Support Specialist, working directly with Veterans to provide guidance, encouragement, and lived experience. Kati’s work focused on empowering fellow service members as they navigated transition, recovery, and reintegration, fostering resilience and hope through authentic connection. 

Now serving as a Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator with Suicide Prevention, Kati cultivates strategic relationships with community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and Veteran-serving partners. Her role centers on expanding access to resources, strengthening collaborative networks, and ensuring Veterans receive comprehensive, coordinated support. Grounded in integrity, cultural awareness, and a passion for advocacy, Kati remains driven by a simple mission: to continue serving those who have served.

Megan Cahalan serves as the Health Promotion Coordinator in Student Wellness Services at the University of Northern Iowa. As a proud UNI alum, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health with a certificate in Women's Health from UNI in 2023. Megan brings experience working with both large and small groups of students and community members, focusing on topics related to health and well-being. She is deeply passionate about wellness, the power of human connection, and creating supportive environments where students can thrive.  In her role at UNI, Megan meets with students one-on-one for wellness coaching, incorporating motivational interviewing and other evidence-based strategies to help them reflect, identify goals, navigate challenges, access resources, and strengthen their overall well-being. She has dedicated the past several years to fostering meaningful human connection and recognizing the importance of personal growth.

Malinda Dean is a respected chaplain, speaker, preacher, and soloist, and the Founder and Sole Proprietor of Just Like Heaven Ministries (JLHM). JLHM exists to “provide a taste of Heaven in communities and organizations on this side of eternity.” Through this mission, Malinda brings the love of God into life’s most sacred and difficult spaces—offering hope, healing, and compassionate care when it is needed most. With over 30 years of ministry experience, Malinda is a licensed and ordained minister who serves with depth, wisdom, and authenticity. She is widely known as “The Chaplain of Love,” recognized for her ability to minister with grace, presence, and spiritual sensitivity to individuals, families, and organizations navigating grief, crisis, transition, and loss. Born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, Malinda holds a Master of Divinity in Corporate Chaplaincy from Liberty University. She also serves faithfully at Impact Church of Hope as the Executive Director of Congregational Care and Executive Assistant to Senior Pastor Dr. Marshaundus Robinson. Her leadership reflects a rare blend of administrative excellence, pastoral care, and prophetic compassion. Malinda’s life calling is rooted in the ministry of presence—meeting people where they are with love that restores dignity, faith that strengthens the soul, and care that leaves a lasting imprint. Whether preaching, teaching, singing, or speaking, her ministry carries a message of hope, healing, and the tangible love of Christ.

Richard Echelberger is currently the 3rd. District Vice Commander for the American Legion. He teaches “Be the One” to Veteran and Civilian Organizations, he also serves as Chaplain and Adjutant at his local post. Richard recently retired from John Deere at HAGIE Manufacturing as a Quality Manager. Previously he had over 33 years of experience working with and for the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense. While in the Air Force he was deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch. Other assignments included England, Germany, Kosovo, and South Korea. Master Sergeant Echelberger retired from the Air Force in 2001, he then went on to work as a Defense Contractor at Wright Patterson Air Force Base where he worked with NASA and the Space Shuttle, he also participated in Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems development and testing. In between deployments and assignments, he obtained his Associate of Science degree, Avionics Systems Technology, from the Community College of the Air Force, 1992. His Bachelor of Science degree in Technical, Trade, and Industrial Education, from Valdosta State University, 1999 and finally finished his Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Phoenix, 2006.

Dr. Jass is a dual-certified, psychiatric mental health and family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years of experience as a nursing practitioner and over 20 years in the nursing profession. She is an Associate Professor with 13 years of teaching experience, leading the psychiatric mental health NP track and functioning as the NP Clinical Director. Dr. Jass believes that mental health care should be as easily accessible to all. Currently working as the Director of Psychiatric and Counseling Services at UNI, Dr. Jass has worked hard to create a campus counseling system to ensure students get help when they need it, eliminating waiting times and creating multiple levels of walk-in access. When she isn't leading a clinic or mentoring the next generation of NPs at Allen College, you can find her researching best practices to help people feel their best. She’s a big believer in evidence-based care, innovative thinking, and brings a deep sense of empathy and a "let's get it done" attitude to everything she does.

Yolando L. Loveless is the Executive Director of Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs, and a 
is a native of Waterloo, Iowa. He attended East High School, and Northern Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) prior to joining the military in 1984. He reported to basic training at Recruit Training Center in Orlando, Florida, then to Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga (CV 60) in Jacksonville, Florida.  He made his first of numerous six-month combat deployments to the Eastern Mediterranean where the “Super Sara” was part of the first air strikes in LIBYA. In February 1986 Yolando reported to Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger (CV 61) homeported in San Diego, California. His subsequent tours included USS Worden (CG 18) Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USS Antietam (CG 54) San Diego, California, USS Ponce (LPD 15), USS Nashville (LPD 13), Norfolk, VA, and taking Aircraft Carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CV 77) on her maiden eight-month combat cruise in 2008.

Loveless’ highest enlisted rank was Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8), and in November 2009 was commissioned to Chief Warrant Officer, and thereafter he volunteered and completed a one-year tour as Project Manager while embedded with the US Army supporting the Multi-National Forces in Iraq. Chief Warrant Officer Loveless’ personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy, and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (five awards), and various unit and campaign awards

Loveless currently serves as Executive Director and County Veteran Service Officer, where he has helped over 7,500 veterans in Black Hawk County and surrounding areas in the past 6 years. Yolando specializes in ensuring veterans have an opportunity to apply for compensation, pensions, health care enrollment, nursing home enrollment, education benefits, as well as funeral and burial assistance.  His office has helped over 700 veterans with utilities, and rent support, and provided food bags to over 1,400 veterans who sought assistance.

In 2019, Loveless was inducted into the East High School Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the Mercy One “Heroes Among Us” Military Award. 

Emily Meier is from Waterloo, Iowa and currently serves as the Veteran Peer Recovery Specialist at Pathways Behavioral Services. Emily served in the Iowa Army National Guard as a 25U, Signal Systems Support Specialist from 2013-2017. She studied at the University of Northern Iowa earning a BA in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services with an emphasis on Therapeutic Recreation. Emily graduated from UNI in 2020. Emily is an Iowa Board Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. In her role at Pathways, she uses her lived experience with military service, navigating VA systems, and mental health to support her veteran peers to live a life of wellness and recovery. Since leaving the military Emily has put a large emphasis on serving veterans in our community and bringing awareness to the transition struggles of veterans.

Deb Moeller, MSW, LCSW, LMSW is the Program Coordinator with the Suicide Prevention Team at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. She has worked as a community-based, medical social worker for more than thirty-five (35) years, having spent the first part of her career working in the home care and hospice arenas. In 2013, Deb joined the Iowa City VA Health Care System and has served in several different roles, coming to the suicide prevention team in 2022. She is honored to serve our Nation’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families as we work to identify those at risk for suicide, get them to care, and foster community creativity to support prevention efforts.

Dr. Rebecca Stinson received her PhD from the University of Iowa and is a board-certified clinical psychologist licensed in Minnesota and Iowa. Along with providing evidence-based individual therapy in private practice, Dr. Stinson is part of the University of Iowa Psychedelics Research Program where she serves as a therapist in their current study comparing psilocybin and ketamine as potential treatments for individuals who engage in risky drinking behavior. She has her psychedelic-assisted therapy provider certification through the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and enjoys supporting individuals seeking physical and psychological healing.

Rylie Steinkamp is a dedicated social work professional and current Graduate Assistant at the UNI Counseling Center. Rylie is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at UNI and expects to graduate and earn her license in May. She holds bachelor’s degrees in social work and theology from St. Ambrose University, where she served as President of the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society and as a captain for the university's women's swim team. Rylie is passionate about exploring the intersection of mental health and spirituality. She is a firm proponent of applying a compassionate, community-centered approach to empower individuals and promote mental wellness. 

Tri-State Women Warriors serve to provide connection and advocacy to support the unique needs of women veterans and service members. 
Though women are the fastest growing demographic in the military, their lack of representation throughout history has led to significant gaps in support. Women veterans and service members will frequently report lacking a feeling of belonging and visibility, ultimately putting women veterans and service members at risk for a variety of adverse outcomes. 

In 2022, several women veterans in the tri-state area not only recognized this gap but were driven to create a solution. On September 10, 2022, a dozen women came together over brunch to develop a vision for a community created specifically to support women veterans and service members in our tri-state area, and the Tri-State Women Warriors was created.

Anne Ventullo is a clinical psychotherapist. She applies a holistic lens to her work. With practices borrowed from a variety of resources including ecopsychology, nature wellness, resilience theory, and empowerment perspectives.  Annie is a research therapist who practices as a part of the University of Iowa Psychedelics Research Program, focusing support folks in renegotiating their relationship with alcohol alongside the use of psychedelic medicines.  She received her Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAPT) certificate through Integrative Psychiatry Institute's year long intensive training program.  When she isn't engaged in research or therapy, she can be found out in the woods and digging in the garden.