2025 Peer Conference Guest Speakers
CalMHSA’s 2025 Peer Support Conference brings together a dynamic lineup of guest speakers, each bringing invaluable insights and expertise to help you enhance your work within the county behavioral health system. Join us for a day of learning and inspiration as our speakers share best practices, practical tools, and innovative strategies to strengthen your impact with clients.
Keris Jän Myrick is a nationally recognized mental health advocate, executive, and innovator in mental health and substance use reform. She is the host of the Unapologetically Black Unicorns podcast, a sought-after national speaker, and an author of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on peer workforce development, race equity, and digital therapeutics. With over 20 years of experience, she has led initiatives in mental health services transformation, policy development, and strategic planning at local, state, and national levels.
Ms. Myrick is the Senior Vice President of Partnerships at Inseparable, Co-Editor of the Lived Experience Inclusion and Leadership column for Psychiatric Services, and serves on the boards of Mental Health America, Disability Rights California, and The Center for Health Care Strategies. She is an inaugural member of the Global Leadership Exchange’s Lived Experience Council and a clinical advisor for Harvard Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Digital Psychiatry Program. Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance behavioral health access for communities of color, she has developed a peer-designed Digital Health Literacy Curriculum and contributed to the American Psychiatric Association’s App Advisor workgroup.
Ms. Myrick holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and an MS in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University. She is a Certified Personal Medicine Coach and resides in Los Angeles with her dog, Obi.
Shannon came to RUHS-Behavioral Health in 2008. Her teams train and supports roughly 400 behavioral health providers, specifically Medi-Cal Certified Peer Support Specialists in Riverside County. As Peer Support Programs increase across California, her team in Riverside County is the largest and most robust peer-to-peer program in the state, employing people with lived experience as mental health consumers, family members and parents of minor children who have engaged in services to address childhood emotional disturbance. She has presented at conferences internationally, including CASRA (California Association of Rehabilitation Agencies), “Pathways to Client-Centered Care” at the University of Southern California, Behavioral Health Symposium at Redlands University, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), National Association of Peer Support Specialists Conference and at the Orygen Youth Mental Health Symposium in Melbourne Australia. She has provided recovery model training to Marriage & Family Therapy students at Loma Linda University, Cal Baptist University and University of California, Riverside. Most recently, she and the RUHS-BH Tech Innovations Collaborative Team were recipients the 2022 Challenge Award from the California State Associations of Counties (CSAC) for the behavioral Health technological innovation of the TakemyHand Live Peer Chat web-based peer support interface, which inspired CalHope services to implement the statewide emotional support website and chat service.
Shannon can be reached at (951) 955-7117 or email [email protected]
Kristen Mungcal is a Program Manager with over 18 years of experience in peer-run programs, community outreach and stakeholder engagement. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong expertise in stakeholder engagement, working to drive innovative strategies that optimize service delivery and improve outcomes for diverse communities while ensuring that impacted stakeholders are the drivers of all decision making. Kristen has been a member of the California Mental Health Services Authority Stakeholder Council for Medi-Cal Peer Certification since inception. In this capacity, Kristen actively contributes to policies and frameworks that support the certification of peer specialists, ensuring that mental health services are not only efficient but also accessible and compassionate. Kristen holds a Master of Science in Complementary and Integrated Health, which equips her with a unique perspective on holistic approaches to well-being. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, allows her to implement comprehensive mental health programs that address the needs of individuals and families from various backgrounds. As a Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, she is dedicated to empowering individuals by fostering a sense of community and support. Kristen’s passion for mental health services is evident in her advocacy for strategically undervalued populations and her commitment to creating systems that promote equity and access. Kristen’s primary motivator is to inspire and engage others to join her in the mission of enhancing person-led mental health services and promoting well-being across communities.
Rexanne Irizarry, CMPSS (she/her), is a certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (#MPSS-QKCNJV) with additional certifications in Wellness Recovery Action Planning and Mind Matters Facilitation. Drawing upon her own lived experience as a client, family member, parent, and caregiver of individuals with mental health conditions, Rexanne is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals receive the utmost respect and care they deserve. Her professional journey began as a Crisis Intervention Specialist for North Sacramento Family Resource Center, operated by Sacramento Children’s Home. In this role, she supported families in accessing essential services to strengthen their homes and empower their lives. Today, Rexanne serves as a Behavioral Health Peer Specialist Program Manager with Sacramento County’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS), where she provides support, training, and technical assistance. Born and raised in Sacramento, Rexanne is a wife, mother of five, and grandmother of three with a fourth on the way! Having witnessed firsthand the adverse effects of childhood trauma, she is committed to breaking generational cycles for the future of her family and the community she holds dear.
Heath Holt Hayes is a nationally recognized advocate for mental health, addiction recovery, and peer support services. Drawing from his own lived experience, he has dedicated his career to expanding access to care through innovative, community-driven solutions.
As an Emmy Award-winning media producer, Heath led the 988 Mental Health Lifeline campaign and pioneered harm reduction efforts, including naloxone vending machines, with lived experience and anti-stigma frameworks guiding the way. As founder of Triple H Consulting, he works with organizations nationwide to strengthen peer support networks, crisis response systems, and addiction recovery programs.
Previously serving as Deputy Commissioner for Oklahoma’s mental health agency, Heath played a key role in shaping policy and workforce development. He holds degrees in psychology, human relations, and administrative leadership and is completing a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration at Oklahoma State University.
Above all, Heath is most proud of being an adoptive parent to three Choctaw American siblings, reinforcing his commitment to community and resilience.
Contact Us:
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or visit the CalMHSA Peer Certification Website.
This opportunity is supported by CalMHSA and funded by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).