Yvette Colón, PhD, BCD, LMSW – Clinical & Macro, is Professor, School of Social Work, and Faculty Affiliate, School of Health Sciences Aging Studies Program at Eastern Michigan University. She also is part of Amplify Colectivo, a culturally-sensitive mental health psychotherapy practice, providing services, including EMDR for chronic pain management, to individuals and couples. Currently she serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. She has taught, lectured, and published extensively on pain management, psychosocial oncology, palliative care and end-of-life social work practice, affirmative practice with LGBTQ+ individuals, and cultural aspects of health and mental health care.

Dr. Colón holds a master's degree in clinical social work from Smith College School for Social Work, a Ph.D. in clinical social work from New York University, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies from Eastern Michigan University. 

Nicole Hemmenway currently serves as CEO of the U.S. Pain Foundation. She previously directed the INvisible Project, an online and print magazine that highlights the experiences of people living with pain, for the organization. Nicole is also an author and motivational speaker. Her book, No, It Is NOT in My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon, details her struggles and triumphs in dealing with complex regional pain syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder. In September 2015, Nicole was featured in a campaign in USA Today in recognition of her role as an advocate for those living with chronic pain; and in 2017, she received the Unsung Hero Award for her work in the pain community. Nicole lives in the Nashville area with her husband and three young sons.

Linda C. Shaw is a Creative Vocal Entrepreneur & Author who also hosts her own Christian based podcast, Symphony of Sound. As a person living with chronic pain, Linda firmly believes in the power of sharing your story. In 2018, she penned From Lamentation to Revelation/ Shining the Light of Love Into the Darkness of Chronic Pain due to her traumatic and solitary journey into life-altering pain. In 2019, she became involved with the US Pain Foundaton and began the work of learning and advocating for those living with chronic pain. She was honored to be named US Pain Foundation’s 2020 Ambassador of the Year and began training in 2021 to become the BIPOC Chronic Pain Group Leader for Pain Connection. Linda’s sessions are held the 3^rd Monday of every month and have been consistent since its beginning in August 2021. Interested parties can register for the BIPOC Chronic Pain Group at https://painconnection.org/bip...

Dr. Linda Porter is the Director of the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Pain Policy and Planning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from McGill University and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Boston University. Dr. Porter trained in neurophysiology at Rockefeller University and then served on the faculty of the Uniformed Services University until joining the NIH in 2003 where her role includes coordinating activities of the NIH Pain Consortium and the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, whose missions respectively, are to advance the trans-NIH and interagency pain research agenda. She co-chaired the development of the National Pain Strategy and the Federal Pain Research Strategy and now is involved with the NIH HEAL (Helping End Addiction Long-term) initiative. Dr. Porter has been recognized for her work through the President’s Award from the American Academy of Pain Management, NIH Director’s Awards, and the Emma and John Bonica Public Service Award from the American Pain Society.