Speaking Engagements
Inspiring Audiences, Driving Innovation
Debra Cady is a dynamic and engaging speaker who has captivated audiences worldwide with her insightful presentations and inspiring talks. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified Appreciative Inquiry facilitator, Debra brings over 35 years of experience in facilitating strength-based, positive change for individuals, teams, and entire systems.
Her adaptive, creative, and compassionate leadership style makes her an exceptional speaker, coach, consultant, and trainer. She has led presentations and facilitated experiences at national conferences, leadership forums, government training, and cross-sector collaboratives.
At Silver Linings International, our mission aligns with Debra’s dedication to creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to lead change. We integrate trauma-informed practices, positive psychology, and Appreciative Inquiry to help people and organizations thrive—from public agencies and nonprofits to private sector companies and educational institutions.
Whether it’s a keynote that sparks system-wide vision, a team workshop that builds psychological safety, or a strategic retreat that sets a course for culture change—our speaking engagements are interactive, customized, and rooted in real-world impact.
Speaking Topics:
-
Trauma-Informed Principles
-
Appreciative Inquiry
-
Leadership Development
-
Psychological Safety
-
Emotional Intelligence/Emotional Labor
-
Staff Development/Team Building
Thinking about your next event? Let’s explore what’s possible.
Keynotes
Big ideas. Deep connection. Lasting impact.
Our keynote addresses are crafted to spark insight and catalyze change. Whether you’re opening a statewide conference or anchoring a summit, Debra’s presentations blend warmth, wisdom, and evidence-based strategy in an unforgettable way.
Missouri Children’s Trauma Network Annual Summit
Spring 2024
Topic: Learning Through the Lens of Young People
Audience: Youth-serving professionals, educators, mental health providers
Format: Opening Keynote + Lived Experience Youth Panel
At the Missouri Children’s Trauma Network Annual Summit, Silver Linings International had the honor of opening the conference with a powerful keynote and youth-led panel that brought the voices of lived experience front and center.
Debra Cady, LCSW, opened the session by framing the Healthy Transitions program’s evolution, highlighting the urgent need for trauma-informed systems that truly support youth and young adults (ages 16–25) as they navigate the complex transition to adulthood. Her keynote emphasized what systems often miss—and what young people say they need most: respect, voice, flexibility, and safety.
Following the keynote, five courageous young adults took the stage to share their lived experiences navigating mental health systems. Their stories highlighted barriers, resilience, and powerful insights for practitioners.
Through this keynote and youth panel, attendees walked away with:
-
Concrete strategies to build more youth-friendly environments
-
Insights into cross-system challenges and how to better coordinate care
-
A deeper understanding of the trauma-informed Methods of Engagement™ model developed by Silver Linings International
“We didn’t just hear youth voice—we felt it, understood it, and committed to doing better.”
The session sparked both emotion and action, helping youth-serving professionals translate lived experience into system-level change.
Tennessee Healthy Transitions Summit
Spring 2024
Topic: From Recovery to Resilience: Supporting Youth in Life Transitions
Audience: Statewide coalition of youth-serving agencies, advocates, and cross-sector leaders
Format: Opening Keynote + Strategic Alignment Session
As part of the Tennessee Healthy Transitions–Improving Life Trajectories (HT-ILT) initiative, Silver Linings International delivered a powerful keynote that highlighted the statewide effort to improve outcomes for youth and young adults (ages 16–25) experiencing serious mental health challenges.
Drawing on insights from the State Transition Team’s strategic planning work and the lived experiences of youth in transition, Debra’s keynote set the tone for the summit by illustrating the cracks young people often fall through when navigating between child and adult systems—and the bold, trauma-informed approaches needed to close those gaps.
Using stories, data, and Appreciative Inquiry principles, the keynote celebrated Tennessee’s leadership in launching collaborative, system-level change. Participants were inspired to reimagine what’s possible when youth voice is centered, policy is aligned, and supports are coordinated across systems.
“Debra reminded us that when we shift the lens from fixing to partnering, we don’t just support transition—we transform it.”
This session energized statewide leaders to recommit to the Healthy Transitions vision, setting the stage for collaborative implementation planning across juvenile justice, behavioral health, education, and family systems.
Workshops
Hands-on. Insightful. Impactful.
Our workshops blend trauma-informed care, emotional intelligence, and Appreciative Inquiry to build stronger teams and more supportive workplaces. Each session is interactive, practical, and tailored to meet your group’s unique needs—whether in person or online.
Wisconsin Authentic Youth/Young Adult Involvement
Summer 2026
Type: Exhibitor + Attendee Engagement
Audience: Youth-serving professionals, adult allies, and cross-sector partners
Format: Interactive Micro-Training
Silver Linings International facilitated an interactive micro-training focused on what it truly means to engage youth and young adults authentically. Debra Cady explored practical strategies for moving beyond tokenism and creating meaningful opportunities for youth voice, emphasizing that effective engagement begins with purpose, preparation, relationship-building, and the right level of participation. Participants examined the risks of manipulation, decoration, and tokenism, along with strategies for creating equitable partnerships, supporting youth before, during, and after their participation, and reducing the unintended consequences of sharing lived experience. Grounded in trauma-informed practice and wisdom developed alongside youth and young adult advocates, the session challenged participants to rethink how organizations create space for young people to contribute, lead, and influence the decisions that affect their lives.
The Northeast Child Abuse Conference
Spring 2025
Type: Exhibitor + Attendee Engagement
Audience: Child welfare professionals, advocates, clinicians, and cross-sector partners
Format: Interactive Tabling + Direct Engagement
At the 2025 Northeast Child Abuse Conference, Silver Linings International showed up not just to inform—but to affirm. Our team hosted an interactive table designed to offer attendees a moment of grounding and encouragement during a heavy and emotionally charged event.
Instead of handouts and pamphlets alone, we offered:
-
Personalized affirmations to uplift and inspire
-
Thoughtful treats and wellness giveaways
-
One-on-one conversations with leaders and practitioners
-
Resources on trauma-informed leadership and organizational change
Our presence wasn’t about presentation—it was about connection. Attendees told us how much it meant to be seen, appreciated, and reminded of their value in the middle of such vital work.
“I didn’t expect to tear up at a table—but your message reminded me why I do this.”
This experience reaffirmed our belief that sometimes the most powerful impact comes from small moments of care. We were honored to be part of a gathering so deeply committed to the healing and protection of children.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Global Jam Cultivating Connections Conference
Spring 2025
Topic: Rooted in Safety, Rising with Courage: Facilitating Brave Spaces in a Trauma-Impacted World
Audience: Global Appreciative Inquiry Practitioners and Facilitators
Format: Virtual Interactive Workshop
As part of the AI Global Jam’s “Rooted and Rising” theme, Silver Linings International led a bold and timely workshop exploring how Appreciative Inquiry can evolve to meet the emotional realities of today’s world.
In “Facilitating Brave Spaces in a Trauma-Impacted World,” Debra Cady invited participants from around the globe to reflect on the rising need for trauma-informed psychological safety. The session challenged the idea that safety equals comfort—and instead emphasized that growth requires courage, risk-taking, and mutual accountability.
Through live storytelling, facilitated reflection, and co-creation of "Brave Space Agreements," the workshop offered concrete tools to strengthen connection and trust during times of uncertainty. From emotional labor and moral distress to creative adaptations of appreciative agreements, participants shared strategies for showing up authentically and holding space for discomfort, dissent, and learning.
This session stood as a powerful example of how trauma-informed facilitation and Appreciative Inquiry can work together to create inclusive, responsive, and forward-moving dialogue.
Ohio Statewide Trauma-Informed Care Collaborative – Learning Session
Summer 2025
Topic: Psychological Safety Starts with Me: Trauma-Informed Self-Care and Organizational Change
Audience: Cross-sector professionals committed to trauma-informed systems
Format: Virtual Interactive Workshop
Silver Linings International was honored to facilitate this session for the Ohio Statewide TIC Collaborative’s regular meeting. In this deeply engaging and practical workshop, participants explored how psychological safety isn’t just an organizational goal—it starts with each of us.
With a balance of evidence-based insight and interactive exercises, this session unpacked:
-
The core elements of psychological safety and why it matters now more than ever
-
Concrete strategies for embedding trauma-informed principles into team culture, policies, and supervision
-
The critical link between self-care, resilience, and emotionally safe workplaces
From reflective journaling prompts to breakout groups on peer support and boundaries, attendees were invited to pause, connect, and consider what’s within their control to foster a culture of trust, inclusion, and well-being.
Participants walked away with:
-
A deeper understanding of how psychological safety impacts team performance and morale
-
Practical tools for embedding trauma-informed care in everyday actions
-
A renewed commitment to cultivating safer spaces—starting with themselves
-
“This was the first time I felt like we weren’t just talking about trauma-informed
care—we were actually doing it.”
This workshop is part of Silver Linings’ ongoing commitment to supporting culture change across systems through psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and strengths-based leadership development.
New York State Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center Conference
Fall 2024
Workshop Series Title: Strengthening the Workforce Through Trauma-Informed Practice
Audience: Supervisors, human services professionals, peer supporters, administrators, and evaluators
Format: In-person Workshop Series
At the Fall 2024 NYS Trauma-Informed Network & Resource Center (TINRC) Annual Conference, Silver Linings International facilitated a series of dynamic and deeply resonant workshops focused on building resilience, leadership capacity, and psychologically safe organizational cultures.
Each session blended story, strategy, and strengths-based practice—equipping attendees with tools to lead and work in ways that honor the human experience behind the professional role.
Workshop 1: Trauma-Informed Supervision – Practical Strategies for Today’s Workforce
Facilitator: Debra Cady, LCSW
Supervisors are the heartbeat of organizational culture. This session offered concrete strategies to help them build trust, model emotional regulation, and lead with empathy—especially in high-pressure, trauma-exposed environments.
Workshop 2: The Weight We Carry – Building Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Practice
Facilitator: Debra Cady, LCSW
This interactive session created space for helping professionals to reflect on the emotional toll of their work—including moral distress, secondary trauma, and burnout. Attendees walked away with personalized resilience plans and renewed energy.
Workshop 3: Measuring What Matters – Using Psychological Safety Data to Drive Culture Change
Facilitator: Brandi Collins
Designed for evaluators, program administrators, and decision-makers, this workshop unpacked real psychological safety data gathered from human services teams across New York. Brandi guided participants through interpreting trends, identifying red flags, and turning insights into actionable strategies for culture transformation.
“The session really made me reflect on my program/agency’s evaluation practices.
Very thought-provoking!”
Media & Community Engagement
I am beyond grateful to the incredible Katie Kurtz, MSW LISW-S, for having
me on her podcast episode, “A Trauma-Informed Future”!
This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a heartfelt call to action for all of us to
reshape our workplaces and lives placing psychological safety at the core.
I had the honor of joining The Healing Hour Podcast with the amazing Sarah Fargo O'Brien, LCSW, bestselling author, and trauma-informed leader.
We explored the deep stuff: moral distress, emotional labor, and the prevalence of trauma in today’s workforce. We talked about how essential it is for leaders to recognize defense responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — and to lead with self-awareness, self-care, and peer support.
You’ll also hear how blending trauma-informed principles into Motivational Interviewing and supervisory training makes it more impactful, more human, and more relevant for today’s workplace. And it helps with mental wellness for all.
✨ And so much more...
🎙️ You don’t want to miss this important episode!
Trauma-Informed Care in Action:
Building Resilient Animal Care Teams
Debra’s presentation underscored the critical role of trauma-informed approaches in animal care workplaces, emphasizing that trauma impacts not only the animals served but also the professionals who care for them. She shared how recognizing signs of trauma and responding with empathy creates healthier, more supportive environments, while offering a practical framework to reduce burnout, strengthen communication, and build resilience in high-stress settings.
Her message aligned seamlessly with the Resiliency Summit’s mission of connection and renewal, reinforcing that when animal care professionals are supported in their own wellbeing, they are better equipped to deliver exceptional care and that compassionate, trauma-informed workplaces leave a lasting, positive impact on the field.
Ready to elevate your next event?
Book Debra as your keynote speaker or workshop facilitator.
Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and explore how she can inspire and empower your audience.