Conference Schedule

Ivy Watts, a former All-American student-athlete and Top 30 finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, knows firsthand the toll that stress, self-doubt, and burnout can take. Despite academic and athletic success, she silently battled anxiety and depression until she sought help and rebuilt her confidence.

Now, as a Mental Health Speaker, Author and Somatic Coach, Ivy empowers others to prioritize self-care and rise into their best selves. Through her keynotes, workshops, and self-help book, You Are Worth Fighting For, she has impacted over 200,000 individuals, from students to corporate professionals, equipping them with the tools to manage stress, cultivate self-love, and thrive.

Ivy has her bachelors in Psychology from University of New Haven, her Masters in Public Health from Boston University and is certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Allie works as a professional track athlete currently sponsored by Brooks Running specializing in the 5000m. She placed 5th at the 2021 Olympic Trials 5k and was a member of the 2023 World XC Team representing Team USA in Bathurst, Australia.

An alumnus of Furman University with undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Studio Art. Graduated from Clemson University MBA Program in December 2021.

As Director of Development with the King County Play Equity Coalition (KCPEC), Tanishia leads strategic partnerships and resource development that advance play and sports equity for youth across King County. Tanishia works alongside schools, nonprofits, and community leaders to tear down the barriers that keep kids, especially those from historically underserved communities, on the sidelines.

Her path wasn't conventional. As a professional tackle football player and captain of the Seattle Majestics, Tanishia learned firsthand what sport can do for a kid who gets the chance. That experience shaped everything: the discipline, the resilience, the deep belief that every young person deserves to grow, compete, and thrive through play.

Now she channels all of that into building the partnerships and resources that make equitable access real, not just a vision, but a reality for kids across King County.

Neeku Purcell, born and raised in Seattle Washington, is a goalkeeper for Seattle Reign FC. Prior to that, she played for the Reign Academy and at UCLA. When she’s not on the field she enjoys making pottery, hiking, and sailing.

An educator and a strength coach, Ashley co-founded Club Seattle Runners Division (CSRD), sits on the board of Girls on the Run Puget Sound, and is leading a project to help support Black runners in achieving a sub-3 marathon.

Meng is a Registered Dietitian experienced in working with disordered eating and eating disorders. She is passionate about supporting athletes who have concerns with food and body image. In this presentation, Meng will highlight nutrition basics and fueling for sports from a non-diet perspective.

Through her private practice, Strive Performance, Katie works with athletes and teams of all levels to build the mental skills needed to thrive in sport and life. A Certified Mental Performance Consultant, former three-sport varsity athlete, and daughter of a lifelong high school coach, Katie is a firm believer in the positive power of healthy competitive environments for the development of hard-working, curious, collaborative, and resilient young people. In her free time, Katie loves singing karaoke, waterskiing, puzzling, hanging out with her niece and nephews, and eating all combinations of carbs and cheese.

Dr. Morgan Smith is a sport scientist who spends her days helping athletes train, recover, and perform at their best. She has worked with everyone from youth athletes to national team players and loves helping girls and women better understand their bodies, build confidence, and create a positive relationship with sport.

Dr. Quitiquit is board certified in Pediatrics and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. She grew up in the south king county area and then attended Gonzaga University on a basketball scholarship. She coached high school basketball and club volleyball in the region. She attended medical school at the University of Washington and completed her pediatric residency at University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital, and served as Chief resident. She completed fellowships in primary care sports medicine and medical education at University of California of Los Angeles.

Her educational interests include injury prevention and community advocacy. She enjoys meeting with learners to discuss personal and professional development. Spending her life on the West Coast, she loves being by the water, spending time outdoors with her husband, three young children and extended family.

Polo’s work centers on promoting skills and strategies to support the experience of resilience. He has worked with Division I coaches, Division I national champions, teachers, educators and leaders of various spaces.

Dr. DeCano’s experience includes facilitating workshops, consulting, mentoring, teaching, public speaking, counseling, coaching, and fostering positive experiences and resilience-skill development in virtually any manner I can. He has developed a framework for experiencing resilience as well as an approach to self-care that can serve as a roadmap to cultivating the optimal performance of each person in various settings.