The following includes brief bios for the speakers/presenters at the 2021 Who is Jay? Mental Health Symposium (alphabetical order):

Donald J. Baracskay II, MD, MBA, MSCIS

Don Baracskay is a psychiatrist who trained in the 1990s before adding Master’s Degrees in business administration and computer information systems.  He has worked clinically and administratively for 25 years in community behavioral health and some private hospital settings, doing everything from general psychiatric care to being the CEO of an organization.  As a hobby, he enjoys running and writing fiction books with dystopian themes.

Pete Earley, Bestselling Author & Mental Health Advocate

Pete Earley is best-known for his nonfiction book, CRAZY: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness, which was one of two finalists for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize.

His book chronicles his struggle to help his adult son after he develops a severe mental illness and is arrested. His son’s arrest prompted Earley to spend ten months inside the Miami Dade County jail as a reporter where he followed prisoners with mental disorders through the criminal justice system to see what actually happened to them. His book has won awards from the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, and prompted CNN to name him one of nation’s top “Mental Wellness Warriors.”

He currently serves as the parent member of the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Committee (ISMICC) created by Congress to advise it on federal mental health policy. He was invited by President Obama to speak at a White House summit about his son’s illness and recovery.

A former Washington Post reporter, Earley has appeared five times before the U.S. Congress to testify about the need for mental health reform, has spoken in 49 states and addressed legislators in four foreign countries. He serves on the board of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, which finances projects to eliminate homelessness. He writes regularly for USA TODAY and the Washington Post about mental health issues and also posts a weekly blog at www.peteearley.com that often is cited by the media.

In a Washingtonian Magazine cover story entitled, Top Journalists: Washington’s Media Elite, Pete Earley was described as one of a handful of journalists in America who “have the power to introduce new ideas and give them currency.” 

He is the author of eleven nonfiction books and ten novels, including five New York Times bestsellers.  His book Family of Spies: Inside the John Walker Spy Ring, was a five hour miniseries shown on CBS television. For his book, The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison, Earley spent a full year as a reporter inside a maximum-security prison. His book, Circumstantial Evidence, helped free an innocent man from Alabama’s death row and won the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Social Justice.

Scott Goyette, MBA

Scott Goyette is the former Chairperson for Educators for the National Speakers Association, Educational Podcast Host, Author, College Professor and Personal Development Coach. Through all of these roles, Scott inspires people all over the world by sharing memorable stories, impactful lessons and tools that empower you to become more mindful and deeply tuned in to your senses. He uses a unique blend of humor, contagious energy, and his passion for learning, which makes every presentation motivational and educational.

Being the Founder of the Go Love Now Movement, he practices what he preaches by loving himself enough to allow his cup to overflow, so he can always be in service to others. He believes that life can be so much more fulfilling when you find your purpose, love yourself unconditionally, and live in a state of constant gratitude.

Kevin Hines, Brain Health Advocate & Storyteller

Kevin Hines is an award-winning brain/mental health and suicide prevention activist, entrepreneur, multiple award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, international educator and speaker who reaches audiences with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (19 years of age), he attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only thirty-four to survive the fall, and the only one to regain full physical mobility. The fall would break his body, but not his spirit. Today, Kevin dedicates his life to saving lives and encouraging others to seek help and spread empathy by spreading the message of hope and sharing his story. He is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience. Kevin’s story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love the life we have.

For more information, visit www.KevinHinesStory.com

Mike Jorgensen, JD, LLM

Mr. Jorgensen is the managing partner of Senior Counsel, Attorneys at Law, PA. located in the historic Five Points area in Jacksonville, close to St. Vincent’s Hospital.

He was admitted to the Florida bar in 1987 and earned his masters degree (LL.M) in taxation from the University of Florida. Mr. Jorgensen started his career with Internal Revenue Service in 1986 and represented the IRS in both Tax Court and in the bankruptcy courts. After leaving the IRS, he entered private practice in 1990 and represented taxpayers before the IRS and helped businesses and individuals in commercial and tax matters. In 1997, he founded a legal clinic for the elderly in Jacksonville to teach students about elder law, property law and taxation. Today, after leaving teaching, Mr. Jorgensen represents clients in his private practice by assisting them with property matters, property transitions, asset protection, business entity choices and succession, guardianships, and probates, planning documents, i.e., durable powers of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, mental health directives, living trusts, last wills, special needs trusts, and other estate planning and transitional planning for asset positioning. He also assists clients with obtaining public benefits including Medicaid and possibly Veteran’s Aid and Attendance.

Mr. Jorgensen is very active in the legal and business community, including either serving or having served as an executive council member of the Florida Bar Tax Section, chairing the Jacksonville Bar’s Elder Law Section, and participating as a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Jorgensen is currently the Secretary for the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, and is scheduled to be the Chair in 2023. Mr. Jorgensen’s past positions have included such assignments as past-chair of the Tax, Bankruptcy and Elder Law Sections for the Jacksonville Bar Association.

Mr. Jorgensen is also active in the civic community and with non-profit groups such as serving or having served as a director and Secretary of the Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville, Inc., for Urban Jacksonville, Inc. (n/k/a Aging True), past- president of ElderSource in Action, past member of the Ethics Committee for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, and as a member of the board of Gateway Community Services.

Tina Levene, BA

Tina Miller-Levene is a National Speaker, Author of 5 books and has worked professionally over 22 years in Social Work, Education and Juvenile Justice. Her passion for children motivated her to become a Licensed Therapeutic Foster Care Parent.

Tina is the Founder and Executive Director of Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay, Inc. where she is opening the first Recovery High School in Tampa Bay for youth seeking recovery from addictions and depression. 

Tina has victory over childhood trauma,  rape, and domestic violence.  She celebrates 23 years substance free.

Her combination of education,  expertise and life experience equips her audiences with the tools they need to fulfill their dreams to live their best lives.

Tina’s Motto: “The truth is…there is hope!”