Monty Burks

Dr. Burks serves as Director of the Center for Faith at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he leads national efforts to strengthen partnerships between government, faith-based organizations, and community leaders to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across America.

Before joining HHS, Dr. Burks served as Deputy Director of the Tennessee Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative and previously as Director of Faith-Based Initiatives for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for building innovative collaborations that unite government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith communities to address addiction recovery, mental health, reentry, disaster response, foster care, and community resilience.

A nationally recognized speaker, strategist, and advocate for second chances, Dr. Burks brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work. Having overcome addiction, incarceration, and significant personal adversity, he has dedicated his life to helping others discover purpose, restoration, and hope. His testimony has become a powerful example of redemption in action and informs his leadership at every level.

Dr. Burks holds a Doctor of Theology, a master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration, and a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration with minors in Sociology and Psychology. He has also served as an adjunct professor of criminal justice and remains committed to developing future leaders through mentorship and education.

Outside of public service, Dr. Burks is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, former professional mixed martial arts champion, author, and thought leader on faith, leadership, recovery, and human flourishing. His work continues to demonstrate that lasting transformation occurs when faith, public service, and community partnerships come together to create pathways of hope and opportunity.

Stacee Read, MSW, LSW, is a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of experience across child welfare, mental health, and prevention, treatment, and recovery systems. Her work focuses on strengthening responses to familial substance use and reducing addiction's impact on children, families, and communities. As Director of the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA), she collaborates with Tribes, communities, faith leaders, and cross-cultural partners to build multidisciplinary systems of care through training, program development, and policy guidance that advance evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices. She leads NACoA's Faith Leaders Institute on Substance Use in Families, which equips faith leaders, faith-based organizations, and communities to recognize and respond to children and families impacted by addiction.

A sought-after speaker, Stacee has trained thousands of professionals on addiction and recovery, trauma-informed strategies, early intervention, and cross-sector collaboration, with a particular passion for equipping and lifting up the child welfare workforce.

She is also the founder of Bison Strong, LLC, a training and coaching practice rooted in strength, hope, resilience, and cultural wisdom. Stacee holds an MSW from the University of Illinois and a BA in Psychology from the University of Iowa, and is committed to sustainable solutions that uplift children, families, and Tribal nations.

Rev. Dr. Belay D. Reddick is the Executive Director at the Everyday Solace Foundation, where he spearheads initiatives at the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system. With nearly two decades of lived experience, he is dedicated to transforming care paradigms, reducing recidivism, and improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals.