Beyond the Diagnosis: Shifting the Narrative from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to Post Traumatic Growth & Resilience
About the Panel:
In a powerful moderated Q&A-style panel discussion, Veterans, clinicians, and caregivers come together to share lived experiences, cutting-edge practices, and hopeful insights into post-traumatic growth. You’ll hear honest conversations about healing, connection, and purpose—and how shifting the narrative around PTSD can empower individuals and communities to move beyond the stigma of disorder and become a catalyst for hope, healing, and growth.
What you’ll learn:
- A deeper understanding of post-traumatic growth and resilience
- Insights from veterans and experts leading change in mental health care
- Hopeful, human-centered perspectives that move beyond stigma and diagnosis
Our Panel of Subject Matter Experts
Kayla Williams
Author, Advocate, and Veteran
Author, veteran, and advocate Kayla M. Williams has built a career at the intersection of service, policy, and storytelling. After five years as an Arabic linguist with the 101st Airborne Division, she brought her lived experience to leadership roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs, RAND, and the Center for a New American Security. Her memoirs, Love My Rifle More Than You and Plenty of Time When We Get Home, offer an unflinching look at military life and the journey home. A cum laude graduate of Bowling Green State University with an MA from American University, Kayla’s contributions have earned her national recognition, including honors from the White House and Student Veterans of America.
Carie Rodgers, Ph.D., ABPP
Executive Consultant and Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Carie Rodgers is a nationally recognized expert in behavioral health and PTSD treatment, with nearly two decades of federal service and academic leadership. She currently advises PsychArmor, A-G Associates, and the University of San Diego Telehealth Clinic, supporting veteran mental health. Board certified in Clinical Psychology, she also contributes to national efforts through the Headstrong Project, Strength in Service, and San Diego’s Gun Violence Reduction Council.
Chris Gonzalez
President & Co-Founder, A-G Associates and Veteran
Chris Gonzalez is a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in military service, education, and government consulting. He has led national efforts in behavioral health and suicide prevention, including work on the 988 and Veteran Crisis Lines. An award-winning speaker and advocate, Chris also served as Associate Producer of Bastards’ Road and supports several veteran-focused organizations through board service.
Chris Jachimiec
Senior Consultant and Veteran
Chris Jachimiec is a U.S. Air Force veteran, consultant, and advocate focused on mental health, addiction recovery, suicide prevention, and responsible gun ownership. Drawing from personal experience and a background in AI strategy, leadership, and policy, he helps organizations drive meaningful change. His work honors the legacy of his brother, LCpl Adam Jachimiec, USMC.
Panel Moderator
Sidra Montgomery, Ph.D.
Principal Researcher, A-G Associates
Dr. Sidra Montgomery is a Principal Researcher at A-G Associates with over a decade of experience leading policy-relevant research focused on military personnel, veterans, and their families. Her work has influenced policy at the DoD and Service levels and has been featured by national outlets like NPR. Before joining A-G, she held research roles at Insight Policy Research, the VA, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the University of Maryland, where she earned her Ph.D. in sociology.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Together, we can change the narrative for meaningful change.
Reach out to info@a-gassociates.com to discuss partnership opportunities, and follow, comment, and share on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going!
