GENERAL SESSION - KEYNOTE
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM. Thursday, September 10, 2026
Ballroom
Holding Both Truths: Familismo, Collective Survival, and the Courage to Confront Harm -
Gena Castro Rodriguez , PhD
Familismo is one of the greatest strengths of Latino culture, rooted in love, loyalty, sacrifice, and collective survival. Yet the same values that sustain and protect our communities can, at times, make it difficult to confront abuse, violence, and harm within our own families and institutions.
This keynote explores how we can honor the strengths of familismo while finding the courage to break the silence, hold people accountable, and create safer, healthier communities for future generations.
Gena Castro Rodriguez, PsyD, LMFT San Francisco, CA
Dr. Gena Castro Rodriguez is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, educator, and nationally recognized thought leader with more than three decades of experience in victim advocacy, mental health, trauma-informed care, and community wellness. Rooted in her lifelong commitment to social justice and equity, her work has consistently centered the voices and needs of historically marginalized communities, particularly survivors of violence and individuals impacted by systemic inequities. Based in San Francisco, she has led the development of culturally responsive services, interdisciplinary interventions, and innovative models of care aimed at disrupting cycles of trauma and promoting healing and resilience.
Throughout her career, Dr. Castro Rodriguez has held numerous influential leadership positions. She served as Executive Director of the National Alliance for Trauma Recovery Centers at UCSF, where she amplified a national movement for survivor-centered care and policy change. As Chief of Victim Services for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and Director of the Survivor Center at the Prosecutors Alliance, she led groundbreaking initiatives to integrate trauma-informed, survivor-centered approaches into justice systems. Earlier, as Co-founder and Executive Director of the Youth Justice Institute, she helped build pathways to leadership and healing for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. In all her roles, she has prioritized equity, accountability, and culturally competent care.
Currently an Associate Professor in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program at the University of San Francisco, Dr. Castro Rodriguez teaches, mentors future clinicians, and advances research at the intersection of mental health, crime victimization, and social change. Her work with the university’s Center for Community Wellness has expanded mental health services and treatment across the Bay Area. A frequent speaker, advisor, and consultant to organizations nationwide, she continues to lead transformative efforts in trauma recovery, victim advocacy, and systems change—uplifting a vision of public health and public safety rooted in dignity, healing, and community strength.
GENERAL SESSION - KEYNOTE
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM. Friday, September 11, 2026
Ballroom
Faith in the Age of Uncertainty: Why We Build and Why We Lead -
Eddy F. Borrayo MSW
Eddy F. Borrayo MSW, CADC, CODP II
President / CEO Rincon Family Services, Chicago
Eddy Borrayo is certified as a substance abuse and dual diagnosis counselor by the Illinois Certification Board, Inc. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago, and graduate degree in Social Work from University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration.
Today, Eddy is an internationally acclaimed speaker and business consultant. His presentations on various topics encompass cultural competence, mental health, suicide and suicidal ideation, integrated treatment for substance abusers, working with the dually diagnosed client, and topics addressing community awareness and health disparities.
Eddy has been a presenter in local, national and international conferences, such as: Illinois Association of Agencies and Community Organizations for Migrant Advocacy (IAACOMA); the Latino Behavioral Health Conferences in Los Angeles and Napa, California and Seattle, Washington; and at the Inaugural International Migrant Summit in Morelia, Mexico (May, 2007). He has been highlighted in local print and television media addressing health disparities, and was a presenter on behavioral health for TV Azteca, an international Spanish-speaking news media company. Television appearances include programming efforts covering addiction and family disparities on Univision’s Sabado Gigante show.
Eddy has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the best they possibly can. In harmony with his ongoing professional efforts, he is a Program Surveyor with CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and travels nationally as part of an accreditation team to survey Opioid Maintenance Programs. In his previous position as Clinical Director and Vice President of Program Development and Consultation at Access Behavioral Services, Inc., he assisted behavioral health organizations with strategic planning, marketing, start-up initiatives, licensure and accreditation.
Throughout his career spanning 18 years in behavioral health and 13 years in management, Eddy has worked with several major non-profits and for-profits in staff and consultant roles. His experience includes administrative and clinical positions in a number of organizations that serve disfranchised and at risk populations.