Workshop Leaders
Barbara I. Cheives
President/CEO @Converge & Associates Consulting
Barbara Cheives is president of Converge & Associates Consulting, which specializes in race and ethnic relations support, community and civic engagement, and cultural competency training. She served as the first executive director of Towards A More Perfect Union, a non-profit initiative formed to address the critical impact of race and ethnicity in diverse communities. She also planned and executed engagement and dialogue projects with difficult to reach communities in Palm Beach County and statewide. A Native New Yorker who has lived in West Palm Beach for over 25 years, Barbara serves on the National Board of the Institute of Community Peace in Washington, DC, and is a past chair of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission.
Lauren Zuchman
Executive Director @BeWellPBC
Lauren is executive director for BeWellPBC and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, developing programs and working in mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and crisis management. She is a trainer for Wraparound and Motivational Interviewing and has provided clinical supervision and training for social services professionals. She has a passion for community organizing and works to increase behavioral health awareness, co-design with residents to address complex challenges, and promote opportunity for people to meet their full health potential. She is leading BeWellPBC to advance behavioral health and wellness for children and families countywide by focusing on shared stewardship, community solutions, and the workforce pipeline. Lauren co-facilitates the Organizing Against Racism Palm Beach County Alliance, serves on the Racial Equity Core Team for the Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures initiative, and supports building a just and equitable system of care.
Jeanette Marshall
Project Director @Palm Health Foundation
Jeanette received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and later a Master’s in Business Administration. She spent her career working on various social justice projects throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade concentrating in areas including HIV/AIDS, reentry, workforce development, and behavioral health. Outside of Healthier Neighbors, Jeanette volunteers with Organizing Against Racism- Palm Beach County, Coalition for Black Student Achievement, West Palm Beach Neighborhood Accountability Board, as well as Kids and Cops Dialogue to Change. Any time she can make time, Jeanette enjoys game nights, soaking in the South Florida sun and cooking a great healthy meal.
