Speaker Bios
Dr. Amie Bettencourt, PhD
Amie Bettencourt, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine with joint appointments in the Johns Hopkins Schools of Public Health and Nursing. Her work as a clinician, researcher, and trainer focuses on increasing access to pediatric mental health services through integrating evidence-based interventions into early care and education, school, and primary care settings. Dr. Bettencourt specializes in infant and early childhood mental health and development with a focus on the prevention and treatment of disruptive behavior problems. She has particular expertise in parenting interventions and is the Director of Training for the Chicago Parent Program. She is also the Director of Research and Evaluation for Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care which is an effort to expand mental health services access through workforce development of pediatric primary care providers, emergency medicine providers and behavioral health providers.
Kelly Goldberg, M.S., CCC-SLP
Kelly Goldberg, M.S., CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, early intervention specialist, and former in-home child care owner. She earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and has been a licensed SLP since 2009. Kelly has spent her career working with children from birth to age five in homes and child care settings focusing on supporting providers caring for children with special needs and teaching strategies for communication, feeding, early literacy, behavior, and more. Today, she combines her clinical expertise and childcare experience to create trainings for early educators that address real problems with practical solutions so providers feel more confident and better equipped to support every child in their care.
Shelby Hicken, M.Ed.
Shelby Hicken, M.Ed. holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona, a Master’s in Education from Loyola University Maryland, and an AMI Early Childhood Certification from the Washington Montessori Institute (WMI). With over 25 years of experience in Montessori education, she has supported children, educators, and school communities in both public and private school settings. As the Director of Community Engagement at Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Baltimore, Shelby collaborates with schools, childcare centers, and community organizations to promote the power of play. She helps create learning experiences grounded in the science of play, extending these opportunities beyond the museum to homes, schools, and neighborhoods. In her role as Assistant Director and Practicum Coordinator at the Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS), Shelby continues Dr. Montessori’s legacy by supporting teachers as they grow into Montessori Guides.
Dr. Amanda Holliday-Bembridge, PhD
Dr. Amanda Holliday-Bembridge PhD, IMH-E®, is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, speaker, and author who bridges early childhood development, music, mental health, and cultural perspective-taking. As the Founder and CEO of Doctor Teacher Mommy, LLC and creator of Baby Mombo™, she turns research into connection, growth, and joy for families, caregivers, and educators.
Her debut book, How Other People Do It: Different, Not Wrong – What Parenting Across Cultures Teaches Us About Love, Bias, and Belonging, is a reflective guide for early childhood professionals seeking to understand how cultural beliefs shape parenting and influence their work with families.
With more than 15 years of experience across teaching, curriculum design, coaching, and reflective supervision, Doc Holliday’s mission is to make complex research meaningful and accessible—empowering others to move, bond, and lead together!
Laura Hutton, M.S.
Laura Hutton, M.S. is an associate professor and coordinator of the Child Care Apprenticeship program at Harford Community College, bringing more than 30 years of experience working with children ages three and up. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education and has dedicated much of her career to supporting young learners with diverse needs. As a special educator, Laura has taught in public pre-K and kindergarten classrooms as well as non-public preschool programs for children with disabilities. As a foster and adoptive parent, she brings deep personal insight into the needs of children and families. Her work is driven by a passion for supporting children with trauma histories and helping educators create nurturing, inclusive environments where every child can thrive.
Jane Lichter
Jane Lichter holds a degree in Special Education and a Master’s in Curriculum and Supervision. She has earned Administrator I and II certifications, as well as a Superintendent Certification from the Maryland State Department of Education. Her professional experience includes roles in Baltimore County Public Schools as a special education teacher, school principal, coordinator for Early Childhood Programs and Elementary Language Arts, and executive director overseeing school principals. Currently, she serves on the Baltimore County Board of Education and works as a consultant with Port Discovery and Hudson Global.
Dr. Lynn M. Lubecki
Dr. Lynn M. Lubecki is an inspiration in the realm of Early Childhood Education. As a faculty member at Empire State University and a mentor, teacher, and researcher in the Education Department, she dedicates herself tirelessly to shaping the future of education with a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. As a part of an incredible team, her focus is on helping students access high-quality education experiences and in some cases, achieve initial certification in early childhood education.
Her leadership is not only defined by her dedication but also by her transformational approach. Dr. Lubecki’s passion for collaboration and connection drives her to focus on practices that create lasting systems change, particularly those that impact children disproportionately. Her strategic vision and motivational presence have earned her recognition as one of the first recipients of the Pyramid Model Consortium’s Champion Award, highlighting her exceptional work in fostering community connections around the critical importance of social and emotional competence in young children. Dr. Lubecki is a sought-after expert, speaker, panelist, and facilitator on the local, state, and national stage.
Dr. Lubecki is a recent recipient of Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence award, nominated for her work in her local community.
Savannah Matinez, LCSW-C
Savannah Martinez, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and infant and early childhood mental health specialist practicing in Western Maryland. In her undergraduate studies, she was known for the phrase, “Children are neither good nor bad, they are learning,” setting the tone for her professional work since.
In May 2025, Savannah began her current role as a HealthySteps Specialist at the Children’s Doctor, Hagerstown, Maryland’s oldest and largest pediatric practice. Supported by Johns Hopkins University’s High Five for Prenatal to Five Team, Savannah empowers caregivers with young children to confidently respond to their family’s needs and challenges while fostering positive relationships and resilience.
Savannah’s role as a HealthySteps Specialist highlights her expertise in infant and early childhood development and mental health through her services provided to families such as behavior consults and psychoeducation with caregivers and pediatric primary care providers, care navigation, and brief interventions tailored to meet families’ goals.