Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference
AUGUST 24-27, 2025
Hilton Minneapolis | Minneapolis, MN
#EMWB2025
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We’re looking forward to seeing you in Minneapolis! Registration is open!
In a few short days, the American Public Human Services Association is headed to Minneapolis for the 2025 Economic Mobility and Well-Being Conference (EMWB)! We are excited to host EMWB at the Hilton Minneapolis; see you there!
Why Attend
Attending the 2025 APHSA Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference provides invaluable knowledge to attendees and their organizations. The EMWB conference is jointly hosted by three APHSA affinity groups: American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD), National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement (NAPIPM), and National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA). The event brings together those committed to providing and improving human services programs. Attendees can network with others in the human services sector, connect with our wide range of Strategic Industry Partners, and have unparalleled access to learnings over three days of small groups and sessions.
The EMWB annual conference brings together those committed to providing and improving human services programs. It is designed to assist human services leaders, policymakers, and researchers in shaping the future of human services programs through collaboration, integration, and modernization. The conference also provides guidance on how best to monitor quality control and performance management. By bringing policy, practice, research, and a wide array of programs together, we aim to advance our collective goal of assisting all in achieving economic mobility and well-being.
2024 EMWB Attendees by Sector
Justification for Travel Request
The letter outlines the necessity of the proposed travel to attend the 2025 Economic Mobility & Well-Being (EMWB) Conference, emphasizing how it will contribute to your team’s goals and foster valuable connections. It also details the expected benefits, ensuring alignment with your agency’s overall strategy and return on investment.
Agenda
The 2025 Agenda-At-A-Glance (AAAG), providing an overview of this year’s sessions and speakers, is now available for download. For full agenda details, including session summaries and speaker info, view the Online Agenda.
(Version 11. Latest update, August 8, 2025.)
Speakers & Session Highlights
For full agenda and detailed speaker biography information, please view the online agenda above.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 24
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | GENERAL SESSION
Welcome to Minnesota
Reggie Bicha
President and CEO
American Public Human Services Association
Tikki Brown
Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
The Promise of Possibility: Building Pathways to Prosperity Through Community and Social Impact
Dr. Shaneen Moore
Assistant Commissioner of Family Well-Being Administration
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Leticia Diamond
Founder and Survivor Advocate
Diamond Life Solutions, LLC
Teresa Nord
Training and Technical Assistance Specialist
Tribal Youth Resource Center
Jessica Rose
Lived-Experience Engagement Coordinator
West Central Continuum of Care
This session will feature three Minnesota panelists with powerful lived experiences who will share their personal journeys toward economic mobility. We’ll spotlight how aligned programs and systems have been instrumental in their success, setting the stage for a compelling conversation. Attendees will gain valuable insights into these impactful initiatives and learn how communities across the country can replicate these efforts to build pathways to prosperity for more families.
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM | NETWORKING RECEPTION
Featuring Heart & Soul Drum Academy
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | OPENING GENERAL SESSION
Opening & NAPIPM Impact Award for Excellence in Human Services
Reggie Bicha
President and CEO
American Public Human Services Association
Rebecca Askins
Quality Control Director, Division of Economic Assistance
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Own Your Moment: Rock the Power of Connection, Collaboration, and Commitment
Brant Menswar
Speaker, Author, and Musician
Black Sheep Foundry
In this electrifying keynote, best-selling author and former rock star Brant Menswar blends live music, audience participation, and strategies from his book Designing Momentum, to show how to:
- Anchor decisions in your non-negotiable values.
- Turn uncertainty into opportunity.
- Transform passive team members into proactive moment-owners.
- Measure and sustain momentum with the “KPI of Hope.”
It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment – it’s about creating it. When you own your moment, you ignite connection, collaboration, and results that matter.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | GENERAL SESSION
NASTA Impact Award for Excellence in Human Services
Alecia Eubanks
Assistant Division Director, Family Development
New Jersey Department of Human Services
Economic Mobility Reimagined: Aligning Workforce Programs for Family Success
Letitia Passarella
Research Director
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Leah Bacon
Director, Investment Advocacy
Center for Employment Opportunities
Lisa Lee
Commissioner
Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services
Ashley Snyder
SNAP E&T Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Betsy Suver
Deputy Director, Office of Family Assistance
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
State Human Service Agency leaders seek to design employment and training programs that collectively offer a coordinated continuum of services and supports to individuals seeking economic mobility; yet, differing program rules, performance indicators, and work requirements make cross-program alignment challenging. This plenary session will explore how program leaders in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T), TANF, child support, WIOA, and Medicaid are working collaboratively to increase workforce policy alignment across state workforce programs and other partners. Additionally, the discussion will explore how states are addressing families’ need for high-quality jobs to achieve economic mobility. We hope attendees leave with a clear understanding about why and how employment and training programs benefit parents and children and examples of state alignment practices that show promise.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
9:45 AM – 11:30 AM | CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
Closing & AASD Impact Award for Excellence in Human Services
Olivia Cosby
Associate Commissioner, Policy and Quality
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Linda Schroeder
Program Administrator, Benefits Support
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Advancing Nutrition and Health through SNAP and Human Services Programs
Tikki Brown
Commissioner
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Erin Drinnin
Director, Division of Community Access and Human Services
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Alyssa Moran
Director of Policy and Research Strategy
Penn Center for Food Nutrition Policy, University of Pennsylvania
Craig Rice
Chief Executive Officer of Manna Food Center
Chloe Green
Manager, Food and Nutrition Services
American Public Human Services Association
This plenary panel will explore how SNAP programs and the larger human services system are working to improve nutrition and health outcomes, particularly for communities facing structural barriers to access. Featuring perspectives from state agencies, researchers, and community partners, the session will spotlight strategies such as healthy SNAP waivers, nutrition incentive programs, public-private partnerships, and policy innovations that bridge public health and human services. Panelists will reflect on what it takes to design accessible, supportive, and evidence-driven solutions and will share practical insights on outcomes and improving coordinated efforts.
Closing Remarks
Sheila Poole
Vice President, Membership and Policy
American Public Human Services Association
To view the full agenda and detailed speaker biography information, click below.
Hotel & Travel
The host hotel for the Economic Mobility & Well-Being Conference is the Hilton Minneapolis, which is in the heart of the city. The hotel is only a few miles from some of the city’s landmarks—the Walker Art Center, Cowles Conservatory, and the Chain of Lakes are all within a short distance of the hotel. The hotel features an indoor pool, a fitness center, and on-site dining options.
NOTE: APHSA experiences sold-out hotel block reservations for our events. We encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible!
Hyatt Place – 2025 Overflow Hotel
Hotel Block & Rates
APHSA has negotiated an overflow block at the Hyatt Place Minneapolis Downtown, an all-suite hotel, which is a short 10-minute walk to the conference hotel.
Please use the secure links below to book your hotel rooms before Friday, August 22, 2025, to secure the negotiated rates.
Run of House Rates:
$119 per night plus applicable taxes
Hilton Minneapolis – 2025 Host Hotel
Hotel Block & Rates
Please use the secure links below to book your hotel rooms before Friday, August 8, 2025, to secure the negotiated rates.
THIS HOTEL BLOCK IS SOLD OUT.
There are some single nights available, no through stays.
Run of House Rates:
$209, plus applicable 15.025% state and local taxes.
Government Per Diem Rates:
$148, plus applicable 15.025% state and local taxes.
Additional Information
Use of Debit Cards
When an individual uses a bank debit card to pay for their hotel room, the hotel may secure all funds for the entire reservation at check-in, plus a small daily fee for incidentals.
Cancellation Policy
You are responsible for canceling your hotel reservation. It must occur 72 hours before arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax penalty charge.
Need Assistance?
If you have questions about the house and meeting arrangements, please contact:
Donna Jarvis-Miller, CMP, CEM, Director, Membership and Events.
ALERT: Beware of Housing Pirates
- Beware of housing pirates trying to represent that they have rooms available. APHSA does not have contracts with outside firms to book housing for any of our events. Always book directly from the event site to ensure you are securing a room within the APHSA-negotiated hotel.
Travel & Transportation Information
The nearest airport is Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP) is 12 miles from our host hotel, the Hilton Minneapolis. The Meet Minneapolis website provides a wealth of information about our host city. Visit Metro Transit for train schedules.
NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.
Arrive by Car
Self-parking: $30 per day
Valet parking: $49
EV charging: Nearby, 240 feet
Arrive by Taxi or Rideshare Services
Estimated taxi fares:
From MSP airport, between $37-$70
Estimated rideshare rates:
$42-$90 Uber; $32-$45 for Lyft
Arrive by Metro Transit
Plan your light rail travel with Metro Transit service.
Registration Now Open
To register, you must sign in using the email associated with your APHSA profile. If you do not have a profile, you must create one. Contact our Member Services team if you have questions about your registration profile.
If you have other questions about registration, please direct those requests to our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis.
Please make a note:
- Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization is responsible for paying the registration fees. Any unpaid registration fees must be paid before arrival at the conference unless a valid purchase order is on file to guarantee payment. If your agency is paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.
2025 Registration Fees
Below are this year’s registration fees, payment information, and cancellation policies. Register before Wednesday, August 13, to take advantage of the early bird savings!
| 2025 Registration Fees | Before August 13 | After August 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Government Member: Full Conference | $815.00 | $870.00 |
| Government Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $915.00 | $970.00 |
| Government Non-Member: Full Conference | $880.00 | $930.00 |
| Government Non-Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE) | $980.00 | $1,030.00 |
| Private Sector Member: Full Conference | $1,095.00 | $1,150.00 |
| Private Sector Non-Member: Full Conference | $1,240.00 | $1,340.00 |
| One Day: Sunday | $550.00 | $590.00 |
| One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $650.00 | $690.00 |
| One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day | $750.00 | $790.00 |
| Students: Full Conference | $200.00 | $250.00 |
| Guests (receptions and meals only) | $335.00 | $390.00 |
| 2025 Sponsor Registration Fees | Before August 13 | After August 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor Personnel Registrations | $700.00 | $995.00 |
Additional Information
During registration, you must provide a cell phone number and email address. The event team will use your phone number to send event updates via push notifications. This number will not be shared with any other parties.
Group Discount: 4+ Participants
Bring your team of four or more and receive a $25 discount per registration!
To obtain the registration discount code and detailed information, please use EMWB25 as the discount code. Note: Discounts do not apply to additional sponsor personnel passes, as the price of additional sponsor passes has already been reduced.
Payment Information
All registration fees must be paid at the time of registration with a credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) or an accompanying Purchase Order number on file with APHSA before the start of the conference. If you are paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.
Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization will be responsible for paying the registration fees.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be received in writing by Monday, August 4, 2025. No refunds will be available after this date. We will not accept cancellation requests by telephone. A $150 cancellation fee for pre-paid registrations and those invoiced on a purchase order will be assessed. All refunds are processed after the conference. Registration fees for attendees who do not show will not be waived or refunded. Please note that your agency is responsible for paying any fees, even if you don’t attend the conference. You are responsible for canceling your registration and any hotel reservation in accordance with the cancellation policy.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Email our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis. Please allow 24 hours for a response during business days, Monday–Friday. Emails received on Saturday or Sunday will be responded to by the end of the day the following business day.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
APHSA conferences are underwritten in part by Strategic Industry Partners.
2025 All-Conference Sponsors
CHAMPION
COLLABORATOR
BENEFACTOR
2025 EMWB Sponsors
INFLUENCE
BUILD
CONNECT
TABLETOP
Beam
Data Builders, Inc.
Diona
Exemplar Human Services
Geographic Solutions
Horne
MEF Associates
ServiceNow