Annual Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference 2025
Eat Well, Move Well, Live Well
Thursday, June 5, 2025
to
Delaware State University
The Division of Public Health, Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Prevention (PANO) program presents the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles (AHL) Conference 2025: Eat Well, Move Well, Live Well, on June 5, 2025, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Delaware State University Martin Luther King Jr. Conference Center.
The conference provides a platform for cross sectional sharing on national, regional, and local best practices, challenges, opportunities, and success stories. With a focus on improving health equity, the ultimate goal of the conference is to strengthen efforts to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases amongst Delawareans. This invitational event includes government legislative and administrative policy makers in public health, nonprofit advocates of health and wellness, educators, medical care givers and policy experts, and academic and medical researchers who are interested or engaged in health disparities, nutrition, chronic illness and obesity prevention. It will further serve as an opportunity to close gaps in health inequities, assess progress, and further strengthen the work of community stakeholders.
2024 Conference Highlights Video
Application Forms
Want to participate in this year's conference? We're taking applications for poster presenters and vendors. Complete an application and submit It to devona@goeinswilliams.com.
Vendor ApplicationPoster ApplicationSpeakers
Keynote Speaker
Obi Obadike
Founder & CEO
Ethical, Inc.
Obi Obadike, M.S., is a three-time Telly Award-winning TV host and the co-author of The Cut: Lose Up to 10 Pounds in 10 Days and Sculpt Your Best Body. The book made him and his co-author, A-Lister Actor Morris Chestnut, #1 best-selling authors. The book was a #1 best seller in the diet and exercise genre on Amazon. And a #12 best seller in all books in all genres on Amazon.
Obadike has trained Chestnut and other celebrity clients such as Steve Harvey, Stephen A. Smith, Charlie Ebersol, to name a few. He is known by major celebrities as the “go-to guy” in the fitness industry to get in great shape for a movie or big entertainment event.
Obadike holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Phoenix (Phoenix, Arizona), as well as nutrition specialist and fitness trainer certifications from ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association). He also sits on ISSA's fitness certification board. He was a top Division I collegiate track athlete at Cal State Fullerton, where he was the school record-holder in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter relays. He also held Big West Conference honors in the 100 and 200 meters two years in a row and received co-athlete of the year honors at Cal State Fullerton.
In 2014, he was recognized as the sixth most influential fitness expert on the web on Dr. Oz's site. In 2019, he was also recognized as one of the most influential fitness and health experts by IndustryWired magazine. He had one of the most popular fitness/health columns in the history of Bodybuilding.com off and on for 10 years. Bodybuilding.com is the largest fitness internet site in the world. Obi was named 2012 Bodybuilding.com Writer of the Year.
In 2016 he was recognized as the #1 influencer on fitness and health on twitter by Onalytica data metrics.
Along with being a celebrity trainer and best-selling author, Obadike's media pursuits have been far-reaching. He has co-hosted a nationally syndicated health TV show Lifestyle Magazine (2014- 2021), the reality- entrepreneur competition series Sweat Inc. with The Biggest Loser’s Jillian Michaels and the founder of TRX, Randy Hetrick, on Spike TV (2015). He also had a permanent fitness expert role on NBC’S The Today Show in 2017 for a Summer Shape Up Series for 2 months.
Obadike was also a regular health and wellness correspondent on the Steve Harvey national syndicated morning radio show in 2017. He has authored hundreds of health and wellness articles for print and web globally, graced more than fifty fitness magazine covers, and appeared on most of the major national daytime talk shows. He is considered one of the most published health and wellness experts over the last 15 years.
Obi has been a featured guest on The Wendy Williams Show, The Dr. Oz Show, Rachael Ray Show, and The Steve Harvey Show. He also was a featured fitness expert on NBC’s Today Show for two months in 2017 for a weight-loss series with their resident nutritionist, Joy Bauer.
Obadike was on the ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) fitness certification board for several years. In 2019 he was awarded the ISSA/DEAC Famous Alumni Award for his contributions in the fitness industry.
Obadike is the majority owner of a health and wellness supplement company called Ethical Inc which he owns with Actor Morris Chestnut. On January of 2023 they inked a major national retail outlet deal with Best Buy. And their supplement products are currently being sold on Best Buy nationally on their online platforms.
In January of 2023 he was inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who in America 2023 edition. Marquis chronicles the lives of the most notable and accomplished Americans in the U.S. A one-page bio and picture of him will be published in their 2023 edition book which will be published in the Library of Congress and major libraries and universities across the country.
He works with the American Heart Association regularly on some of their health and wellness initiatives. He has over 600,000 social media followers on all of his social media platforms.
Poster Presenters
Agenda
8:00 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lauren Butscher, CHES, Program Administrator, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention, Division of Public Health (DPH), Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Steven Blessing, MA, Director, Division of Public Health, DHSS
9:05 a.m.
Remarks and Introduction of Lt. Governor
The Honorable Matt Meyer, Governor, State of Delaware
9:10 a.m.
Lt. Governor’s Remarks
The Honorable Kyle Evans Gay, Lieutenant Governor, State of Delaware
9:15 a.m.
Remarks
Tony Allen, PhD, President, Delaware State University
9:25 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels
- Eat Well: Addressing Food Insecurity to Foster Healthy Eating Habits
This session focuses on strategies and methods used by organizations to provide access, education, and support to encourage different audiences to adopt healthier eating habits.
Moderator: Cherese Winsted, PhD
Dean College of Agriculture, Science and Technology
Delaware State UniversityRob Gurnee
Executive Director
Lutheran Community Services
Michelle L. Axe, MS, CHES
Manager, Food & Social Care Initiatives
ChristianaCare
Tony E. Windsor
Manager, Grants Development and Statewide Food Program Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware
Christine Justice
Director, Mini Farm
Boys & Girls Clubs of DelawareRose Lande Simon
Executive Director
Love and Hope Rescue Mission - Move Well: Strategies to Promote Active Communities
This session focuses on evidence-based and innovative practices that organizations have implemented to provide greater opportunities for Delaware residents to increase their physical activity.
Moderator: Peter Campbell
Healthy Living Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
YMCA of Delaware
Louise Doe
Director of Young Athletes and Healthy Communities
Special Olympics
Andrea Valentine
Founder
Delaware Youth Sports Coalition
Hannah Ciolek, MPH
Executive Director
Mid-County Center, Inc - Live Well: Approaches to Promoting and Improving Healthy Lifestyles
This session focuses on innovative best practices to motivate individuals and encourage changes in nutrition and physical activities to reduce obesity, as well as management or prevention of chronic disease.
Moderator: Nick Moriello, RHU
President
Highmark Blue Cross Blue ShieldDavid Edgell, AICP
Director
Delaware Office of State PlanningPeggy Geisler
Chief Executive Officer
Sussex County Health CoalitionAlvin Tamba
Graduate Student
University of Delaware
Teri Bell
Undergraduate student
Delaware State University
- Eat Well: Addressing Food Insecurity to Foster Healthy Eating Habits
10:40 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Session Discussion Panels
- Eat Well: Addressing Food Insecurity to Foster Healthy Eating Habits
This session focuses on strategies and methods used by organizations to provide access, education, and support to encourage different audiences to adopt healthier eating habits.
Moderator: Cherese Winsted, PhD
Dean College of Agriculture, Science and Technology
Delaware State UniversityRob Gurnee
Executive Director
Lutheran Community Services
Michelle L. Axe, MS, CHES
Manager, Food & Social Care Initiatives
ChristianaCare
Tony E. Windsor
Manager, Grants Development and Statewide Food Program Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware
Christine Justice
Director, Mini Farm
Boys & Girls Clubs of DelawareRose Lande Simon
Executive Director
Love and Hope Rescue Mission - Move Well: Strategies to Promote Active Communities
This session focuses on evidence-based and innovative practices that organizations have implemented to provide greater opportunities for Delaware residents to increase their physical activity.
Moderator: Peter Campbell
Healthy Living Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
YMCA of Delaware
Louise Doe
Director of Young Athletes and Healthy Communities
Special Olympics
Andrea Valentine
Founder
Delaware Youth Sports Coalition
Hannah Ciolek, MPH
Executive Director
Mid-County Center, Inc - Live Well: Approaches to Promoting and Improving Healthy Lifestyles
This session focuses on innovative best practices to motivate individuals and encourage changes in nutrition and physical activities to reduce obesity, as well as management or prevention of chronic disease.
Moderator: Nick Moriello, RHU
President
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Co-Moderator: Lyra R. Gibbs-Lloyd, MSN, MBA, RN, CCMP
Nurse Consultant - Cancer Prevention & Control Bureau
Division of Public Health, DHSSDavid Edgell, AICP
Director
Delaware Office of State PlanningPeggy Geisler
Chief Executive Officer
Sussex County Health CoalitionAlvin Tamba
Graduate Student
University of Delaware
Teri Bell
Undergraduate student
Delaware State University
- Eat Well: Addressing Food Insecurity to Foster Healthy Eating Habits
12:00 p.m.
Luncheon
12:15 p.m.
Remarks and Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Helen Arthur, MHA, Chief, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Division of Public Health
12:20 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
Obi Obadike
1:20 p.m.
Break
Visit Information Resource Tables and Poster Sessions
1:45 p.m.
What’s Next?
Conversations with National and Local Leaders
This panel discussion features national, regional, and local leaders who will discuss the evolving landscape of initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Panelists will share insights, highlight innovative strategies, and outline actionable next steps to inspire meaningful, lasting change.
Moderator: Lisa Gruss, MS, MBA
External Affairs and Development Officer
Medical Society of Delaware
Michelle Eichinger, MS, PhD
Owner
Planning4Health Solutions
Nikko Brady
Deputy Chief of Staff
Climate, Food Systems & Planning
Office of Governor Matthew Meyer
Mike Tholstrup, AICP
Planning Manager
Delaware State Parks
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control2:45 p.m.
Door Prizes and Closing Remarks
Lauren Butscher, CHES, Program Administrator, Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention, DPH, DHSS
Tanya Haley, MS, CHES, CHWC, Specialist, Health Promotions,
American Lung Association2:55 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Devona E. G. Williams, MPA, PhD, President/CEO, Goeins-Williams Associates, Inc. (conference facilitator)
3:00 p.m.
Adjourn to Networking Reception and Poster Session
4:00 p.m.
Networking Reception Ends
Sponsors/Partners
Thank you to our sponsors! Sponsorship helps keep the conference free for attendees. Want to become a partner in our work? Sponsorship opportunities are available from $500 to $15,000 or more. Fill out an application below.
Online Sponsorship Application
