Speakers Page

Kym Laube is the Executive Director of Human Understanding Growth Services, Inc., HUGS, Inc., located in Westhampton Beach, NY. In this position she brings over 33 years of substance use prevention knowledge and expertise, leading the organization to provide a full array of multidimensional prevention services and recovery supports. Kym is a national trainer and speaker, working with notable leaders in prevention including CADCA.

Having participated in the HUGS, Inc. Teen Institute program in 1986 as a high school student, Kym understands firsthand, the profound impact, lifelong influence and workforce development the Teen Institute program provides to young people. From student leader to Executive Director in 2002, Kym’s mission has been to empower others to seek their full potential and become agents of change in the world. Kym offers dynamic, passionate and interactive keynotes, trainings and workshops for large and small groups with an uncanny ability to talk with and not at people.  Annually, Kym presents to over 25,000 individuals, young and old across our great country.

Kym’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of young people extends beyond her executive office and can be seen in the many leadership roles she holds. She is active on various local, state and national boards and task forces and served on the NYS Governor Opiate Task Force. Most notable is her personal recovery and commitment to push individuals to make the space better wherever they are. Her greatest joy is watching her two adult sons creating live a life of choice and forge their own course. She lives in Westhampton Beach with her husband, and way too many dogs.

Jordan Davidson serves as SAM’s Government Affairs Manager. When he was 17 years old, Jordan entered long-term addiction recovery after struggling with cannabis use disorder. Prior to joining SAM, Jordan worked in Connecticut politics at the state and federal levels. At SAM, Jordan manages federal policy on Capitol Hill. Jordan helped shepherd the passage of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, the first-ever marijuana reform bill signed into law. He also led successful efforts to defeat Congressional passage of the MORE, States Reform, Cannabis Administration and Opportunity, and SAFE Banking Acts. Since he joined SAM in 2019, Jordan has specialized in youth outreach and substance abuse prevention. He has been invited as a guest speaker by organizations and members of Congress across the country. Jordan has a BA in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

Rebecca Chiasson is the Chemistry Manager at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab which includes both seized drug analysis and forensic toxicology analysis. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Nicholls State University and a Master of Science from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has almost 20 years’ experience in forensics, specifically drug chemistry, toxicology and crime scene processing. In 2011, she was promoted to drug chemistry unit supervisor then chemistry manager in 2013. She has been qualified as an expert 20+ times in forensic drug chemistry in state and/or federal court. She has membership in the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the American Academy of Forensic Scientists, and the Louisiana Association of Forensic Scientists. She has been appointed to the State Epidemiology Workgroup, the Prevention Systems Committee, the Governor’s DWI-Vehicular homicide taskforce, the Governor’s Drug Policy Board, and Louisiana’s Impaired Drivers Emphasis Team. She co-chairs the Statewide and Capital Region’s Impaired Drivers Emphasis Teams. She assists in the identification, banning, and education of new synthetic drugs that are a public health hazard along with Louisiana Poison Center and DHH. She is also part of the team assembled for the Strategic Highway Safety Plan to identify the severity of drug impaired driving in Louisiana.

Ryan Hutton is a full-time law enforcement officer for the state of Missouri.  He created Extract-ED Training, which provides training to law enforcement, prosecutors, and civilian entities on various topics, including marijuana, drug trends, drug impairment, officer wellness, and leadership.  He has given presentations on drug impairment for the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, the Colorado District Attorneys Council, the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, the Florida Coalition for Highway Safety, and the National Life Savers Conference.  He is the lead Medical Marijuana instructor for the state of Missouri, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, University of Central Missouri, and Missouri Southern State University. He was awarded Officer of the Year in 2013 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Trooper of the Year in 2017, by the Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council.  

Molli Cook is the Founder and Executive Director of the National Assessment Center Association (NAC) where she provides support and coordination to Assessment Centers across the country. Since founding the NAC, Cook has assisted communities nationally and internationally in establishing or enhancing prevention, diversion, and early intervention initiatives through the Assessment Center Framework.  Prior to founding the NAC, she served as the Executive Director of the 18th Judicial Juvenile Assessment Center which provides prevention and early intervention support to at-risk youth in the largest judicial district in CO. Cook has experience, expertise, and passion for collaboration across sectors to address systemic issues impacting youth, families, and community. She is a fellow with the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policies Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Program. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.