NAA's Mental Health First Aid Instructors: Instructor Info

Kendra Butterfield, CAPS, CAM, CALP, ARM, is Vice President of Elevation Real Estate and Management based in Arkansas.  Previously, Butterfield worked for Specialized Real Estate Group, Brookhaven Apartments, and Triangle Communities.  She contributes 21 years of experience with overall operations of multifamily, single-family, and commercial real estate property management and development.  Butterfield is a graduate of Everest University-South Orlando.  She serves as Chair of NAA’s Mental Health Subcommittee and is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor.

I wanted to become a Mental Health First Aid instructor to help others in our industry by providing training and resources. Not only did I see the potential to help Human Resource departments but on-site teams as well. These team members work closely with people where they live and see them on their best and worst days. We offer CPR (First Aid) courses to our teams, and I hope more companies also see the value in providing First Aid for the mind.

Tiffany Cather is Operations Administrator for Kartchner Property Management, with 5 years’ experience working in rental housing. She is a member of NAA, the Utah Rental Housing Association (URHA), and is a Mental Health First Aid instructor. Cather works developing operational processes and personnel programs for on-site property management teams. She holds a BA from Brigham Young University – Idaho. Cather is based in Logan, Utah and is willing to travel throughout the United States for instructional opportunities.

Cerbana joined Washington Multi-Family Housing Association (WMFHA) in January of 2008. She spent the first 14 years building WMFHA's award winning education and career development programs. Named the Apartment Career & Education (ACE) Educator of the Year by NAA in 2022, Cerbana has led WMFHA's efforts in workforce development initiatives and meaningful, engaging programs for WMFHA members. Being committed to growth and personal development is not just something Cerbana teaches -- it is who she is.  She holds a certificate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from Southern Florida University and was also one of 14 national trainers with NAA certified to deliver the Mental Health First Aid program from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Recently promoted to VP of Operations, Cerbana looks forward to working with the amazing WMFHA team, Board of Directors, and many volunteers to lead the award-winning association successfully into its 20th year and beyond.

Personally, our family has been through an inordinate amount of hardship over the last couple of years, and I have loved ones who have struggled with their mental health. Professionally, it is a huge issue in our industry and coming out of COVID -- resources and training around mental health, crisis management, etc. has been the number-one education request. I am thankful for the opportunity to develop my skill as a mental health first-aider, and of course look forward to sharing this with others as an instructor!

Victoria Cowart, CPM, NAAEI Faculty, is the Director of Education & Outreach for PetScreening, facilitating sessions for companies and associations around the country. Previously, she was a direct multi-family industry member with extensive experience providing portfolio management. Cowart obtained her management degree from Southern Wesleyan University and her industry CPM designation. She also became certified to facilitate the Mental Health First Aid curriculum. Cowart has served the industry at local, state and national levels-most recently as Region IV VP and as the 2021 Legislative Committee Chair. She is a wife and mother who enjoys life in the Charleston area of South Carolina.

In my experiences, property management teams live their professional lives in the middle of hundreds of their customers' lives, witnessing joyful and traumatic events. They are there when the first responders arrive and are on their heels to pitch in. These team members need care and training-to give others care--and I want to be part of the effort. I hope to help the industry and others outside of the industry as well, respond to the mental health needs of others in a meaningful and impactful way. With this training, I can amplify my personal efforts by helping to train others in the same program, building a healthy community of mental health first aiders.

Jeremy English, PHR, is the Human Resources Business Partner for Western Wealth Communities. Although he just recently entered the property management industry in 2021, his human resources experience spans 11 years. English currently holds his Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is passionate about people. He is also passionate about offering top tier support to all levels of employees within his organization by providing resources connected to his HR expertise. English holds a BA from the University of North Texas and a BBA from Prairie View A&M University. Outside of the HR world, Jeremy works in entertainment as a writer, director, producer, actor/singer in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area.

Being in the field of HR, I became an MHFA instructor to add an enhanced level of support to all. I’m hoping to be able to open healthy dialogue about uncomfortable taboo within the workplace that often affects not only people personally, but also professionally – Mental Health. This elevated level of support will take other NAA members to the next level as I truly believe that “when you’re at you best, you give your best”. This will go far beyond just employees, but it will also ultimately have a positive impact on residents as well.

Stephanie Loyd CAM, CAS, NAAEI Faculty is known as refreshing and insightful, and brings over 15 years of experience in the multifamily industry. She has extensive expertise on-site, and in corporate marketing, sales, training, and education. Stephanie is a CALP and CAM instructor, a national speaker, and was the inaugural recipient of the NAA Rising Star Award. She currently serves as the AANC Education Committee Vice-Chair, is a AANC Leadership Lyceum candidate, and is a NAA Leadership Lyceum program graduate. Stephanie was also a part of the inaugural class with NAA to be certified to deliver the Mental Health First Aid program with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. She currently serves as a National Sales Executive with J Turner Research.

Ebony Parks is an experienced educator and a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor through the National Council for Mental Well Being. She has been a part of the multi-family industry for 7 years.  At Mercy Housing, Ebony is the Instructional Design Training Manager and is responsible for designing and delivering learning experiences for site and corporate staff to thrive in their roles.  She is committed to creating authentic, healthy spaces for individuals and teams to learn and develop.  In addition to her primary role, she also serves as a member of steering and leadership committees related to Mercy Housing’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Ebony is passionate about travel and holistic wellness, including mental health. 

Pam Pederson has enjoyed speaking nationally, including Apartmentalize, for over three decades, utilizing her unique ability to provide training in a captivating and entertaining format. After 36 years in Multifamily (management and vendor director positions), she started her own consulting business, Enthusiastically Consulting, based in Florida. Pederson has served on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Apartment Association, receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2011.

My goal always has been to share what I've learned professionally and personally. Growing up in Multifamily, I've certainly experienced the highs and lows of this industry. Sometimes I felt ill-equipped to help or assist staff, residents, coworkers, vendors, and other people in our lives. I wish this training had been available to me years ago, and this topic should be one of the first to be trained. It's just as important, if not more so than any compliance course required.

Wendy Rivera, CAM, CAPS, LCAM, is Property Manager at Lansbrook Village.  She contributes nearly 30 years in the rental housing industry, including positions with Carroll Management Inc., WRH Realty Services Inc., Court Village Apartments, Pelican Sound Apartments, and Chaparral Apartments. In addition to being certified as an Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Rivera is a member of the Baltimore Area Apartment Association. She holds a BBA from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Valerie M. Sargent is President of Yvette Poole & Associates and Valerie M. Sargent, Inc. She is a highly sought-after National Industry Speaker, Trainer, Executive Coach, and Consultant, dedicated to making a difference in the lives she touches. Sargent is a Level 1 & 2 TalentSmart Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Trainer. Her specialties include Emotional Intelligence, Leasing, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Leadership. Sargent loves to impact positive change and help others with personal and professional development!

Through my targeted EQ Executive Coaching, I have seen stresses and struggles my clients encounter on a daily basis. I recognized how valuable the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training was and could see how much NAA members would benefit. I was honored to be selected in the inaugural group of Instructors through NAA and want to help as many people as possible learn these important MHFA skills. On the personal side, after leading her team to raise the most funds in a 10-week philanthropic campaign to fight cancer, I was named 2022 Woman of the Year for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Orange County, CA, and I am Chairperson of the OC 2023 LLS Visionaries Leadership Team.

Ishea Shepherd is a licensed real estate salesperson in Pennsylvania and is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor through the National Council for Mental Well Being. She also obtained her CAM certification through the National Apartment Association and was a 2021 Graduate of the National Apartment Association Diversity Leadership Program. Shepherd is a member of NAAEI Faculty facilitating CAM and CAMT courses. She serves on the NAA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and is Vice Chair of the RPM Careers. Shepherd holds a Bachelor’s from Temple University.  She is dedicated to creating spaces for authenticity and inclusivity to grow in the Apartment Industry.

John Sons, CALP, is Director of Training and Marketing Strategies for Burlington Capital Properties, with 34 years’ experience in rental housing. Sons speaks/trains for apartment associations nationwide. He serves on the NAAEI Program Administration/Curriculum Committee, as well as Subcommittee Chair on NAA’s Operations and Diversity and Inclusion Committees. Sons also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Nashville Apartment Association (GNAA). He is a NAA Lyceum Graduate and member of the NAAEI Faculty.