AASECT 44 Committee

Christopher White, Conference Co-Chair

Christopher White, PhD, is the Director of Education and Training at the National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Sexuality Studies and the President-Elect of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Region. At the NSRC, Dr. White is the Director of the annual Summer Institute, a program designed to enhance and supplement the education and experience of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals seeking careers in the field of sexuality. He has taught courses at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned is PhD in Health Promotion, and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. White has a strong commitment to facilitating learning and professional development for scholars and early professionals by helping them acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience for success. His research interests lie in understanding the ways in which individuals and communities gain access to information and services for lifelong learning regarding healthy sexuality, pleasure, and desire and using that information to create more accessible, user-friendly sources and services. In addition, Dr. White is an advocate for developing models for school and community-based programs that promote healthy sexuality by addressing social issues and inequities through sex education, including developing training programs for educators that help them learn how to teach about sexuality, how to select or create materials and curricula appropriate for their community, and how to evaluate their programs.

Carey Roth Bayer, Conference Co-Chair

Dr. Carey Roth Bayer, Ed.D., R.N., C.S.E., earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Xavier University in Cincinnati, a Masters in Adult Education and a Doctorate in Human Sexuality Education from Widener University outside of Philadelphia. She is an American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) Certified Sexuality Educator. Dr. Bayer serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and is also a reviewer for the Journal of Sex Research.

Dr. Bayer was named an Emerging Professional in the field of Sexology in 2007 by the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and received the AASECT 2009 Professional Standard of Excellence Award for her leadership in developing and running the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health Scholars' Program at Morehouse School of Medicine. She was also recognized as a 2009 Woman of Inspiration by the WNBA's Atlanta Dream.

Dr. Bayer is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine/Pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and runs the sexual health components of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute's Health Policy Leadership Fellowship Program. She teaches medical students, Masters in Public Health students, and residents and serves as the faculty advisor for the MSM Alliance, a student group focusing on cultural competency related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Natalie A. N. Elliott

Natalie A. N. Elliott, M.A., LPC, is the Veteran Liaison at Clayton Center Behavioral Health Service in Jonesboro, GA. and helps women and couples with sexual issues at Atlanta Counseling Institute. Ms. Elliott earned a Masters in Professional Counseling from Argosy University of Atlanta, a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Shorter College of Rome, Georgia and is working towards her Sex Therapy Certification. She has been a member of AASECT since 2008.

Richelle Frabotta

Richelle Frabotta, M.S.Ed., C.S.E., is the Director of Education Services for Southern Ohio Sexuality Education and Consultation Services as well as and a full-time Visiting Lecturer at the Miami University of Ohio in the Family Studies and Social Work Department. She has been a professional Sexuality Educator since 1992, AASECT certified and has presented numerous of sexuality topics to organizations, schools and faith communities for thousands of people. Ms. Frabotta has authored study guides and instructor's manuals for textbooks and created and consulted on numerous sexuality education curricula and programs. She is a member of the AASECT Ethics Committee, Chair of the PESC CE Credits Approval Committee and has volunteered her time at many annual conferences. Ms. Frabotta has supervised the CSE process for several colleagues and values mentoring new sexuality professionals. Ms. Frabotta has a profound respect for diversity of all kinds, believes strongly in prevention education and endeavors to empower people to make healthy choices for sexual expression. Teaching sexuality is her passion - Ms. Frabotta loves her work and can think of nothing else she'd rather do than talk about sex and get paid for it.

Mariotta Gary-Smith

Mariotta Gary-Smith, MPH, is a native of Portland, Oregon and a 3rd generation social justice activist. Her experiences growing up in the Pacific Northwest gave her a unique perspective, and led her to pursue her educational career and interest in sexology, public health and human behavior starting in high school. She served on several youth councils, including Planned Parenthood Teen Council and NARAL Pro-Choice America National Board Youth Representative. Mariotta decided to head south, and completed her undergraduate and graduate work in Atlanta, Georgia at Agnes Scott College '95 and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University '08. In 2008, she was one of 5 nationally selected scholars for the 2008-2009 Inaugural Class of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health (CESH) Scholars Program at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Mariotta has over 15 years of experience working with diverse/multicultural communities and organizations on reproductive/sexual health and justice, health education and harm reduction. She continues to advocate for and provide safe spaces for open discussion/collaboration, as well as presenting at professional conferences (AASECT & SSSS), conducting training and workshops that educate women and girls of color about sexual health, sexuality, safer behavior practices and sexual health advocacy.

Currently, Mariotta is the AASHEP (African American Sexual Health Equity Health Program) Health Educator in the STD/HIV Program for the Multnomah County Health Department, in Portland, OR.