The Union County Fatherhood Initiative Coalition’s Annual Fatherhood Conference brings together dynamic speakers, practitioners, advocates, and community leaders who are committed to helping fathers grow in wellness, leadership, family stability, and financial strength. From physical and emotional wellness to career growth and financial planning, each speaker offers practical tools that fathers can use right away.

Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Keynote Speaker

Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell serves as one of New Jersey’s top public officials, bringing a lifetime of leadership, scholarship, and service to communities across the state. With a distinguished career spanning higher education, nonprofit leadership, and public service, Dr. Caldwell has consistently focused on expanding access to opportunity and strengthening the social and economic fabric of underserved communities. His work has been rooted in advancing education, fostering economic mobility, and creating pathways for individuals and families to thrive.

As a keynote speaker at the Union County Fatherhood Initiative Coalition’s 14th Annual Fatherhood Conference, Dr. Caldwell brings a powerful and timely message centered on leadership, accountability, and community investment. His commitment to uplifting families and empowering fathers aligns closely with UCFIC’s mission and 8 Pillars of Wellness. Through his remarks, he will challenge and inspire attendees to recognize the critical role fathers play in shaping future generations, while emphasizing the importance of mentorship, support systems, and access to resources in building stronger families and healthier communities.

Breakout Session Speakers

Carter W. Patterson

Financial Wellness

Speaker

Carter W. Patterson is a dedicated leader in fatherhood engagement and advocacy with more than a decade of experience helping fathers overcome challenges related to child support, employment, and family relationships. As the former Vice President of Programs at The Father Center of New Jersey, he helped expand services and increase support for fathers through strategic partnerships and advocacy.

Through his consulting firm, Consult Cadence Solutions, Carter continues to advise organizations on program development, community outreach, and father engagement strategies. His session, Dads and Dollars, offers practical guidance for fathers seeking to better understand child support, financial responsibility, and the tools available to support long-term family stability.

Paul W. Newell

Emotional & Physical

Wellness Speaker

Paul R. Newell is a men’s wellness facilitator, author, speaker, and program designer whose work helps men move from survival mode into clarity, presence, and purpose. As the founder of NeWellness Consulting and creator of the Heal.Thy.Man Method, Paul brings a powerful combination of lived experience, emotional wellness tools, embodiment practices, and practical self-reflection to his work with fathers and families.

Paul’s workshops are designed to challenge, heal, and empower. Across multiple breakout sessions, he will help fathers better understand emotional regulation, physical awareness, spiritual purpose, and the connection between self-leadership and professional growth. His approach speaks directly to men who are ready to grow into the best version of themselves for their children and their communities.

Thomas E. Tipton

Financial Wellness

Speaker

Thomas E. Tipton is a financial advisor at Wright Time Financial with more than 10 years of experience in financial planning, portfolio design, and client strategy. He holds multiple securities and insurance licenses and has earned the Behavioral Financial Advisor designation.

Thomas specializes in helping individuals align their values, goals, and financial behaviors so they can make consistent, confident decisions over time. His session, Financial Planning Basics, is designed to help fathers better understand saving, investing, retirement planning, insurance, and long-term wealth-building strategies.

True Bey

Physical Wellness

Speaker

True Bey is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Precision Nutrition Coach, father of five, and a 20-year healthcare veteran. His work focuses on helping fathers improve their eating habits, lose weight, strengthen their health, and increase longevity so they can show up fully for their families and communities.

His wellness session encourages fathers to make physical health a priority and understand that taking care of themselves is a key part of showing up for the people who depend on them.

Phillip Sabater

Occupational & Job

Wellness Speaker

Philip Sabater is a workforce development professional and job coach based in New Jersey, with a Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University. He specializes in helping individuals build career pathways through resume development, job placement, and employer partnerships.

As a bilingual professional, Philip is passionate about empowering diverse communities and connecting people to meaningful employment opportunities. In his workshop, participants will gain practical insight into resume improvement, interview preparation, and the common mistakes that can stand in the way of employment success.

John Eric Jacobsen

Occupational & Job

Wellness Speaker

John Eric Jacobsen is the co-founder and president of Jacobsen Business Seminars, Inc. and the author of bestselling books including Soft Skills, Weapons of Mass Instruction, and The Kids in Trance Program. He has consulted for more than 1,500 companies and spoken to more than one million people across the country.

Known as one of America’s leading authorities on soft skills training, John brings decades of expertise in leadership, communication, emotional control, stress management, and workplace success. His Job Readiness session will help participants strengthen the people skills, confidence, and preparation needed to compete and thrive in today’s workforce.

8:00 AM

Breakfast & Registration

8:30 AM

Bill Daughtry

MC & Welcome

Rod Spearman

Chairman Remarks

Reverend Barry Wise & Reverend Carlos Cedeno

Invocation

8:45 AM

Bill Daughtry

Conference Overview

The Honorable Senator Joseph P. Cryan

VIP and Community Partners Acknowledgments

Keynote Speakers Introduction

The Honorable Lieutenant Governor

Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Fatherhood and Leadership

9:30

Bill Daughtry

Breakout Sessions Overview

9:45 AM ~ Breakout Sessions 1

11:45 AM ~ Grab-N-Go Lunch

12:15 PM ~ Breakout Sessions 2

2:45 PM ~ DadTalk: A Round Table Discussion on Fatherhood

3:45 PM Legacy Photo

Session Topics

Core Wellness ~ Building a foundation for holistic health and well-being.

  • Physical Wellness ~ Recognizing the need for regular check-ups, activity, healthy foods, and sleep.

  • Emotional Wellness ~ Cultivating strong relationships and effective coping skills.

  • Spiritual Wellness ~ Finding a sense of purpose and meaning in everyday life.

 

Occupational Wellness ~ Achieving satisfaction and enrichment from work.

  • Job Readiness ~ Preparing for employment with essential skills.

  • Career Development ~ Advancing professional growth and opportunities.

  • Entrepreneurial ~ Empowering business creation and innovation.”

Financial Wellness ~ Securing financial stability for today and tomorrow.

  • Dads and Dollars ~ to understand the impact of child support on financial wellness.

  • Financial Planning Basics ~ Laying the groundwork for smart financial choices.

  • Building Family Wealth ~ Creating lasting prosperity for future generations.