Pheng Thao, MLS, MA is the founder and Executive Director of ManForward, a national grassroots group working towards cultivating new ideas of masculinity and healing for men and masculine folks. He has been actively pioneering new concepts of healthy masculine expressions and male practices for over 20 years as a violence prevention expert. He believes that creating healthy and healing connections and relationships with men and masculine folks are keys to transforming their relationships with women, girls, LGBTQ/gender non-conforming folks and not limit their full potential. Pheng has provided over 700 keynotes, trainings and technical assistances to many diverse groups and organizations at the local, national, and international level. Many of his speaking engagements are about violence prevention in the family and community; how public safety needs to include interpersonal safety; the intersections of gender-based violence (domestic violence; sexual violence; sexual exploitation; etc.) manhood and masculinity; practicing healthy masculinity/manhood and culturally responsive healing practices. In the various roles Pheng has held he holds a deep belief that healing is an essential part of his work. So, he practices and moves with the intention of a healing and wellness framework. He has been a recipient of the Bush Foundation Fellowship in 2018; Rockwood Leadership Leading from the Inside Out Fellowship (2019); Culture of Health Leadership Institute Fellow (2023); and been recognized as a cultural healer by Freedom Inc (2023) (WI) and Ramsey County (2020) (MN).