Expert Speakers
Register for the 2025 Conference and check out the Speakers!
The conference is an online experience for the entire month of September. You have 24/7 access to over 30 expert parenting and childcare seminars. You can register here and learn more about our speakers.
We welcome everyone.
Register today!
- Non member rate is $149
- Member rate is $55
2025 Speaker Biographies
Meet our Conference speakers! Speaker biographies are listed in alphabetical order.
Nayeli Berenice
Educación Emocional y Social
Profesional apasionada por el desarrollo integral de la infancia, soy licenciada en Asesoría Psicopedagógica por la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) y cuenta con una especialidad en Evaluación y Rehabilitación Neuropsicológica por la Universidad de las Californias Internacional (UDCI). Además, poseo la certificación en el cuidado del recién nacido (NCS) otorgada por Cuidando Ángeles. Con más de 8 años de experiencia en laborar en la etapa infantil, me distingo por un enfoque innovador y personalizado, orientado a potenciar las capacidades emocionales y cognitivas de los niños, promoviendo entornos inclusivos y enriquecedores que favorecen su bienestar y desarrollo integral.
Fatima Rebeca Calvillo Garcia
Primeros auxilios psicológicos
Soy una mujer mexicana, mamá, esposa y profesionista, estudie la Lic. En Piscología en el Complejo Educativo Hispanoamericano, posteriormente hice la especialidad en Orientación Familiar en la universidad de la Salle, continué mis estudios formándome como perito en psicología por la Sociedad Mexicana de Estudios para la profesionalización, hice un diplomado en terapia de juego en la Asociación Nacional de Terapia de Juego y obtuve la certificación en Disciplina positiva por la Positive Discipline Association. Con 15 años de experiencia laboral, en diferentes áreas como consultorio particular, instituciones educativas, instituciones públicas e impartiendo platicas y talleres.
Heidi Chance
Identifying the Unseen: Sex Trafficking Awareness
Heidi Chance is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 27 years of service, specializing in combating sex trafficking. As a Subject Matter Expert and frequent Expert Witness, Heidi brings real-world experience from her time as an undercover officer, including her investigation leading to a record 493.5-year prison sentence for a trafficker guilty of 101 child sex trafficking charges. Featured in the PBS Frontline documentary “Sex Trafficking in America” and an Executive Contributor for BRAINZ Magazine, Heidi is a prominent voice in raising awareness and training others to fight sex trafficking.
Julia Chang
Turn Setbacks into Setups
Convierta los contratiempos en montajes
Julia Chang is a faith-based mindset coach who empowers individuals to break through fears and unlock their inner warrior. With a background as a 5th-degree Taekwondo master and motivational speaker, she teaches confidence, resilience, and action.
Farnaz Dar
Becoming the Clutter Free Family: Why It’s a Priority
LFarnaz Dar is a former teacher and homeschooling mom to four boys, and current owner of an award-winning cleaning and organizing company, and the founder of Chores to Scores. Chores To Scores teaches families about the importance of establishing chores for ALL members of the family (especially children). The benefits of this provide a valuable tool for advancing success in school (and beyond) and improved mental health, by learning to live in clutter-free and organized homes. She believes that society is missing a valuable tool for advancing success and improved mental health, that is, maintaining clutter-free spaces.
Dr. James DeCarli
Keeping Children Safe in the Home and at the Playground
Mantener a los niños seguros
James DeCarli is an accomplished public health professional. More specifically, he is an injury and neuroepidemiologist, a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), and a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). While he develops behavioral interventions to reduce exposure to injury, he is also a leader in child passenger safety with 15 years of experience. He is co-lead in Occupant Protection of the State of California Strategic Highway Safety Plan and leads several research studies to improve child passenger safety. James has recently published research applying behavioral skills training to improve child passenger safety educational approaches.
Mark Fabian
A Paradigm Shift in Safefty
A victim of violence both in the home and in school, Mark learned to key in on the non-verbal cues so that he could identify possible threats before he could be identified as a good target. Essentially, Mark learned to weaponize his Limbic Brain, giving him a unique ability to see more of what was going on around him. Now as an adult, Mark is one of a small group of Nationally Certified Situational Awareness For Everyone (S.A.F.E.) instructors.
Marjie Hadad
Inspire Confidence and Resilience Using These 4 Public Relations Practices
Marjie Hadad is a global public relations expert, former TV news journalist, award-winning TV producer, and author. She speaks and executive coaches leaders and individuals on how to solve problems and achieve organizational, professional and personal goals using public relations practices.
Jendayi Harris
Recognizing Suicide and Self Harm
Jendayi Harris is a minister of practical advice on how to do life in Christ well. She’s a Licensed Professional Counselor (CO), Senior Productivity Consultant, Board-Certified Health Coach, and Board-Certified National Counselor. She believes the best thing we can do for our families and Nation is to get healthy in body, soul, and spirit. Jendayi speaks at Fortune 500 firms and churches alike, with an affinity for coaching leaders to optimize their time, personality, priorities, and resources to powerfully impact others.
Geoff Hedgepeth
Fear is Your Super Power
Geoff Antonio Hedgepeth is a professional musician, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to inspiring individuals to reach their full potential. Mentored by Tiamo De Vettori, he helps others overcome obstacles, eliminate negativity, and unlock new opportunities for success.
Mary Elizabeth Jackson
The Power of Art and Music
Mary Elizabeth Jackson is a wife, mother of three-two of her children are on the spectrum. Mrs. Jackson is an award winning and international best selling author, certified special needs and disability advocate, educator, and speaker. She co-founded and co-hosts two live stream shows online Writers Corner Live Network and Special Needs TV as well as Cover to Cover Podcast. Jacksons uses her twenty-two years of parenting and life experiences to help others live a more empowered healthier life.
Lisa Kohn
First Most Always
Lisa Kohn is a motivational speaker, executive coach, award-winning author, and inspirational storyteller whose life purpose is share the power of self-love. She embodies her experience as a cult survivor, a story of resilience and grit, as well as her 30+ years of leadership expertise, and provokes audiences to find their strength and joy so they can change themselves, change their lives, change their organizations, and change the world.
Kristina Lucia Pezza
Build Creative Connections with Children
Kristina Lucia is a bestselling author, creator, and artist who ignites the imaginations of children and their parents through her limited edition animals and touching storybooks. Her humble beginnings in a small farm town (there was only one traffic light!) sparked her creativity at a young age and her adopted home of New York City keeps her inspired daily. Curiously Curated Creations of Kristina Lucia features a magical array of warm, cuddly and comforting creatures along with storybooks that help parents and kids improve their communication and deepen their relationships.
Kyri Maher
It Takes a Village: Building a Perinatal Support Team
Kyri Allison Maher is a Newborn Care Specialist and Postpartum Doula providing perinatal support services to new and expecting families throughout New England and virtual services nationwide. With over 10 years experience in child and family services and a background in clinical mental health, she believes education and support are the keys to helping families thrive.
Dra. Margarita Marichal Lugo
Desarrollo de la motricidad fina en la niñeZ temprana
La Dra. Margarita Marichal tiene un Ph.D. en Early Childhood Education de Walden University. Actualmente se desempeña como directora de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico dónde también enseña en el Programa de Preparación de Maestros. Trabajó con poblaciones especiales en la ciudad de Houston, Texas mientras cursaba su maestría. Ha dirigido sus investigaciones hacia las áreas de desarrollo de identidad étnica, destrezas pro-sociales, permanencia refleja, desorden de procesamiento sensorial, y el arte para manejar eventos traumáticos.
Michael Mendoza
EveryBully
Michael Mendozaa has been teaching Martial Arts for four decades. Over the course of my career, I have helped countless students manage their bullies. EveryBully is everything I have learned from this shared experience.
Kenya Metoyer
Mastering Conflict Resolution
Dominando la resolución de conflictos
Kenya Metoyer is a relationship coach and conflict resolution specialist dedicated to helping individuals and professionals navigate relationships with confidence and clarity. With expertise in emotional intelligence, communication strategies, and personal growth, Kenya empowers nannies, parents, and childcare professionals with the skills to build strong, respectful partnerships. Kenya has been a featured speaker at various summits and workshops, delivering practical, engaging, and transformative content.
Christa D. Nader
Find Your Voice: Handling Tricky Conversations with Confidence and Fairness
Christa Nader is the agency partner manager at GTM Payroll & HR. She has been in the household employment industry for many years – she has worked as a nanny, was the founder of the Kith and Kin agency, worked as the placement coordinator for Adventure Nannies, and has spoken at several household employment conferences, including US Nanny Association (USNA), the International Nanny Association (INA) and the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA).
Gigliola Nuñez Coronell
Conexión y Confianza: educar con proposito
Gigliola Núñez es Licenciada en Educación Preescolar y Diplomada en Neuropsicología del Aprendizaje, con certificación como Entrenadora Líder de Disciplina Positiva en diversas áreas por la Positive Discipline Association. Pionera en llevar el modelo de Disciplina Positiva a Latinoamérica y España, ha certificado a más de 3,000 personas y colaborado con instituciones educativas en su implementación. Es autora del libro “Educando con Propósito: 5 principios que guiarán la vida de tu hijo” y actualmente cursa un Máster en Consejería Adleriana en la Universidad Ramon Llull de España.
Natalie Parmenter
Ready or Not: Here Comes Kindergarten!
Listo o no: ¡aquí viene el jardín de infantes!
Natalie Parmenter is a former elementary school teacher, she taught for ten years in North Carolina and internationally in Vietnam. In 2022 she left the classroom to start her business, Primary Focus: The Parent’s Guide to Elementary School. Primary Focus is dedicated to helping children thrive in school and teaching parents to navigate school related issues.
Karla Prado Pichardo
Dificultades a la hora de comer
Apoyando el crecimiento y desarrollo de los niños desde el 2014 a través de la adecuada nutrición de acuerdo a la etapa de vida, características individuales y del entorno. Su pasión es educar en nutrición a los pequeños de la casa, sus familias y cuidadores a través de la consulta presencial, en línea, pláticas, talleres y notas o artículos publicados de manera impresa o digital. Cuenta con una maestría en consejería y terapia familiar así como la licenciatura en nutrición y otras certificaciones.
Heather Pratt White
Embracing Sensitive Periods in Childhood Development
Heather White has over fifteen years of experience in Montessori, beginning as an Early Childhood guide and progressing through Elementary roles to serve as an Associate Head of School, in-home caregiver, and now as a mentor for adult learners seeking certification with The Center for Guided Montessori Studies. She also currently creates digital content for Montessori organizations such as the American Montessori Society and serves as an adjunct professor at Sarasota University. Heather holds an Ed.S. in School Psychology, an M.Ed. in Montessori Studies, as well as AMS and ABAR certifications.
Colleen Schmit
All Aboard the Empathy Train
Todos a bordo del tren de la empatía
Colleen Schmit has worked in early childhood education as a teacher, consultant, program evaluator and speaker for 20 years. She is the author of “Crisscross Applesauce and Shut the Hell Up: 10 Reflective Lessons for New and Seasoned Teachers” and “The Burn Book: 8 Key Strategies to Recognize and Extinguish Teacher Burnout.” Colleen earned her master’s in early childhood education at Concordia University and began her career as a teacher in Omaha, Nebraska.
Shauneille Smith
Transforming Caregiving into a Partnership that Lasts a Lifetime
Transformar el cuidado en una relación para toda la vida
Shauneille Smith is a Texas-based consultant, writer, and thought leader specializing in caregiving, leadership, and professional development. She empowers women to recognize their value, amplify their influence, and build stronger professional networks. For expert insights, speaking engagements, and collaborations, visit shauneillesmith.com and follow her on social media for weekly tips and opportunities.
JoAnn Stevelos
Managing Thought – the Key to Happiness
JoAnn Stevelos M, MPH is a child wellness advocate and the author of Worthy: Raising Body Positive Children, The Power of Kindness. With extensive experience in family health, she specializes in practical solutions that empower parents to nurture confident, resilient kids.
Dolly Tampos Oksman
From OverwheLmed to Inner Peace: Tame Your Stress Monsters
Dolly Tampos Oksman is a certified wellness coach, autism specialist, special education teacher, behavior analyst, transformational speaker, and author. With two decades of experience and multiple qualifications, Dolly is a valuable resource for stressed professionals, caregivers, and educators. She dedicates herself to advocating for marginalized children and supporting educators’ and caregivers’ well-being through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and presentations.
Laura Temin
Is Hypnosis Really What You Think It Is?
Laura Temin provides results-oriented programs and services helping clients solve seemingly impossible problems. She is a Psychotherapist, Marriage Counselor, Clinical Hypnotherapist Founder of Professional Hypnosis Institute, Georgia’s only State Authorized School of Clinical, Medical, Motivational Hypnotherapy.
Cara Tyrrell
How to Talk to Toddlers Before They Talk Back
Cómo hablar con los niños pequeños antes de que le respondan
Cara Tyrrell holds Bachelors degrees in American Sign Language (ASL) and Linguistics from the University of Rochester and a Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University. Over her career she’s taught in both regular and special education settings, adapting mainstream curricula to meet the needs of special ed, Deaf, and hard-of-hearing students.
Danni Wei
Observing Childhood: The Key to Intentional Parenting
I help overwhelmed families with young children implement the authentic Montessori educational approach so they can confidently support their child’s cognitive, emotional and social development while cultivating a peaceful and connected family unit. Among my credentials are: American Montessori Society (AMS) and MTEC certifications, Child Development ECE certification, bachelor’s in Studio Arts from UC Riverside, and Masters in Montessori Education from St. Catherine’s University.
Mary Wilcox Smith
Nannying Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Cuidar niños sin sentirse abrumado
Mary Willcox Smith is a parenting expert, speaker, and author of The MicroStep Method® for the Overwhelmed Parent. A mom of four daughters (born within five years!), she knows firsthand that perfection is a myth—but small moments create big change. Blending brain science, child development, and humor, she helps caregivers—including nannies—turn power struggles into connection, set clear boundaries, and foster cooperation—without bribes, threats, or burnout.
David Zechman
Servant Leadership For a Teacher and Coach
David Zechman was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, and married 47 years to Rhonda with two daughters and 4 grandchildren. He currently resides in Estero Florida. Zechman received his BSE from Miami (Ohio) University, MPA from Cleveland State University, and is a ‘Life Fellow” in the American College of Healthcare Executives. Zechman’s professional career started as a high school teacher for 5 years and a coach for 7 before transitioning to healthcare for 39 years, retiring as a Hospital President and CEO. He is currently an accomplished author, servant leadership public speaker and consultant, executive coach, and board member.