Interconnected Crises

I will illuminate the complex interplay between deteriorating mental health, challenged learning environments, and broader societal factors impacting today's youth. By sharing insights from my research and observations, I will identify specific social drivers – adversity, inequality, digital disruption, polarization, and more – that negatively affect youth development, fueling dual crises in well-being and life outcomes. However, this talk will ultimately focus on solutions and provide youth advocates with practical strategies to address root causes, build resilience, reform learning ecosystems, and create psychologically and academically nurturing environments where all young people can thrive. My goal is to empower attendees to drive positive systemic change.

Childhood and Adolescence

I share my personal experiences growing up in the foster care system and overcoming challenges like poverty, family addiction issues, finding my identity,  and being the first in my family to go to college. My goal is to open up about the complex realities of coming of age as a foster youth in America in order to offer hard-won wisdom and encouragement so at-risk youth can see their potential, build key relationships, persevere through obstacles, and ultimately achieve great things on their own journeys.

Hello Village

I put a human face on the tragically hidden epidemic of youth homelessness. Drawing from my personal experiences as a formerly homeless teen and my current work as a youth advocate, I will share real stories of struggle and resilience to foster empathy and understanding. My goal is to educate the audience on the often complex causes of youth homelessness, dismantle stereotypes, provide actionable ways to support homeless youth in our communities, and ultimately inspire a movement to ensure every young person has a safe, stable place to call home. This talk is a call to action for "the village" to hear and lovingly respond to our most vulnerable youth.

What Does Success Looklike

I challenge conventional notions of success defined by money, status, and material possessions. Instead, I will encourage youth to define success based on their unique passions, values, and abilities. By sharing my personal journey to find purpose beyond social measures and by providing actionable frameworks to help youth identify their innate talents and meaning, I aim to empower at-promise youth to take ownership of their futures. My goal is that participants leave with a personalized vision of success and a drive to proactively create lives of purpose, fulfillment, and service to others.