Olas de cambio en las dificultades de asistencia escolar

Acerca del congreso

Agenda

Todos los horarios son en hora del Este (ET).

Ponentes

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  John Ackerman

  Child Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Manager, Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital - United States

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  John Ackerman, PhD, ABPP, is a child clinical psychologist and Clinical Manager of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. His team trains schools, healthcare agencies, and youth-serving organizations throughout Ohio in evidence-based suicide prevention, intervention and postvention best practices. Dr. Ackerman has a research interest in the treatment of mood disorders, neurocognitive risk factors for youth suicide, as well as digital health applications for suicide prevention. He has published on the influence of media on youth suicide and has developed guidelines for media professionals engaging with this topic. He recently co-edited an open-access book on youth suicide prevention best practices and policy implications.

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  Abdi Ahmed

  Youth Worker, Canada

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  Abdi Ahmed is a Scarborough youth mentor and basketball coach known for his strengths-based approach to re-engaging students through sport, mentorship, and relationships. Featured in the Toronto Star article “He Gave Them a Shot,” he has led school-based and community programs since 2021, supporting youth development, leadership, and improved school attendance.

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  Isabella Arcuri

  Honours Bachelor of Social Science – Addictions and Mental Health, Youth Mental Health Canada

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  Isabella Arcuri is a third-year Honours Bachelor of Social Science – Addictions and Mental Health student, currently completing a placement with Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC). Isabella has a strong interest in youth mental health and addiction services and is committed to evidence-informed, inclusive practices that promote well-being and accessibility within community-based support systems.

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  Badir Badr

  Volunteer, Youth Mental Health Canada

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  Badir Badr was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and spent much of his early childhood living on an American compound in Saudi Arabia, where his father secured employment that promised stability and opportunity. With that opportunity, however, came an unspoken weight. Academic performance was closely tied to his family’s standing on the compound, and his grades carried consequences far beyond the classroom—affecting not only his father’s position, but the security and benefits that surrounded their life there.

  At a young age, Badir learned what it felt like to carry pressure that did not belong to him. The constant expectations slowly shaped his relationship with learning, turning school into a place of fear rather than curiosity. Over time, that weight became internalized, leading him to question his own abilities and develop a deep resentment toward his grades, and himself.

  Yet within that struggle grew awareness, resilience, and empathy. Badir’s lived experience has given him a profound understanding of how pressure, systems, and expectations can shape a person’s sense of worth. Today, his story stands as a quiet testament to the importance of compassion, patience, and redefining success beyond performance alone.

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  Sheryl Boswell

  Executive Director and Founder, Youth Mental Health Canada - Canada

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  Sheryl Boswell is the Executive Director and Founder of Youth Mental Health Canada, a registered charitable non-profit organization focused on mental health education and educational equity through evidence and strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive and responsive approaches that are proactive, practical, and empowering.

  Sheryl’s presentations, workshops, and courses consolidate her background in education, mental health and wellness, human rights and equity, and disability awareness and support.

  Sheryl started her teaching career as a Special Education teacher in Zimbabwe, Africa, where she lived for three years. Sheryl brings broad teaching knowledge from working with elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and adult education students in Canada and Africa.

  Sheryl has written five mental wellness journal workbooks, 5 booklets, three resources for school attendance challenges: a guidebook and Handbook for supporting students with school attendance challenges, and two online training courses: the Youth Wellness Action Plan universal student support course and the School Attendance Challenges course.

  Sheryl is a member of the International Association of Youth Mental Health, International Network for School Attendance, International Association for Suicide Prevention,
  and other organizations focused on youth mental health, suicide prevention, and school attendance.

  Organization website de Sheryl Boswell (se abre en una pestaña nueva)

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  Sharon Bradley

  National Education Consultant and School Attendance Champion

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  Sharon Bradley is a national educational consultant, podcast host, speaker and author who served as Director of Student, Family and Community Services in Plano Independent School District where she helped shape the district’s approach to truancy prevention and character development for all students. Throughout her 25 years in education, she served as student services director, alternative high school principal, assistant principal, dropout prevention program coordinator, general education teacher, and special education teacher. She was named a 2024 "Leader to Learn From" by EducationWeek Magazine. In 2023, she was named “Person of the Year” by the International Truancy and Dropout Prevention Association and a D CEO Innovation in Education finalist.

  Sharon Bradley is a graduate of Mississippi State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Special Education; and her master's degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A & M University.

  
  

  Publications:

  Chronic Absenteeism: Prevention & Intervention Strategies for Schools, Families, & Communities

  Combating Chronic Absenteeism Through Attendance Improvement Plans

  
  

  Love Begins Within: A Story of How Self-Love Can Change the World by Sharon Bradley, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

  
  

  Attendance Work has been highlighted:

  https://www.edweek.org/leaders/2024/absenteeism-was-a-big-problem-in-this-district-a-new-strategy-is-getting-results

  
  

  https://www.dmagazine.com/business-economy/2022/11/finalists-announced-the-innovation-awa

  Attendance Organizational Leadership:

  North Texas Attendance Collaborative Team (NTACT)- 20 DFW-area school districts

  NTACT Description

  Attendance USA Founding Member -www.attendanceusa.org

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  Alice Caraccioli

  Student, Humber Polytechnic - Bachelor of Social Science, Mental Health and Addictions program

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  Alice Caraccioli is a student in the Bachelor of Social Science in Mental Health and Addictions program at Humber Polytechnic. As a member of the Latinx community, Alice is passionate about mental health advocacy, trauma-informed care, and creating supportive spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. Through a culturally sensitive and intersectional lens, she advocates for inclusive, trauma-informed spaces that support people across diverse identities, experiences, and communities.
  Through both her academic studies and lived experiences, Alice brings empathy, compassion, and authenticity to conversations surrounding mental health, trauma, healing, and community care. She is especially interested in reducing stigma surrounding mental health and addictions while fostering connection, education, and supportive care within diverse communities.

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  Joshua Childs

  Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Texas

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  Joshua Childs is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy at The University of Texas at Austin. His research examines the role of inter-organizational networks and cross-sector collaborations to address complex educational issues. He also investigates collaborative approaches involving organizations (local, state, and national) that have the potential to improve academic achievement and opportunities for students in urban and rural schools. This includes ways to improve student engagement and attendance in school, interscholastic athletics, and expanding educational opportunities through concentrated policy design and implementation. Joshua is a Co-PI (Principal Investigator) of the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance, a consortium of 30 states focused on broadening participation in computer science. A former Division I athlete, Joshua graduated from Plano West High School (TX).

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  Yunu Choi

  Founder and CEO, Mental Health Korea - Korea

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  Yunu Choi is the founder of Mental Health Korea, South Korea’s first peer-led mental health non-profit organization. He holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Silberman School of Social Work at CUNY Hunter College and built his career as a mental health professional in New York.

  During this time, he dedicated himself to advocating for the rights and recovery of marginalized groups, engaging in diverse initiatives ranging from civil rights activism and HIV/AIDS prevention to crisis counseling for youth and directing a youth theater troupe.

  However, upon his return to Korea, he faced an unexpected and severe mental health crisis, forcing him to experience the Korean mental health system not as an expert, but as a patient. What he witnessed within this reality was not healing or hope, but deep-seated social stigma, shame, and profound isolation.

  Enduring a painful period where his professional knowledge and experience felt powerless, he came to a visceral realization: "True recovery cannot be achieved through medical treatment alone; it requires deep understanding from others, genuine connection, and a safe community."

  This epiphany led to his calling to ensure that "future generations never have to suffer alone in the face of mental health challenges," culminating in the establishment of Mental Health Korea in 2018. Integrating his clinical experience in New York with his personal journey as a suicide survivor and bereaved family member, as well as a 9/11 terror survivor, he is now at the forefront of shifting South Korea's mental health paradigm from a "treatment-centered" approach to one focused on "early intervention and recovery."

  In particular, his innovative model of cultivating youths with lived experience—transforming them from mere "patients" into "Wounded Healers" and "Peer Specialists" who help heal society—has garnered international attention, including recognition from TIME Magazine and the WHO. Currently, serving as a member of the Presidential Committee on Mental Health Policy Innovation, he contributes to shaping national mental health policies and innovating the ecosystem in South Korea.

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  Jo Clayton

  Writer, Unauthorised Absence (Short Film UK)

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  Jo Clayton is the writer of the short campaign film Unauthorised Absence, where she shares lived-experience perspectives on school attendance challenges. Her work focuses on the realities of school refusal, avoidance, and disengagement, offering insight into the emotional, social, and systemic factors that can make school attendance difficult for young people and families.

  Through her writing, Jo highlights the importance of understanding attendance challenges through a compassionate, non-judgmental lens. She advocates for approaches that move beyond blame and punishment, emphasizing the need for supportive relationships, flexibility, and responsive systems that prioritize student well-being and belonging.

  By centering lived experience, Jo Clayton contributes to a deeper understanding of school attendance challenges and supports more inclusive, empathetic approaches to education.

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  Sara Donnelly

  SEN (Special Educational Needs) Consultant, Three Little Steps

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  Sara Donnelly has worked in education for 14 years, including eight as a senior leader and three as a headteacher in a London primary school. She specialises in neurodivergence and trauma-informed practice and is an accredited autism trainer through the Oliver McGowan programme.

  Sara has a proven track record of transforming schools, having led her most recent school from Requires Improvement to Good within nine months, with a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion and culture change.

  As a neurodivergent mother of two neurodivergent children, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. Having found school difficult herself, growing up in a significantly disadvantaged background, struggling with attendance, and often avoiding school, she has a unique perspective on the challenges faced by many vulnerable children and families today. Through her daughter experiences, Sara has navigated prolonged school distress, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), and the often complex systems families must negotiate to secure appropriate, timely support.

  Sara is a passionate advocate for the voice of the child and works closely with families and educators to ensure that every child feels seen, heard and supported. She delivers talks, training and workshops across the UK on topics including Autism in Girls, EBSA, creating neuro-affirming schools, and the impact of masking on mental health.

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  Natalie Elliott

  Founder, Fight School Fines Campaign - UK

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  Natalie Elliott is a UK-based advocate and founder of the School Fine Campaign, an initiative focused on raising awareness about the impact of school attendance policies on students and families. Her work centers on challenging punitive approaches to school attendance, particularly fines and enforcement measures that can disproportionately affect families of children experiencing mental health challenges, disabilities, or unmet needs.

  Through the School Fine Campaign, Natalie brings attention to the lived experiences of families navigating school attendance difficulties, highlighting the need for more compassionate, supportive, and individualized approaches. She advocates for policy and practice changes that prioritize student well-being, address root causes of absenteeism, and reduce systemic barriers to education.

  Natalie Elliott’s work contributes to ongoing dialogue around fairness, inclusion, and human rights in education, supporting more equitable and responsive systems for students facing attendance challenges.

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  Carolyn Gentle-Genitty

  Founding Dean, Attendance - United States

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  Dr. Carolyn Gentle-Genitty is an esteemed educator, researcher, and advocate recognized for her impactful work in attendance and student mental health within educational settings. With a passion for enhancing student well-being, she has dedicated her career to reducing barriers that affect students' attendance and classifying absences for mental health as a separate type of absenteeism.

  As the Founding Dean of Founder's College at Butler University, she leads initiatives to support the needs of students while advancing academic access and success.

  Dr. Gentle-Genitty has authored numerous award-winning publications, including studies on absenteeism, truancy, and the interplay between attendance and mental health. Her work emphasizes the importance of classifying absences responding to underlying issues. She has presented extensively at conferences and testified as an expert witness on school attendance issues.

  As a full tenured professor, her leadership spans over 25 years in higher education, including roles at Indiana University where she developed online education programs, improved transfer policies, and supported first-generation and adult learners. Her validated school climate instrument Perception of School Social Bonding (PSSB)endorsed by the American Psychological Association offers schools ways to measure climate to support students' well being. A global researcher, she collaborates with policymakers and educators to create strategies addressing absenteeism and fostering student well-being world-wide. She is the co-founder of the International Network for School Attendance (INSA), former president of the International Association for Truancy and Dropout Prevention (IATDP), and Founder of Attendance USA.

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  Lyra Hesmondhalgh

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  When a child can't attend school, the instinct is to focus on getting them back through the door. But attendance without safety isn't progress - it's just presence. And the harder we push, the worse thing often get.

  Lyra is Dr. Pooky Knightsmith's daughter. She is autistic and has ADHD. She has spent significant time out of school and understands the challenges. She contributes to Pooky's work as a professional collaborator, bringing her own voice and experience to sessions in a way that consistently resonates with both families and professionals. By the time of this conference she will be sitting her final school exams- making her perspective particularly timely.

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  Selena Hughes

  Honours Student, Humber Polytechnic - Bachelor of Social Science, Mental Health and Addictions program

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  Selena Hughes is an Honours Bachelor of Social Science in Addictions and Mental Health student entering her fourth year at Humber Polytechnic, as well as a registered Social Service Worker (SSW) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). As a Polynesian female adopted from Samoa, Selena is driven to promote change within the mental health system through perspective, cultural competence, and inclusivity.

  Through her own experiences personally and academically, Selena has built a moral compass that welcomes resilience, advocacy for Youth Mental Health, and a safe space for all

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  Yali Horta Hurtado

  Early Education Attendance Counselor, Fundación Educacional Oportunidad - Chile

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  I am an attendance counselor at Fundación Educacional Oportunidad in Chile. In 2008, I obtained my master’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Miami and worked for 10 years in the field of early childhood and primary education in English as a foreign language in my country. Nowadays, I work and learn from educational leaders that want to improve school attendance by engaging and empowering all stakeholders in the process with a focus on early education.

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  Gabrielle Jubinville

  Indigenous Wellness Advocate, Life Promotion Toolkit

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  Gabrielle Jubinville is an Indigenous wellness advocate, speaker, and community leader dedicated to promoting holistic mental health and well-being. Through her work, she focuses on strength-based, culturally grounded approaches that center connection, identity, and resilience within Indigenous communities. Gabrielle is the creator of the Life Promotion Toolkit, a resource designed to support individuals, educators, and communities in fostering hope, belonging, and proactive mental wellness.

  Drawing on lived experience and community engagement, Gabrielle’s work emphasizes life promotion as a vital approach to mental health—shifting the focus from crisis response to prevention, empowerment, and cultural reconnection. She is passionate about supporting youth and communities in building protective factors, strengthening support systems, and creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported.

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  Pooky Knightsmith

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  Dr. Pooky Knightsmith is a prominent UK-based author, speaker, and advisor specializing in child and adolescent mental health and school attendance challenges, particularly regarding autism and neurodivergence.

  Holding a PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, she is a former chair of the Children and Young People's Mental Health Coalition and a passionate advocate with lived experience.

  She is a parent to neurodivergent children, with lived experience of school attendance challenges. Dr. Knightsmith also has lived experience of mental health disabilities and autism. She translate research into clear, practical strategies for schools and families—no jargon, just ideas you can use tomorrow.

  She is the author of several books: Self-Harm: How to Help Your Child, Support Your Autistic Child with Food, Things I Got Wrong So You Don't Have To, The Mentally Healthy Schools Workbook, Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools, and Can I Tell You About Self-Harm?

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  Natalie Lauren

  Producer, Unauthorized Absence Film - UK

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  Natalie Lauren is a UK-based producer of the film Unauthorized Absence, a project that highlights the lived experiences of young people and families navigating school attendance challenges. Her work focuses on storytelling as a tool for awareness, understanding, and systems change.

  Through Unauthorized Absence, Natalie highlights the complex realities of school refusal, avoidance, and disengagement, emphasizing the emotional, relational, and systemic factors that impact students’ ability to access education. The film centers lived experience, helping to shift conversations toward more compassionate, informed, and inclusive approaches.

  Natalie Lauren’s work contributes to increasing public and professional understanding of school attendance challenges, supporting dialogue that prioritizes student well-being, belonging, and meaningful engagement in education.

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  David Lepofsky

  Canadian Academic, Retired Lawyer and Disability Advocate

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  David Lepofsky is a Canadian academic, retired lawyer, and internationally recognized disability rights advocate whose work has significantly advanced accessibility and human rights in education and public policy.

  Over several decades, he has been a leading voice in identifying and addressing systemic barriers that prevent students with disabilities from fully accessing education. His advocacy has highlighted how gaps in accommodation, inclusive design, and accountability can contribute to exclusion, disengagement, and school attendance challenges.

  David has played a key role in shaping accessibility legislation and promoting standards that support equitable learning environments. His work emphasizes that improving school attendance requires not only individual supports, but systemic change to ensure that all students can learn in environments that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse needs.

  Through his advocacy, teaching, and public engagement, David Lepofsky continues to influence policies and practices that advance equity, inclusion, and the right to education for all students.

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  Colin Lyons

  Teacher Candidate, Wilfred Laurier University - Canada

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  Hi my name is Colin. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, I am a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Sociology (Specialist Option) program with minors in Mental Health and Addictions and History. I am currently a teacher candidate in the Bachelor of Education program through Wilfrid Laurier University. My role with YMHC is Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors.

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  Kirsten MacAulay

  Researcher and Advocate, Canada

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  Kirsten MacAulay is a researcher and advocate focused on supporting the lives of Canadian children and youth who live with disabilities. She began her career as a lactation consultant, supporting families during some of their earliest and most vulnerable moments. She returned to school during COVID, earning a Bachelor of Arts and currently completing a Master of Arts in Child and Youth studies.

  As someone who grew up with undiagnosed disabilities and chronic illnesses, she faced constant barriers that shaped who she is and the work she does today. Her research, inspired by her own experience, interviewed Canadian youth to better understand the emotional and social impacts of living with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

  She focuses on advocating for children and youth who may face barriers to fully participating in education and community life, approaching this work with a deep respect for their own voices and lived experiences.

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  Christopher Merasty

  Founder, New Direction Consulting

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  Founded by Christopher Merasty, New Direction Consulting blends lived experience, cultural knowledge, and practical tools that help individuals and teams rise with confidence and purpose. New Direction Consulting supports people, communities, and organizations through culturally grounded leadership, wellness, and meaningful connection. Christopher’s approach is built on authenticity, respect, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan.

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  Trisha Morrison

  Community Development Officer, City of Toronto

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  Trisha Morrison is a dedicated Child and Youth Worker with over 20 years of experience supporting high-risk, hard-to-serve youth and adolescents across a wide range of settings. Thirteen of those years were spent with the Toronto District School Board, where she worked closely with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams to support youth facing significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges within school communities.

  Throughout her career, Trisha has worked extensively in residential group homes, hospitals, and schools, providing trauma-informed, youth-centered care rooted in relationship building, crisis intervention, and strengths-based practice. Her work has consistently focused on engaging youth who face systemic barriers, complex trauma, and elevated risk factors, with an emphasis on safety, resilience, and long-term positive outcomes.

  Within the last year, Trisha transitioned to the City of Toronto, where she currently serves as a Community Development Officer with the Violence Intervention and Support Unit. In this role, she brings her extensive frontline experience and deep understanding of community systems to violence prevention, intervention, and support initiatives, collaborating with community partners to promote equity, reduce harm, and strengthen safer, more resilient communities.

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  Sabrina Nicastro

  Honours Bachelor of Social Science student and Social Service Worker

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  Sabrina Nicastro is a third-year Honours Bachelor of Social Science student and Social Service Worker (SSW), currently undertaking a placement with Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC). Her work and studies reflect an interest in mental health, education, and systems that support student and community well-being.

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  John Rice

  Elder Knowledge Keeper, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services - Canada

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  John is currently with the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services as an Elder/Knowledge Keeper. He was previously engaged with the Early Psychosis Program at CMHA, working with many first nations in the region through the Enaahtig Mental Health Outreach Program. He has been a previous faculty member in the Aboriginal Social & Community Development Program at Georgian College. John has helped co-develop and facilitate training in Simcoe County called Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life. The program is receiving international attention and was born out of the need for more than direct suicide intervention techniques in local reserve communities – what was needed was empowering people of the community to become life promoters by sharing the health and wellness techniques they pursue. John is a teacher at the Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, and he has an incredible ability to weave and harmonize Traditional Knowledge and Teachings into mainstream work. Through his life’s work, John has been a leader in community wellness for over 30 years. This leadership was honoured in 2016 as the recipient of the CAMH – Chapin A’sin Elder Vern Harper Award for Excellence in the Provision of Culturally-Based Practice.

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  Michaela Silsby

  Spilling the Tea on Autism and ADHD, UK

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  Michaela Silsby is a UK-based advocate and content creator behind Spilling the Tea on Autism and ADHD, where she shares insights and lived experiences related to neurodiversity. Her work focuses on increasing understanding of autism and ADHD, particularly in relation to how these experiences impact young people’s engagement in education.

  Michaela highlights the challenges that neurodivergent students may face in traditional school environments, including sensory overwhelm, anxiety, and unmet support needs, which can contribute to school attendance difficulties. Through her platform, she promotes greater awareness, acceptance, and practical strategies to support inclusion and well-being.

  By centering lived experience and accessible communication, Michaela Silsby contributes to more informed, compassionate approaches to supporting neurodivergent students and addressing school attendance challenges.

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  Jonathan Singer

  Professor, Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work

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  Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW, is a Professor at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work and a leading scholar, educator, and practitioner in youth and student suicide prevention. His work focuses on school-based suicide prevention, suicide risk assessment, intervention, and postvention, with particular attention to how families, schools, and professionals can work together to support student safety and well-being.

  Dr. Singer is Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology and co-author of Suicide in Schools: A Practitioner’s Guide to Multi-level Prevention, Assessment, Intervention, and Postvention. He has written and presented extensively on suicide prevention and is recognized as a sought-after expert on suicide-related topics. His clinical and research interests include family-based interventions for suicidal youth, cyberbullying, service access, and the use of technology in social work education and practice.

  He has also contributed to national suicide prevention work through his appointment to the National Association of Social Workers Task Force developing Social Work Practice Standards of Care for Suicide Prevention. Through his research, teaching, training, writing, and public education, Dr. Singer has helped strengthen the role of schools and social workers in identifying suicide risk, supporting students in crisis, and building coordinated prevention and response systems.
  Link to Jonathan's work

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  Kim Wallace

  Professional Educational Consultant, Process Makes Perfect - United States

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  Born and raised in an educator household, Dr. Kim Wallace started her own career in public education 30 years ago as a high school English and history teacher before becoming a site principal and district office administrator. Her most recent K-12 role was as superintendent of one of the 20 largest school districts in California. Kim joined the UC Berkeley School of Education Leadership Programs division as the Associate Director of the 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) State Center in 2020. She also runs her own consulting company Process Makes Perfect, specializing in real world solutions for practitioners in the field. Kim consults, writes, and presents internationally on systems change and emerging trends in educational leadership. An award-winning, innovative educator, Kim leverages her abilities in educational administration, program management, and relationship development to optimize institutional effectiveness and deliver remarkable results.
  Dr. Wallace’s book Leading the Launch: A Ten-Stage Process for Successful School District Initiatives was published by Solution Tree Press in 2021, followed by Leading Through an Equity Lens in 2023. Her upcoming book, Gamechanging Leadership in Action: An Educator’s Companion is in production with Routledge/Taylor & Francis (Aug. 2025). Kim attended the University of California Santa Barbara for her undergraduate degree in history. She then earned her Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) at the University of California Los Angeles and culminated her educational goals with a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from the University of California Davis.

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  Melchior Wammes

  Youth Representative and Policy Advisor, Adviesraad Eigenwijsheid - Netherlands

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  I'm 24 years old and live in the Netherlands.

  I've attended no fewer than thirteen different schools; I was ultimately expelled from almost all of them. This led to significant school traumas. Therefore, I don't see my commitment to education as a choice, but as a moral obligation. I know how painful it can be when the system fails, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I've become a real document-eater: you can wake me up in the middle of the night to critically comment on complex policy documents.

  I enjoy engaging in dialogue with anyone involved in education. I derive the most satisfaction from discussions with people with whom I fundamentally disagree. It's not without reason that I often say: no friction, no shine. I'm regularly invited by schools and partnerships where many things are already going well. That's valuable, but I find that I sometimes get lost in the details. I personally prefer to visit places where my presence is initially less welcome. That's precisely where, in my opinion, the greatest gains can be achieved.

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  Selena Willier-Schmidt

  Manager of Indigenous Consulting Services, First Nations Health Managers Association

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  I bring over 25 years of diverse experience in First Nations health, having worked at local, regional, and federal levels within First Nation organizations. As a proud member of the Driftpile Cree Nation near Lesser Slave Lake, I am deeply committed to continuous personal and professional growth, driven by a passion for lifelong learning.

  I am the manager of Indigenous Consulting Services and former Education Specialist for the First Nations Health Managers Association. Her career has been a rich tapestry, involving roles within local and regional First Nation organizations and with the federal government’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB). These experiences have immersed her in a diverse array of health-related projects. With a formal background in mental health, she has nurtured a deep interest in enhancing mental health programming and services specifically for First Nation communities.

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  Ronda Ziakris

  Manager in Consulting: Indigenous Services, MNP - Canada

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  Ronda Ziakris, based in Calgary, AB, Ronda Ziakris is a Manager in Consulting: Indigenous Services for MNP, a leading accounting firm in Canada. She holds a master’s degree in Education Leadership/Administration and is a Certified Trauma and Resilience Trainer. She has extensive experience as a teacher, principal and education superintendent.

  She deems it an honour to work with First Nations communities as an education expert, client manager, education advisor, project lead and strategic planning and visioning facilitator. She has also led non-profit teams, and speaks on leadership, personal growth and trauma-informed practices. Authenticity, honesty and humour are her top three values.

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