2026 Conference Presenters
Caroline has been the Director of the Keane Kids After School Enrichment Program since 2016. Caroline is primarily responsible for designing, planning, and coordinating Afterschool enrichment programs at all 5 Wethersfield Elementary Schools. Caroline believes in providing quality programs to children that can help them develop a sense of competence, confidence, and connection.
Anthony DePoto is a Connecticut-based theater educator, actor, director, and playwright. He serves as the Head of Acting and Registrar at The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts and is an Adjunct Professor at Western Connecticut State University. In 2013, he founded innerAct Theatre LLC, a traveling theater education company that integrates dramatic exercises and storytelling into K-12 curricula, sports programs, and corporate training. His extensive professional background includes educational leadership roles at the Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage, and Long Wharf Theatre. As a performer and director, DePoto is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) with credits spanning Off-Broadway, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Kennedy Center. He holds a B.A. from Western Connecticut State University and an M.F.A. in Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Tracy Cheney is a wife and mother, as well as a Grand-Ma! She is Vice President of Dr. Day Care, Inc. and is a professional consultant who has been in the field of early childhood education for the past 35 years. Her experience includes teaching young children, as well as being an administrator in a variety of different capacities.
In her dual role of VP of Education and Compliance, Tracy supports many levels of early learning professionals with a wide array of topics. In addition, Tracy oversees compliance with many regulatory agencies.
Tracy also supports professional development by presenting to hundreds of private organizations and at many national conferences.
As a veteran in OST and non-profit management, Nichelle Harris uses her expertise to coach OST educators, classroom teachers, and administrators to meet the increasingly complex demands of the communities, families and youth we serve. She often advises non-profit leaders on community partnership development, systems change, organizational sustainability and staff support. Harris is the past Executive Director of the Ohio Afterschool Network, a White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellow, and has chaired several national leadership committees for the Out-of-School-Time field. Harris is also a seasoned national presenter on building collaborations and adult learning strategies.
Laquita Joyner-McGraw, Ph.D., is a youth development leader, entrepreneurship educator, researcher, and community practitioner whose work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship education, financial literacy, workforce readiness, and inclusive economic development. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Youth Entrepreneurs, a Connecticut-based organization that equips middle and high school students from historically marginalized communities with the mindset, skills, and confidence to lead, innovate, and create pathways toward economic mobility.
With more than 18 years of teaching experience and over two decades of professional experience in business and leadership development, Dr. Joyner-McGraw designs experiential learning programs that connect young people to real-world problem-solving, career exploration, personal branding, financial wellness, and entrepreneurship. Through pitch competitions, mentorship, hands-on workshops, and community partnerships, her work elevates youth voice and prepares students to see themselves as future entrepreneurs, professionals, and civic leaders.
Dr. Joyner-McGraw holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Delaware State University, an M.B.A. from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership from Regent University. Her doctoral research explored Generation Z’s perceptions of entrepreneurship as a pathway to financial freedom and social change.
She serves on nonprofit and education advisory boards and regularly presents on entrepreneurship education, youth empowerment, financial literacy, workforce development, and equitable pathways to economic opportunity. Her work reflects a deep commitment to community-centered learning and to creating spaces where young people are seen, heard, prepared, and empowered.
Amanda Amtmanis has more than 25 years of experience teaching K-5 physical education in Middletown, CT. She was named CTAHPERD elementary TOY in 2014. Amanda continually seeks out professional development opportunities, as both an attendee and as a presenter. Some notable experiences that have informed her practice have been attending the RULER Institute at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, attending facilitator training with the Center for Applied Research and Equity, and being asked to serve on the national physical education standards revision task force. She is a state, regional and national presenter on a variety of topics, including a particular focus on SEL.
Mellany Gomez, MT-BC, launched her company Melodic Goals LLC in 2023 with the sole purpose of increasing her community’s access to music and wellness services by designing afterschool programs. A music therapist for over five years, Mellany now oversees music-based afterschool programs at six schools in the Greater Hartford county. Madison joined her team soon after to provide not only to the afterschool programs, but also to special education classrooms, senior living facilities, and daycares and preschools across the county.
Douglas Fetchin, Ed.D., is an experienced educator, program leader, and founder of Fetch Grant Solutions, LLC, with over 30 years of work in K–12 education, grants, student support, urban school district leadership, and program development. His experience spans afterschool and enrichment programming, literacy, MTSS, school improvement, and strategic planning for mission-driven organizations. As a doctoral researcher studying leadership, autonomy, and motivation in schools, Doug brings both practical experience and research-informed insight to conversations about effective leadership practices in afterschool programming.
Scarlett Lewis is a renowned thought leader, international speaker, and founder of the Choose Love Movement™, a global nonprofit inspired by the heroic life and final message of her son Jesse, who was tragically killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Her life mission is to empower people around the world to choose love over fear in every circumstance, cultivating healing, resilience, and well-being.
Specializing in transforming school communities through healing, connection, and courage, Scarlett demonstrates how to understand trauma, foster post-traumatic growth, and strengthen well-being through emotional intelligence. Her Choose Love Movement™ has proven effective in reducing bullying, building belonging, and creating resilient, emotionally safe classrooms.
Through her powerful blend of heartfelt storytelling and compelling research, Scarlett delivers transformational experiences that go beyond inspiration to spark real emotional and behavioral change. Attendees leave not only motivated but equipped with renewed purpose and practical tools to choose love in their daily lives.
Jona Shook, MA, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist and Director of Services at Infinity Music Therapy Services. With nearly 20 years of experience, she works with children and adults across educational, community, healthcare, and mental health settings, specializing in neurodivergent individuals and mental health care. Jona’s work is grounded in neuroaffirming, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed practices that promote accessible and inclusive environments. She is the only perinatal music therapist currently practicing in Connecticut and provides coaching and consultation to educational and healthcare organizations nationwide on the therapeutic and educational applications of music to foster connection, engagement, and meaningful participation.
Emily Fleming (M.A.T., ERYT500, RCYT) is a certified educator with over a decade of classroom teaching experience, a national-level conference speaker, and the founder of Yoga In Classrooms And Schools Consulting (YCSC). YCSC helps schools and educators create calmer, more connected classrooms and communities through evidence-based mindfulness practices that empower teachers and students with the tools to self-regulate and prioritize their mental health and well-being.
Emily started her teaching career as a Teach for America Corps member in Chicago. She served as a special education teacher on the West and South Sides of Chicago for 3 years before moving back to her hometown of Baltimore to continue her teaching career.
In Baltimore, Emily taught yoga and mindfulness as a daily, for-credit enrichment class at middle school. During her time there, she developed a 3-year curriculum focused on using yoga and mindfulness as a means of exploring SEL competencies, and incorporated Project Based Learning and Arts Integration into her curriculum.
Emily founded YCSC in early 2022 and left the classroom in June of 2023. Emily now shares her knowledge and expertise with schools and educators across the country to help them weave mindful practices into what they already do to create measurable improvements in focus, well-being, and school culture.
Jessica is a university professor specializing in executive function skills and early childhood education and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Beyond the classroom, Jessica serves as the Local Governance Partner (LGP) Liaison for New Britain Early Childhood Collaborative, collaborating with families, early childhood providers, and community organizations to strengthen family engagement and improve outcomes for young children. She is also a former Parent Ambassador with the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and a graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). Jessica remains committed to advocacy, leadership, and creating meaningful, positive change within the communities she serves.
Andrea Dulac supports educational programs and partnerships across CT and New England in her current role representing the National Inventors Hall of Fame®. Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame and has past professional experience across the US and Latin America in nonprofit program management and community-based education.
Susan Quincy is an Environmental Educator at the Kellogg Environmental Center, part of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. She is the State Coordinator for Environmental Education Professional Development and the Chair of the Connecticut State Environmental Literacy Plan. As a longtime environmental educator, she has also been involved in the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (COEEA) and is certified in several EE and Interpretation programs. She is also trained facilitator for Population Education. (B.S. Biological Sciences and B.S. Secondary Education, Illinois State University).
Cynthia Rae is the Founder of Pink Blazer, an experiential leadership and professional development company dedicated to preparing people for the rooms they are called to enter. With a career spanning K–12 education, school leadership, healthcare learning and organizational development, workforce development, and professional continuing education, she has spent more than 25 years helping individuals build the communication, confidence, and leadership skills needed to thrive.
A former teacher, instructional coach, school administrator, licensed funeral director, and current Senior Learning & Organizational Development Specialist for a large academic health system, Cynthia brings a unique cross-sector perspective to youth and adult learning. Her engaging, experiential workshops equip participants with practical tools they can immediately apply to strengthen relationships, navigate difficult conversations, and foster growth. She is passionate about helping the next generation develop the human skills that shape success in school, work, leadership, and life.
Ryan Matthews serves as the Chief Programs & Operations Officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, where he leads the organization’s statewide program strategy, operations, and service delivery. He oversees Connecticut’s largest one-to-one youth mentoring organization, serving more than 1,300 youth annually through Community-Based, Site/School-Based, Big Futures, and Foster Grandparent programs with a team of 26 and an annual operating budget exceeding $3.3 million.
Since joining BBBSCT in 2012, Ryan has helped lead the organization’s statewide expansion, post-merger integration, and continued growth in service capacity while maintaining nationally recognized program quality. He directed the agency’s transition to a technology-enhanced mentoring model during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded services for emerging adults through Big Futures, led the implementation of the Developmental Assets framework, and has championed innovations in data systems and artificial intelligence to strengthen program effectiveness and operational efficiency.
Beyond the organization, Ryan has served on several statewide commissions and advisory groups focused on youth development, juvenile justice, and community service, including appointments by Governors Dannel Malloy and Ned Lamont. He currently serves on the Connecticut Commission on Community Service and has contributed to the Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee’s Diversion, Raise the Age, and Truancy workgroups.
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, magna cum laude, and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Connecticut.
Cara Zelas is an early childhood educator, Montessori teacher, author, and educational entrepreneur specializing in social-emotional learning, executive functioning, and community building. She holds degrees in Media Communications and Elementary Education from Macquarie University (Sydney) and earned her Early Childhood Montessori Certification at West Side Montessori School (New York). As the founder of Big World of Little Dude, Cara develops story-driven books for families and the humanKIND Curriculum for educators, helping children build kindness, resilience, and strong social skills through everyday moments. Inspired by her real-life therapy dog, Little Dude, her work brings play, connection, and belonging into classrooms and homes worldwide. Cara is a regular contributor to Edutopia and has presented at national conferences including SXSW EDU and the BOOST Conference.
Kymberlee Powe (she/her) is the Children and Young Adult Consultant at the Connecticut State Library, where she specializes in youth services, literary equity, and statewide professional development. In her role, she supports librarians, school media specialists, and community partners through training, consultation, and program development that strengthens services for youth and their families.
Kym is an experienced presenter whose work has been featured at state, national, and international events, including the American Library Association Annual Conference, the Connected Learning Summit, Niche Academy, and multiple School Library Journal and Library Journal professional development programs. She has contributed to multiple grant programs funded by the federal organization, the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Her leadership in the field has earned broad recognition: she was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in Education in 2023 and a Literary Hero by Read to Grow in 2024. Kymberlee is a sought‑after facilitator, panelist, and is committed to building inclusive, equitable learning environments for all children and teens.
