Holly Elissa Bruno, MA. JD, is an award winning, best-selling author and podcaster. She  served as Maine’s Assistant Attorney General. She’s also been Dean of Faculty, Outstanding Professor at the University of Maine-Augusta; and alumna of Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management. She keynotes internationally on Emotional Intelligence, Trauma and recovery.

Juelie Perry Schwartz is a passionate play-based learning advocate and dynamic keynote storyteller. With 40 years of leadership and personal experience as a mother and caregiver, she transforms traditional lectures into immersive, humorous experiences. She empowers early childhood professionals to inspire minds and impact the world through playful interactions.

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed., is an early childhood language expert. With degrees in American Sign Language, Linguistics, and a Masters in Education, she has spent over two decades studying how infants and toddlers acquire receptive and expressive language and how adult communication shapes early identity, emotional regulation, and long-term learning outcomes. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher turned national speaker and teacher trainer, Cara developed the Collaborative Discipline Framework and The Talking Triangle to equip parents and educators with science-backed, intentional language strategies that influence how children think, process emotions, and build their internal sense of self. She is the host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years and author of Talk to Them Early and Often.

Denise is a Certified LIGPlaymaker and play-ologist. She is a special educator, certified early intervention specialist, coach, licensed mental health counselor, and Registered Play Therapist™ passionate about applying the powers of play to make a difference for our future generations. Denise supports children, parents, and educators through the approaches of the Hanen® Program, the Pyramid Model, and Developmental Individual-Differences Relationship -Based Model® (DIR®) with specialization in working with young children (those under age 8 years).

Susan Racette is an educator, movement advocate, and lifelong learner with over 30 years of experience across the full spectrum of early childhood and K-12 education. Her career spans Head Start, public school teaching, school administration, and leading professional development for a national curriculum company. Susan holds a degree in Physical Education and a Master's in Educational Leadership. She brings her passion for dance, movement, and brain-based learning together to help educators understand and feel why the body is the brain's first teacher.

Howard Moody has been facilitating workshops for over 35 years, Building community and creating authentic connection through play is Howard's passion and mission. Howard was a teacher and athletic coach and a faculty member at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for many years. In 1985 he co-founded The Adventure Game Theatre, which was featured on NPR and PBS. Howard has also trained extensively with Fred Donaldson, and he assisted ReTribe in creating their teen Rites of Passage programs.

Krista Warren is an early childhood educator and professional development presenter with 11 years of classroom experience. She is passionate about equipping educators with practical, real-world strategies that strengthen classrooms, support teachers, and create positive learning experiences for young children.

Rosemary Montero Hernandez, MBA, MS, has over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She is a consultant, college instructor, and bilingual trainer who empowers educators through leadership, coaching, culturally responsive practices, curriculum design, and engaging professional development that inspires meaningful change.

Priscilla Rodriguez, M.S., IMH-E® is a bilingual Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, trauma-informed clinician, educator, and Founder of Family Consulting & Coaching. She specializes in play-based, relationship-centered approaches that strengthen children, families, and educators while promoting resilience, attachment, and social-emotional development.

Sandra (Sandy) Gold holds master's degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. A former preschool director, adjunct professor, and early childhood consultant, she now coaches teachers and parents, drawing on decades of experience to help adults create nurturing, developmentally responsive environments where young children can thrive.

Kim Taylor is an educational leader with over 30 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education. Principal of Franklin’s Early Childhood Development Center and an NAESP Early Learning Leadership Fellow, she is passionate about inclusive practices, strong school cultures, and supporting educators and young children through thoughtful, responsive leadership.

Laura Shea is an early childhood educator, keynote speaker, and founder of Little Stories That Stick. She helps educators build early literacy through play, oral language, and storytelling, bridging research with developmentally responsive practice so children become confident readers through connection, curiosity, and meaningful experiences.

Dr. Jamie Lewis is an educator, speaker, and Founder & CEO of SheEO Educational Institute and New Horizon Learning Academy. She empowers early childhood professionals through practical leadership, social-emotional learning, and resilience strategies that strengthen educators, enrich classrooms, and create lasting impact for children, families, and communities.

Vicky de la Garza is a Pedagogical Leader at SolBe Learning with over 27 years of experience in education. She is passionate about creating joyful, playful learning environments where children’s curiosity, ideas, and questions guide emergent projects, fostering inquiry, creativity, and meaningful connections. Her work is rooted in listening deeply to children and honoring their voices.

Dr. Joanna Spotts, founder of Spotlight on Early Learning, is an early childhood educator, curriculum coach, and presenter. With more than 23 years of experience, she provides engaging, research-based professional development focused on risky play, nature-based learning, and empowering educators to support children's curiosity and development.

Danielle is a lead preschool teacher, Director certified, and certified children’s yoga instructor. She believes every child is an artist and loves helping educators replace cookie-cutter crafts with meaningful, process-focused experiences.

Since 1999, Joe has provided a broad spectrum of services that include consultation, leadership coaching, training and technical support for non-profit organizations and programs that provide education and care services for young children. He has worked with nonprofit and for-profit agencies, early childhood education programs, private and public schools, and state and federally funded programs.

​

Joe is the President of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC). For more information about Joe, please visit his website at joepinsonneault.com

Keyerin Coleman is an educator, instructional leader, and professional development trainer with experience spanning preschool, elementary, middle school, and educational leadership. He specializes in building sustainable instructional systems, strengthening teacher effectiveness, and developing high-performing school cultures. Through practical, research-based strategies, Keyerin equips educators to improve student achievement, streamline systems, and lead with excellence.

Dana Kadish, M.Ed., is an early childhood consultant, coach, and former school leader with more than 28 years of experience. She facilitates engaging professional development and partners with early childhood programs to strengthen leadership, cultivate collaborative cultures, and inspire joyful, play-based learning for children and educators.

Linda Schumacher is a life-long teacher with education and experience in all types of settings. She is dedicated to helping all children to develop, learn and grow by supporting professionals who educate and care for them. She is currently a trainer and coach working across Massachusetts.

Cory, a Head Start Ambassador, is the Administrative Coordinator with the Citizens for Citizens Head Start in Fall River, MA. He has been an administrator for center-based child care in Southeastern Massachusetts for over 20 years. He has also worked for the Massachusetts Dept. of Health and the Dept. of Early Education and Care as a Program Coordinator, Coach and Consultant, with significant work on team building and productivity. He is an "I am Moving, I am Learning" Champion and National Presenter, promoting healthy 

David Martelli is an educational innovator and Founder of Guild Hall Learning with over 20 years of experience in AI integration, STEM education, and experiential learning. He helps educators leverage emerging technologies to enhance instruction, personalize learning, and build innovative, future-ready classrooms and schools.