Meet Our Presenters

With engaging pop-up sessions and social meet-ups on Day 1, plus both curated and open session presenters on Day 2, ConneXtion offers dynamic opportunities to learn and connect. Across both days, explore a diverse range of exhibitors, food trucks, and live music on the lawn at John Carroll. Get ready for an experience that will challenge, inspire, and elevate you personally and professionally.

Day 1 Presenters - More to come!

Shira Goldsmith

Founder, Goldsmith Swim School; Red Cross Instructor; Inclusive Swim & Lifeguard Educator; Youth Mentor

Spectrum & the Stigma

RTA Public Transportation Workshop

Ohio Network for Innovation

Creative Problem Solvers, Self-Determination Advocates, Architects of Possibility

Tailspinner Children's Theatre

Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Workforce Development Team

Inclusive, Imaginative Theatre & Education for All Kids and Families

Day 2 Presenters

Natasha Nelson

CEO of Supernova Parenting, Educator, Veteran, Neurodivergent Leader & Advocate

Camille Proctor

Executive Director of The Color of Autism Foundation (COA), Author, Researcher, & Advocate

Christopher Cottrell

Assistant General Manager, Neurodivergent Self-Advocate, Pop Culture Enthusiast, Barrier Breaker

Ann Liesen, PhD

Licensed Professional Counselor, Ph.D., Autism Advocate, Adjunct Professor, Caregiver Consultant, Curriculum Specialist

Tiffany Thomas

Assistant College Lecturer, CSU School of Social Work, Educator, Trauma-Informed Care Advocate, Author

Grace Blatt, MA

Autistic Professor and Self-Advocate

Joy Howard

Founder & Executive Director, ArtTism Empowerment Inc.; Milestones Parent Mentor for Cuyahoga County through Ohio Family Network; disability advocate, registered nurse & author

Jesse Kohler

Founder & President, The Change Campaign; Executive Director, CTIPP; Systems Change Leader; MPA Candidate, UPenn

Abby Evans

Clinical Research Coordinator, Aspiring Psychology PhD, Neurodiversity Advocate, Autism & Mental Health Researcher

Tabitha Mosley

Intervention Specialist, Autistic Self-Advocate, Educator for Inclusive Understanding

Bradley Wyner, NADD-DDS

Milestones Director of Education, Autism & IDD Specialist, Trauma-Informed Trainer, Person-Centered Advocate

Andrew Schlegelmilch, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist, Neurodiversity Specialist, Author, Autism & Parenting Expert, Private Practice Clinician

Tracy Masterson, PhD

Professor of Psychology at John Carroll University, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Elizabeth Stiles, MPA, PhD

Professor of Political Science at
John Carroll University, Researcher,
Nonprofit Consultant, Self Advocate

Jordan Salzano

OT Graduate Student, Autism Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Self-Help Author & Podcaster, Content Creator

Reinhild Boehme, LISW-S

Assistant College Lecturer,
CSU School of Social Work,
Educator, Trauma-Informed Care
Advocate, Author

Jenna Winkelman

Autistic PhD Student, Clinical Psychology Researcher, Trauma & VR Treatment Explorer

K Pepera, LIPC, SUPV

Licensed Clinical Counselor, LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate, Co-Founder of Colors+ & Colors+ Counseling, Award-Winning Activist

Kristin Zielinski OTD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist, Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Neurodiversity Advocate, Sensory Integration Presenter

Denise Ben-Porath, PhD

Professor of Psychology at
John Carroll University, A Pioneering DBT Practitioner, Clinician & Researcher

Brittany R. Randall-Pope, MS

Assistant VP Clinical Sciences &
Research at Ohio Guidestone, Lifelong Learner, Educator & Advocate

Abbigail Rich MOT, OTR/L

Director of OT, Monarch Center for Autism; Strengths-Based Practitioner; Sensory & Regulation Presenter; Client-Centered Care Advocate