Keynote Speakers
Barbara Duffield
Executive Director,
School House Connection
Barbara Duffield is Executive Director of SchoolHouse Connection. For more than 30 years, she has bridged policy and practice in early care, education, housing, and homelessness. Barbara began her career as a tutor for children experiencing homelessness in Washington DC in 1990. She was the Director of Education for the National Coalition for the Homeless from 1994-2003, where she collaborated with service providers, educators, federal agencies, and Congressional offices to address children’s issues. She served as the Director of Policy and Programs at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth in Washington D.C from 2003-2016, leading national efforts and helping to forge significant legislation to strengthen federal protections and services for children and youth experiencing homelessness, from early childhood through higher education.
Melissa Gaona
News Anchor with local CBS Station, Trafficking Advocate for the The Lampstand, and Founder of Ignition Ministries
Melissa Gaona was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. At the age of 7, her family found themselves homeless and living in a women's shelter for survivors of domestic violence. By the time she was a pre-teen, Melissa was drowning in depression and drug addiction. But something in Melissa's life shifted. She went on to become an Army veteran, a television news anchor with a master's degree, while also serving in one of Virginia's only safehomes for children who've experienced human trafficking. Melissa shares a powerful story of overcoming struggles when all odds are against you.
Jeannette Walls
Author
Jeannette Walls is the author of the perennially bestselling, extraordinary memoir, The Glass Castle, which has been a New York Times bestseller for more than eight years. She is also the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers The Silver Star, Half Broke Horses, and (most recently) Hang the Moon. A graduate of Barnard College, Jeannette began her career as a journalist in New York. In her keynotes, she takes audiences inside her resilient life journey, demonstrating that we all have more in common than we think, and that our flaws can be our greatest assets. She now lives in rural Virginia with her husband, the writer John Taylor.
Patricia Popp
EHCY State Coordinator Project HOPE-Virginia
Pat received her Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Planning from William & Mary, her M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University. Her research interests include students experiencing homelessness and high mobility and students with disabilities. Pat is the recipient of the 2024 NAEHCY Sandra M. Neese Lifetime Achievement Award.
Laura Hackett
Assistant EHCY State Coordinator/
Foster Care Point of Contact
Project HOPE-Virginia
Laura is a school psychologist by training and has over nine years of experience in homeless education. Laura has worked alongside children and families experiencing homelessness in non-profit and local government in various capacities along the continuum of care.
