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 Ganoa
Journalist with CBS Affiliate WDBJ7 in Roanoke and Volunteer with The Lampstand
Melissa Gaona is a United States Army veteran and a journalist for CBS affiliate WDBJ7 in Roanoke, Virginia. After doing multiple stories on the issue of human trafficking in Virginia, Melissa took a position with The Lampstand, a safehome in Virginia for children who have experienced trafficking and exploitation, as the Communications Coordinator in 2021.In her role with the non-profit, she is certified to teach prevention education inside area schools. She also provides professional trainings for businesses, law enforcement, coalitions, and organizations around the Commonwealth.
Keynote Speakers
Jeannette Walls
Author
Jeannette Walls is an American author and journalist widely known as former gossip columnist for MSNBC.com and author of The Glass Castle, a memoir of the nomadic family life of her childhood. Published in 2005, it had been on the New York Times Best Seller list for 421 weeks as of June 3, 2018. She is a 2006 recipient of the Alex Award and Christopher Award.
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.
