We are excited to announce our keynote speakers for the 10th annual Statewide Symposium! Ensure you have a seat to hear these thought leaders by registering today.

Nicole Lynn Lewis serves as the CEO of Generation Hope, an organization she founded because of her own life experience. After completing college as a teen mother despite tremendous obstacles, she wanted to help other teen parents earn their college degrees and achieve stable and successful futures. In just 10 years, she has created a truly unique and thriving organization that has gained national attention for its focus on college completion for teen parents and kindergarten success for their little ones. She is a leader in the youth, higher ed, and teen pregnancy/parenting fields.

Gary Barker, PhD is a leading global voice in engaging men and boys in advancing gender equality and positive masculinities. He is the CEO and founder of Promundo, an organization that works to promote gender equality and prevent violence by engaging men and boys in partnership with women and girls. Gary co-founded MenCare, a global campaign working in 45 countries to promote men's involvement as caregivers, and MenEngage, a global alliance of more than 700 NGOs. He has also advised the UN, the World Bank, numerous national governments, and key international foundations and corporations on strategies to engage men and boys in promoting gender equality.

Forrest Alton has spent more than 20 years in the nonprofit and social service sectors in a variety of capacities. After a decade of service in the C-suite of a highly successful nonprofit organization, he stepped down to focus his energy on the launch and operations of 1000 Feathers. Forrest made this transition because he saw a need to improve the social service sector and advance work in underserved communities. He has committed his life’s work to training and developing leaders; helping organizations think and act more strategically; posing difficult questions; and encouraging courageous conversations in organizations and throughout communities. Forrest is a respected voice on topics related to adolescent health, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement.