Keynote Speaker:

LISA DRENNAN | FOUNDER | MERGE DIVERSE ABILITIES INCLUSION CONSULTING

Lisa's career is marked by a profound commitment to fostering inclusion and improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Her journey starts at New England Village in Pembroke, Mass, where she moved from direct support professional to designing and opening the Sollar Wellness Center, a unique facility offering aquatics, fitness, music, art, and education specifically designed for persons with disabilities.

Transitioning to the South Shore YMCA as the Association Director of Inclusion in 2014, Lisa expanded her impact by developing innovative programs and playing a crucial role in staff training, emphasizing the importance of social and recreational inclusion. Her national recognition as a leader in the field and appointment as the Co-Chairperson of Y-USA’s Diverse Abilities Working Group underscore her influence and commitment on a broader scale.

In 2018, Lisa founded MERGE Inclusion Consulting, extending her expertise beyond the YMCA to offer consultation, staff training, and systems implementation to various community entities dedicated to disability inclusion. This move exemplifies her desire to share best practices and contribute to the broader mission of creating inclusive communities.

Keynote Speaker:

MADELINE SHAW, MPH | MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION COORDINATOR | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

Madeline is dedicated to promoting population mental health by fostering belonging and connection. She currently works as a mental health promotion coordinator at the Longhorn Wellness Center at the University of Texas at Austin.  With advanced degrees from LSU Health New Orleans, she combines her expertise with a passion for creating communities that nurture well-being. Madeline’s work focuses on leveraging cultural shifts and informal education to inspire participation and collective growth.

3-D Programs for Elementary & Middle School

Mark Broughton, Dallas ISD Environmental Education Center

Helping LEarners Fall in Love with Birds

Jennifer Fetter-Matthys, Ecologist School Houston

Who’s Invited? The Power of Intentional Program and Event naming

August Vandiver, Delores Fenwick Nature Center

Nature For All: Connecting Adaptive Learners through sensory Science

Jo Joly, Families in Nature

Sustainable Making and Tinkering: A model for makerspace recycling and repurposing

Alan Small & Jessie Small, Mayborn Museum, Baylor University

Enhance your outdoor science programming with free research rangers resources

Jill Zipperer, Carolyn Jess & Kristy L. Daniel, Texas State University

A Sky for all: Best practices in planning and facilitating accessible eclipse and night sky events

Dawn Davies, Hill Country Alliance

1 baggie, 4 activities

Morgan Stinnett, Girlstart

Nature is an essential part of a healthy childhood

Sarah Coles, Texas Children in Nature Network

Discover hot science tv

Angelina DeRose, UT Austin Environmental Science Institute

Chasing the tide

Jay Cleberg, Gulf of Mexico Trust