Jamie Finn
Jamie Finn is the author of the bestselling book, Foster the Family, and Filled: 60 Devotions for the Foster Parent’s Heart. She is the founder and President of Foster the Family and founder of the Filled Gathering. Her popular social media accounts offer a glimpse into the real life of a foster parent and provide encouragement to tens of thousands of foster and adoptive parents. Jamie is the mother to 7 children through foster care, adoption, and birth. She lives in Sicklerville, New Jersey, with her husband, Alan.
JEANNIE CUNNION
Jeannie Cunnion is a bestselling author of several books and Bible Studies. Her work has been featured on outlets such as The TODAY show, Fox News, CBN, and a host of popular podcasts. Jeannie holds a master’s degree in social work and she is the co-founder of The 509 Foundation. She and her husband, Mike, live in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their five boys. Connect with her at JeannieCunnion.com.
Meredith Brock
Meredith Brock is the wife of Mack Brock and a mother of 3 children through foster care, adoption and birth. She is the CEO of Proverbs 31 Ministries and occasionally serves authors as a literary agent. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives with her family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Austin Ludwig
Austin Ludwig is a self-produced artist, speaker, and advocate for foster care, based in Atlanta, Georgia. After enduring fifteen years of abuse and trauma, Austin spent his formative years in the foster care system, aging out at 18. Amidst the brokenness of his past, Austin experienced the transformative love of Jesus, finding healing and restoration through the gospel. Over the past 12 years, Austin has dedicated his life to full-time ministry, using his testimony to fuel his recording artistry, writing, and speaking engagements. After years of pastoral ministry, he now focuses on his music career while also serving on staff with the WinShape Foundation, partnering with WinShape Homes to equip local churches in their mission to care for children in foster care. Austin lives in Atlanta with his wife of five years, and together, they are dedicated to serving God through both their personal and professional lives.
RENEUT VAN DER RIET
Raised in a military home in apartheid-era South Africa, Reneut sensed a call to pastoral ministry in high school and pursued theological training in the Washington, DC, area—where he met and married his wife, Brooke. After serving in California, they planted Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, Florida, in 2002 with a vision to meet both spiritual and tangible needs locally and globally.
Alongside Brooke, Reneut has adopted four of their eight children from Axum, Ethiopia, a journey that led to founding Axum Coffee Company and Love Made Visible—initiatives supporting justice and orphan care. He is currently developing The ReStory, a platform inviting others into the freedom found in Christ. When not teaching or leading, Reneut is likely in the garden, zip lining with his kids, or making Saturday waffles.
Geoffrey Nelson
Geoffrey Nelson, based in Waco, Texas, lives with his wife and two sons and has been dedicated to Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) since 2015. His journey began at the Methodist Children’s Home, where he became a TBRI educator and practitioner, launching a career focused on supporting children and families.Over nearly a decade, Geoffrey has applied TBRI principles in diverse settings, including Residential Treatment Centers, foster care and adoption agencies, schools, and corrections.Geoffrey is passionate about creating meaningful change for individuals of all ages. Inspired by Dr. Karyn Purvis’ words, “I don’t care if they are one, or 100. People all need the same kinds of stuff”, he continues to champion the transformative impact of TBRI in his personal life, work and community.
CLAIRE DICKENS
Claire Dickens is a mom of six who had her children removed and placed into foster care 2 ½ years ago. That day changed Claire's life. She was able to successfully bring her children back into her home 9 months later and has since continued to share her testimony of how she was supported well in the process of overcoming addiction and changing the direction of her life.
Melissa Corkum
Melissa Corkum is a sought-after speaker and author specializing in blocked care and strategies to overcome burnout and chronic stress. A TEDx speaker, co-author of Reclaim Compassion, an adoptee, and adoptive mom, she brings a blend of lived experience and expertise to her work. She is the CEO and founder of RISE to Regulation. Offstage, Melissa enjoys social dancing and savoring the half-popped kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bowl.
LINDSEY PHILLIPS
Lindsey Phillips is a foster parent with years of experience in her personal journey and helping other families work towards reunification. She is an advocate for reunification in the state and has advocated for foster care for over 7 years now. In addition to her work with foster care she has 15 plus years of experience working in the business profession with a variety of leaders. Lindsey spent two years supporting those in poverty overcome a variety of challenges.
Sandra Flach
Sandra Flach is mom of 8 children, 5 through adoption—2 diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She encourages and equips foster and adoptive parents through her weekly Adoption & Foster Care Journey Podcast and blogs at SandraFlach.com. She is a certified facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, teaches FASD workshops, and leads the Hope for the FASD Journey online support community. Sandra is co-founder of Justice For Orphans and Director of Adoption & Foster Care Resources at JFO. She’s author of Orphans No More—A Journey Back to the Father and will soon release her newest book, Soul Care Saturday—52 Devotions to Encourage Adoptive & Foster Parents. Sandra and her husband Wayne have been married 38 years. They reside in upstate NY where they love to spend time in the Adirondack Mountains.
TAMEKIA SWINT
Tamekia Swint is a wife, proud mom, talented hair stylist, and Licensed Hair Braiding Instructor who lives and breathes all things hair! In 2010, she founded Styles 4 Kidz (S4K), a nonprofit on a mission to provide textured hair care services, resources, and education to children in transracial adoptive, foster, and biracial families. Tamekia’s heart beats for helping kids feel confident and proud of how they look. Through S4K, she’s building a nationwide community that’s all about celebrating beautiful hairstyles that boost self-esteem and create a sense of belonging. Her passion for textured hair care and advocacy for representation has landed her on national platforms, including Good Morning America, Windy City Live, and The Kelly Clarkson Show, where she speaks about the importance of inclusive hair care for all kids. Born and raised in Chicago, Tamekia is determined to make a difference—one hairstyle, one child, one family at a time. Learn more at www.styles4kidz.org.
jackie Darby
In 1963, Jackie was abandoned as a newborn in a Seoul, Korea garbage dump, where she was discovered by a missionary nurse. Scarred from rat bites and rejection, she was placed in an orphanage and became eligible for adoption. Meanwhile, God was preparing a family—a U.S. couple with five biological children who had tragically lost three previously matched adoptees. On the day of President Kennedy’s assassination, they received one final call: a baby girl needed a home. After prayer and heartbreak, they said yes. That baby was Jackie.
Raised in rural Illinois, Jackie eventually followed a calling to global missions. She and her husband Randall have spent nearly 30 years in Guatemala as founders of Start With One Global. They've raised two children on the mission field, housed 17 teens, and led ministries for women exiting prostitution. Today, they focus on empowering local leaders to build gospel-centered, self-sustaining community initiatives.
Aixa de López
Guatemalan mom to four: Two of which came through the miracle of adoption.
Graphic designer, published author/illustrator and public speaker. She serves as board member with Christian Alliance for Orphans and also with Alianza Cristiana para los Huérfanos.
MORE Workshop SPEAKERS TO BE ADDED!