Keynote and Plenary Session Speakers
2025 National Lifespan Respite Conference
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Kristin Scroggin
Managing Partner and Lead Trainer
genWHY Communication Strategies
Huntsville, AL
Meet Kristin Scroggin – A huge fan of Generational Diversity armed with a Communication Studies master's degree from the University of Alabama and a bachelor's from Montevallo in decoding GenZ slang and millennial emojis. Kristin embarked on her research endeavors during her almost 20-year tenure as a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville before giving birth to her company, genWHY Communications in 2017.
Kristin has a passion for decoding the generational enigma and is known for her straight-talk speaking style and wicked twist of humor. Kristin has been on stages in 42 states, left her mark in 3 countries, and sprinkled her wisdom across more than 160 conferences for 350+ diverse organizations. From Fortune 500 giants to pint-sized non-profits, she's been there, done that, and left an indelible impression.
Published in magazines, guest on multiple podcasts, and the workhorse behind groundbreaking research, Kristin isn't just about speaking – she's about making waves in the world of succession planning and leadership program development. Need someone to referee the battle of Boomers and Millennials on your teams? Look no further; Kristin consults on attracting, developing, and retaining the brightest minds.
But wait, there's more! Fueled by an unrelenting wanderlust, Kristin and her partner-in-travel (husband) are on a quest to explore every nook and cranny of the globe. Amidst their jet-setting adventures, they somehow manage to keep their sanity while raising four humans who never stop eating.
To learn more and get resources visit www.genwhy.com.
Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH
Co-Chair, RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council
CEO and Founder
National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes
Jonathan Cottor is a devoted father whose journey with his son Ryan, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 9 months old, profoundly shaped his life. Ryan defied expectations, living an extraordinary 17 years until his death in December 2018. Inspired by their experience, Jonathan and his wife co-founded Ryan House, a pioneering children’s respite, palliative, and hospice care home in Phoenix, Arizona.
After a 30-year career in corporate marketing and leadership, Ryan’s death became the catalyst for Jonathan to align his work with his passion. He earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, specializing in policy and advocacy, along with a certificate in Maternal and Child Health.
Jonathan is now a recognized national thought leader in pediatric palliative care. He has been instrumental in building a coalition of community-based pediatric palliative care home models, culminating in the creation of the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes and its flagship initiative, Children’s Respite Homes of America.
April 2 LUNCHEON PLENARY SESSION - PBS Documentary, Caregiving
Screening of Excerpts from PBS Documentary, Caregiving, and Panel Discussion.Â
This thought-provoking panel discussion will follow a special screening of excerpts from Caregiving, an upcoming two-hour PBS documentary executive produced by Bradley Cooper. Set to air nationwide on PBS in June 2025, the documentary provides an intimate look at the personal stories of caregivers and the complex realities of short- and long-term care, as well as palliative and end-of-life care. The project also includes a robust national engagement campaign.
The panel discussion, moderated by Marcus Escobedo of The John A Hartford Foundation will feature members of the production team, Josh Carter, grandchild of President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, alongside Lynnette Canedy, another caregiver featured in the film.
This session will be moderated by:
Marcus R. Escobedo, MPA
Vice President, Communications and Senior Program Officer
The John A. Hartford Foundation
Marcus R. Escobedo, MPA, is vice president, communications and senior program officer at The John A. Hartford Foundation, a national private foundation working to improving the health of older adults. He develops and implements the organization’s communications strategy and oversees a grants portfolio of communications and special projects. He joined the foundation in 2006, and as a program officer, he has managed grant initiatives to improve emergency departments and surgical care for older adults, in addition to academic geriatrics training programs for specialist physicians.
Josh Carter
Family Caregiver and Spokesman
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers
Josh Carter is the fourth grandchild of President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Josh is the CEO of the VEO-IBD Foundation, the first and only organization dedicated to parents and caregivers of children with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Josh is a small business owner, and he is the writer, producer, and host of the Unchanging Principles Podcast, where he talks about his life in a Presidential family and the American values taught to him by his grandparents. Josh is also the spokesman for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, where he advocates improving the support and services available to family caregivers. Josh lives in Atlanta with his wife Sarah, his two boys Charlie and Jonathan, and his cocker spaniel Copper.
Lynnette Canedy
Family Caregiver
2023 Elizabeth Dole Fellow
Kentucky
Lynnette Canedy is the proud daughter of former Drill Sergeant Mr. Thomas J. Canedy, Sr. and Mrs. Penny Canedy, a former military wife, PTA President, and community leader. While her primary role today is as a devoted caregiver to her Veteran father, Lynnette has had a distinguished career. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Advertising from the University of Kentucky and holds a PMP certification in Project Management.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Lynnette made her mark in the Los Angeles market, serving as a Digital Sales Manager for the Los Angeles Times Media Group and holding director-level positions at both the Orange County Register and La OpiniĂłn newspapers. For the past 9 years, while caring for her father, she has transitioned to remote government-sector roles, including serving as an IT Project Manager for the U.S. Army and as a Strategic Communications Specialist for the Department of Homeland Security.
In 2023, Lynnette was selected by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to join the Dole Fellowship Program. As a Dole Fellow, she works alongside other fellows and the foundation to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by spouses, parents, family members, and loved ones who care for wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans.
Lynnette is married to Kenneth Durham and is the proud sister to 6 siblings and aunt to 16 nieces and nephews. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to care for her father and draws strength from her faith as she continues navigating her caregiving journey.
Christopher Durrance
Director & Senior Producer of the Caregiving Documentary for WETA
Producer at Ark Media
Chris Durrance is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, who is director of the forthcoming PBS series, "Caregiving." Durrance worked on more than a dozen films for FRONTLINE, three presidential biographies and an independent documentary on gerrymandering – Slay the Dragon – which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. He is the winner of a Peabody, two Emmys, a duPont-Columbia silver baton and an Overseas Press Club award. Recently, Durrance directed two major PBS series on science and medicine – Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies and The Gene. He is the founder of Seven One Eight Studios.
Tom Chiodo
Executive Producer of the Caregiving Documentary for WETA
Executive Producer for Special Projects / National Productions
Tom Chiodo is the Executive producer of Special Projects in National Productions at WETA, the flagship PBS station in Washington, DC. Documentaries to his credit include: Ken Burns’ Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness; Emmy-nominated The Gene: An Intimate History; DuPont Columbia Award & Emmy-nominated Cancer: Emperor of All Maladies.
He is currently the executive producer of the upcoming projects: Caregiving (June 2025), Remote Chance: Health Care in Rural America, Defeating Dementia, Climate Kitchen. Mr. Chiodo has held senior positions at Entertainment Industry Foundation, Rubenstein Association, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
He is the co-author of “Home Care for Respirator Dependent Children” published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and is a contributing writer at Forbes.com.
April 3 CLOSING PLENARY SESSION PANEL
Amplifying Family Caregiver Voices
This panel will offer an engaging opportunity to hear directly from family and friend caregivers, and those who work with caregivers, about the challenges they experience every day. Panelists will share personal stories of caring in underserved, and sometimes even seemingly invisible, populations -- young caregivers, Hispanic and African American caregivers, families of medically complex children, and Veterans. Together, we will explore how we can work to amplify their voices and provide greater opportunities for respite and other supports.
This session will be moderated by:
Nick Nyberg
Programs and Planning Division Chief
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Nick Nyberg has served as the Programs and Planning Division Chief at the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) for more than 5 years where his responsibilities include grant writing and managing the development and coordination of the statewide Older Americans Act (OAA) and other grant programs for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in the state.
Prior to joining ADSS, Nick served in many capacities at the South Central Alabama Development Commission (SCADC) Area Agency on Aging for more almost two decades. In 2005, he was chosen to pilot the new Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) federal grant program. Today the ADRCs are the backbone of all 13 AAAs as this valuable service is the entry point access to aging resources and benefits counseling.
Throughout his 20+ years working in the field of aging, Nick has received certifications in Case Management, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Person-Centered Counseling, and the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS) international Certification for Community Resource Specialist in Aging and Disabilities (CRS-A/D). He serves on numerous boards and advisory councils and will continue to serve in any capacity he can to help Alabama make strides in helping older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities. Nick is a graduate of Troy University. He has been married for 20 years and has 3 children ages 15, 12, and 10 and outside of his full-time career he also works as an artist.
Feylyn Mercedes Lewis, PhD
Young Caregiver Advocate
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
A native of Nashville, Tennessee and a Vanderbilt University alumna, Dr. Lewis grew up as a youth caregiver for her disabled mother. Her experience with caregiving, disability, and living life on the margins led her on a path of global research and advocacy. She has a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Social Work. Her research focuses on mental health and resiliency in youth and young adult caregivers, and she conducts research in the US, Europe, UK, and Australia. Dr. Lewis currently works as the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, where she is responsible for providing vision, leadership and strategic planning for student affairs programming that delivers holistic wellness formal support services, student life and community engagement.
She currently resides in Nashville where she continues to provide care for her mother.
Maria Gutierrez
Family Caregiver
Family Navigator, Auburn University Regional Autism Network
MarĂa Gutierrez works as the Family Navigator for the Auburn University Regional Autism Network IV (AU-RAN). Maria is the parent of a young adult with an autism spectrum disorder. Maria was a founding member of a local non-profit organization Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy which provided resources, workshops and support for families with a family member with an autism spectrum disorder.
In addition, Maria has served in various committees in Alabama and California. Currently, Maria is a community member of the Alabama Early Intervention Best Practices Working Group , the Alabama Lifespan Respite Coalition , and the Auburn Citizens' Public Safety Academy. Previously, Gutierrez has been a member of the Alabama Medicaid Working Group-Governor Appointed, and ADAP’s Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (PADD) Advisory Council. From 2021-2023 , Maria Gutierrez worked on the implementation of a grant awarded by the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities for Hispanic Outreach Grant for families impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She is also part of the state parent/professional group Partners in Policymaking sponsored by the Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities, The SOLACE Respite Program at St. Michael’s The Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn and is involved in a Project to Improve the Health of Hispanic Women.
Prior moving to Alabama, Maria worked as a Parent Mentor in California under The Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center and was appointed Board of Directors of Santa Clarita Autism Asperger Network, a non- profit organization for support, information, networking and social events for families in the Santa Clarita Valley. Â
In her spare time, she volunteers at community events, enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and spending time with her family. Â
Theresa Vollor, MSW, LICSW
VA Caregiver Support Program Manager
Birmingham VA Healthcare System
Ms. Theresa Vollor, MSW, LICSW is the VA Caregiver Support Program Manager for the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS). Ms. Vollor joined the VA Health Care System in 2007 and has served in various areas of the VA Healthcare System to include Primary Care, In-patient Care, Home-Based Primary Care, and Contract Nursing Homes. In February 2011, she was chosen to implement the VA Caregiver Program. Since the inception of the VA Caregiver Support Program, Ms. Vollor has worked to grow and develop the program at a local level and has also served on two National Caregiver Support Committees and intermittently served as the Caregiver Support Lead for the VA Integrated Service Network (VISN) in the absence of a full-time lead.
Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH
Parent Caregiver
Founder and CEO of National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes
Jonathan Cottor will be joining this panel to share his perspective on the need for respite as the father of Ryan, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 9 months old. Ryan defied expectations, living an extraordinary 17 years until his death in December 2018. Inspired by their experience, Jonathan and his wife co-founded Ryan House, a pioneering children’s respite, palliative, and hospice care home in Phoenix, Arizona. Ryan House has been recognized by ARCH as an Innovative and Exemplary Respite Service.
Read more about Jonathan in his bio above.Â
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