Keynote speakers

Scott Barry Kaufman Ph.D. - Author of Ungifted, Wired to Create and Transend.

“It’s time for a more dynamic conceptualization of potential that takes into account each person’s unique package of personal characteristics, dreams, passions, goals, and development. That emphasizes the journey, not the product. That shifts from a single judgement day of standardized and decontextualized testing to an extended period of deeply personal engagement, problem solving, exploration, and revision.”

Scott Barry Kaufman is a cognitive scientist exploring the mind, creativity, and the depths of human potential. He has taught courses on intelligence, creativity, and well-being at Columbia University, NYU, the University of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Dr. Kaufman received a B.S. in psychology and human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon, an M. Phil in experimental psychology from the University of Cambridge under a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Yale University. In 2015, he was named one of “50 groundbreaking scientists who are changing the way we see the world” by Business Insider.

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe - Author of Calm Within the Storm

Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe is a multi-award-winning psychology and education instructor who specializes in resiliency, navigating stress and change, leadership, and personal wellness in the workplace. Described as transformational, engaging, and thought-provoking, Robyne’s keynotes provide practical strategies grounded in global research and case studies that help foster resiliency within others and ourselves. Robyne is available for consultation, training and professional development opportunities ranging from one-to-one to company-wide initiatives.

Sara Westbrook - Speaker, Singer and Author

In our first youth and adult keynote talk, Sara Westbrook, a professional speaker, singer, author, and Emotional Resilience Strategist, will be sharing incredible personal stories of ways that she has learned to embrace failures and emotional ups and downs. 

Dr. Todd Cunningham - Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the University of Toronto

Dr. Cunningham is a school and clinical psychologist and an assistant professor [teaching stream] at the University of Toronto when he is chair of the school and clinical child psychology program and head of the Academic Intervention Lab. Over the past 20 yeas, Dr. Cunningham has been invited to do workshops on assessment throughout Canada. He has given over 650 presentations and workshops internationally to educators and psychologists on learning disabilities and how to support students with learning difficulties.

Summit Hosts

 Susan Schenk

Open discussion workshop

We will answer your questions and provide resources to support you as a parent and professional during our open discussion time.

Susan Schenk is the author of Beyond OK from Invisible to Invincible | Co- founder of Shift Your Thinking | Occupational Therapist passionate about learning differences.

Sperry Bilyea

Cofounder of Shift Your Thinking | Parent

Welcome/Closing the Summit

Sperry will welcome you and open the doors to our Summit with her parent perspective and her journey of supporting her three children.

She will also guide you through connection with others during our group time online.