Registration & Event Details
Event Information
We’ll kick off our second annual summit with a party! Our amazing MC Brian Stanton will keep us on track and entertained throughout the conference. We have two fun evenings with a live musical and a movie night not to forget. All are welcome, please invite your significant other and family.
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Thursday, April 26th we have early registration starting at 4:00pm with time to mix and mingle, enjoy the taco bar, and see the exhibitors. Cash bar too. The night’s entertainment hosted by Lauren LoGiudice – the “Misfit Variety Show: Ancestry Dot Comedy’s Community Mic Night” includes open mic with members of from our community interspersed between with talented musicians and performers.
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Friday, April 26th begins with our opening ceremony and a disucssion around language and trauma with Alyssa Mancao, LCSW followed by some fun ice breakers. We’ll have our speaker forums next, then lunch, speaker panels, and a surprise experience just before snack, and will finish off with small affinity support group discussions. We’ll end the day with a “Musical Walk-Through Genetic Identity”.
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Saturday, April 27th kicks off with our keynote plenary panel representing experiences from the three communities: Shirley Munoz Newson, Angela Tucker, and Jon Baime. We’ll then head to our fabulous array of creative workshops with lunch breaking this session up. We have speaker forums, snack and then speaker panels. This evening we can watch movie together.
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Sunday, April 28th we have a treat for you with an amazing keynote speaker Dr Mariel Buqué whose book Break The Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma is coming out 1/1/24. We will reflect and rejuvenate with our closing activity. Check out is at noon.
Start each morning with a little relaxation time before breakfast. During lunch and breaks, meet new folks, reconnect with friends, or engage with authors, tik-tok-ers, podcasters, and our exhibitors. Our quiet room is available with volunteer therapists for those moments when you may need a space to take a break. Back by popular demand – the Bear Witness project where you can video record your journey.
Plus we have a few suprises for you. We can’t wait to see you!
Registration – Thursday
Thursday 4/25
4:00pm-7:00pm | Pre-function Area
Drop by and check-in for the conference. Pick up your name tag, schedule, and notebook. Hang out and meet friends in person. (The registration table will be open every morning at 8:00am)
Additional Info
NAAP and RTK are excited to kick-off our second annual Summit. We are here to unite the adoption, assisted reproduction, and non-paternal event communities into one amplified voice; advance awareness and education; seek truth and healing; and foster connections and understanding. We know together we stand stronger.
Presented by
Beth Steury
Beth Steury
NAAP Treasurer
Beth brings a background in administration, bookkeeping, event planning, marketing, community relations, and writing to NAAP’s passionate commitment to serve all persons touched by adoption. While she spent most of her life on the sidelines of the adoption community, the unfolding of her own foundling-beginnings story awakened a desire to be involved beyond her personal experiences. As a search angel, she delves into DNA to pay forward to other adoptees the gift of finding long-searched-for answers. Her journey of connecting with biological family is chronicled at BethSteury.com. She also addresses relevant topics in her fiction and non-fiction series for young adults. Beth and her husband reside in Indiana.
Brad Ewell
Brad Ewell
RTK Secretary
Brad is a police officer in the Dallas, Texas area. He is married and has three children. For the first 48 years of his life, Brad believed he was raised by his biological family. That changed in 2019 when someone he matched from an Ancestry DNA test contacted him. In less than 24 hours Brad became a Late Discovery Adoptee with a MPE. Since that time he is in reunion with several biological family members including his biological father and four siblings. He is passionate about the right of every person to know their true genetic identity. While he knows his biological history, he still has to go to court if he wants to have his records unsealed. Brad has written essays and an article for Severance Magazine and is currently working on other essays and a memoir. You can find him on Instagram @a_late_discovery.
David Berry
David Berry
RTK Treasurer
David Berry is the Founder/President of DB Dynamo, a digital media agency based in Miami, FL, with a client roster that has included BMW, 1-800 PetMeds, AVIS/Budget, and the University of Miami, among others. In 2017, he learned that he is donor-conceived, and in 2021 he learned that he is the biological son of his mother’s fertility doctor. Since then, David has used his story to aid in the passage of fertility fraud legislation, both in New York State, and at the federal level.
David has an MBA from Florida International University and is also an adjunct professor of digital advertising at the University of Miami School of Communications, and at the Honors College at Florida International University.
Jennifer Fahlsing
Jennifer Fahlsing
NAAP Co-founder & President
Jennifer resides in Indiana and she recently retired after working 20 years in the employment industry and is a licensed real estate Broker. She holds a BS in Business Management and her background includes education, training, sales, operations, and public speaking. As an Adoptee and First Mother she has a unique understanding of the challenges involved in search and the gamut of emotions experienced in reunion. In 2013, after three decades of searching she located both her mother and son within a 3-month period. In 2018, after years of rejection she finally reunited with her father days before his death. She has served on the board for the ISSA, joined Hoosiers for Equal Access to Records in 2015, and testified in 2015, 2016 and 2021 in support of OBC access legislation for Indiana Adoptees. In 2018, Jennifer was the recipient of the Angel in Adoption award.
Kara Rubinstein Deyerin
Kara Rubinstein Deyerin
RTK Co-founder & CEO
Kara is a non-practicing attorney with an LLM in Taxation and a master’s in Trade & Investment Policy from George Washington University. In January 2018, she wanted to see where in Africa her father’s family came from. Her over-the-counter DNA test revealed she was 50% something but she had zero African DNA. This meant the man on her birth certificate couldn’t possibly be her genetic father. She lost her ethnic identity with the click of a mouse. Kara discovered she was 50% Ashkenazi Jew. The DNA pandora’s box she opened led to an identity crisis. She’s a passionate advocate for genetic identity rights. Read her blog about being Unexpectedly Jewish in Seattle.
Drinks, Hor d’oeuvres, & Entertainment – Thursday
Thursday 4/25
7:00pm-9:00pm+ | Pre-function Area & Aurora Ballroom
After you register, mingle with friends, have a drink at the cash bar, make a taco at the taco bar, and stay for the amazing entertainment.
Additional Info
Want to share your story? Full access attendees are invited to join Untangling Our Root’s presentation of the Misfit Variety Show: Ancestry Dot Comedy’s Community Mic Night, where host Lauren LoGiudice will lead the community in sharing their creations, from serious to funny. These can be Moth-style story, a poem, monologue, song, or anything about your journey you want to share. There will also be an opportunity for anonymous audience submissions. 5-minute limit.
Presented by
Lauren LoGiudice
Lauren LoGiudice
Misfit Variety Show
Lauren LoGiudice is an accomplished comedian, actor, and author of Amazon Kindle Best Seller Inside Melania: What I Know About Melania Trump by Impersonating Her. Her work has been featured by The New York Times, BBC, Bust Magazine, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Hyperallergic, among others. Her writing has been called “criminal.” Her TV and film credits include Veep, Brave the Dark and Galaxy360. Moth StorySLAM Champ. In addition to her comedy album, Misfits: A Comedy Album you can also hear Melania Trump’s Rockin’ Right-Wing Christmas Album, available on all major streaming platforms.
Lauren delves into deeply flawed and painfully idiosyncratic characters. She has embodied some of the world’s most mysterious cultural icons, including Greta Garbo, Melania Trump, Mary Poppins, and the women in her Italian-American family.
Currently, Lauren continues to work on creating comedy through the lens of her unique personal experience with videos on every platform that will let her while producing her podcast Reconcile the Aisle on Radio Misfits.
She lives in New York City where she downplays every great thing that’s ever happened to her.
Authors, Podcasters, and Exhibitors – Thursday
Thursday 4/25
4:00pm-7:00pm | Pre-function area
Come meet your favorite author, tik toker, and podcaster or preview what our exhibitors have to offer.
Tai Chi – Friday
Friday 4/26
7:00am-8:00am | In a room
Start off your day by focusing your mind and body to move into a relaxed state before the conference day starts in full swing.
Breakfast & Community – Friday
Friday 4/26
8:00am-9:00am | Pre-function Area and Aurora Ballroom
Join us for breakfast and take a few moments to meet other conference attendees and hug old friends
Authors, Podcasters, and Exhibitors – Friday
Friday 4/26
throughout the day | Pre-function area
Come meet your favorite author, tik tokers, and podcaster or preview what our exhibitors have to offer.
Therapy Room – Friday
Friday 4/26
11:00am-4:00pm | Board Room B
Some of the topics we’ll be discussing may be triggering and we want to ensure everyone has a quiet safe space to recoup.
Additional Info
Licensed mental health professionals are volunteering their time to help conference attendees should a topic, discussion, or comment raise uncomfortable or difficult feelings or memories.
Opening Ceremony – Friday
Friday 4/26
9:00am-10:30am | Aurora Ballroom
We are back TOGETHER again! Welcome to a space where we all belong.
Additional Info
Let’s talk get to know each other and reconnect. We’ll have an interactive discussion about language, trauma, and grace.
Speaker Forums – Friday
Friday 4/26
11:00am-noon | various rooms
You will have fabulous topics to choose from during this one-hour speaker time slot. Significant others who attend the conference will participate in their own breakout session during this time.
Additional Info
Self Care While Supporting Your Partner’s Genetic Journey
This can be an emotional time for everyone. Discover tools for self-care and support for your partner while they navigate a DNA surprise or the question of reunion.
Bill Mackinnon
Identity & DNA surprises
DNA discoveries are surprise revelations, often from commercial DNA tests, that you have falsified or misattributed parentage, and can come from learning you are donor conceived (DCP), late discovery adoptee (LDA) or have a non-paternal event (NPE), collectively referred to as misattributed parentage experiences (MPE). These discovery call into question our sense of who we are.
Jodi Klugman-Rab, PsyD, LMFT
Presented by
Bill Mackinnon
Bill Mackinnon
Bill has been a healer, teacher and facilitator for 40+ years. He has been leading small and large groups, ranging from short term personal growth and structured groups, through long term abuse survivor groups. He believes in our inherent capacity to grow throughout life and become more of ourselves. His first career was in psychotherapy in residential treatment, inpatient hospital, outpatient mental health and private practice. He served individuals children & adolescents and families. His second career was teaching/facilitating communication classes in the North America, Central & South America, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. The principles of change and growth were equally effective in both careers. Helping people to grow, whether challenged by difficulties or aspirations are the most gratifying and fulfilling experiences.
Lunch – Friday
Friday 4/26
noon-1:00pm | Pre-function area & Ball room
You’ll choose your box lunch option (sandwich, salad, gluten free, or vegetarian, or vegetarian gluten free), eat with friends, and then take some time to meet authors, podcasters, tik tokers, and our exhibitors. Beverages available all day.
Speaker Panels – Friday
Friday 4/26
1:00pm-2:30pm | various rooms
All attendees will choose from one different speaker panels with 3-4 speakers and questions and answer time.
Additional Info
Legislative I
Join our panel as we dive into how to be an effective advocate
Siblings
Let’s hear what raising siblings of our new genetic family have to say about finding out they have a new sibling(s) out there.
Surprise Session – Friday
Friday 4/26
2:45pm-3:15pm | Aurora Ballroom
We have a surprise group activity for everyone.
Break, Refreshments, & Snack – Friday
Friday 4/26
3:15pm-4:00pm | Pre-function area
Take a break, enjoy a snack, have a beverage. Check out the authors, podcasters, tik tokers, and exhibitors if you haven’t yet had a chance.
Small Group Discussions – Friday
Friday 4/26
4:00pm-5:30pm | various rooms
We’re ending the day with time to sit in small groups and discuss our journeys. Led by group facilitators.
Additional Info
“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community” – S. Kelley Harrell
A Walkthrough Genetic Identity Through Musicals – Friday
Friday 4/26
8:00pm-10:00pm | Aurora Ballroom
We are excited to offer a few scenes from musicals about genetic identity and loss of genetic continuity.
Additional Info
We can’t wait for this event. Get ready to be entertained with fabulous music and singing.
Yoga – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
7:00am-8:00am | In a room
Start off your day by focusing your mind and body to move into a relaxed state before the conference day starts in full swing.
Authors, Podcasters, and Exhibitors – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
throughout the day | Pre-function area
Come meet your favorite author, tik tokers, and podcaster or preview what our exhibitors have to offer.
Breakfast & Community – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
8:00am-9:00am | Pre-function Area & Aurora Ballroom
Join us for breakfast and take a few moments to meet other conference attendees.
Additional Info
Take a moment to sit with someone new today.
Therapy Room – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
11:00am-5:30pm | Board Room B
Some of the topics we’ll be discussing may be triggering and we want to ensure everyone has a quiet safe space to recoup.
Additional Info
Licensed mental health professionals are volunteering their time to help conference attendees should a topic, discussion, or comment raise uncomfortable or difficult feelings or memories.
Plenary Speaker Panel – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
9:00am-10:30am | Aurora Ballroom
We kick off our morning with a plenary speaker panel with an adoptee, a donor-conceived person, and someone with an NPE. This panel is shaping up to be AMAZING!
Additional Info
By listening to each other’s journeys we see the commonality in our experiences. We can learn from each other. Together we can support each in our healing journeys. United our voices our stronger.
Creative Workshops – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
11:00pm-2:00pm | Various rooms
Choose from one of our fabulous creative music, art, writing, oration, or pottery workshops.
Additional Info
More details to come
Participants are guided through a creative workshops to assist with processing the impacts of adoption, assisted reproduction, and NPEs.
Speakers TBD
Lunch – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
noon-1:00pm | Pre-function area & Ball room
You’ll choose your box lunch option (sandwich, salad, gluten free, or vegetarian, or vegetarian gluten free), eat with friends, take some time to meet authors, podcasters, and our exhibitors, or work on your creative projects.
Speaker Forums – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
2:15pm-3:15pm | various rooms
You will have many great topics to choose from during this one-hour speaker time slot.
Additional Info
Genetic Magnetism
There is often an intense magnetism when we meet genetic family for the first time. Learn how to deal with these emotions as we navigate reunion with our family. Understanding the hazards lurking in reunion, might offer a second chance at family connection.
Leslie Mackinnon, LCSW
Handling Emotionally Triggering Conversations
Tips on how to deal with high conflict people and how to talk yourself down when you feel like you’re being trigger.
Megan Hunter, MBA
What to Do if You Can’t Obtain Your Medical History
Drawing from professional and personal experience, Brianne guides us in making sense of unexpected DNA results when we don’t have access to our family medical history.
Brianne Kirkpatrick MS, LCGC
More to come
Stay tuned for more amazing speakers.
11/1/23
Presented by
Leslie Pate Mckinnon, LCSW
Leslie Pate Mckinnon, LCSW
Leslie Pate Mackinnon has maintained a private psychotherapy practice for four decades. She resides in Atlanta and presents both nationally and internationally on issues that impact families conceived through adoption and third-party reproduction. She’s been on GOOD MORNING AMERICA w/ Robin Roberts, and on CNN discussing the impact of the internet on adoption. She was featured in DAN RATHER’s investigative report; ADOPTION OR ABDUCTION and was most recently on the Katie Couric show along with her oldest son Pete.
Leslie’s story is included in the book; The Girls Who Went Away, and the documentary A GIRL LIKE HER. Drawn to the field by placing her two firstborn sons for adoption when she was a teenager, her passion today is to educating as many therapists as possible, before she drops! She currently serves on the Evan B. Donaldson’s Board of Directors. For fun she reads voraciously, listens to jazz and sings in a gospel choir.
For more information about Leslie, please visit www.lesliepatemackinnon.com.
Megan Hunter
Megan Hunter
High Conflict Institute
Megan Hunter, MBA, is co-founder and CEO of the High Conflict Institute along with author and speaker, Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. who developed the high-conflict personality theory. Megan developed the concept of the Institute after 13 years in policy, legislation and judicial training with the Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts and 5 years with the Dawes County Attorney’s Office in Nebraska. She is also founder of Unhooked Books Publishing. She leads a team across three continents to bring training and resources on high conflict disputes worldwide.
Megan has trained professionals across a wide spectrum of industries in the U.S. and in eight other countries. Megan holds an MBA and a B.S. in Business and Economics. She has served as President of the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, and the Arizona Family Support Council and Nebraska Child Support Enforcement Association. She served 5 years on the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners and is currently on the Stepfamily Magazine Advisory Board.
She is the author and/or co-author of several books on high conflict interactions.
Break, Refreshments, & Snack – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
3:15pm-4:00pm | Pre-function area
Take a break, enjoy a snack, have a beverage. Check out the authors, podcasters, tik tok-ers, and exhibitors if you haven’t yet had a chance.
Speaker Panels – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
4:00pm-5:30pm | various rooms
All attendees can choose from varies speaker panels with 3-4 speakers and questions and answer time.
Additional Info
Legislation II
Part II of our legislative offerings, you do not need to have attended Part I. Specifics coming soon.
More panels will be announced by 11/1/23
Movie Night – Saturday
Saturday 4/27
8:00pm-10:00pm | various rooms
We will have a few movies for you to choose from. Don’t worry, we have the snacks.
Meditation – Sunday
Sunday 4/28
7:00am-8:00am | In a room
Join is for an hour of guided meditation.
Breakfast & Community – Sunday
Sunday 4/28
8:00am-9:00am | Aurora Ballroom
Join us for breakfast and take a few moments to say hi to someone you haven’t met yet.
Keynote Speaker – Sunday
Sunday 4/28
9:00am-10:00am | Aurora Ballroom
We’re not sharing just yet, but this will be a FABULOUS speaker – someone you don’t want to miss.
Closing Activity – Sunday
Sunday 4/28
10:15am-11:15am | Aurora Ballroom
We’ll come together to spend our bit of time together to reflect and rejuvenate.
Additional Info
While we walk in the shadow of our ancestors, parents, and loved ones we do so in our own light. We have a right to know who we are. We have a right to heal. We will turn our past into purpose and power. We will stand together.
