Meet Your Speakers
Discover the visionary leaders who will inspire you to dream big, imagine boldly, and progress as a team. Meet our empowering lineup of plenary speakers, breakout session leaders, and emcees.
Greg Bennick
Training Host
Greg Bennick is a catalyst for collaboration with over thirty years of experience captivating audiences worldwide. A two-time humorous speaking champion, he has connected with people in over 25 countries, transforming complex concepts into engaging experiences. His juggling skills mirror his capacity to manage multiple facets of human services work, aligning with the field’s multitasking demands. Also known as an error coin expert, Greg’s diverse interests and enthusiasm add a unique flair to his presentations, enriching the learning experience with humor and unexpected insights. As he leads discussions on strengthening family support across Oklahoma, Greg’s dynamic style will keep you engaged and inspired, pushing boundaries and fostering innovative strategies to empower families and communities.
Brett Culp
Filmmaker and founder of the not-for-profit, The Rising Heroes Project
Brett Culp is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of the not-for-profit, The Rising Heroes Project. He is known for the films Legends of the Knight and Look to the Sky, both of which explore the power of heroic stories and individuals to inspire belief in a better tomorrow. Brett’s newest film, A Voice That Carries, follows the relationships between fathers and daughters. His films are featured on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, and other digital platforms. Through his non-profit documentary work, Brett has pioneered the art of creating “mini-movements” that inspire the super-human spirit in us all.
Jeffrey Cartmell
OKDHS Director
Jeffrey Cartmell currently serves as the Director of Oklahoma Human Services. Before his appointment to lead the agency, Cartmell was the Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs. He has also served as Counsel to Secretary of State Brian Bingman and as a Senior Advisor to Governor Kevin Stitt, providing strategic legal, policy, and ethical counsel to the Governor, Secretary Bingman, and other senior-level administration officials. From 2017 to 2019, Cartmell worked in the private sector as an associate attorney at Lytle Soule & Curlee and held a division director position within the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. He previously served as Deputy General Counsel to former Governor Mary Fallin from 2012 to 2014.
Radhika Cruz
Familyhood Training Team
Radhika Cruz brings energy and warmth to training events nationwide, connecting with audiences in genuine ways. As a “friend from the stage,” she makes evidence-based content both relatable and actionable. In her role as Training Design and Development Manager for Public Strategies, Radhika provides targeted training and technical assistance to human service professionals, equipping them with skills to increase human capital, family stability, and economic self-sufficiency. She is a certified trainer for various curricula focused on building hope, enhancing goal-setting strategies, and refining professional coaching tactics. Her work empowers professionals to make a lasting impact on the lives of the families they serve.
Taylor Doe
“And Then” Moments
A lifelong Oklahoman, Taylor Doe is a businessman deeply invested in community development and youth mentorship. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Human Relations, he founded a tech company that provides innovative solutions for leaders to build connections and trust with those they serve. Taylor’s passion for supporting low-income families and youth has led him to work in schools, deliver leadership programs, and inspire audiences across the country. His “And Then” Moments movement encourages people to recognize the pivotal changes that shape their lives. Believing in the power of investing locally, Taylor resides in Oklahoma City’s historic JFK neighborhood, where he works, supports local businesses, and mentors young men in high school—helping them navigate challenges and strive for positive outcomes. Taylor’s TEDx Talk has nearly 200,000 views and challenges listeners to rethink their success stories, promoting a narrative of authenticity.
Kathryn Edin, Ph.D.
Distinguished Poverty Researcher and Author
Kathryn Edin is a leading poverty researcher in the United States, specializing in welfare, low-wage work, family life, and neighborhood contexts. With a focus on qualitative and mixed-method research, she has delved into critical aspects of urban poverty that often elude traditional quantitative studies. Edin is known for her direct, in-depth observations of the lives of low-income women, men, and children, offering unique insights into their challenges. She has authored nine books and published around 80 journal articles. Currently, she serves as the William Church Osborn Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University, where she directs the Center for Research on Child and Family Wellbeing.
Aly Frei, MN, RN
Familyhood
With over two decades of experience, Aly Frei has been a driving force in fostering adult capabilities as a curriculum developer and translational scientist in health and human services. A thought leader in research application, Frei excels in integrating science-informed tools and strategies into practice. As a Registered Nurse with a master’s in nursing, she has developed numerous curricula, publications, and resources to improve health and relationships for new parents and children. Currently, she is the Senior Implementation Strategist for Public Strategies.
Scott Stanley, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Scott Stanley is a research professor at the University of Denver and a leading expert in family psychology, focusing on commitment, conflict, cohabitation, and relationship development. Since the early 1980s, he has conducted extensive research on relationship education, often funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Administration for Children and Families. His work alongside colleagues like Dr. Howard Markman and Dr. Galena Rhoades has significantly influenced approaches to improving relationship decision-making. Stanley is a national leader in disseminating research-informed, evidence-based relationship education curricula, contextualized for individuals and families across various demographics and life circumstances.
Alan-Michael Graves, Ph.D.
Good+Foundation
Alan-Michael Graves is the Senior Director of Teaching and Capacity Building at the Good+Foundation, where he engages in a wide range of multidisciplinary activities, including research, program development, training, and advocacy for policy change. A 20-year veteran of the human services field, Dr. Graves currently leads a national initiative focused on fatherhood engagement. With extensive experience as a facilitator and administrator in both public and private agencies, he is dedicated to training individuals on the importance of father involvement.
Colin Ryan
Financial Speaker, Author, Trainer
Colin Ryan is an author, speaker, and award-winning comedic storyteller dedicated to making financial education engaging and relatable. As a Certified Financial Counselor, Colin focuses on the human side of money, sparking “lightbulb moments” that help audiences of all ages understand personal finance. With his work being named as one of the “Best Stories in America” by Reader’s Digest, Colin provides financial literacy training for institutions, libraries, schools, and organizations. He has collaborated with National Geographic Television, the Girl Scouts of America, United Way, and numerous banks and colleges across the country.
Sarah Halpern-Meekin, Ph.D.
Sociologist and Social Poverty Expert
Sarah Halpern-Meekin is the Director of the Institute for Research on Poverty and a distinguished sociologist specializing in social poverty and its impact on low-income families. She explores how inadequate relational resources shape individuals’ well-being and decisions. Her book, Social Poverty: Low-Income Parents and the Struggle for Family and Community Ties, highlights the often-overlooked hardships of unmarried parents. Her collaborative work, It’s Not Like I’m Poor, examines how working families navigate financial challenges. Currently, Halpern-Meekin studies the lives of prime-age men out of the labor force and relationship churning’s effects on parents and children. Her innovative research has earned her the Vilas Associates Competition Award at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for contributions of the highest quality and significance.
Valorie Burton
Renowned Life Coach and Author
Valorie Burton is a life strategist and international speaker, serving as the CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Her life-changing message emphasizes research-based insights from the field of applied positive psychology—the study of what happens when things go right with us. Her organization offers coaching, coach training, and resilience training, having served clients in all 50 states and 37 countries on six continents. Since 1999, she has authored 14 books on personal growth, time management, and success. Burton has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, and Dr. Oz, and has spoken for organizations around the globe. She lives with her husband, Jeff, on a ranch south of Atlanta with their children.