ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

KRISTIN BERRY: Keynote Speaker

Author, Kristin Berry is an adoptive mother of eight, and former foster parent of 23 children over a 9-year span. She is the co-creator of the award-winning blog Confessions of an Adoptive Parent which reaches more than 100,000 readers around the globe every month. She travels extensively throughout the year sharing hope with foster, adoptive, and special needs parents around the country. 

Kristin, and husband Mike, believe in the restoration and preservation of families but recognize that sometimes children cannot thrive within their family of origin. They desire to lend resources and encouragement to families who need support. All children deserve permanency and stability in a forever family. They believe that with support, foster and adoptive parents can guide our families toward healing, security, and healthy identity.

RONNA JOHNSON: Speaker

Ronna Johnson is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who has spent the past 38 years providing training, support, consultation, and case management services to promote best care for at risk children with complex health and development needs. She has provided these services through the Child Protection System since 1986. Ronna has been a foster and adoptive parent since 1994 and is also a kinship caregiver. Ronna is passionate about empowering caregivers to connect with their children and become their fiercest advocates! She currently works with Moms in recovery and their young children, supporting their ability to overcome trauma and adversity to help themselves and their children become resilient.

MAUREEN HEFFERNAN: Speaker

Maureen Heffernan, LISW, is an independent child welfare consultant.  She earned a Master of Social Work from Case Western Reserve University in 1976 and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Kent State University in 1976.   She worked in Ohio public and private child welfare agencies for approximately 25 years, holding direct service, supervision and management positions.  She is a contract consultant for organizations providing child-welfare technical assistance to government jurisdictions and an adjunct instructor for social work graduate students. Maureen is a Licensed Independent Social Worker.

CO-PRESENTER AND PANELIST

Arwen John, along with her husband Ribu, are former foster parents. They have adopted four children, all of whom have experienced complex trauma and have invisible disabilities. Arwen was a foster child as a teenager, and draws on her experiences to advocate for children and families. She is currently attending the University of
Akron in order to complete a Bachelor’s degree
in social work.

FOSTER PARENTS PANELISTS

Brian and Becky Pinkerton are currently foster parents. They have adopted one child and have had seven foster placements for children with various complex needs.