Cecily’s Advocacy Conference honors the legacy of Cecily Kaufman, a McLean parent who passed away from Breast Cancer in 2009. This event features both nationally-celebrated and community-based experts on learning and development, for a symposium highlighting new research and best practices in fostering growth for K-12 students. Cecily’s Advocacy Conference has grown as a key conference in the Washington metro area, attracting an audience of over 300 parents, educators, and child development professionals. Our conference participants gain hands-on, practical strategies for success and immediate use.

From best selling authors to leaders in their field, here’s some of our past Keynote Speakers and Presenters:

• Rosalind Wiseman

American parenting educator and New York Times best-selling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence, released in 2002, which was the basis of the 2004 film, Mean Girls.

• Jessica Lahey

New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed.

• Rick Lavoie, MA, MEd

Internationally known expert on children with learning disabilities, public speaker, workshop leader, and best-selling author of It’s So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success.

• Bill Stixrud, PhD

Clinical neuropsychologist and founder of The Stixrud Group of Silver Spring, Maryland. Member of the teaching faculty at Children’s National Medical Center and co-author of the nationally bestselling book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives.

• Ned Johnson

Co-author of the nationally bestselling book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives with Dr. Bill Stixrud. Founder & tutor-geek @PrepMatters and host of @PrepTalksPod.

• Sarah Ward, MS, CCC, SLP

Internationally recognized expert and speaker on executive functioning, and co-developer of 360 Thinking Executive Function Program – the recipient of the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD.

• Scott Barry Kauffman, PsyD

American humanistic psychologist, , podcaster, popular science writer, and author of Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.

• Bonnie Zucker, PsyD

Clinical psychologist from Rockville, Maryland specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents, and author of Anxiety Free Kids – An Interactive Guide for Parents and Children.

• Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee

Nationally recognized diversity speaker and trainer on cross cultural communication, identity development, implicit and unconscious bias, gender and sexuality diversity, and bullying in schools.

• David Flink

Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Eye to Eye, a national non-profit devoted to improving the life of young people with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and author of Thinking Differently: An Inspiring Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities.

• Britt Rathbone, LCSW-C

Licensed clinical social worker, specializing in the treatment of adolescents. Washingtonian Magazine has consistently named Mr. Rathbone one of Washington’s best therapists for adolescents, and one of Washington’s best therapists for group therapy. Co-Author with Julie Baron of What Works with Teens: A Professional’s Guide to Engaging Authentically with Adolescents to Achieve Lasting Change.

• Julie Baron, MSW

Licensed social worker based in Rockville, Maryland and co-author with Britt Rathbone of What Works with Teens: A Professional’s Guide to Engaging Authentically with Adolescents to Achieve Lasting Change.

• Rebecca Resnik, PhD

Expert psychologist in Bethesda, Maryland, author of A Family’s First Guide to ADHD, and nationally recognized expert on child development.