Jillian Palmiotto is the Founder of the Together Conference and the Executive Director of Together We Care, a nonprofit organization that focuses on meeting the everyday needs of families impacted by disability as well as equipping organizations for disability inclusion. In 2016, Jillian launched the Together Conference after receiving requests to help other ministry leaders learn the how-tos for developing an inclusive ministry. What began as a small gathering of volunteers, church staff, and pastors has now developed into a nationally known conference. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a MA in Inclusive Education. She is also a licensed minister and served as the disability pastor at Mount Paran Church for seven years. Jillian is married to her husband, Anthony, and they have two children, Samantha and Nicholas, and two furbabies, Noelle and Beau.

Singer/songwriter Rion Paige is no stranger to combining her story with the stage. At 4, Rion began singing in the backseat of her mom’s car. At birth, Rion was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, causing curving of the joints in her hands. This diagnosis did not hold Rion back, and she was encouraged by her mom that she could do anything she set her mind to. Knowing the Lord had a purpose for using her gifts for His glory, Rion felt called to share her voice and story with others and provide hope. After coming in 5th place on Simon Cowell’s The X Factor and inspiring millions of viewers, she knew there had to be more. This only amplified her calling to communicate to others that God has a plan for every life, something Rion would not have known without the support of her mom. When Rion went to college, she reflected on how much she loved spending time on the road serving nonprofits across the US. Throughout this time, she also reflected on how advocacy was a huge part of her educational journey. For Rion, the perfect way to combine these two worlds was Social Work. Rion recently graduated with her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and is on a mission to fight for those who are learning to fight for themselves. On the weekends, you will find Rion traveling and sharing her gifts with anyone and everyone. Rion enjoys using a social work lens and a Christian worldview to serve the most vulnerable.

Luke Arduino is 32 years old. He was born in Snellville, Georgia and was raised in Gwinnet County. Luke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 2. Since then, he's earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgia Gwinnett College. Luke has also helped pilot a summer camp with the YMCA focused on inclusion as a subject matter expert and has been a leader at summer camps showing that people labeled with a disability have as much ability as anyone else.

Catherine has been impacted by mental health issues her entire life, including her own struggles, including eating disorders, depression, and anxiety. Catherine has co-led several ministries related to mental health issues. Prior to working in ministry, Catherine served as an executive at a large U.S. bank. Catherine has a BBA in Accounting and an MBA, is married, and has two adult children.

Jeanetta Bryant is a dynamic and compassionate leader in the special needs community. With over 10 years of experience in the industry and 4 years with Abilities Workshop, Inc. Her journey into this field began when her daughter was diagnosed with a medical condition. Over the last decade, Jeanetta has witnessed her child defy the odds and overcome their diagnoses, inspiring her to become an advocate, author, and speaker. She has written books, developed learning apps, and founded a non-profit organization to provide resources and support to families in need. She is known for her honesty, thoughtfulness, compassion, quick decision-making abilities, and her willingness to constantly learn and adapt to different audiences. At Abilities Workshop, Inc, Jeanetta works with parents, pastors, and teachers to help children with special needs reach their full potential. She is committed to working together with others to provide support, resources, and hope to those who need it most.

Ken Chatham is currently the Middle School Pastor at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, GA. Since joining the staff at Mount Paran in 2012, Ken has served in many different areas, including coordinating local outreach ministries, leading short-term missions, and pastoral roles in youth ministry. Ken is passionate about using the gift of evangelism to reach the families within our city and the youth of this generation with the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ.

Steve serves as Vice President of Rising Above Ministries. He and his wife Lori have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Two of their daughters have Down Syndrome. As VP of Rising Above, he oversees the ministry to families; speaks at conferences and churches; and connects with community leaders to help them better serve the special needs community.

Rachael has always wanted to help people live abundant lives. In 2007 she received her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and set off on a career helping people to strengthen their relationships, specifically their marriages. She has been married to David since 2005, and they serve as Christian ministers at Gwinnett Church of Christ in Lawrenceville, GA. They have two awesome sons. Their oldest, Luke, was born with a severe congenital heart defect and faces difficult physical and cognitive challenges. Being the parent of a child with special needs often feels like walking through deep swirling water and scorching fire. It has sent Rachael searching for natural tools to help parents thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her mission is to share those tools with other special needs families through coaching, workshops, YouTube, and social media.

Stephen L. Culver is a proud native of Atlanta, Georgia. He has a heart and passion for children, especially those with disabilities. Stephen currently serves as the Minister of Music and a youth leader at his church, Great Faith Cathedral Church of God in Christ, located in Mableton, Georgia. He enjoys singing, playing the keyboard, writing plays, and choreographing step and mime routines in an effort to keep young individuals motivated. Stephen has over 25 years of experience dealing with severe behaviors. He devotes his time to assisting individuals in every area of special education. He currently serves as a Support & Services Administrator for the school district he works for. His willingness and heart to serve all children is what drives his desire for all individuals to be included. He believes that there is no such thing as running out of strategies to ensure that the educational, social, and emotional needs of everyone are met.

Becky Davidson is the Co-founder and President of Rising Above Ministries. Becky is passionate about supporting and encouraging special-needs families. She co-authored Common Man Extraordinary Call, Thriving as the Dad of a Child with Special Needs, with her late husband, Jeff Davidson.

Taylor Duncan, founder of Alternative Baseball®, challenges our perspective of being an athlete and community integration advocate. Since his autism diagnosis at age 4, Taylor often wasn’t allowed to play baseball due to preconceived notions about those on the spectrum. Undeterred, Taylor improved his technique by working with some of the best in baseball. Taylor and Alternative Baseball has been featured on numerous local and national media outlets across the globe, including NBC's TODAY, CNN/Headline News, TEDxAtlanta, the Los Angeles Times, and ESPN Baseball Tonight, among many others. Today, Taylor’s organization is comprised of numerous programs in 12 states, also offering consultancy work to develop new programs outside of North America.

John Felageller is the Ministry Relations Manager at Joni and Friends Chicago. Prior to that, he spent almost 20 years in education, working with children from infants to middle school, serving in a variety of roles, including Teacher, Mentor Teacher, and School Director. John lives in Highwood, IL, and is a single father to his son Christopher who is on the Autism spectrum. He is a public speaker, podcast guest on numerous podcasts, and a regular contributor to Key Ministry’s Special Needs Family blog, as well as other special needs blogs, including Hope Anew and The Mighty.

Bill Gaventa is an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant primarily in the arena of faith and disability. He is the founder and Director Emeritus of the Summer Institute of Theology and Disability and the current Director of the National Collaborative on Faith and Disability. He was the Director of Community and Congregational Support at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey from 1995-2013. Primary areas of experience and expertise include spiritual and faith-based support with people with disabilities, training for clergy, seminarians, and community services staff, aging and end-of-life/grief issues in intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultural competence, and community building. He served as the President of the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2016-2017. He was Editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health for 14 years and is the author of Spirituality and Disability: Recovering Wholeness, published by Baylor University Press in 2018.

Beth Golik is the Operations Director for Key Ministry, an organization that provides knowledge, innovation, and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with families of kids with disabilities. Beth also serves as the Director of Disability Engagement at Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Stephen Grcevich, MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist serving as President and Founder of Key Ministry. Dr. Grcevich is the primary spokesperson and vision caster for Key Ministry and leads efforts to build collaborations with pastors, leaders, and other ministry organizations. His book, Mental Health and the Church was published by Zondervan in 2018. In addition to his work for Key Ministry, Dr. Grcevich is an experienced clinician, researcher, and medical school professor with over 35 presentations at major medical conferences, a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a participant in the 2019 White House Summit on Mental Health.

John joined the Johnson Ferry staff as an Associate in Sports & Fitness in 2021 directing leagues for Upward Baseball, Softball, Upward and Crossover Flag Football as well as Special Needs Sports. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since 2004 and have four children. His daughter Julia, 15, is autistic, and is his inspiration and consultant for all things neurodiverse.John joined the Johnson Ferry staff as an Associate in Sports & Fitness in 2021 directing leagues for Upward Baseball, Softball, Upward and Crossover Flag Football as well as Special Needs Sports. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since 2004 and have four children. His daughter Julia, 15, is autistic, and is his inspiration and consultant for all things neurodiverse.

Jill Hartsfield is the Programming Director for the Embrace Community Day Program at Brentwood Baptist Church just outside Nashville, TN. Jill received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education from The Florida State University, specializing in teaching students on the Autism Spectrum. She taught special education in the public school system for 5 years before jumping into full-time disability ministry. Jill and the Embrace Ministry Team have a passion for reaching church and community members impacted by disability by creating a place for people of all abilities to build community, serve, and grow in Christ. Out of this desire, Jill and her team built the Embrace Community Day Program which currently serves over 35 adults impacted by disability each week on the Brentwood Baptist Church campus.

Dan Holmes is a professional coach who guides Neurodiverse men, helping them harness their unique potential in personal and professional spheres. These dual roles allow him to integrate innovative thinking with empathy, fostering a culture of understanding and driving holistic growth. Dan is an ordained minister, Master Life Coach, and has served in church ministry.

Stephanie C. Holmes is formerly a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of NC. She is an ordained minister, author, autism researcher, speaker, and certified autism specialist.

Stephanie Hubach is a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries and a Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. From 2007-2016 she served as Mission to North America’s Special Needs Ministries Founding Director. Mission to North America (MNA) is associated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Stephanie is also a founding member of the Lancaster Christian Council on Disability (LCCD), currently serves on the Wheaton Center on Faith and Disability advisory board, and formerly volunteered as a member of the board for The Arc of Lancaster County, chairperson of the Lancaster County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Advisory Board, and president of the board of directors for the Infant Evaluation Program of State College, PA. Stephanie is the author of Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in Gods’ Presence (P&R Publishing, 2021), Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability (P&R Publishing, 2006; Revised and Expanded 2020), director of a Christian Education DVD series based on Same Lake, Different Boat, and author of All Things Possible: Calling Your Church Leadership to Embrace Disability Ministry (Joni and Friends, August 2007). She has been published in ByFaith magazine, Covenant magazine, Focus on the Family magazine, and Breakpoint online magazine. Steph currently writes for Key Ministry’s Special Needs Parenting blog, for parents of children with special needs, and for the Presbyterian Church in America’s enCourage blog. She has been a guest blogger for The Gospel Coalition and for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, in addition to being interviewed on a wide variety of podcasts. Steph also coordinated a writing team for Christianity Today to provide a Disability Ministry Track in The Ministry Essentials Bible, which was released in September 2014. Stephanie is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), has an MA in Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and an MATS from Covenant Theological Seminary. Stephanie and her husband Fred have been married for 40 years. They have two deeply loved sons: Fred and Tim, the younger of whom has Down syndrome. In 2013, the Hubachs were blessed with a wonderful daughter-in-law when Cecelia married Fred, and in 2019 were thrilled to welcome their first grandchild, Caroline. In 2022, twin grandsons joined the family—Everett and Dietrich. The Hubach family resides in Lancaster County, PA.

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. is the Executive Director and founder of SOAR Special Needs in Lenexa, Kansas. SOAR (Special Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships) serves over 1000 individuals with disabilities through regular respite events and Special Needs Day Camps. Doc is currently assisting over 500 churches locally, nationally, and globally in starting a Disability Ministry. Doc also organizes the Wonderfully Made Disability Conference held annually every October in Kansas City. Doc is a retired pediatrician while his wife, Kay, continues practicing pediatrics. They are proud parents to three beautiful children: Luke, Mark, and Sarah. The Hunsley’s middle child, Mark, is presently running the halls of heaven. During Mark’s five-year earthly stay, he gave his family the opportunity to learn from and love a child with autism.

Stephanie James, with a wealth of expertise spanning 20 years in financial markets as a wealth management advisor, seamlessly transitioned into her current role as the Early Childhood Ministry Director at Mount Paran Church. For the past eight years, she has overseen Nursery and Preschool programs, managing curriculum, a dedicated staff daycare, and coordinating the efforts of over 100 volunteers across Wednesdays, Sundays, and special events. Prior to joining the staff, Stephanie devoted over two decades to volunteering in various capacities within Children's Ministry. Her commitment extends beyond the church, as evidenced by her financial advisory work, where she earned a certificate to provide specialized guidance to special needs families. She also contributed to community outreach by teaching "Banking 101" to high school students multiple times a year. Stephanie James embodies a unique blend of financial acumen and a heartfelt passion for nurturing the growth and well-being of children in her community.

Lisa Jamieson is an author and pastoral counselor to caregivers and their families. She co-founded Walk Right In Ministries, a non-profit, interdenominational organization helping caregivers in families with disabilities walk abundantly in life, faith, and relationships. She is passionate about helping caregivers experience soul-fueling lives in their calling. Lisa and Larry have three grown daughters. Their youngest, Carly, has Angelman Syndrome and lives at home with them in Minnesota. Her books and Bible studies include Finding Glory in the Thorns and Jesus, Let’s Talk.

Jeff Jansma is the Community Engagement Director of Church on Main in Snellville, GA. As a parent of a special needs adult son and full-time Ministry Director, Jeff is uniquely qualified to understand the needs of not only the adult special needs population but also the parents' needs. Jeff is an advocate, consultant, volunteer, board member, and coach of Gwinnett Masters Special Teams and Greater Atlanta Pathways, Inc. He has been a program director, development director, and public relations specialist in other non-profit organizations benefiting people with special needs and disabilities.

David is an instructor at Benevolence United. With a love for God and a passion for serving his community, David has worked as a Firefighter and EMT for over 18 years and volunteered in church communities as a youth and children's ministry leader for over 10 years. David has personal experience of hard work and great rewards for families with disabilities. David holds an AS in Business Management from NOVA and a BS in Fire Administration from CSU. David is also a certified Risk Management, Leadership, and Therapeutic Options trainer.

Samantha Jones believes that every person is made in the image of God, valuable, and needed. Passionate about connecting others to a relationship with Christ and discipleship, she is the founder and CEO of Benevolence United. Samantha is also a proud parent of children with disabilities and has worked in ministry for over 2 decades now.

Valeria Lobo is the the director of Thrive Special Needs Ministry at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Before coming on staff as the director, Valeria worked at a day program for adults with special needs for three years. She has volunteered in the special needs ministry for several years, laying a foundation of understanding student’s needs and volunteer needs. First Baptist Woodstock serves students with disabilities of all ages by building relationships with them and helping them thrive as Disciples of Jesus Christ.

Wes Lutes, the youth pastor at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, GA, along with his wife, wholeheartedly commits to nurturing discipleship and creating a genuine community among the local church's students. Wes's fervor centers on preaching, providing insightful teaching, and guiding emerging adults on their faith journeys. Wes is passionate about creating inclusive ministry environments for students with ranging special needs.

Tonya Nash is the founder and Board President of the Autism Faith Network. The 501c3 nonprofit organization’s mission is to promote autism awareness, acceptance, and inclusion in local and faith-based communities all over the world. Since 2016, the Autism Faith Network has served over 55 churches, with thousands of people learning about autism at church. Tonya is a public health consultant with over 20 years of experience in health promotion and advocacy. She has participated in numerous podcasts, speaking engagements, conferences, and webinars designed to educate and inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds. Tonya and her husband Jamie have two amazing sons who are autistic. Her youngest son was also diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy in 2020. As a mother and caregiver, Tonya is passionate about empowering and equipping churches to minister to families affected by disability.

Brian and Natalie Page are a devoted Christian couple with a huge heart for the marginalized disability community. Brian, is a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships where he serves major donors on behalf of two special needs ministries; Elim Christian Services and Shepherds College. His professional passion is fueled by his personal experience advocating for their miracle son, who has an intellectual and developmental disability. Dr. Natalie Page, is a veteran university professor and senior executive currently serving as Vice President of Student Success and Inclusion. Natalie is a compassionate mother, who partners with her husband in negotiating the unique challenges of raising a differently abled child. Together, the Pages share a message of faith, determination and an unwavering commitment to providing every possible opportunity for their son. Their journey serves as a source of inspiration for families facing similar circumstances, emphasizing the transformative power of trust in God. Brian and Natalie have been married for over three decades and live in the suburbs of Chicago. They have been blessed with two sons, one daughter and one daughter in love.

Brian and Natalie Page are a devoted Christian couple with a huge heart for the marginalized disability community. Brian, is a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships where he serves major donors on behalf of two special needs ministries; Elim Christian Services and Shepherds College. His professional passion is fueled by his personal experience advocating for their miracle son, who has an intellectual and developmental disability. Dr. Natalie Page, is a veteran university professor and senior executive currently serving as Vice President of Student Success and Inclusion. Natalie is a compassionate mother, who partners with her husband in negotiating the unique challenges of raising a differently abled child. Together, the Pages share a message of faith, determination and an unwavering commitment to providing every possible opportunity for their son. Their journey serves as a source of inspiration for families facing similar circumstances, emphasizing the transformative power of trust in God. Brian and Natalie have been married for over three decades and live in the suburbs of Chicago. They have been blessed with two sons, one daughter and one daughter in love.

Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of the Art of Autism and the Els Center of Excellence. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and is the author of A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom published by Charisma House and Views from the Spectrum. He has memorized over 15,000 Scriptures including 22 complete books of the New Testament. Sandison speaks at over 70 events a year including 20 plus education conferences. He is the founder of Spectrum Inclusion which empowers young adults with autism for employment. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with daughter, Makayla.

Dr. Ben Satterfield is a Research Associate with the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also a part-time Assistant Professor at the College of Education at the University of Georgia, teaching the Master's Level Course in AAC in the Department of Communication Sciences & Special Education. He currently serves on the Research Committee of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and as an associate editor of the Assistive Technology Outcomes & Benefits Journal. Ben‘s research focuses upon outcomes of AT use and upon Mastery of AT.

Pat is passionate about seeing individuals with disabilities and their families included in the Body of Christ! She currently serves as the Director of the Dunamis Educational Foundation, where she oversees free learning activities for teens and adults with Developmental Disabilities, including life skills, book club, and pre-employment skills. She brings almost 30 years of experience in Assistive Technology implementation, curriculum adaptation, evaluation, and training experience to her current endeavors. Pat and Ben are the parents of 4 sons; the youngest is Blake, born with Down Syndrome.

Stephen Taylor is the founder and CEO of AccessAbility4All, which will be an app for the disability community. The app will identify faith communities certified to be disability friendly. It will also be used to recognize private businesses, medical practices, and other destinations as certified as well. The profits from the app will be used to fund Stephen’s vision of a residential housing community for adults with disabilities. Previously Stephen was the Special Needs Pastor at Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Johns Creek, a suburb of Atlanta. He is passionate about educating the world, and the Church, about the values and gifts of those with disabilities. Stephen is a graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and is writing a book, Redefining Community. Stephen lives in Paulding County with his wife, Tina. They have three adult children. He has been profoundly deaf since birth.

Tina Taylor is the Special Needs Coordinator for Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Georgia. She has served as a lifelong advocate for individuals and families impacted by disability. She has served as the Director of Intellectual Disability Services for a Community Service Board serving 13 counties in Northeast Georgia and has spent her career familiarizing herself with all aspects of services available to adults and children impacted by disability. Tina is passionate about the role this community can play when they are engaged as an active and vibrant part of the body of Christ and feels the time is overdue for the church to take the lead in walking alongside this community and their families in supportive and empowering ways. She dreams of writing a book about living vibrantly from your identity in Christ and someday walking alongside Stephen on the walking trails of an affordable residential community for adults with disabilities. She lives with her husband, and fellow disability advocate, Stephen. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their three adult children, two dogs, and extended family.

Pamela Vandewalker has served at churches in Missouri and Texas and is presently a full-time Minister of traditional worship and Kids Music serving a congregation of over 3,000 active worshipers with 700 involved in Kids Music in Georgia. She is passionate about leading all generations in authentic, meaningful worship. Pamela earned Magna Cum Laude undergraduate and graduate degrees from Houston Baptist University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, respectively. She is the author of more than forty books and children’s musicals, including the Dove Award winning, “God Made Me Special”, and has served with a variety of publishing houses as a creative arts, devotional, and curriculum writer for worship, drama, and children’s music.

Kim Weinreb is the mother of a 24-year-old son who has significant special needs. Kim has spent the last six years helping parents navigate the transition from child support and services to adult support and services. Kim is passionate about helping families thru this journey.

Lynn has been the Special Needs Minister at Johnson Ferry Baptist for 8 years. She is married to Thomas and they have 2 children, Emily and Isaac. Emily is a sophomore at UGA and Isaac is a junior at Walton High School. Lynn enjoys being outside, finding unique coffee houses, and laughing as much as she can. One of her favorite places to go is Dollywood!

Ryan Wolfe is the President and CEO of Ability Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ability Ministry also works with religious organizations, helping them to establish and advance Disability Ministry programming and outreach. In addition to being an author and featured speaker, Ryan is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. His personal mission is to fight not only for inclusion but also for meaningful opportunities of belonging.

Kent Wright Jr. is a native of Hinesville, GA. He knows his true gift from God, which comes naturally with working with our special needs babies. Kent is currently a special needs coach at Mount Paran Church of God in the unlimited ministry, serving for 13 years supporting families. Kent is an Inclusion 2nd and 4th Grade teacher in the Marietta City School District. He has over 17 years of experience working with children with disabilities, especially in the areas of Autism and definitely Behavior. His passion and dedication for these children shows in the classroom and at his church home and community. The love of god and these children goes hand in hand to serve families who need support, in which he continues to give his all in every capacity.