Dr. Nell K Duke is executive director of the Center for Early Literacy Success at Stand for Children as well as a professor of education and psychology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Duke's work focuses on early literacy development, particularly among children living in economic poverty. Duke is a member of the National Academy of Education and has been named one of the most influential education scholars in the U.S. in EdWeek. Among other awards, she is the recipient of the International Literacy Association's William S. Gray Citation of Merit for outstanding contributions to research, theory, practice, and policy.

Ernest Morrell, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letters and Coyle Professor and the Literacy Education Director at Notre Dame Center, English and Africana Studies Departments Fellow, Institute for Educational Initiatives. Dr. Morrell also heads the James R. Squire Office of Policy Research in the English Language Arts at Notre Dame’s Center on Literacy Education which focuses on creating studies of the profession that advance knowledge and inform policy. He was the Macy Professor of English Education and former Director of Teachers College’s Institute for Urban and Minority Education (IUME), Columbia University; a class of 2014 Fellow of the American Educational Research Association; and the Past-President of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Dr. Morrell received recognition for one being one of the top 100 university-based education scholars in the 2020 and 2016 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Ranking. He is also the recipient of the Adolescent Literacy Thought Leader Award/ILA 2020, Council of English Leadership 2019 Kent Williamson Exemplary Leadership Award, and the NCTE 2019 Distinguished Service Award. He is an award-winning published author and in his spare time, he coaches youth sports and writes poems and plays. Dr. Morrell has influenced the development of myPerspectives in Assessment, Writing & Research, Student Engagement, and Collaborative Learning.

Trischitti spent 15 years in public library management and served as Director of the Midland County Public Libraries from 2011 to 2019, spearheading the establishment of the Centennial branch during his tenure. He is currently the Director of Partnerships for EDSOMA, a literacy software company.

Trischitti is a former Texas Librarian of the Year and is a past recipient of the Rosalind Redfern Library Benefactor Award.

Trischitti's TED Talk on the social impacts of illiteracy has been viewed more than 100,000 times. He is a frequent speaker and program presenter promoting awareness of low literacy and illiteracy and best practices in management and leadership.

In addition to being a father of five, he serves on the Miss Texas Scholarship Foundation board and was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas Diabetes Council. 

“I am an example of the power that education can have on a life,” Trischitti said. “We need to find tools that break the difficult social and economic cycles we sometimes find ourselves in. Education is the base for students to potentially achieve anything they want in life, and we need to provide the best possible education that equips them for success.”

A highly-sought after speaker, trainer and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Dr. Danny Brassell has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 18 books, including his latest, Misfits and Crackpots. He helps entrepreneurs, executives and business owners boost their income, freedom and impact by improving their communication skills. The co-founder of the world’s top reading engagement program, Danny is on a mission to bring JOY back into education and the workplace. Get your complimentary e-copy of his book Read, Lead & Succeed plus a parent training series at www.freeGIFTfromDANNY.com.