Speaker Bios

serves as market insights manager at Landscape Structures. He provides more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare field, and offers a unique perspective on health, fitness and children’s play on the playground. Since 2002, John has researched and tracked societal and industry trends to help create solutions that address evolving customer needs. The main focus of his recent efforts is on playground accessibility and inclusiveness as well as sustainability.

is the director of programs at Shane’s Inspiration, a national organization dedicated to fostering an inclusive world for children with disabilities through the design and development of Universally Accessible Playgrounds and the creation of social inclusion programs that create compassion through play. Shane’s Inspiration has designed more than 45 playgrounds and inspired over 24,000 children through play programs. For the past seven years, Marnie has facilitated inclusion on the playground between children with and without disabilities and taught hundreds of workshops in classrooms throughout Southern California and beyond. She has worked closely with communities to replicate and sustain these powerful play programs.

is the education and outreach director for Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play. She is also a speaker, writer and consultant known as The Grass Stain Guru, and specializes in nature and outdoor play.

is CEO of Research-Based Design, a landscape architectural firm in Kennett Square, Pa., that specializes in outdoor environments for children, especially children with developmental delays such as autism spectrum disorder. Carol has been working to bridge the research and practice gap by conducting research with children with autism in order to learn about environments they prefer and dislike. Additionally, she has been observing how children of all ages and abilities engage in children’s environments in order to build a design database that helps foster a sense of engagement.
researchbaseddesign.com

is nationally recognized as an outstanding speaker. Using her warmth, humor and humanness, she helps professionals and parents continue to learn from Fred Rogers’ timeless wisdom through treasured videos and stories. Hedda holds an M.S. in child development from the University of Pittsburgh, and since 1966 worked closely with Fred Rogers on his books for children and parents, and on professional development materials for early childhood educators. As director of early childhood initiatives for the nonprofit company he founded, she is responsible for communicating about Fred Rogers’ approach to children and families in multiple ways: she writes a monthly e-newsletter; works on web materials, articles and brochures for parents, families, and professionals; and is in demand around the country as a keynoter and workshop leader at conferences for educators, parents, and religious, business and community groups.
fredrogers.org