BOOSTers! Are you ready for BOOST Conference 2025? TEAMBOOST wants to help you get ready by spotlighting this year’s Panel Sessions. Read on to learn more.
The BOOST Conference Panel Sessions are designed to bring area experts in one space to dialogue, discuss, and share practices within the field. Varying perspectives from present practitioners, leaders, and youth offer unique insights to common ideas as well as challenges experienced by participants. All registered attendees are welcome to attend and participate in the BOOST Conference Panel Sessions.
Interested in learning more about this year’s Panel Sessions? Visit https://www.boostconference.org/panel-sessions for descriptions and more information!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
10:30AM – 12:15PM
Cultivating Youth Voice through Entrepreneurship!
Moderator: Katrena Perou, Executive Director, Inspiring Minds NYC, Brooklyn, NY
Panelists: Kylie Richardson, CEO, Chucks Round Table, Brooklyn, NY; Arnold Ludd, Jiggabite Gloves Up Guns Downs, Brooklyn, NY; Sikirat Mustapha, CEO, Sikirat Tutors, Brooklyn, NY; Andrea Ishmawl, CEO, Granny and Me, Brooklyn, NY
2:45PM – 4:45PM
Four Years & Counting: Making the Case for Continued Summer Enrichment Funding
Moderator: Joanna Colunga, Portfolio Manager, Los Angeles, Ballmer Group, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists: Dr. Ana Ponce, Executive Director, GPSN, Los Angeles, CA; Dee Ann Rivera, Chief Operating Officer, LA’s Best, Los Angeles, CA; Debe Loxton, M.A., Executive Director, LAUSD Beyond the Bell Branch, Los Angeles, CA
THURSDAY, MAY 1
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Project THRIVE: The Necessity of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Youth Programs
Moderator: Ellen Kahn, MSS, Senior Vice President, HRC Equality Programs, Human Rights Campaign, Washington, DC
Panelists: Anthony Brisson, Senior Policy Analyst and Program Specialist for the Center for Racial and Social Justice, National Education Association (NEA), Washington, DC; Dr. Janell Catlin, Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, FIRST, Manchester, NH
1:15PM – 2:30PM
An Ecosystem Approach to Environmental Learning
Moderator: Meg Ramey, MA, Senior Consultant, Education First, San Francisco, CA
Panelists: Heather Rossetti, Senior Manager, Outdoor Access Initiatives, San Diego Foundation, San Diego, CA; Jeni Barajas, Director of Youth Programs, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, National City, CA; Samantha Wynns, Executive Director, EcoLogik Institute, San Diego, CA
3:45PM – 5:15PM
EXL Pathways to Teaching and Education Careers
Moderator: Guillermo Castillo, MA, Senior Director Future Educator Support, Butte County Office of Education, Oroville, CA
Panelists: Eduardo Caballero, Executive Director, EDMO, Berkeley, CA; Jaqueline Garcia Pelayo, M.A., Lead Instructor, Butte County Office of Education, Oroville, CA; Sera Hernandez, Ph.D., Department Chair, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
FRIDAY, MAY 2
9:15AM – 11:15AM
It Takes a Village: The Story of Level Up SD and Successful Partnerships for Summer Learning in San Diego County
Moderator: Michelle Jaramillo, MS, Director, Education Initiatives, San Diego Foundation, San Diego, CA
Panelists: Gerardo Jaimes Garcia, M.Ed., Senior Manager, Education Initiatives, San Diego Foundation, San Diego, CA; DeMilo Young, Founder & Executive Director, BIPOC Support Foundation, Escondido, CA; Tobie Pace, M.Ed., Senior Director Extended Learning Opportunities; Sara Guinn, Operations Specialist Extended Learning Opportunities, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA
Get ready for this one-of-a-kind professional development experience, where local, national, and global leaders gather to grow together, build community, and co-create a great world for kids. Together we INSPIRE YOUTH, INSPIRE LEARNING, and INSPIRE CHANGE.
Still need to register for BOOST 2025? Visit boostconference.org/registration for more information.
BOOSTers, we can’t wait to learn with you April 29 – May 2, 2025, in sunny Palm Springs!
Start planning your conference experience TODAY!