David Yeager, Ph.D. | Professor of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin

KEYNOTE | Young people have an innate need to be respected and admired. But few leaders today—whether parents, educators, or managers—understand how to harness it. David Yeager can help. An expert on the psychology of grit and persistence, David has spent years researching how to motivate and equip young people for success. He will demonstrate why our conventional methods of communicating with young people aged 10 to 25 tend to leave everyone frustrated and discuss a better way of ensuring the younger generation feels inspired, enthusiastic, and empowered to do their best work.

ABOUT | David Yeager is the author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, a USA Today bestseller that explores how adults can build meaningful connections with youth through respect and purpose. A leading psychologist at the University of Texas at Austin, David is one of the most-cited experts in his field. His research focuses on adolescent development, mental health, and life transitions, and his work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and Scientific American. He has collaborated with Angela Duckworth and Carol Dweck, and co-chaired a national summit on mindset at the White House.

Kerri Newman, LMFT | Therapist and Operations Director, Wellspring Counseling Center

KEYNOTE | Grief in teens often hides in plain sight, masked by withdrawal, humor, anger, or silence. Whether facing the death of a loved one or navigating the complexity of ambiguous loss, teens need support that feels safe, relevant, and real. In this keynote, attendees will explore how mental health professionals can walk alongside teens who are grieving with empathy, curiosity, and compassion, recognizing how grief can reshape identity, challenge relationships, and spark meaning-making in unexpected ways. You’ll deepen your understanding of what it means to hold space for grief and hope and learn strategies that empower teens to navigate their grief, knowing they don’t have to face it alone.

ABOUT | Kerri Newman is a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and families through grief. She began her work in the bereavement field in 2012 and served as program director at Journey of Hope Grief Support Center from 2015 until its closure in 2025. Kerri now serves as the operations director and therapist at Wellspring Counseling Center, where she continues leading Journey of Hope peer grief support groups and provides individual and family therapy. She is passionate about creating compassionate, healing spaces where young people feel seen and supported in their grief.

Shauna Barnes | Thrive Mental Health Manager, Grant Halliburton Foundation

KEYNOTE | Hope is not just a concept; it’s a practice grounded in resilience, emotional attunement, and meaningful human connection. In this keynote, Shauna will explore how evidence-based strategies for preventing depression and suicide are most effective when paired with authentic relational practices and a deep understanding of emotional development. Drawing on the latest research and clinical best practices, this session highlights the crucial role of attuned interpersonal support in promoting resilience and reducing risk. Attendees will gain actionable tools to recognize early warning signs, respond with empathy and precision, and create environments that nurture mental wellness. This is a call to lead with both heart and evidence, building systems of support where hope can truly take root.

ABOUT | Shauna’s background in child psychiatry research has given her a passion for mental health awareness and advocacy. She’s motivated by the desire for adolescents, parents, teachers, and community members to have the knowledge and resources to recognize and support those struggling with a mental health condition.

Amy Sausameda | Community Educator, Hope’s Door New Beginning Center

KEYNOTE | In this keynote, Amy Sausameda will address teen relationships, dating abuse, and the real concerns teens are voicing about these issues. Attendees will gain insight into the different forms of dating abuse, the cycle of abuse, reasons teens remain in unhealthy relationships, and the lasting effects of abuse. The session will also cover warning signs to look for, how to break up safely, and the steps for reporting and responding to abuse.

ABOUT | Amy is a community educator at Hope’s Door New Beginning Center. Before joining the organization in 2023, she dedicated 29 years to teaching high school and middle school students, building relationships that fostered safe and supportive learning environments. Amy also serves as a Dallas CASA, is a board member of Altrusa International of Garland, and is beginning a new adventure as part of Leadership Garland Class 45. Her life and career experiences fuel her passion for teaching self-advocacy and preventing domestic violence.

Wes Woodson | Mental Health Public Speaker and Author

TALK | With vulnerability and warmth, Wes shares practical ways adults can help teens feel emotionally safe, rebuild self-worth, and reconnect with the parts of themselves they’ve been taught to hide. Attendees will leave with tangible strategies to support teen mental wellness through compassion, curiosity, and presence.

ABOUT | Mental health advocate, Wes Woodson, explores how shame, anxiety, and emotional pressure often cause young people to disconnect from who they truly are. Drawing from his personal story and lived experience, Wes introduces “Sonny,” a teddy bear gifted to him by his grandmother, as a symbol of the version of ourselves we abandon to survive—but must reclaim to heal.

Youth Advisory Board
Max Galante, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Makenna Murfin, Parish Episcopal School
Cash Ramirez, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

TALK | In this TeenED Talk panel discussion, three members of the Youth Advisory Board will share the mental health challenges they see among their peers and offer their perspective on the systems and supports available to them.

ABOUT | The Youth Advisory Board is a collaboration between Grant Halliburton Foundation and UT Southwestern’s Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, empowering students to elevate youth mental health awareness and programming. Max, Makenna, and Cash are mental health advocates in their schools and communities in Dallas. Max and Cash are active members of the Jesuit College Preparatory School Hope Squad, a student peer-support program for suicide prevention. Makenna, a student at Parish Episcopal School, interned with Grant Halliburton Foundation this past summer, supporting both development and mental health education efforts.