Dr. Claire Hughes is Professor of Gifted and Twice-Exceptional Education at Cleveland State University. Previously, she was Professor of Elementary and Special Education at the College of Coastal Georgia, Senior Lecturer of Special Education at Canterbury Christ Church in the UK, and a Fulbright Scholar to Greece. Winner of the Gifted & Award from NAGC in 2022, she is President-Elect of The Association for the Gifted of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC-TAG) and previously, Chair of the Special Populations Network of the National Association for Gifted Children. Her research areas include: twice-exceptional children, Generational studies, AI in Education, and international education.
Dayna Abraham
Dayna Abraham, bestselling author of Calm the Chaos: A Fail-Proof Roadmap for Parenting Even the Most Challenging Kids. As a National Board Certified educator, parent of three neurodivergent children, and an ADHD adult herself, Dayna brings a unique and out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in the modern world.
Through her compassionate framework, Calm the Chaos, she has helped millions of desperate parents around the world, find peace and meet their children where they're at when conventional parenting tools have failed them.
Kristie Speirs Neumeister, Ph.D.
Dr. Speirs Neumeister is an educational psychologist and professor in gifted education at Ball State University. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Gifted Children and the President of the Indiana Association for the Gifted. She has presented and published extensively on common social and emotional characteristics of gifted children, twice-exceptionality, gifted program design, and strategies for promoting higher level thinking in gifted students. She and her husband are the parents of four daughters who are identified as gifted learners.
Michelle Ronksley-Pavia, Ph.D.
Dr. Michelle Ronksley-Pavia is an internationally recognized researcher and educator dedicated to advancing understanding and support for twice-/multi-exceptional and gifted learners. As Senior Lecturer in Special Education and Inclusive Education at Griffith University, Australia, she combines over two decades of classroom experience with cutting-edge research that centers the voices and experiences of gifted students. Dr. Ronksley-Pavia's groundbreaking work has earned her the 2025 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (WCGTC) Emerging Scholar Award—one of the field's highest international honors, recognizing researchers making transformative global contributions within their first decade post-PhD. Her research spans critical areas including twice-exceptional identification challenges, the compounded disadvantage faced by these learners in schools, and innovative applications of generative AI (GenAI) to personalize learning for neurodivergent gifted students.
As the first Australian researcher awarded the prestigious Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant from the American Psychological Foundation, Dr. Ronksley-Pavia is pioneering research on how gifted adolescents creatively use AI tools to support talent development. Her recent publications in the Journal of Advanced Academics and Education Sciences provide practical, evidence-based frameworks for educators and parents supporting twice-exceptional learners. Dr. Ronksley-Pavia serves as elected Australian Delegate to the WCGTC and actively contributes to international policy development in gifted education. As both a researcher and parent of twice-exceptional children, she brings unique personal and professional insights to understanding the challenges and possibilities for these remarkable learners.
2026 Conference Presenters
Ashley Y. Carpenter, PhD
Ashley Y. Carpenter, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Professional Development at William & Mary's Center for Gifted Education. She currently teaches graduate courses in Gifted Education and is the Professional Developer for Project BUMP UP, a Jacob Javits Grant funded research project. As the Director of Professional Development, Ashley coordinates several conferences including 2e @ William & Mary: Twice Exceptional Conference and the National Curriculum Networking Conference. She also provides trainings on Center for Gifted Education curriculum units and general gifted education topics across the country. Ashley completed her doctoral work in Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut and worked at the National Center for Research on Gifted Education as a Research Assistant and Research Site Director. She was a middle school teacher for 14 years and is the parent of a twice-exceptional child.
Cynthia Geary, Ph.D.
Dr. Cynthia Geary holds a doctorate in Philosophy of Education with a specialization in students with special needs. She studied abroad at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England while completing her undergraduate degree, and returned to Oxford University in 2024. She served in the United States Peace Corps for two and a half years, working in Maternal and Childhood health in Honduras, Central America. Returning stateside, she taught in a monolingual Spanish K-12 urban, public classroom for eight years before accepting an invitation to China as a Foreign Expert teaching English to students at the Hebei Institute of Technology in Shijiazhuang, China. The international experiences fueled her interest in culture and diversity in American education. Dr. Geary has taught in Southern California Teacher Education programs for 26 years, settling in at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona as an assistant professor, and Multiple Subject Coordinator. Her research areas include culturally and linguistically diverse population, and gifted youth. She delights in instructing and researching the intersectionality of these interests. She is dedicated to preparing future teachers to cultivate the curiosity and wonder of gifted and talented K-12 youth.
Audra Coulson, BFA
Audra Coulson is a neurodivergent animator with professional experience in AAA video games and feature animation. Diagnosed with ADHD during her sophomore year at Brigham Young University, she earned a BFA in animation with a minor in computer science. Throughout her academic career, Coulson received talent-based scholarships. Included was performance-based financial assistance through the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, which recognizes high achieving students with disabilities. As an undergraduate, Coulson contributed character effects to two student films—Cenote and Witch’s Cat—which received national and international recognition at the Student Emmy Awards and Rookie Awards for animation. She was also selected as one of five students across the entire animation program to be recognized for exceptional academic achievement and artistic contribution. Before graduating, Coulson served as a Character Effects Intern at DreamWorks Animation, working on Kung Fu Panda 4. She currently works as a video game artist at Avalanche Software.
Dr. Tracy Lynn Bednarick-Humes
Dr. Tracy Bednarick-Humes is the Director of Gifted Programming for Lindbergh Schools in St. Louis, Missouri, where she leads both the LEAP gifted enrichment program and the Metro St. Louis Program for Exceptionally Gifted Students. With more than 25 years in education, she brings a rare blend of classroom experience, systems-level leadership, and a deep commitment to meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted and twice-exceptional learners. Dr. Bednarick-Humes has served on the Gifted Association of Missouri Board for six years and currently holds the role of Vice President for Conference, following prior service as District Representative, Executive Vice President, and Executive President. Her leadership has focused on expanding equitable identification practices, strengthening professional learning, and developing statewide resources that support the whole child. She holds a BA in English and Education from Hope College, an MA in Biology Education and administrative certification from Grand Valley State University, and an MA in Gifted Education from Lindenwood University. She earned her Doctorate in Teacher Leadership from Maryville University and recently completed her Psychological Examiner Certification at Lindenwood University.
Ley-Anne Folks M.Ed.
S. Ley-Anne Folks, (M.Ed., B.Ed., BA) is a first year Ed.D. student at Bridges Graduate School. In her interdisciplinary M.Ed. she investigated the impact of EF skill delays and developed classroom support strategies for gifted learners with ADHD for students with EF delays. Her current research interests include complex 2e learners, particularly those who may be identified as "challenging" by their teachers.
Megan Cannella
Megan Cannella is the Director of Outreach at the Davidson Institute (davidsongifted.org), where she has worked since 2019. Before that, she taught college-level humanities courses for almost a decade. Megan's outreach role allows her to continue to grow the work she is most passionate about and dedicated to: connecting students and families with the services and supports they need to reach their goals. Her work focuses on advocacy, accessibility, and equity for neurodivergent learners. Contact Megan at mcannella@davidsongifted.org.
Marcy Dann, Ed.D.
Marcy Dann, Ed.D. has 39+ years of clinical practice experience. She provides consultation for parents of twice-exceptional (2e) children and creates individualized learning profiles using a strength-based, talent-focused lens. Dr. Dann consulted at Bridges Academy for 22 years and has an equally long background in higher education in various roles as instructor, coordinator, and supervisor. She is currently an instructor of the course, Complexities of 2e, at Bridges Graduate School. Dr. Dann's passions include being an artist, writer, avid reader, and world traveler. www.dannrevolution.com
Ashleigh D'Aunoy, Ed.D.
Ashleigh D'Aunoy, Ed.D., specializes in gifted and twice-exceptional education and serves as the Director of Enrichment, Innovation, and Talent Development at Episcopal School of Acadiana in Lafayette, Louisiana, and visiting faculty at Elmbridge University, formerly Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity. Ashleigh’s work focuses on providing students opportunities to explore and develop their passions, and on fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. She strives to promote an inclusive and empowering learning environment through a strength-based, talent-focused lens. Ashleigh's background reflects her interdisciplinary approach to learning and teaching. In addition to her Ed.D., she holds a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Master of Music in flute performance, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in music and anthropology. She is certified in elementary education, music K-8, academically gifted, and twice exceptional. Her diverse teaching experience includes music, dance, arts integration, upper elementary math and language arts, and design thinking.
Dr. Katy Davis, Ed.D. SLP-CCC
Dr. Katy Davis is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist with a doctorate in cognitive diversity in education. She has focused on neurodiversity, language development, and individualized learning strategies throughout her career. As a military spouse and parent to two twice-exceptional (2e) autistic children, she brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Dr. Davis is dedicated to advocating for inclusive education, effective communication strategies, and a strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals. Through her scholarship and practice, she empowers educators and families to better understand and support diverse learners in academic and everyday settings.
Sarah Ghandil
My name is Sarah Ghandil, and I am currently in my third year as a Gifted Education Specialist with Suffolk Public Schools (SPS). I am also an evening adult education instructor with SPS where I teach GED courses and am a career coach for nurse aide students. Prior to these roles, I taught seventh grade English and Social Studies, gaining valuable experience in fostering student engagement and academic growth. I am deeply committed to empowering students for long-term success, supporting gifted learners in reaching their fullest potential, and collaborating with educators and stakeholders to address the diverse needs of all children.
Cynthia Z. Hansen, EdD, BCET®
Dr. Cynthia Z. Hansen, Ed.D., BCET®, is an AET Board Certified Educational Therapist and Twice-Exceptional Education Consultant who facilitates the growth of gifted and creative individuals with complex learning profiles, including executive function delays, ADHD, and dyslexia. Dr. Hansen uses a holistic approach that incorporates individuals' intersectionality of strengths, obstacles, and passions to help her clients thrive. Dr. Hansen's experiences as a mother of two 2e sons, a wife of a 2e husband, and her growing awareness of her multiple exceptionalities as an adult have inspired her passion for advocacy within the neurodiversity movement. She enjoys leading creatively interactive workshops that guide participants to gain a deeper understanding of the paradoxes of this unique population. Dr. Hansen has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the California Association for the Gifted. Tri-County GATE Council and SENG have also recognized her leadership and guidance with twice-exceptional learners and parents. She is a proud alum of Bridges Graduate School (now Elmbridge University). An educator for over 40 years, Dr. Cindy holds three California teaching credentials and California certificates in Gifted & Talented Education and Twice-exceptional Education.
Lynne Henwood, M. Ed.
Lynne Henwood is a nationally recognized leader and advocate in gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) education. She currently serves as the Head of FlexSchool’s Cloud Campus, a fully synchronous virtual school designed to meet the academic, social-emotional, and executive functioning needs of gifted and 2e learners. A two-term past president of the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), Lynne also served on the New Jersey Department of Education’s Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Advisory Committee and was recently appointed to the 2e Teacher Education Advisory Board at Cleveland State University. She began her career as a gifted educator and program coordinator in Washington Township Schools (NJ). Lynne holds a B.A. in Psychology from Dickinson College, a Gifted Education Certificate from Rutgers University, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent Development from the University of Connecticut. Her work has earned state and national recognition, including New Jersey Gifted Teacher of the Year and multiple NAGC honors. As the parent of four gifted children, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work.
Sarah Finch Jackson
Sarah Finch Jackson is the Twice-Exceptional (2e) Instructional Specialist for Accelerated and Enriched Instruction in Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland), one of the nation’s largest school systems. A former middle and high school English and special education teacher, Sarah has taught students in inclusive, honors, and Advanced Placement classrooms and is passionate about equity-driven gifted education that honors neurodiversity. Sarah holds an undergraduate degree from Roanoke College, an MAT from Hollins University, an M.Ed. in Special Education with Gifted Education certification from Johns Hopkins University, and an Administrator I Certificate from McDaniel College. Her work has been recognized with multiple honors, including the NAGC Special Populations Network Early Career Award, the MCCPTA Special Education Committee Award, and Teacher as Leader Awards from Maryland GTAC. A frequent presenter, Sarah also serves as chair of the 2e Special Interest Group for the National Association for Gifted Children and is a leader on Maryland’s Gifted and Talented Advisory Council. She lives in Maryland with her highly creative daughter, her twice-exceptional husband, and a clowder of cats. “I’m a 2e mom, and a 2e wife, and my 2e family leads a 2e life."
Dr. Autumn B. Matthews
Dr. Autumn B. Matthews is an educator, researcher, and attorney whose work centers on twice-exceptionality, autism, and relational development across the lifespan. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from Liberty University, where her qualitative research examined how 2e/ASD adults develop and sustain healthy friendships in adulthood. From this work, she introduced the conceptual frameworks of social calculus and emotional budgeting, which describe how neurodivergent individuals assess relational risk, reciprocity, predictability, and emotional energy over time. Dr. Matthews has been a practicing attorney in the state of Florida for over 20 years and brings a unique understanding of special education law, compliance, and advocacy to both research and practice. She currently teaches Special Education Law to both undergraduates and graduates at the postsecondary level. Her work bridges research, law, and lived experience, with a focus on developing humane, sustainable frameworks that move beyond deficit-based narratives and toward relational clarity, dignity, and long-term support for neurodivergent individuals.
Heather Lai
Heather Lai has taught in a variety of settings: public, private, and charter. Some of her interests are in the following areas: learning through inquiry, Design Thinking, and Executive Function skill development. Currently, she is a Canadian middle school teacher and her practice focuses on the education of the gifted, with a content specialization in math and science. She values an inside out approach to teaching where students share their learning and voice.
Chase Parker-Morgan, M.Ed.
Chase Parker-Morgan, M.Ed. is the FlexSchool Cloud Campus Learning Specialist, where he joined the team in November. He has always had a passion for supporting students who learn, think, and grow in their own unique ways. Before FlexSchool, he served in the NC Public School system for nearly twelve years, including nine years in the classroom. He taught grades 2nd–5th and later served as a K-8 Math Intervention and Gifted Education Specialist. Three of those years were spent at an alternative school supporting students with intensive behavioral and academic needs. In 2022, he was honored to receive the NC Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Outstanding Elementary Teacher of Math Award. Before joining FlexSchool, he served as a district-wide Beginning Teacher Coach, where he trained, mentored, and supported teachers during their first three years in the profession. Chase is also a part-time faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where he teaches undergraduate education courses. Joining FlexSchool allows Chase to combine his experiences and passions into one meaningful role supporting both students and educators. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his partner and their pups, exploring nature trails, reading, running, and enjoying a good latte!
Emmaly Perks, M.Ed.
Emmaly Perks, M.Ed., is an education and career consultant specializing in gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) development across the lifespan. She has worked in neuroscience research studying intelligence and talent development, K–12 education as a teacher of the gifted, and as a higher education workforce development director. She is focused on helping gifted and 2e individuals to lead fulfilling lives by making sense of complex cognitive profiles that are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. She is the author of The CURIOUS Career Workbook™: Redesigning Work for Gifted, Creative, and Multi-Talented Minds, a first-of-its-kind career development guide created specifically for gifted and 2e individuals across ages and stages. She is also the founder of Beyond Gifted Services, where she supports families, educators, and adults in creating educational and career pathways that fit their strengths, support needs, and promote long-term wellbeing. Emmaly also serves on the Mensa Foundation Network steering committee, facilitates gifted community groups through Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), and is a frequent national speaker and prolific writer on giftedness, neurodiversity, and evidence-based education practice.
Dr. Suzanne Sessere
Dr. Suzanne Sessere is an education specialist and a former long-time general education classroom teacher. A passionate advocate for inclusive education, Dr. Sessere combines her love of teaching and her professional and personal experience with neurodiverse learners in her research and writing. Dr. Sessere earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Assessment from Southern Wesleyan University and graduate degrees from George Mason and Marymount Universities. She currently lives with her family in Northern Virginia, where she is working on a book to help neurodivergent young adults embrace themselves as wonderfully capable and unique individuals.
Maria Selke, M.A.Ed.
Curiosity is Maria’s driving force. She has a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education and an M.A.Ed. in Educational Psychology focused on Gifted and Talented. She taught elementary special ed and gifted for 20 years in Pennsylvania, before she moved to Texas. There she joined ACE Academy, a small nonprofit school for gifted and 2e learners, where she is currently the Dean. Maria still loves to ask questions and learn every day, and is working on her Ed.D. in Cognitive Diversity at Bridges Graduate School.
Dr. Debbie Troxclair
Dr. Debbie Troxclair is an Associate Professor at Lamar University, where she develops and teaches online graduate courses in special and gifted education. With more than 20 years of K–12 teaching experience, she has devoted her career to advocating for children with exceptionalities, particularly those who are gifted and twice-exceptional. In 2024, Dr. Troxclair received the CEC–TAG Service Award and was recognized as an international scholar by the Phi Delta Beta Honor Society for International Students at Lamar University. She currently serves as President of the Association for Gifted and Talented Students (AGTS) in Louisiana and sits on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. She was recently elected Treasurer of The Association for the Gifted (CEC TAG). Her previous leadership roles include serving on the Boards of Directors for the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and The Association for the Gifted. Dr. Troxclair has published widely in gifted education journals and presents frequently at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences. She is also a co-editor of a recently published book focused on gifted and twice-exceptional education. Recently, she has returned to her other passion, created art.
Sheyanne S. Smith
Sheyanne S. Smith is the High Ability Learning Director for the Nebraska Department of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Master of Education in Gifted, Talented, and Creative Education, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education Policy, Planning, and Leadership at William & Mary. Prior to her state-level role, she was a middle school English language arts teacher and gifted education facilitator. Sheyanne's work focuses on gifted education policy, twice-exceptionality, systems-level implementation, and equitable access to advanced learning opportunities. She has published and presented locally, nationally, and internationally and was the recipient of the 2023 NAGC Master’s and Specialist Award. Sheyanne currently serves as Treasurer for the Council for State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and Secretary for the Council for Exceptional Children–The Association for the Gifted.
David Warrenfeltz M. Ed., ICF Certified Mindset Coach
David Warrenfeltz is an Educator, Instructional leader, and ICF Certified Mindset Coach with over 15 years of experience working with gifted learners, educators, and school leaders. He is the founder of Grow2GetherCoaching, where his work focuses on trauma-informed practices, anxiety, perfectionism, and performance pressure—particularly as they relate to gifted and twice-exceptional students. David hosts the podcast Beyond the Darkness: Living with PTSD, where he explores the intersection of mental health, identity, and high performance. His approach blends research, real-world school experience, and practical strategies that help gifted individuals build emotional regulation, resilience, and sustainable success.
Michael Wang
Michael is a 9th grade math teacher in Coppell ISD and primarily teaches the GT students. He is 2E himself and was diagnosed as an adult. He is AuDHD. He had to self teach many of the executive functioning and SEL skills as an adult that many get to learn while in school. He uses this experience to better develop unconventional ways to articulate the struggles as well as give solutions that are designed to support weaknesses while furthering strengths in 2E kids.
Ati Lorenzini Wongsaroj
Ati Lorenzini Wongsaroj holds dual B.A.s in Psychology and History, driven by a lifelong curiosity about why people think, feel, and behave as they do. She taught in Title I Austin ISD schools for over 10 years, where working with diverse students revealed how neurodiversity, giftedness, cultural identity, and trauma intersect. These experiences led her to pursue graduate studies in Professional Counseling at Texas State University to create culturally grounded, relationship-centered, safe spaces for young people.
Wainwright Yu
Wainwright Yu is a technology executive, researcher, and leadership coach whose work sits at the intersection of technology, creativity, and cognitive diversity. He is currently a senior leader at a global technology company, where he has spent over a decade leading large, complex teams at the forefront of innovation and emerging technology. Wainwright holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar. He is also a doctoral student (Ed.D.) at Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity, where his research focuses on creativity, neurodiversity, and human potential. His professional work is deeply informed by lived experience as the parent of multiple neurodivergent children, which has shaped his interest in how systems — educational, organizational, and technological — can either suppress or support creative expression. At the 2026 2e at William & Mary Conference, Wainwright will draw on current research and real-world application to explore how AI can be used intentionally to support, rather than undermine, student creativity.
Jon Zeitlin, PAAC-CACP, M.A., MBA
Jon Zeitlin is a sought-after speaker on both education and behavioral health topics. He holds two Master's degrees from Stanford and an undergraduate degree from Yale. Jon is a former teacher and has developed a diverse array of curricula for different types of learners. He spent 15 years as a senior executive at education organizations and ran programs in K12 and Nursing Education. He was the co-founder of Hallowell Todaro ADHD Center - California, one of the largest ADHD centers in the state. He is also currently the CEO of TestingMom, the co-founder of HabitCoach, and a PAAC-certified ADHD coach. Jon works with gifted and neurodiverse students (and sometimes students who are both) to better understand their brains, learn to play to their strengths, and find ways to improve and find workarounds for their weaknesses. Jon was a Twice Exceptional kid himself, very good at academics but struggled with executive function deficits and had to work hard to overcome his challenges. He is raising three teenage kids, including one child with ADHD. He loves to share the lessons he has learned with parents and students.
Cynthia Geary, Ph.D.
Audra Coulson, BFA
Ley-Anne Folks M.Ed.
Marcy Dann, Ed.D.
Dr. Katy Davis, Ed.D. SLP-CCC
Cynthia Z. Hansen, EdD, BCET®
Lynne Henwood, M. Ed.
Dr. Autumn B. Matthews
Chase Parker-Morgan, M.Ed.
Dr. Suzanne Sessere
Dr. Debbie Troxclair
David Warrenfeltz M. Ed., ICF Certified Mindset Coach
Jon Zeitlin, PAAC-CACP, M.A., MBA