August 30 – 31, 2026 | Marriott – Atlanta Airport

4711 Best Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30337

CLICK HERE TO subscribe for updates.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR POST-SUMMIT SURVEY.

 

AGENDA

Sunday, August 30th

6:00 – 7:00PM Mix and Mingle(Pre-Function Area)

7:00PM – 8:30PM Changemakers Dinner (Salon D Ballroom)

  • Welcome & Purpose

  • Icebreaker

  • Voices From our Communities & the GA We Imagine (Changemakers Cohort 1)

  • Remarks & Recognition from GEEARS CEO, Kristin Bernhard

  • Remarks from GEEARS Board Chair, Stephanie Blank

  • Changemakers Cohort 1 Graduation Ceremony

  • Instructions for Day 2, Group Photo

Monday, August 31st

8:00AM – 8:30AM Breakfast (Pre-Function Area) 

8:45AM – 10:00AM General Session (Salon D Ballroom) 

    • Welcome, Logistics
    • Icebreaker
    • Introduction of Keynote Speaker
    • Keynote Speaker – Michael Bonner, Ron Clark Academy
    • Block Instructions 

10:00AM – 10:10AM BREAK 

              10:10AM –11:20AM BLOCK 1 SESSIONS

                • Building Blocks for Change: A Systems Thinking Approach to Early Childhood – Salon A (Jessica Woltjen, GEEARS Senior Policy Manager for Early Childhood Education, Callan Wells, GEEARS Senior Health Policy Manager) Young children and families don’t experience child care, health care, housing, economic security, and other supports in isolation—and advocates can’t address challenges in isolation either. In this interactive workshop, participants will use systems thinking to look beneath the challenges families experience and explore the policies, practices, relationships, assumptions, and other forces that shape them. Participants will practice stepping back from individual problems to see the bigger picture, identify connections across systems, and consider where they have the greatest opportunity to create lasting change. 
                • Voices from the Field: Lessons from Atlanta’s Early Education Ambassador Program – Salon C (Dawan Barfield, Community Outreach Manager, Gbemi Famule, PAACT Program Manager, PAACT Ambassadors) Hear from current and past Early Education Ambassadors as they share personal stories about building trust with families, connecting communities to early education, and advocating for young children. Participants will learn from their experiences, reflect on their own role in supporting early childhood education, and leave with one action they can take to strengthen early learning in their community.
                • Finding Common Ground: Messaging That Moves Decision-Makers – Hartsfield Room (Jasmine Hooper – Equity Strategies and Partnerships Manager, Voices for Healthy Kids/American Heart Association) Learn how to use research-informed PN-3 messaging and proven relationship-building techniques to connect with decision-makers across different perspectives. Through hands-on practice, participants will learn to lead with shared values, identify common ground, and confidently communicate policies that support infants, toddlers, and families. 

              11:20AM– – 11:40AM Transition Break 

              11:40AM – 12:40PM Lunch & Legislation Panel –  Salon D Ballroom Advocacy That Matters: Real Perspectives on What Works (Moderator: Kristin Bernhard, CEO, GEEARS)

              Panelists 

              • Ted Burdo, Terminus Strategies 
              • Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, Department of Early Care and Learning 
              • Susie Leggett, Outreach Director, Northeast Georgia (Warnock’s Office) 
              • Rep. Marvin Lim (HD-98) 

              12:40PM-12:45PM Transition Break 

              12:45PM-1:55PM BLOCK 2 SESSIONS 

              • Making Sense of Data: Tools and Insights for Stronger Communities – Salon A Lysa Moore, Data Fluency and Training Manager, Neighborhood Nexus & Hanah Goldberg, GEEARS Director of Research & Policy) Data is most valuable when people can understand it, trust it, and use it to make informed decisions. In this session, speakers from Neighborhood Nexus and GEEARS will share practical approaches to building data literacy, inviting participants to engage with mapping, data, and research tools to discover how these resources can inform decision-making and strengthen communities. Attendees will see examples of how data can support planning, collaboration, and action on behalf of children, families, and communities. The session will offer insights and resources that help turn information into impact, regardless of participants’ prior experience with data. 
              • Mobilizing for Georgia’s Children – Salon C (Jacob Rogers, Vote Your Voice (VYV) Program Coordinator & Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative) This breakout session outlines a non-partisan strategy to empower early childhood advocates, educators, and community leaders across Georgia to drive civic engagement and voter turnout. It addresses major caregiver voting barriers by leveraging trusted community messengers and 501(c)(3)-compliant tactics.  
              • Family Resources and Partnership Opportunities Across Georgia – Hartsfield Room (Bridget Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Jill Taylor, Director of Community Partnerships and 2Gen Outreach, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning | Christina Rand, Early Childhood Education Manager, Georgia Public Broadcasting) Learn about the resources, programs, and partnerships available across Georgia that you can bring to your community to support young children and families. This panel will highlight available resources as well as practical opportunities for collaboration and engagement that can help you connect with families and leaders in your communities.

              1:55PM – 2:05PM Transition & Snack Break

                2:05PM – 2:50PM From Voice to Power: Families as Partners in Georgia’s Early Childhood Movement Salon D Ballroom (Samanthia Valentine, Augusta Changemaker, Trequita Overton, Statewide Engagement Manager, and Dawan Barfield, PAACT Community Outreach Manager) This session explores how family and community voices can move beyond being heard to meaningfully influencing programs, policies, and systems. Panelists will share perspectives on authentic family partnership, removing barriers, and building the relationships and collective power needed to create lasting change for Georgia’s children and families.

                2:50PM – 3:00PM Closing Remarks (Kristin Bernard, Jessica Woltjen, and Trequita Overton) 

                CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE OUR POST-SUMMIT SURVEY.