Glenna Wright-Gallo is the assistant secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the United States Department of Education. In this capacity, she serves as advisor to the U.S. secretary of education on matters related to the education of children and youth with disabilities, as well as employment and community living for youth and adults with disabilities. The mission of her office is to improve early childhood, educational, and employment outcomes, and to raise expectations for all people with disabilities, their families, their communities, and the nation.

Wright-Gallo has more than 25 years of experience supporting students and adults with disabilities. She served as the assistant superintendent of special education in the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Washington from 2017–2022 and previously as the state director of special education for the Utah State Board of Education for seven years. In her state-level education leadership roles, Wright-Gallo provided expertise in the improvement planning, data analysis, and monitoring of public pre-K through 12th grade+ special education programs. Before her state-level education leadership roles, Wright-Gallo worked as a classroom teacher and administrator.

Wright-Gallo has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degrees in special education; special education teacher and administrative licenses; endorsements as a program administrator, principal, and superintendent; and a Master of Business Administration.

With over half a billion streams to his name, Alexander Stewart’s skyscraping pop sound and heartbreaking anthems have made him one of Spotify’s Pop Rising Artists to Watch this year and 2023’s second most viewed artist on TikTok in Canada. His recently released debut album bleeding heart features his massive hit “i wish you cheated,” which launched with a viral TikTok campaign that saw over 45 million views and led to his late-night TV debut performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Following his performance, the single became a Top 20 radio hit and broke into Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in Canada. The album also includes “if you only knew,” taken from the independent Toronto-born singer-songwriter’s last EP, which Alexander debuted an emotional performance of on Late Night With Seth Meyers and was named one of Rolling Stone’s “Songs You Need To Know.” Alexander has previously toured with other artists including Charlie Puth, Benson Boone, and Eric Nam, and he’s currently on his international headlining “bleeding hearts tour,” performing in front of his rapidly growing fan base that has expanded to over 500 million global streams, 325 million views on YouTube and 138 million likes on TikTok.

Manteo Mitchell, Olympic Silver Medalist and dual-sport athlete, is also a passionate advocate for health and wellness. He dedicates much of his time to motivational speaking and serving as an ambassador for various brands and causes, especially those focused on supporting youth and young adults. Manteo is deeply committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and mental well-being.

Manteo’s choice to finish his relay race after breaking his leg during the 2012 Olympic Games has transformed Manteo into a symbol of mental strength and determination and this pivotal moment in his career fueled his passion for mental health advocacy, as he understands firsthand the mental fortitude required to overcome adversity. Manteo strives to inspire others to prioritize their mental well-being and seek support, reinforcing that mental health is as crucial as physical health in achieving greatness.

As a World and U.S. Champion, Manteo earned a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in track and field and is a current member of the U.S. Bobsled team. He aims to become the seventh athlete in history – and the first African-American male – to medal in both the Summer and Winter Games.

You may already be familiar with Lexi from The Moments Podcast, where she radiates positivity and shares real-life experiences. Whether it’s through her inside look at her home renovation videos on TikTok or her captivating travel vlogs, Lexi has earned the endearing title of “human sunshine” for her unwavering commitment to spreading joy and authenticity.

Upon launch in late 2021, The Moments Podcast quickly rose to the top of the charts, debuting at an impressive number 4 on Spotify and maintaining a spot in the top 10 for consecutive weeks. Listeners can’t help but feel like they’re chatting with a close friend as Lexi delves into the ups and downs of young adult life, covering everything from therapy to self-care. Every Monday, her loyal listeners gather to feel understood and empowered.

And now, get ready to dive even deeper into Lexi’s world with her eagerly awaited debut guided journal, The Moments Journal. Filled with insightful prompts and gentle reminders to stay grounded and embrace what truly matters, this journal is a must-have for anyone seeking to elevate their everyday experiences. With Lexi’s guidance, you’ll discover that you have the power to shape the life you’ve always dreamed of.

But Lexi’s impact extends far beyond the digital realm. She’s a passionate advocate for pet adoption, dedicating her time to volunteering at local dog shelters and spreading awareness about the importance of giving animals a loving home. And let’s not forget her collaborations with Kulani Kinis and Dizzy with Excitement Wallpaper in addition to her work with Free People, Skims, Hollister, Amazon, Starbucks and more.

As young adults, the world looks to you to lead, to voice concerns, and to advocate for what’s needed right now. And, let’s name, that can feel encouraging, exhausting, and everything in between. Come hear from your peers as we explore burnout, our relationship with self-care, how we ensure our stories are not commercialized, and what it means to combine all of that in the meaningful work we are called to do.

You can find bios for our panelists listed on the full list of Conference Presenters.