Conference Speakers

Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Originally from the humble town of Boring, Oregon, Patrick earned his undergrad and masters in special education and behavior analysis from Gonzaga University. While spending several years educating students with disabilities, from pre-school to high school, Patrick developed an affinity for working with students with autism and behavioral challenges. Today he works as an educational consultant and as the Director of Student Engagement for the Auburn School District in Washington State. As a nationally recognized speaker, Patrick has committed his work to "lighting it up" for all those who work with students with disabilities through a hybrid of instruction and inspiration. His resources and strategies have helped make the complex simple, equipping teachers, administrators, therapists, para-educators, and bus drivers, alike.

Julie J. Weatherly, Esq. is the owner of Resolutions in Special Education, Inc., a special education law and consulting firm in Alabama. Julie is a member of the State Bars of Alabama and Georgia and for forty years continues to provide consultation and legal representation to school agencies across the country in the area of educating students with disabilities. She is also a member of the faculty for many national and state legal Institutes and is a frequent speaker at special education Law Conferences. Julie has developed a number of professional development and training programs (in-person and virtual) that support special education legal compliance and has been published nationally as a part of her trainings, workshops, and seminars. In June of 1996, Julie appeared on CBS news program “60 Minutes” to discuss the cost of meeting the legal requirements of IDEA.  In 1998, she was honored by Georgia’s CEC as the Individual who had Contributed Most to Students with Disabilities, and in April 2012, Julie received the Award for Outstanding Service from the Council of Administrators of Special Education(CASE).  Julie devotes a good bit of her time consulting and providing professional development sessions nationally and for many state and local school agencies and associations, including the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE).  For additional information, visit the RISE website at www.specialresolutions.com or contact Julie at JJWEsq@aol.com.

Glenna Wright-Gallo is a transformative leader in disability policy, inclusive education, and employment. As Vice President of Policy at Everway, a global neurotechnology software company, she leverages over 25 years of experience to drive systemic change and empower diverse learners worldwide. Wright-Gallo’s career reflects a progression of impactful leadership roles. She recently served as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education, where she championed policies improving outcomes for over 7 million individuals with disabilities. Prior to this, she held key positions such as State Director of Special Education in Utah and Assistant Superintendent of Special Education in Washington State, leading strategic reforms to elevate expectations and expand access to opportunities.

As an individual with a disability, Wright-Gallo brings a unique perspective to her work. This personal experience fuels her commitment to ensuring all individuals have access to opportunities without arbitrary limitations. Her strategic approach to policy development positions her to lead advancements in inclusive practices that empower individuals with disabilities.

At Everway, Wright-Gallo spearheads the Policy Center of Excellence, an initiative that amplifies voices of neurodivergent individuals and/or have a disability, shapes equitable policies, and integrates research and evidence-based practices with neurotechnology software to foster inclusive practices and support accessibility in education and workplaces.

A recognized thought leader in systems improvement, Wright-Gallo emphasizes raising expectations and leveraging data-driven strategies to continuously enhance outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Her work aligns with Everway's ambitious mission to empower over 1 billion people with reading and writing skills by 2030, ensuring all individuals can access opportunities and reach their full potential.