{"id":45193,"date":"2026-06-01T09:05:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T14:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/?p=45193"},"modified":"2026-06-01T09:05:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T14:05:26","slug":"meet-the-voices-leading-change-at-our-2026-conference-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/2026\/06\/01\/meet-the-voices-leading-change-at-our-2026-conference-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Voices Leading Change at Our 2026 Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image45193_060e60-47 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image45193_060e60-47 size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-1024x256.png\" alt=\"2026 conference email header\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-44673\" srcset=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-228x57.png 228w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/006-Email-header-design_v1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are delighted to announce this year\u2019s conference keynote speakers who embody hope, empowerment, and resilience. Through their stories and insights, they reflect the heart of advocacy&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;showing how intentional actions, big or small, can create lasting change. Their voices will inspire us to keep moving forward, ensuring every child is supported, seen, and surrounded by the promise of a brighter future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id45193_ddd4c8-3f alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column45193_4dbbaf-64\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image45193_035a40-67 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image45193_035a40-67 size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"674\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-674x1024.png\" alt=\"MelRo bio\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-45153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-674x1024.png 674w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-150x228.png 150w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-768x1166.png 768w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-1012x1536.png 1012w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-8x12.png 8w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column45193_de979a-8e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column45193_de979a-8e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image45193_9f7c9f-0b .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image45193_9f7c9f-0b size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"674\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-674x1024.png\" alt=\"Chan Hellman bio\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-45155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-674x1024.png 674w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-198x300.png 198w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-150x228.png 150w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-768x1166.png 768w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-1012x1536.png 1012w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2-8x12.png 8w, https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/conference-keynotes_with-bios-2.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 674px) 100vw, 674px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look for&nbsp;additional&nbsp;speaker announcements in the upcoming months as we lead up to the opening of registration on July 8, 2026.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h5 class=\"kt-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_7ec0ff-e0\"><strong>Conference&nbsp;at a Glance<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_28960c-8d\"><strong>Dates<\/strong>: September 9-11, 2026&nbsp;<br><strong>Location<\/strong>: Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center, 1001 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos, TX 78666&nbsp;<br><strong>Audience<\/strong>: CASA staff, volunteers, and board members, and other child welfare stakeholders&nbsp;<br><strong>Registration Cost<\/strong>: $400 flat fee for everyone (For CASA programs in Texas all expenses are allowable on both HHSC and VOCA grants.)&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><strong>Registration Dates<\/strong>: Registration will open July 8, 2026, and close August 12, 2026.<br><strong>Lodging:<\/strong> A group block will be available at the conference hotel as well as an overflow hotel nearby. The cost for lodging is $189\/night plus tax. Instructions to book your room will be included in your confirmation email once you register for conference.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h5 class=\"kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"><strong>Exhibitor Registration Open Now<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you know an organization or individual who has a product or service they want to&nbsp;showcase&nbsp;at the conference, ask them to become an exhibitor.&nbsp;Get the details or save your spot\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/cvent.me\/ZZQYVO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h5 class=\"kt-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_4bd9cb-f0\"><strong><strong>Be a Sponsor of the 2026 Texas CASA Conference<\/strong><\/strong>\u00a0<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Partner with Texas CASA at our 2026 Conference and be part of a powerful movement to support children in foster care. This annual event brings together passionate advocates from across the state, and sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to elevate your brand and support your social responsibility goals. Sponsorship levels start at $1,000 and include an Exhibitor booth. We would be honored&nbsp;to&nbsp;have your support!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">View our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/cehk48i9v9h3ojeo7haz4\/2026-Conference-Sponsorship-Packet.pdf?rlkey=j19mi7se07l3x4k5ie7dpusey&amp;st=q5bo6rt8&amp;dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sponsorship Packet&nbsp;<\/a>and contact&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:development@texascasa.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">development@texascasa.org<\/a>&nbsp;to learn more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_77a042-51\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_77a042-51\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_77a042-51\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading45193_77a042-51 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading45193_77a042-51\"><em>For the most up-to-date information, visit&nbsp;our&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/event\/texas-casa-conference-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>conference event page<\/em><\/a><em>.&nbsp;We hope to see you in San Marcos in September!<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We are delighted to announce this year\u2019s conference keynote speakers who embody hope, empowerment, and resilience. Through their stories and insights, they reflect the heart of advocacy&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;showing how intentional actions, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":44674,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_gspb_post_css":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[89,91],"tags":[],"topics":[],"class_list":["post-45193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casa-voice","category-news-updates"],"blocksy_meta":[],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":89,"label":"The CASA Voice"},{"value":91,"label":"News &amp; Updates"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/texascasa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Newsletter-Graphics-94-1024x1024.png",1024,1024,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Kelly Clarke","author_link":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/author\/kclarke\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":89,"name":"The CASA Voice","slug":"casa-voice","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":89,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":98,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":89,"category_count":98,"category_description":"","cat_name":"The CASA Voice","category_nicename":"casa-voice","category_parent":0},{"term_id":91,"name":"News &amp; Updates","slug":"news-updates","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":91,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":41,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":91,"category_count":41,"category_description":"","cat_name":"News &amp; Updates","category_nicename":"news-updates","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45193"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45193\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45193"},{"taxonomy":"topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texascasa.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topics?post=45193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wordpress","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}