Our Presenters

Dr. Alonzo Kelly

Executive Coach, Professor, Best Selling Author, and Radio Host

Dr. Alonzo Kelly has gained international and global attention as a premier consultant and strategist. Alonzo is recognized as one the nation’s leading experts on leadership development, strategic thinking, planning, and acting which results in individual and organizational goal achievement. He has appeared on America’s Premier Experts which airs on major networks across the country including ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Alonzo has served over 1,000 individuals through personal and professional development, delivered training to a plethora of Fortune 500 Companies, College and Universities, Foreign Countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Guam), nonprofit organizations, and is consistently retained to be the keynote speaker at large and small events across the country.

He holds a bachelor’s in Accounting, three master’s degrees (Public Administration, Human Resource & Labor Relations, Business Administration), and an Honorary PhD in Business & Entrepreneurship.

He serves on the National Board of Directors for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) representing the State of Wisconsin, the Fire and Police Commission for the City of Howard, and Board of Directors for Family Services of Brown County.

Joy Winchester

Chris Trew

W. Jonathan Martin II, Esq

  • Founder, Wired for Success: The Joy of Neuro

    Joy Winchester brings the practical application of educational neuroscience to life across all ages—from early childhood and K–12 education to adult learning and personal development. Her passion lies in supporting vulnerable and underserved populations, including children, teens, individuals who are neurodivergent, as well as incarcerated adults, recovering addicts, and those experiencing homelessness.

    Joy has completed advanced coursework in educational neuroscience through Johns Hopkins University and Butler University, and holds an international certification in neuroscience and coaching to support brain-based behavior change and adult learning.

    As a national speaker, Joy weaves powerful research in neuroscience with real-world insight, engaging audiences around topics like trauma, executive functioning, challenging behavior, and motivation. She is the founder of Wired for Success: The Joy of Neuro, a neuroscience-based coaching and consulting practice that provides brain-based coaching for kids, adults, and parents.

    Joy’s work is known for its heart, practicality, and science-backed clarity—and often includes the calm presence of her registered therapy dog in her coaching space.

  • Improv Comedy Coach & Communication Expert

    Chris Trew has been featured at over 100 comedy festivals across North America since 2006. He’s written 3 books, created over 50 original comedy show formats, and produced over 10,000 comedy shows.

    Thousands of people have taken his improv classes, which help entrepreneurs, leaders, and performers communicate with more empathy and charisma.

  • Office Managing Partner; Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

    Jonathan's goal is simple: To help your company make more money - or save money - by providing practical, easy to understand, business advice for your labor and employment law issues. 

    Jonathan works with companies throughout the United States to develop comprehensive labor relations strategies designed to minimize exposure to litigation (and win if a lawsuit occurs) and ensure that your workforce outperforms your competitors. 

    Jonathan Martin is a labor and employment partner with the national law firm, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete. He is a graduate of the Terry School of Business, University of Georgia, (B.B.A.- Banking & Finance, cum laude), and a graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, (J.D., magna cum laude), and he is currently serving his country in the Georgia Air National Guard, where he holds the rank of Colonel. 

    Jonathan publishes an annual article on Labor & Employment Law for the Mercer Law Review, and is a chapter editor for the book, The Developing Labor Law (8th Ed.) 

    Jonathan was selected as a “Rising Star” in the SuperLawyers® Edition of Atlanta Magazine, and has been named one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s “40-under-40,” which recognizes “Georgia’s Best and Brightest – rising stars in business, politics, the arts, nonprofits and education.”

    In February 2013, Jonathan was named a “2013 BTI Client Service All-Stars.” Of 307 lawyers nominated nationally by in-house counsel, Jonathan was identified as one of 28 labor and employment attorneys who were “Client Service All-Stars,” an honor reserved for those that set themselves apart by keeping a close eye on changing trends in the regulatory and legal landscape, and by paying attention to clients’ needs, according to the BTI Consulting Group Inc. 

    In 2020, Jonathan was named in 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, which lists the top 5% of attorneys in private practice in the United States. In 2021, Jonathan was named again in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, as well one of GEORGIA TREND Magazine’s “2021 Legal Elite.” Jonathan was selected in the 2022 and 2023 The Best Lawyers in America© as well.

Julianna McConnell

Cindy Shepherd

Georgia DSP Advocacy Council

  • Government Liaison, SPADD

    Julianna McConnell is the President/CEO of The Preston Group, Inc., a government relations firm with primary focus on advocacy services in the areas of healthcare, sex trafficking, mental health, and developmental disabilities. She has been a Georgia registered lobbyist for over 25 years.

    Julianna is Vice Chair of the Georgia Commission on Women and serves on the Statewide CJCC Human Trafficking Task Force. She has a BBA degree in Accounting/Finance and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of West Georgia and is a CPA.   She was a graduate of the Leadership Gwinnett Class of 2013.

  • Government Affairs Liaison, SPADD

    Cindy Shepherd is a government relations and public affairs professional contract lobbyist with over twenty-seven years of experience in two of the three branches of Georgia state government. Most notably, she worked on the staff of former Governor Zell Miller. Cindy possesses extensive contacts with both Georgia federal and state government officials, giving her clients a greater range of access to key policy makers. She assists clients on legislative, regulatory and budget issues in the areas of healthcare, pharmaceuticals and taxation. One of Cindy’s greatest strengths is an expert knowledge of the budget process and strategic relationships with key influencers and policy makers tied to this process.

  • The mission of the Georgia DSP Advocacy Council is to empower and uplift Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) across Georgia by fostering a community of support, providing access to professional development resources, and advocating for the recognition and advancement of DSPs within the state.

    The vision of the DSP Council is a world with a highly qualified and professional direct support workforce. The DSP Council works to elevate the status of direct support professionals by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, advocating for policy changes and advancing their knowledge, skills and values, training, professional development services.