Storytelling Symposium

A Video Training Program for Effective Storytelling

Storytelling Symposium Overview

Symposium Hosts and Speakers

Dena Espenscheid, Host and Speaker

  • Dena is Director of Pro-Life Programs at the Leadership Institute. She brings nearly two decades of political experience, including training candidates to win and advancing pro-life policy. Before joining the Leadership Institute, she worked as a pro-life advocate and lobbyist in South Dakota.
  • Website: leadershipinstitute.org

Melissa Ohden, Host and Speaker

  • Melissa is the founder and CEO of the Abortion Survivors Network and an abortion survivor herself. She holds a master’s degree in social work and has spent over 15 years speaking and advocating within the pro-life movement. She’s also the author of You Carried Me.
  • Website: abortionsurvivors.org

Monica Snyder, Host and Speaker

  • Monica serves as the Executive Director of Secular Pro-Life. As an atheist leader in the movement, she focuses on advancing secular arguments and building interfaith coalitions. She specializes in online activism and effectively engaging with audiences through social media.
  • Website: secularprolife.org

Dr. Heidi Pitek, Speaker

  • Dr. Petak is a former communications professor turned professional coach and the founder of Speak Eagle Communication Coaching. She helps speakers and organizations communicate more effectively through strong narrative structure, clear messaging, and authentic connection.
  • Website: speakeagle.com

Catie Kelley, Speaker

  • Catie is Policy Counsel at Americans United for Life (AUL). She previously served as a prosecutor handling cases involving healthcare fraud and abuse of vulnerable adults in the Arizona Attorney General’s office.
  • Website: aul.org

David Bereit, Speaker

  • David is the founder and former leader of 40 Days for Life, a global pro-life campaign active in hundreds of cities. He now leads the Life Leadership Conference and focuses on leadership development and movement strategy.
  • Website: davidbereit.com / 40daysforlife.com

Stephen Kent, Speaker

  • Stephen is a public relations professional, media booker, and author of How The Force Can Fix The World. He is a political commentator and rotating host for NewsNation and The Hill, specializing in earned media and training others to pitch effectively to legacy and independent journalists.
  • Website: stephendkent.com

Mike Williams, Speaker

  • Mike is a professional fundraiser and clean comedian who has helped organizations raise millions since the 1990s. He’s also the founder of CUPS Missions, which works to rescue children and women from sex trafficking in Malawi, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
  • Website: banquetmoney.com

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