General Sessions

General Session: Sunday, July 14

Jon Dorenbos
Comedy Magician, Motivational Speaker and Former NFL Player

SNA is delighted to announce former NFL long snapper and magician Jon Dorenbos as this year’s keynote speaker for Sunday’s Opening General Session. Dorenbos played for fourteen seasons in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl twice as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Then in 2016, Dorenbos competed on “America’s Got Talent” where he showcased his skills as a sleight-of-hand magician, making it to the finals and placing third overall in the competition amongst tens of thousands of competitors.

Dorenbos’ inspirational life story of triumph over adversity has been retold numerous times on national television and he has most recently put his charisma and talent on display in various capacities on “Ellen,” and “The Today Show.”

In his words “Live in vision not circumstance” and you can be certain that this keynote speaker, known for his great sense of humor and positive outlook on life, will amaze YOU with not only his personal stories, but with a few astonishing magic tricks, too.

General Session: Tuesday, July 16

Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Inspirational Speaker and Author

Join SNA in welcoming Ashley Rhodes-Courter—the quintessential American success story. Born to a single teen mother, by the age of three she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted at the age of twelve.

Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” During her undergraduate studies, she was one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change.

In 2003, the New York Times magazine published her grand prize-winning essay about her adoption day which she expanded into an international bestselling memoir, Three Little Words, which is currently being made into a major motion picture. A second bestseller, Three More Words, was published in 2015. Having relied on school meals throughout her childhood—Rhodes-Courter is looking forward to sharing her message of turning pain into power with YOU!

After the Tuesday General Session, join Ashley in the Exhibit Hall, at the Titan School Solutions booth (#281), where she will be signing her books. She will be available during the Directors Only time, as well as when the Exhibit Hall opens to everyone. Both of her books will be available for purchase onsite.