Focus 2018 Pre-conference Institute: Youth Empowerment

Youth Empowerment
Presenters: Tammy Hopper, Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer; Hillary Ladig, Communications Coordinator; and Elizabeth Smith Miller, Director of Marketing and Events, National Safe Place Network

Tammy L. Hopper brings more than 25 years of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to her role at National Safe Place Network. This experience includes basic center, transitional living program, and street outreach program management. She has also worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit for youth, served as a member of a Mobile Crisis Unit, and worked as a therapist for a project dedicated to preventing sexual abuse of Appalachian Children. She has served as the Chair of the National Council on Youth Policy and spent 20 years as a member of the National Safe Place Advisory Board. Hopper is also a member of the first class of Certified Grants Professionals, recognized by the American Association of Grant Professionals.

Hopper is an advocate and enthusiastic believer in youth development and is committed to working with individuals and organizations that embrace the power and promise that comes from partnering with youth. 

Hillary Ladig provides public relations and communications support for National Safe Place Network (NSPN) and its association of members and licensed Safe Place agencies. She manages media relations, social media marketing efforts, website maintenance, and the creation and distribution of print and electronic publications. In addition, Ladig serves as a lead staff member on the NSPN Advisory Board’s Marketing and Communications Committee and the National Youth Advisory Board Collaboration Committee. Prior to joining the organization in 2011, she served as a publicist for an independent book publishing company. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations from Belmont University. Ladig thoroughly enjoys working with and assisting youth service providers as it's an opportunity to give to those who give so much of themselves to help youth.

Elizabeth Smith Miller is a marketing and events professional who has led business initiatives for more than 20 years and has been connected to the youth and family services field for more than 25 years.  She has served on and lead youth advisory boards and completed two terms of service with AmeriCorps. She also has led the development and implementation of a volunteer support center for an organization with more than 35 distinct programs. She has implemented policies and procedures for state and national organizations. Smith Miller’s creative vision drives branding and marketing efforts for nationally recognized programs, and she has worked directly with federally funded grantees as a professional marketing and branding consultant.  She has also served as a subject matter expert for national trainings and facilitated webinars. She is an effective leader of events who excels in attention to detail, organization, and time management. Smith Miller is resourceful and has a keen ability to proactively solve problems. Regardless of how busy she is during events and meetings, she always makes time for members, licensed agencies, and grantees of the Network. There's never an event where she doesn't hear one or more attendees say to her “you’re always smiling; it’s contagious!” She doesn’t hesitate to share “I love my NSPN family and I’m excited each and every moment that I get to work with such amazing thought leaders of the youth and family services field.” Smith Miller is a playmaker for events that successfully leaves participants motivated to change the world.