KEYNOTE Speaker 2026

Currently, Ms. Kennedy is a Senior Consultant with the National Coalition for Literacy, where she also served as Executive Director from 2020 to 2024. In this role, she led federal advocacy efforts on behalf of adult basic education and ESL programs nationwide, working with policymakers on Capitol Hill to communicate the return on investment of WIOA and related federal funding. She is a frequent presenter on advocacy as a core responsibility of adult education practitioners and has supported organizations across the country in building a consistent, powerful message for adult learners.

Ms. Kennedy is also an active professional development facilitator, currently teaching in TESOL International Association’s Core Certificate Program, and develops curriculum and online learning experiences for instructors and adult English learners. Her work includes editorial contributions to applied linguistics publications for national professional organizations.

She holds degrees from Boston University, Harvard University, and American University, and certifications in online instruction from Quality Matters and TESOL International Association.