Kaitlin Criswell

Kaitlin Criswell, a junior day student at Santa Catalina School, is an active member of our community, doing community service by working with local homeless children through the Family Resource Center in Salinas, and supporting the work of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The daughter of a Scottish mother and a Japanese-American father, Kaitlin was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, Kaitlin and her family moved to the U.S. so that Kaitlin could study at Santa Catalina School. In her thought-provoking talk, “The Power to Choose your Home,” Kaitlin, who now considers herself a Californian, shares her perspective about being a Third Culture Kid, and encourages others to question what home means to them.

John Burton

John Burton is an oil painter and world traveler. The recipient of numerous awards in the past sixteen years, his stirring landscapes vividly depict the transitory beauty of our world. Influenced by the early twentieth century works of Western and Russian painters, his artwork captures the profound spirituality that the majesty of nature evokes. In his talk “The Courage to Be Creative”, John challenges us to imagine a world in the future in which art is a valued and intrinsic part of the human experience.

 

Bill Hayward

Bill Hayward is the CEO of his family-owned local business, Hayward Lumber. He and his wife, Adriana, are the parents of three students in our Lower/Middle School. In his talk “The Urgency of Transformation”, Bill tells of his family’s terrible experience of living in a “sick home,” how it adversely affected his family’s health, and how he and his wife Adriana have made it their mission through “Hayward Healthy Home” to help others identify and address health issues to which their living environment may contribute.

 

Amanda Nachman

Amanda Nachman empowers young professionals as a career fulfillment speaker. She is the author of the soon-to-be-released book #QUALIFIED and is founder and CEO of College Magazine, the trusted guide to college, reaching 9 million readers nationwide. She is also host of Find Your Passion Career podcast on iTunes and Spotify. She has coached hundreds of college students, many of whom have gone on to have careers at National Geographic, USA Today, Random House, NBC, Us Weekly, Vox, and more. In her inspiring talk, “You are more Qualified than you Realize,” Amanda leads students through a three-step process to unlock their passion and get moving to start their dream career.

Julia Weber

Maj. Julia Weber, USMC is studying Operations Research at the Naval Postgraduate School. During her time working in the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, she saw a need to improve the conditions of stray animals. By rallying other foreign diplomats in Pakistan, she worked with the nonprofit organization Islamabad PAWS in 2017. Islamabad PAWS is dedicated to improving the conditions of stray and abandoned dogs. In her heartwarming and inspiring talk, “What Do You See,” Julia shares her thoughts on being a global citizen, leadership, and seeing and answering the call to lead in innovative ways… even for those with four, furry legs.