Speakers

We were honored to welcome Nichole Schmidt, President of the Gabby Petito Foundation, and Tara Petito, Secretary of the Gabby Petito Foundation, as the keynote speakers for the 20th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW), which took place in Dallas, Texas, from May 19–22, 2025. Schmidt and Petito were personally connected to the mission of CCAW. Their organization was founded in honor of their daughter, Gabby Petito, whose tragic death resulted from intimate partner violence. Through their foundation, they worked tirelessly to raise awareness, prevent domestic violence, and support missing persons cases.

Attendees joined us for this powerful keynote session, moderated by retired police chief Tom Tremblay, and became part of a community working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence.

This unique keynote conversation featured Tony Porter, CEO, and Kimya Motley, CCO of A Call to Men. Through an interactive discussion, Kimya shared her story as a survivor of domestic and gun violence. Tony discussed the role men play in challenging societal norms and dismantling harmful behaviors, and how men have used their influence and platforms to be a significant part of the solution to preventing violence against women and girls.

Ambassador Cindy Dyer, a seasoned human rights advocate and lawyer, brought over three decades of experience to her keynote at the 18th Annual CCAW. As the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, she led global efforts to fight human trafficking and coordinated anti-trafficking initiatives across the federal government. Her powerful insights reflected a career dedicated to preventing and responding to gender-based violence, both domestically and internationally.

Mark Wynn, a former police officer and national trainer, brought a deeply personal and powerful perspective to his keynote at the 17th Annual CCAW. A survivor of domestic violence himself, Wynn shared his lifelong commitment to ending abuse through education, advocacy, and law enforcement reform. His powerful story was recently featured in the autobiographical documentary, This Is the House Where I Learned Not to Sleep, which explores his family’s journey toward healing and challenges perceptions of violence against women.

The 16th Annual CCAW Conference opened with a powerful keynote recounting the tragic events of November 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a mass shooting at the First Baptist Church claimed 26 lives – 17 of them women. The presentation offered a first-hand account of the investigation and explored the unique challenges of responding to domestic violence and mass shootings in rural communities. It emphasized the importance of holistic advocacy, highlighting how law enforcement, attorneys, nurses, and victim advocates each play a vital role in protecting and supporting close-knit communities in the aftermath of violence.

Amy Herman delivered a thought-provoking keynote on the power of visual literacy in leadership and decision-making. Drawing from her background in law and art history, Herman guided attendees through interactive analyses of artwork to reveal how observation and perception can sharpen communication, uncover bias, and improve professional judgment. Her innovative approach, developed through her Art of Perception seminar, had already impacted professionals across law enforcement, healthcare, and the intelligence community, offering a fresh lens for tackling complex challenges.

At the 14th Annual CCAW, Kristen M. Gibbons Feden shared her powerful journey as a prosecutor and advocate for survivors. Best known for securing a conviction in Commonwealth v. Cosby, Feden brought deep expertise from her work in domestic violence, elder abuse, and sex crimes. Her keynote highlighted the importance of accountability, justice, and survivor-centered advocacy. These are values she continues to champion through her legal practice and national leadership.

Legendary FBI profiler John Douglas showed his groundbreaking experience at the 13th Annual CCAW. As a pioneer in criminal profiling, Douglas helped shape investigative techniques for tracking serial offenders and understanding violent criminal behavior. His keynote offered rare insight into the minds of notorious criminals and the evolution of behavioral science within law enforcement. Douglas’s work has inspired books, documentaries, and the hit Netflix series Mindhunter, continuing to influence how we approach justice and prevention today.

At the 12th Annual CCAW, Leslie Morgan Steiner shared her personal journey of surviving domestic violence, as chronicled in her bestselling memoir Crazy Love. Once a young professional with a seemingly perfect life, Steiner revealed the hidden reality of abusive love and the courage it took to break free. Her keynote, shaped by her groundbreaking TED Talk and advocacy work, offered a powerful reminder of the resilience of survivors and the importance of speaking out.

At the 11th Annual CCAW, Jackson Katz, Ph.D., delivered a compelling keynote on the role of men in preventing gender-based violence. As co-founder of Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), Katz helped pioneer the widely adopted “bystander” approach to abuse prevention. Drawing from his work as an educator, author, and filmmaker, Katz explored how media, masculinity, and leadership intersect in the fight to end violence against women and girls. His insights challenged attendees to rethink cultural norms and embrace accountability as a path to change.

At the 10th Annual CCAW, James L. Capra and Maile Zambuto delivered a powerful joint keynote rooted in leadership and survivor advocacy. Capra, a former DEA Chief of Global Operations and author of Leadership at the Front Line, shared lessons from over three decades in public service, emphasizing integrity, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership. Zambuto, former CEO of the Joyful Heart Foundation, brought her voice as a survivor and longtime advocate, highlighting the importance of healing, education, and empowerment for those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Together, their stories offered a compelling call to action for systemic change and survivor-centered support.

At the 9th Annual CCAW, Kym Worthy, widely known as “the toughest woman in Detroit,” delivered a powerful keynote on justice, accountability, and survivor advocacy. As the Wayne County Prosecutor, Worthy shared her relentless pursuit to resolve Detroit’s backlog of over 11,000 unprocessed sexual assault kits, some dating back more than a decade. A survivor herself, she spoke candidly about the personal impact of this discovery and her unwavering commitment to ensuring victims are heard and believed. Her keynote underscored the critical importance of systemic reform and the courage it takes to lead it.

At the 8th Annual CCAW Conference, Monika Kørra delivered a deeply moving keynote that highlighted her journey from survivor to advocate. A former collegiate athlete, Kørra shared her experience of surviving a brutal assault and the strength it took to seek justice and healing. Her message centered on breaking the silence surrounding sexual violence and empowering others to speak out. With grace and resilience, she inspired attendees to support survivors and foster a culture of hope and accountability.

Attendees experienced a powerful screening of Telling Amy’s Story, a documentary that traces the timeline of a domestic violence homicide through the voices of those closest to the case. Told by a law enforcement advocate and narrated by actress Mariska Hargitay, the film offered a sobering and emotional look into the life and death of Amy – a victim whose story continues to educate and inspire change. Rather than a traditional keynote speaker, the screening served as a collective moment of reflection, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, intervention, and survivor-centered advocacy in the fight against domestic violence.

At the 6th Annual CCAW, Cindy Dyer shared insights from her leadership at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, where she served as Director following her Senate confirmation in 2007. Drawing from her experience overseeing a $400 million budget and coordinating federal, state, and international efforts, Dyer addressed the legal and policy challenges in implementing the Violence Against Women Act. Her keynote reflected a deep commitment to justice and collaboration in the fight against domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

At the 5th Annual CCAW Conference, Judge Ronald Adrine shared his deep commitment to addressing domestic violence through the legal system. As a longtime Cleveland Municipal Court judge and founding chair of the city’s Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Adrine highlighted the importance of judicial engagement in victim advocacy and systemic reform. His keynote reflected his national influence through roles with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence, inspiring attendees to strengthen justice responses for survivors.

At the 4th Annual CCAW, Casey Gwinn shared his pioneering work in transforming how communities respond to family violence. As the former San Diego City Attorney and visionary behind the Family Justice Center model, Gwinn highlighted the power of coordinated services in reducing domestic violence homicides. His keynote reflected decades of leadership in prosecution, policy, and advocacy, and inspired attendees to reimagine justice through collaboration and compassion.

John W. Gillis shared his personal and professional journey as Director of the Office for Victims of Crime. A longtime advocate for victims’ rights, Gillis spoke about his leadership in national initiatives addressing victim assistance and human trafficking. Following the loss of his daughter to homicide, he helped found Justice for Homicide Victims, bringing a deeply personal perspective to his keynote on justice, healing, and systemic change.

At the 2nd Annual CCAW Conference, Sarah Buel shared her inspiring journey from survivor to national advocate for victims of abuse. Drawing from her experience founding multiple legal advocacy projects at Harvard Law School and leading domestic violence initiatives across the country, Buel emphasized the importance of survivor-centered justice and systemic reform. Her keynote highlighted the power of perseverance and the impact of elevating survivor voices in law, policy, and education.

At the inaugural CCAW Conference, Anita Wooldridge shared her harrowing experience as the survivor of the infamous “Girl in the Box” case. Kidnapped and held captive for months, Wooldridge’s story of endurance and escape captivated attendees and set the tone for the conference’s mission to confront violence against women. Her keynote highlighted the importance of survivor voices in shaping justice, advocacy, and healing, leaving a lasting impact on all who heard it.