Teresa M. Stafford-Wright,
“Beyond Surviving: The Courage to Heal and Lead” is a powerful keynote that blends personal testimony with transformative leadership insights. Drawing from her lived experiences as a survivor of incest, rape, and teen dating violence, Teresa M. Stafford-Wright shares her remarkable journey from trauma to triumph. She reflects on how her early life, shaped by pain and stigma—including being labeled a juvenile delinquent and becoming a teen mother—fueled her commitment to creating safe, healing spaces for others. Through resilience, advocacy, and radical self-acceptance, she rose to lead one of Ohio’s most impactful survivor-centered organizations. In this moving and motivational address, Teresa highlights the intersections of trauma, healing and leadership, offering a message of hope and empowerment for those still finding their way. “Beyond Surviving” is more than a story—it’s a call to action for individuals and institutions to embrace trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches that not only support healing but also cultivate courageous leadership rooted in lived experience.