The Ultimate Stepfamily Summit

Ali Wilks is a successful stepfamily strategist and couples coach and the creator of the Successful Stepmom and Successful Stepcouple Retreats. She is also the owner and developer of SuccessfulStepcouples.com, the Wellness Editor at Stepparent Magazine, and on top of it all offers transformational coaching programs to stepmoms and stepcouples. The Stepfamily Summit 2020 Title: Practical Tips For S...

Laura Petherbridge serves couples and single adults with topics on women’s issues, relationships, stepfamilies, co-parenting, single parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She is an international speaker and author of many books, including: - When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”—Practical Steps for Healing During Separation and Divorce, - The Smart...

MARY T. KELLY, M.A., is a seasoned family psychotherapist based in Boulder, Colorado, who extends her expertise virtually worldwide. With over 24 years of dedicated experience, Mary not only works with couples in nuclear families, she has become a leading specialist in guiding stepmoms and step couples through the unique and often unexpected challenges of integrating their families. Her deep under...

Dr. Sonia Cann-Milland's  counselling experience comes from a multi-disciplinary background. She has worked in a range of social welfare services, educational organizations, and presently works in private practice as a counsellor and a specialist in stepfamily counselling and education in Australia. As a stepmother to three and a mother to two, she has parented and co-parented through all...

Susan Haworth holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and two master’s degrees—one in counseling and the other in management—as well as post-master’s credentials in counseling. She has provided counseling, coaching, and training to individuals, families, and executives for over four decades. Susan is a contributing writer to StepMom Magazine, where her monthly advice...

Rachel Brace is an author and experienced psychologist dedicated to supporting children and families through transitions, loss, growth, and change. With a particular focus on stepfamilies, she works closely with parents, stepparents, and co-parents to help them navigate the complexities of shared care arrangements. In addition to her private practice, Rachel serves as a single expert for the Feder...

Monica Chaney  is a certified stepmom coach, wife and a stepmom of three now adults. Originally from South Africa, the U.S. is the eighth country and fourth continent she's lived on. Monica is a contributing writer for StepMom Magazine. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points from her full interview: The Crucial Role of Communication and Exp...

Based in Warwickshire UK, Miryka Yeates is a Step and Blended family guidance coach and helps others who want to blend families with love and care. Miryka herself experienced the transitions of a blended family in her childhood and after becoming a Mum at 20 and a Stepmum at 25 it has allowed her a very uniquely balanced view on blended families, knowing first hand, the emotions, and the physical...

Laura Petherbridge  serves couples and single adults with topics on women’s issues, relationships, stepfamilies, co-parenting, single parenting, divorce prevention, and divorce recovery. She and her husband of 39 years, Steve, reside in Atlanta. She has 2 married stepsons, and 2 grandchildren. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key poi...

Susan Lancaster is a trained psychotherapist as well as a mediator focusing on stepfamily issues based in Sydney, Australia. Her goal is to help families, couples, individuals, and children manage the dynamics involved with stepfamilies. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points from her full interview: Prioritize Effective Communication Embrace Confli...

Tracy Poizner began her career as a classical musician before qualifying as a practitioner of homeopathic medicine and running a successful alternative health care practice for 25 years.  Putting her intuitive skills toward addressing the global epidemic of parental alienation she serves divorced fathers and their new partners with online courses and personalized mentorship in addition to her...

Lori and David Sims, renowned blended family experts, developed the Nacho Kids® method. Known as "Nacho Parenting," this unique approach helps stepfamilies reduce stress and foster strong relationships.   They are part of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit.   Here are some key points from their full interview: Understanding and Overcoming Communication Barriers...

Jayna & Mike Haney help stepfamilies and single parents find a better life for themselves and their children – without suffering for years with overwhelm, struggle, and lack of support. Married since 2001, they each brought two children from previous marriages of 11 and 8 years, respectively. They are part of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points from...

Jayna & Mike Haney help stepfamilies and single parents find a better life for themselves and their children – without suffering for years with overwhelm, struggle, and lack of support.  Married since 2001, they each brought two children from previous marriages of 11 and 8 years, respectively. They are part of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points...

Joel is a divorced and remarried father of three daughters, ages 20, 17, and 19-months. He and his wife Maryellyn have been married for ten years and are expecting their first son this October. Joel is the creator of the 10 Commandments for Blended Families and is the host of the 10CBF Podcast and the director of www.stepdadding.com . He and his wife and toddler live in Alabama with their two resc...

Heidi Farrell is a stepmom of two young adults, and a bio mom of three smaller "ours" children, ages 11, 9 and 7. She is the founder of notjustastepmom.com where she offers encouragement, practical tools, and personal stories from her stepfamily journey. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points from her full interview: The Power of Small Ges...

Heather Hetchler is a certified life coach, writer, speaker, and adjunct professor of Communications. With over 15 years of professional experience and 17 years as a stepmom, Heather combines education, training and real-world experience to support women navigating complex family dynamics and life transitions. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are the key points o...

Ginger Gentile is on a mission to save children from the trauma of high- conflict divorce. Drawing on her journey as a child torn between two parents and her documentary films she has become an in-demand coach and public speaker, appearing on Red Table Talk, Bravo, NBC and on the SXSW stage. She is one of 28 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are the key points of Ginger’s pr...

Anthony Cancel is a dedicated father, educator, family law paralegal, and advocate for parental rights. He is the founder and president of Pro Se Dad, LLC, and the Pro Se Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Anthony's journey began with a contentious custody battle, which inspired him to empower fathers to represent themselves in family court. Driven by a passion to level the playing...

Amy Stone, a seasoned stepparenting coach with 25 years of hands-on experience, discusses "Tips for Walking the Stepparent Tightrope," where she delves into the complex landscape of dividing emotional and domestic workloads in stepfamilies. Here are the key points of Amy’s presentation: Understanding and Dividing the Domestic Workload Creating New Family Systems and Roles Effective...

Brittney is a stepmom, biological mom, and an adoptive mom as well as a certified professional coach and teacher. She has over a decade of personal experience in blending her own family.  She is one of 27 speakers of our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points from the interview: Understanding Conflict in Blended Families Common Roadblocks in Blended Families Effective Solution...

Holly Maxson, born and raised in Bucks County, started her own private practice in Philadelphia, restoring archival paper documents, art on paper, and photographs. She met Samantha when she was about 10 years old and joined the family formally (as a stepmother) in 1984 when she married her dad.  Eight years later, David and Holly moved to New York City where they started to manage apartm...

Renee Bolla, a children's picture book author, seamlessly transitioned from the corporate world of fashion retail to craft enchanting literary worlds for young minds. With the release of her self-published picture books,  Finding Bunny  and  Imagine That , in 2022, and her newest book,  The Truth About Stepmoms , released Mother's Day 2024, Renee has emerged as a storyt...

Samantha Berger is the award-winning author of 100 books for young readers. She's also a four-time Emmy nominated preschool writer for Sesame Street, and currently writes for PBS' Carl the Collector and Donkey Hodie. She is part of our panel of authors who are sharing about Redefining Stepmoms: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Positivity in Stepfamilies. Here are some key points from the...

Michaela Bucchianeri, PhD is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and coach specializing in stepmom emotional wellness. She is one of 27 experts speaking this year at our 5th Annual Stepfamily Summit. Here are some key points she'll be addressing during her presentation: "Choose Your Own Adventure" Concept Applied to Stepfamily Conflict Overview of the Nervous System and Its Role in Con...