Andrew Pudewa
Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting around the world, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan (Suzuki Method) and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife, Robin, have homeschooled their seven children and are now proud grandparents of fifteen, making their home in northeastern Oklahoma’s beautiful green country.
Kevin Boden
Kevin and his wife, Wendi, became homeschooling parents in 2008, when their oldest child was in first grade. Now, many years later, they continue to educate all their children at home. Kevin is a graduate of Wheaton College (IL) and received his J.D. from Seattle University. Prior to joining HSLDA, Kevin served on active duty in the US Air Force for 10 years as a Judge Advocate, allowing he and Wendi to homeschool in three different countries and five states. Kevin has served three years in the Alaska Air National Guard and continues his service as a drill-status Guardsman. As Staff Attorney, Kevin serves as the primary contact for members in nine states and one territory. He is passionate about the freedom to homeschool and the blessings of being a dad. He also enjoys running, (almost) all things outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Bridget Anderson
Taking the giant leap to homeschool many years ago, and having launched her daughters into the big, wide world, Bridget Anderson asked the Lord what was next. And boy, has that been a journey! Bridget is a certified Christian Life Coach, inspirational speaker, and author. She is excited to have published her first book, The Longing for Belonging: Giving Up Ashes to Find Beauty, where she shares the life altering experiences of learning to look for God everywhere and encountering His Presence in everyday, ordinary moments. She is a champion of moms of all ages and stages and has a deep passion to encourage homeschooling families. You can learn more about her on her website: BridgetAndersonCoach.com
Ray D’Agostino
Ray D’Agostino was first elected as a Lancaster County Commissioner in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. Previous to this post he served for ten years as CEO of the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP), a regional U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that was focused on housing affordability. Ray also served as the first Chief of Staff for former State Senator Smucker (now Congressman) and spent 17 years in local government as a municipal and authority manager. He is a retired veteran of the U.S. military having served 22 years in the Naval Reserve and Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Ray is passionate about public service, focused on limited, efficient, effective and transparent government. He has served on numerous state, county and local boards and commissions, such as the development team of PennDOT Publication 447, chairman of the CRIZ Authority for the City of Lancaster, chairman of the Lancaster County Planning Commission, and chairman of the West Lampeter Township Board of Auditors.
Ethan Demme
Ethan Demme is the CEO of Demme Learning and is passionate about helping families build lifelong learners. A homeschool graduate, Ethan is deeply committed to his family, learning, and community. As a homeschooling adoptive dad of four, he understands the diverse needs of families and is deeply committed to creating resources that empower parents. He currently serves as an elected Township Supervisor in East Lampeter, PA, and on the board of directors for the Parental Rights Foundation.
An outdoor enthusiast at heart, Ethan thrives on adventure and challenge—whether scaling mountains, pushing his limits in endurance sports, or navigating the rewarding journey of fatherhood. He believes lessons learned through outdoor adventures, such as resilience and problem-solving, are essential for lifelong learning. This drive to embrace challenges fuels his commitment to championing families and strengthening communities wherever possible.
Steve Demme
Steve and his wife Sandra have been married since 1979. They have been blessed with four sons, three lovely daughters-in-law, and six special grandchildren. Their fourth son has Down Syndrome and lives with them in Lititz, PA. With God’s help, Steve has been seeking first the Kingdom since graduating from Grove City College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is the creator of Math-U-See and the founder of Building Faith and Families.
Gretchen Roe
Gretchen Roe has 21 years of home education experience with her six children, five of whom are college graduates. Although she considers herself a reluctant homeschooler, she now says it was “the best journey of my life.” With a degree in psychology and child development, she has spent the last 27 years in positions of homeschool advocacy, developing special bonds with families of children who have to work harder to learn. A former business owner, she has served on a variety of nonprofit boards. Gretchen began working for Demme Learning in 2014 as a Placement Specialist and now serves as the company’s Community Relations Coordinator. She loves the outdoors, all things furry, chicken raising, and beekeeping. She serves her local community as the high school swim coach and is a second-degree Taekwondo Black Belt.
Ginger Wayde
Ginger Wayde is the grateful wife of Steve Wayde and mom to six amazing kids. Homeschooling for eighteen years has shaped and changed her in ways that nothing else could. Besides learning along with her children, Ginger serves on the CHAP board, hosts the weekly podcast Chattin’ with CHAP, and directs stage productions for the local co-op where they live. She is looking forward to being together with the homeschool community again for this year’s conference!