Kathy Najimy, Samantha Harris, Others Join Lineup for 2019 Points of Light Conference

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (June 6, 2019) – Points of Light has announced additional speakers and entertainers who will join the opening plenary lineup at the 2019 Points of Light Conference, taking place June 18-20 in St. Paul. Guests include Chastity Brown, Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter; Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota’s 50^th and current lieutenant governor; Samantha Harris, Emmy Award-winning TV host and author of “Your Healthiest Healthy;” Christina Meredith, youth advocate and author of “CinderGirl;” Kathy Najimy, award-winning actress and activist; Nadya Okamoto, founder and executive director of Period.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chastity, Peggy, Samantha, Christina, Kathy and Nadya to the Points of Light Conference,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Each of them are true changemakers, leading social causes that are transforming our world for the better. By sharing first-hand insights and experiences, they will remind attendees that each of us has the tools to spark change in our communities and start a movement.”

Chastity Brown is a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter with roots in Tennessee. Growing up around country and soul music, she found a passion for music in the gospel church and has been featured on NPR’s “Favorite Sessions,” CMT, American Songwriter, the London Times, Paste Magazine and others. Through her music, Brown will share with attendees her perseverance of the human spirit.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is Minnesota’s 50^th lieutenant governor, assuming office in January 2019. A former state representative and community organizer, her wealth of experience includes building coalitions and advocating for children and families. Flanagan will welcome attendees to Minnesota, sharing why the region is the perfect host for the Points of Light Conference.

Samantha Harris is an Emmy Award-winning TV host, breast cancer survivor and the author of “Your Healthiest Healthy.” With her husband Michael, she also founded the online community Gotta Make Lemonade to inspire positivity in the face of adversity. The former co-host of “Dancing with the Stars” and “Entertainment Tonight” will inspire attendees with her genuine warmth and unflappable positivity.

Christina Meredith is a youth advocate and the author of “CinderGirl: My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope,” which tells her inspiring life story of surviving abuse, trauma, poverty and homelessness to forge a life committed to helping others. She is also the founder of The Christina Meredith Foundation, a former Miss California, and currently serves in the U.S. Army. Meredith’s commitment to never giving up will help attendees overcome their own obstacles to achieve their highest goals.

Kathy Najimy is best known for her work in more than 30 films including the blockbusters “Sister Act” and “Hocus Pocus,” and as an advocate on the frontline of social causes including #MeToo and Time’s Up. A leader on issues ranging from increasing cancer research to LGBTQ rights, Najimy was awarded the PETA Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2000 and named Ms. Magazine Woman of the Year in 2004. With her advocacy work spanning more than 30 years, Najimy will encourage attendees to work together to make a difference in the world.

Nadya Okamoto is the executive director and founder of Period, the largest youth-run NGO in women’s health, and member of InStyle Magazine’s “Badass 50 Women Who Are Changing the World” list. She also works with influential brands to authentically engage Gen Zers as the chief brand officer of JUV Consulting. As a breakthrough social entrepreneur, Okamoto will give attendees insight into a generation that comprises more than a quarter of the world’s population and nearly half of the total media audience. Okamoto has been recognized as a L’Oreal Woman of Worth and a Daily Point of Light.

Brown, Flanagan, Harris, Meredith, Najimy and Okamoto join a dynamic group of speakers which includes Wade Davis, activist and former NFL player; Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Teen Vogue editor-in-chief; and John Quiñones, ABC News correspondent and creator and host of “What Would You Do?”

Each year the Points of Light Conference convenes the greatest leaders of the social sector, providing the singular opportunity for thousands to come together to collaborate and ensure the social sector continues to grow and innovate in this rapidly changing world. This year’s event will challenge attendees to not only ask “how do we get more people to volunteer to make change,” but also, “how can we create a society where it is easy for every individual to take action to accelerate change within their community around the world?”

Registration is open for the 2019 Points of Light Conference. More information on the agenda, speakers, forums and workshops can be found at www.pointsoflightconference.org.

About the Points of Light Conference

The Points of Light Conference, co-hosted in 2019 with HandsOn Twin Cities, is the world’s largest service-related convening. Points of Light inspires, equips and mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities across 37 countries and in partnership with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.