Points of Light Announces Group of Dynamic Speakers for the 2019 Points of Light Conference

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (May 14, 2019) – Points of Light has announced a slate of dynamic speakers who will be featured in the opening plenary, Youth Summit and closing session at the 2019 Points of Light Conference, taking place June 18-20 in St. Paul. Speakers include Wade Davis, former NFL player and activist; Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Teen Vogue editor-in-chief; and John Quiñones, ABC News correspondent and creator and host of “What Would You Do?”

The 2019 Points of Light Conference, co-hosted with HandsOn Twin Cities, is the world’s largest service-related convening, bringing together nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders to gain and share the knowledge, resources and connections needed to galvanize the power of people to create change globally.

“We are excited to welcome Wade, Lindsay and John as speakers at the 2019 Points of Light Conference,” says Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “Our attendees have a shared commitment to making a difference in solving our world’s most persistent problems, and creating stronger communities and a more just society. This dynamic group of influential speakers will help inspire them to foster new ideas and look within themselves to create solutions that spark meaningful change.”

Joining the opening plenary lineup is former NFL cornerback Wade Davis, a leader on issues of equity, access and inclusion. In addition to consulting professional sports leagues on sexism, racism and homophobia, Davis coaches senior leaders and helps leading organizations build an inclusive corporate culture.

The three-day conference will include a Youth Summit with keynote speaker Lindsay Peoples Wagner, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. Peoples Wagner will detail her road to success, from interning at Teen Vogue to being named the youngest black editor-in-chief in the publication’s history less than a decade later, helping to inspire the next generation of changemakers. The National Youth Leadership Council will convene young people from across the Twin Cities for the Youth Summit, an educational, service-oriented opportunity during which youth will design projects and plans of action to address social issues that matter to them. Teams of youth age 11-18 will pitch their ideas to a multi-generational group of judges to earn funds to bring their projects from concept to reality.

John Quiñones, host of ABC’s “What Would You Do?,” will speak during the conference’s closing session. Quiñones will share details of his remarkable journey from migrant farm worker to more than 30 years at ABC News and the anchor desk at “20/20” and “Primetime.” Attendees will leave feeling uplifted and inspired as he delivers a powerful message of believing in one’s self, evoking the spirit of the Civic Century, this year’s Points of Light Conference theme, as we work to unlock the light within us to stand up and say, “I can help.”

“It’s an honor to have the most important voices in volunteerism and community service in St. Paul,” says Tracy Nielsen, executive director of HandsOn Twin Cities, “From the youth participation to the service projects to national speakers, the Twin Cities will be the center of the volunteerism world this June.”

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.