Adoption Changemaker Conference

Hi, I’m Melissa Guida-Richards, founder of—a platform dedicated to amplifying adoptee voices, advocating for ethical adoption practices, and creating space for honest, necessary conversations around adoption.

Together with Paige Knipfer, an adoptive parent, adoption educator, and former owner of , we’re hosting a powerful new event:
🗓️ Adoption Changemakers — a one-day conference in November 2025 focused on what we can build together to better support adopted children, adults, and families.

Not only will a large portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to mentoring for adoptees and foster youth, but Adoption Changemakers will bring together a diverse community within our niche, from adoptees, first/birth families, adoptive families, donor-conceived people, professionals, authors and advocates. Who will engage in critical conversations that challenge outdated narratives, share lived experience, and highlight ethical, trauma-informed practices in adoption and the parenting space.

We’re inviting the extended adoption community to collaborate, dream, and take action.

Adoption Changemakers: The conference the adoption industry doesn’t want you to see.

We’ve started the conversation—now we need your help to keep the momentum going and make real change.

We’re curating a lineup of changemakers, storytellers, and advocates committed to reform, inclusion, and centering lived experience. We will be having 2 keynotes, and 2 panels, 1 workshop, as well as a Lunch and Learn with members across the adoption constellation.

All ticket purchases will cover all events on November 8th, 2025. Lunch is not included but water and light snacks will be available throughout the day.

We will be adding different levels of bonus content depending on how much support given. Tickets will start at $300 , but depending on extra donations via add ons, we will include Q&A with authors, 1:1 consultations, signed books, access to a special monthly zoom and Facebook groups, and much more.

The majority of our speakers will be announced on a roll out basis, but we are excited to share that Catelynn and Tyler Baltierra will be our keynote of the evening!

Catelynn and Tyler were among the first reality TV figures to share their adoption journey on a national stage. After speaking with them on their podcast, , I just knew we needed to collaborate. Their story sparked national conversations around open adoption, birth parent experiences, and the emotional complexity of placing a child for adoption as teenagers.

Their voices bring a raw, firsthand perspective to a conversation that often overlooks the realities of birth parents. We are honored to welcome them into this space, where changemakers across the adoption constellation are gathering to push for reform, healing, and equity.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

114 W 26th St 3rd floor, 114 West 26th Street, New York, United States