Domestic Violence Education Symposium
Whether you are an educator, healthcare professional, student, counselor, advocate, law enforcement professional, social worker, administrator, or community leader, this symposium offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and become part of a growing network dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing domestic violence.
We look forward to welcoming you as we launch GMercyU's Jordan Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education and begin building stronger partnerships that turn awareness into action.
Registration coming soon!
This inspiring half-day symposium brings together leaders from higher education, K–12 education, healthcare, victim service organizations, law enforcement, and community agencies to strengthen partnerships that prevent and respond to dating and domestic violence through education, advocacy, and trauma-informed practice.
Through an engaging keynote presentation and interdisciplinary panel discussion, participants will explore how collaborative community partnerships can improve prevention efforts, enhance support for survivors, and prepare future professionals to recognize and respond to trauma with compassion and confidence.
Featured Keynote Speaker
Kevin Steele
Montgomery County District Attorney
Panel Discussion
From Awareness to Action: Building Collaborative Systems to Prevent and Respond to Domestic Violence
Moderator
Tracy Davidson
15-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, former NBC10 anchor, and motivational speaker
Panelists
Jessica Carson, Community Education Program Supervisor, Victim Services Center of Montgomery County
Jessica Carson (she/her) is the Community Education Programs Supervisor at Victim Services Center of Montgomery County (VSC), where she has led the education department since 2014. She oversees VSC's prevention education programming across Montgomery County, reaching audiences from preschoolers through college students and professionals more than 500 programs in a single year. Her work is grounded in direct service: Jessica completed Pennsylvania's 65-hour Sexual Assault Counselor Victim Advocacy Training and has responded to survivors on VSC's crisis hotline, at hospitals during forensic exams, and alongside them in court. She is also a state-certified trainer in Mandated Reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect under Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law and has presented on campus sexual assault and trauma at colleges across the region, including Gwynedd Mercy, Villanova, Saint Joseph's, Arcadia, and Montgomery County Community College.
Stacy Dougherty, MPA, Executive Director, Laurel House
Stacy Dougherty is the Executive Director of Laurel House, a comprehensive domestic violence agency serving Montgomery County. She has worked at Laurel House since 2010, and in that time has held roles across the organization's direct service programs, including legal advocacy, medical advocacy, community education, shelter, and housing, as well as indirect programs such as volunteer management, special events, and development.
As Executive Director, Stacy oversees all aspects of the organization. In previous roles, she managed Laurel House's grants, data systems, and technology infrastructure, including the application, reporting, and renewal process for government grants, along with oversight of private funding relationships.
Her background includes direct work with survivors of domestic violence, as well as the administrative and operational work involved in running a domestic violence organization. This includes building partnerships with community organizations to address service gaps, and experience with staff supervision and human resources.
Stacy's work is centered on supporting survivors of domestic violence and the community's most vulnerable populations. In her “free time”, she enjoys being at home with her husband and pets with a good book in her hands.
Leon Smith, 2026 National Teacher of the Year and 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
Leon Smith, the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, serves Pennsylvania’s Haverford High School as an Advanced Placement (AP) United States history and AP African American studies teacher, emphasizing critical thinking, civic engagement and the inclusion of multiple perspectives in history. Smith has more than two decades of experience as an educator, leader, and mentor dedicated to empowering both students and teachers. His teaching is rooted in the belief that education has the power to transform lives and inspire students to achieve their highest potential.
As the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Smith will spend a year representing educators and serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession.
Jalla Atkins, Coordinator, SAFE Center at Jefferson Abington Hospital
Bio coming soon!
Maria Macaluso, Executive Director, Women's Center of Montgomery County
Bio coming soon!