Keynotes & Conference Speaking
Keynotes and featured sessions for education, leadership, and community audiences.
Speaking & Consulting
Partner with Brenda
Dr. Brenda Ortiz McGrath is a nationally recognized educational leader, speaker, author, researcher, and social worker whose work centers educational leadership, social-emotional learning, student mental health, equity, culturally responsive practice, and systems change. She has presented for state and national organizations, educational agencies, conferences, universities, and community organizations.
Ways to Partner
Three ways to work together
Every partnership begins with a conversation about your people, your goals, and the systems you want to build.
Speaking
Keynotes, panels, and workshops for conferences, districts, and community events.
Consulting
Systems design for SEL, MTSS, student support, crisis response, data, grants, and family partnership.
Collaboration
Research, book events, community programs, MijaLumbre, and CoreKind360 Family Connect.
Find Your Fit
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Propose a date and topic
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Press Kit
Download the press kit
Bio, headshot placement, and speaking and consulting highlights in a single printable page for event programs and media.
Featured Engagements
Selected speaking & media engagements
Filter by topic, year, role, or format to find the presentations closest to your audience.
Topic
Year
Role
Format
Showing 23 of 23 engagements
Presentations to explore
2- Presentation available
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Annual Networking Conference · 2026
Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools · Conference
Using a Continuous Improvement Cycle to Create Safe, Supportive Environments
A presentation on using a continuous improvement cycle to strengthen safe, supportive school environments.
- Date
- February 2026
- Presentation available
MASCA · 2024
Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools · Conference
Using Tech to Support a Comprehensive Counseling Program
A presentation on how technology can support a comprehensive school counseling program and expand student access to mental health support. Co-presented with Scott Freschet, Co-founder of Alongside.
- Date
- April 2024
More speaking engagements
21
bryt Symposium 2026 — Navigating Toward Hope · 2026
Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools · Conference
Reimagining Tier 1 Student Support with a Clinician-Developed AI Resource
Co-presented with Scott Freschet of Alongside. The session explored universal Tier 1 skill-building for students in grades 4–12, the distinct roles of AI for students and staff, and how a clinician-developed resource can complement human support and escalation pathways.
- Date
- March 2026
New York University — Master of Social Work Program · 2025
Guest Presenter · Guest Lecture
Tier 1 Mental Health Support and AI Tools in Schools
A discussion of how Tier 1 mental health supports and tools such as Alongside can help schools reach more students, while giving school social workers additional ways to support them.
- Date
- March 2025
CASEL · 2025
Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools · Conference
CASEL 2025 Presentation
A collaborative presentation featuring Dr. Brenda Ortiz McGrath of Chelsea Public Schools, Dr. Elsa Friis of Alongside, and Justin Long of Instructure.
CASEL SEL Exchange · 2025 & 2026
Presenter · Conference
AI in Action: Explore Personalized SEL Through Research and Practice
Presented alongside national partners on the intersection of artificial intelligence, personalized social-emotional learning, research, and implementation in PK–12 schools.
- Date
- February 18–19, 2026
- Location
- Virtual · Central Time
The Urban Assembly — SEL 4 All Symposium · 2025
Presenter · Conference
Building a Comprehensive SEL Team-Based Model to Transform School Culture
Presented in New York City on building a comprehensive, team-based SEL model that transforms school culture — bringing district-level implementation strategy to the SEL 4 All Symposium.
- Date
- May 16, 2025
- Location
- Convene · 360 Madison Avenue · New York, NY
Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education · 2022
Invited Presenter · Conference
Presented Chelsea Public Schools' districtwide approach to social-emotional learning, behavioral health, mental health, wellness, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, highlighting clinical partnerships, community collaboration, funding strategies, and relationship-centered practice.
- Date
- September 20, 2022
- Location
- Massachusetts DESE · Malden, MA
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education · Multiple Engagements
Presenter & Workshop Facilitator · Workshop
Facilitated workshops and presentations for Massachusetts educators and leaders on social-emotional learning, mental health, student support, equity, and district systems of care.
National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference · 2024
Presenter · Conference
Nuestra Comunidad: How One District Leverages Technology to Enhance a Community Mental Health Program
Presented Chelsea Public Schools' innovative use of technology, partnerships, and community-based supports to expand access to mental health services for students and families.
- Date
- December 5–7, 2024
- Location
- Hyatt Regency Orlando · Orlando, FL
Alongside National Panel · 2024
Panelist · Panel
School Mental Health in the Age of AI
Joined education and student-support leaders from across the country to discuss the opportunities, considerations, and future of artificial intelligence in school-based mental health.
- Date
- June 26, 2024
- Location
- Virtual panel
edWeb Mental Health & Wellness Week · 2024
Presenter · Webinar
Wellness Strategies for All: Support In and Out of the Classroom
Shared practical strategies for creating comprehensive systems of wellness and mental health support across school communities.
- Date
- August 1, 2024 · 12:00–1:00 p.m. EDT
- Location
- Virtual webinar
Alongside National Webinar
Featured District Leader · Webinar
Transforming a High-Needs Student Population with Innovative Mental Health Benefits
Presented Chelsea Public Schools' comprehensive approach to student mental health, SEL, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and innovative digital supports.
- Location
- Virtual webinar
Cartwheel
Panelist · Webinar
Evaluating the Efficacy of Your Mental Health Programs: Data-Driven Decisions for Student Success
Discussed the role of data, partnerships, implementation, and continuous improvement in building effective school-based mental health systems.
- Date
- November 12, 2024 · 12:00 p.m. EST
- Location
- Virtual webinar
Cartwheel Annual Convening · 2026
Panelist · Conference
Shared district leadership perspectives on expanding equitable access to mental health care, strengthening school-community partnerships, and implementing sustainable student-support systems.
- Date
- July 23, 2026
Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education — Pre-Conference Advocacy Roundtable · 2026
Panelist / Presenter · Conference
Advocating for Multilingual Learners in 2026: From Fear to Facts
Joined education leaders in examining advocacy, equity, multilingual learner success, and the role of academic, social, and emotional supports in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
- Date
- March 2, 2026 · 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- Location
- Virtual roundtable
SpacesEDU — Growth Over Grades Podcast · 2025
Featured Guest · Podcast
Discussed comprehensive social-emotional learning, restorative practices, student well-being, family partnerships, and districtwide approaches to supporting the whole child.
- Date
- February 4, 2025
- Location
- Podcast
The 15 Minute Advocate · 2026
Television Guest · TV
Featured in a conversation about mental health, social-emotional learning, educational leadership, CoreKind360, and the importance of culturally responsive storytelling.
- Location
- Television interview
Dress to Empower Girls Summit — Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts · 2026
Guest Speaker · Community
Spoke with girls and young women about cultural identity, representation, perseverance, leadership, and the power of embracing their authentic voices.
Mental Health Walk — Millennium Latino Project & Old Soul Young World · 2026
Guest Speaker · Community
Addressed mental health awareness, reducing stigma, healing, community support, and the importance of culturally responsive mental health advocacy.
Lynn Public Schools ELPAC Community Event · 2026
Author & Guest Speaker · Community
Shared Mami's Coquí Song with multilingual families while speaking about representation, belonging, culture, literacy, identity, and the importance of children seeing themselves reflected in stories.
Demakes YMCA Student Leadership & College Access Program · 2025
Guest Speaker · Community
Spoke with young people preparing for college about identity, authenticity, leadership, goal setting, and choosing educational pathways aligned with who they are and who they hope to become.
Latinos for Education Fellowship
Presenter · Workshop
Presented a leadership narrative grounded in identity, lived experience, educational equity, and the systemic barriers affecting Latino students and educators.
Services
How Brenda partners with organizations
Leadership Development
Cohort design, leadership institutes, and development pathways for emerging and experienced leaders.
SEL & MTSS Systems Design
Building or strengthening tiered systems with clear structures, roles, and data practices.
School Climate & Belonging
Assessing climate and designing practical strategies that students and staff can feel.
Family Engagement
Partnership models that treat families as experts and thought partners, not an audience.
Restorative Practices
Training and implementation support for restorative community-building and repair.
District & Organizational Consulting
Strategic support for districts and organizations aligning people, programs, and priorities.
Leadership Coaching
One-to-one coaching for principals, directors, and executive leaders.
Professional Learning
Sequenced, job-embedded learning designed for real schedules and lasting practice.
Program Development
From concept to launch: purpose, structure, staffing, rollout, and measures.
Keynotes
Signature Talks
Mija, You Were Built to Lead
Identity, culture, courage, and leadership.
Rooted in Identity. Built for Impact.
Leading systems, developing people, and creating pathways for others to rise.
Tier 1 Is Not Basic
Why universal systems are the foundation of successful student support.
From Programs to Systems
Building sustainable SEL, MTSS, and whole-child infrastructure.
Expertise
Areas of expertise
The through-lines across her consulting, keynotes, and district work.
Transformational Leadership
Driving systemic change at the intersection of education, equity, and mental health.
AI‑Powered Student Wellness
Pioneering the integration of telehealth and real-time mental health supports in public schools.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Designing and implementing holistic, data-driven strategies that center the whole child.
Culturally Responsive Leadership
Championing equity, representation, and healing-centered practices for sustainable school transformation.
Family & Community Engagement
Building strong partnerships between schools, families, and community stakeholders.
Leadership Development & Mentorship
Supporting and mentoring equity-driven leaders, particularly women and educators of color.
Educational Consulting & Systems Change
Leading districts and organizations through Innovate‑Lead‑Elevate (ILE) to create scalable, lasting solutions.
Engagements
Workshop & engagement formats
Formats can be combined or customized for your team, conference, or community.
45–60 minutes
Keynote
A single, story-driven address for conferences, convocations, and district kickoffs.
3 hours
Half-Day Workshop
Interactive learning with protocols, team planning time, and take-home tools.
6 hours
Full-Day Institute
Deep implementation work for leadership teams building SEL, MTSS, or student support systems.
3–6 sessions
Multi-Session Series
Job-embedded professional learning across a semester or school year, with coaching between sessions.
Custom
Leadership Cohort
A facilitated cohort experience for aspiring and sitting leaders, including MijaLumbre circles.
30–90 minutes
Panel & Fireside Conversation
Moderated conversation on leadership, equity, youth mental health, and AI-supported wellness.
Custom
Executive & Board Advising
Strategy sessions with superintendents, boards, and nonprofit leadership teams.
60–90 minutes
Virtual Session or Webinar
Live online learning for regional, statewide, or national audiences.
Topics
Speaking topics & where she has presented them
Each topic below links to the past engagements where Dr. Ortiz McGrath has presented it.
Educational Leadership & Systems Change
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Annual Networking Conference · 2026 · Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- CASEL SEL Exchange · 2025 & 2026 · Presenter
- Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education · 2022 · Invited Presenter
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education · Multiple Engagements · Presenter & Workshop Facilitator
- Cartwheel · Panelist
- The 15 Minute Advocate · 2026 · Television Guest
Social-Emotional Learning
- CASEL · 2025 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- CASEL SEL Exchange · 2025 & 2026 · Presenter
- The Urban Assembly — SEL 4 All Symposium · 2025 · Presenter
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education · Multiple Engagements · Presenter & Workshop Facilitator
- edWeb Mental Health & Wellness Week · 2024 · Presenter
- SpacesEDU — Growth Over Grades Podcast · 2025 · Featured Guest
Student Mental Health & Wellness
- bryt Symposium 2026 — Navigating Toward Hope · 2026 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Annual Networking Conference · 2026 · Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- New York University — Master of Social Work Program · 2025 · Guest Presenter
- CASEL · 2025 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- MASCA · 2024 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education · 2022 · Invited Presenter
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education · Multiple Engagements · Presenter & Workshop Facilitator
- National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference · 2024 · Presenter
- Alongside National Panel · 2024 · Panelist
- edWeb Mental Health & Wellness Week · 2024 · Presenter
- Alongside National Webinar · Featured District Leader
- Cartwheel · Panelist
- Cartwheel Annual Convening · 2026 · Panelist
- The 15 Minute Advocate · 2026 · Television Guest
- Mental Health Walk — Millennium Latino Project & Old Soul Young World · 2026 · Guest Speaker
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
- bryt Symposium 2026 — Navigating Toward Hope · 2026 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Annual Networking Conference · 2026 · Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- MASCA · 2024 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- The Urban Assembly — SEL 4 All Symposium · 2025 · Presenter
- Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education · 2022 · Invited Presenter
- edWeb Mental Health & Wellness Week · 2024 · Presenter
- Alongside National Webinar · Featured District Leader
Culturally Responsive Leadership
- National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference · 2024 · Presenter
- Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education — Pre-Conference Advocacy Roundtable · 2026 · Panelist / Presenter
- The 15 Minute Advocate · 2026 · Television Guest
- Lynn Public Schools ELPAC Community Event · 2026 · Author & Guest Speaker
- Latinos for Education Fellowship · Presenter
Latina Leadership & Identity
- Dress to Empower Girls Summit — Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts · 2026 · Guest Speaker
- Demakes YMCA Student Leadership & College Access Program · 2025 · Guest Speaker
- Latinos for Education Fellowship · Presenter
The MijaLumbre Leadership Framework™
- Latinos for Education Fellowship · Presenter
Artificial Intelligence & Student Support
- bryt Symposium 2026 — Navigating Toward Hope · 2026 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- New York University — Master of Social Work Program · 2025 · Guest Presenter
- CASEL · 2025 · Co-Presenter, Chelsea Public Schools
- CASEL SEL Exchange · 2025 & 2026 · Presenter
- Alongside National Panel · 2024 · Panelist
- Alongside National Webinar · Featured District Leader
Equity & Belonging in PK–12 Education
- The Urban Assembly — SEL 4 All Symposium · 2025 · Presenter
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education · Multiple Engagements · Presenter & Workshop Facilitator
- Cartwheel Annual Convening · 2026 · Panelist
- Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education — Pre-Conference Advocacy Roundtable · 2026 · Panelist / Presenter
- Lynn Public Schools ELPAC Community Event · 2026 · Author & Guest Speaker
- Latinos for Education Fellowship · Presenter
Restorative Practices
- SpacesEDU — Growth Over Grades Podcast · 2025 · Featured Guest
Community Partnerships
- Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education · 2022 · Invited Presenter
- National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference · 2024 · Presenter
- Cartwheel · Panelist
- Cartwheel Annual Convening · 2026 · Panelist
- SpacesEDU — Growth Over Grades Podcast · 2025 · Featured Guest
- Mental Health Walk — Millennium Latino Project & Old Soul Young World · 2026 · Guest Speaker
Multilingual Learner Support
- Massachusetts Association for Bilingual Education — Pre-Conference Advocacy Roundtable · 2026 · Panelist / Presenter
- Lynn Public Schools ELPAC Community Event · 2026 · Author & Guest Speaker
Women in Leadership
- Dress to Empower Girls Summit — Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts · 2026 · Guest Speaker
Leadership Through Identity, Healing & Purpose
- Dress to Empower Girls Summit — Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts · 2026 · Guest Speaker
- Mental Health Walk — Millennium Latino Project & Old Soul Young World · 2026 · Guest Speaker
- Demakes YMCA Student Leadership & College Access Program · 2025 · Guest Speaker
Listen & Watch
Podcasts, panels & media appearances
Hear Dr. Ortiz McGrath in conversation across podcasts, television, webinars, national panels, and conference sessions.
Case Study · September 16, 2026 · Cartwheel · Article
Behind Strong School Mental Health Partnerships: Lessons from Three Massachusetts Districts
Featured Leadership & Mental Health Partnership
Dr. Brenda Ortiz McGrath joined Massachusetts education leaders for a conversation hosted by Cartwheel Care on what effective school mental health partnerships look like in practice. In the feature, she discusses Chelsea Public Schools' proactive approach to reducing mental health stigma, building bilingual and bicultural supports, engaging families, and using real-time referral data to strengthen access to care. She also highlights her leadership philosophy of knowing students by Name, Strength, and Story and the importance of building trusted partnerships that understand the communities they serve.
Webinar · May 6, 2026 · The Educator's Room · Streamed live
Doing the Work: Advancing Equity, SEL, and Whole-Child Systems
A live conversation about what it truly means to "do the work" of equity-centered education — strengthening mental-health services, student engagement, MTSS, and whole-child systems so every student is supported and positioned to thrive. Drawing on her roles as District Administrator PK–12 for Chelsea Public Schools and the first Latina leader of Waltham High School, Brenda shares practical insights from over a decade of driving systemic change in urban education.
Podcast · Episode 16 · 2026
The Bells I Hear Podcast
Shared by Mentor A Promise
In this episode, Brenda Ortiz McGrath, MSW, reflects on her journey from social worker to school and district leader, and why supporting the whole student has always been at the heart of her work. From social-emotional learning to meaningful family engagement, her insights are a powerful reminder that connection and care matter.
Podcast · March 13, 2026 · 15 minutes
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Building School Systems That Strengthen Connection, Culture, and Student Success — a conversation about district leadership, school culture, relationship-building, proactive student supports, character development, CoreKind360, and systems that strengthen student success.
Podcast · February 4, 2025 · Season 3, Episode 13 · 61 minutes
The Growth Over Grades Podcast
Brenda Peña on Building Holistic Student Support Through Social-Emotional Learning — an in-depth conversation about districtwide SEL, restorative practices, multilingual family engagement, mental health, and sustainable whole-child systems.
Podcast · July 8, 2024 · Episode 36 · 34 minutes
Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast
Filling the Mental Health Support Gap in Schools with Alongside, an AI-empowered app — a conversation about access to care, stigma reduction, and technology as a complement to comprehensive school-based support.
Television · 2026
The 15 Minute Advocate
A conversation with Arlene Velleman about mental health, social-emotional learning, CoreKind360, advocacy, and Mami’s Coquí Song.
Podcast · July 18, 2024 · Bonus Episode
#SameHere Schools
Rebroadcast of the Make It Mindful episode
The Make It Mindful conversation shared with a broader mental-health audience, extending the discussion of AI, student mental health, and accessible school-based supports.
Panel · June 26, 2024
School Mental Health in the Age of AI
An Alongside national panel of district student-support leaders discussing the opportunities, risks, and practical considerations of integrating AI and technology into school mental-health and MTSS systems.
Webinar · Recorded webinar
Transforming a High-Needs Student Population with Innovative Wellness Tools
An Alongside presentation highlighting Chelsea Public Schools’ comprehensive approach to student mental health, universal screening, MTSS, early intervention, and equitable access to supports.
Interview · Featured leadership video
Brenda Peña on SEL & Specialized Student Supports
An Alongside feature on scalable Tier 1 mental-health supports, multilingual access, early intervention, and using AI to expand support without replacing human relationships.
Case Study · Partner story
Chelsea Public Schools: Building Community Buy-In from Staff and Families
An Alongside case study featuring Brenda’s leadership in implementation through family communication, SEL leadership, staff engagement, and districtwide systems of support.
Conference · Conference session
Reimagining Tier 1 Student Support with a Clinician-Developed AI Resource
At the bryt Symposium, Brenda Ortiz McGrath and Scott Freschet explored how Alongside, a clinician-developed AI resource for grades 4–12, can offer universal skill-building support alongside school staff and connect students with adults when additional help is needed.
Conference · 2024
Nuestra Comunidad: How One District Leverages Tech to Enhance Community Mental Health
At the National Center for School Mental Health Annual Conference, Brenda Peña and Elsa Friis shared Chelsea Public Schools’ inclusive mental-health model and its integration of technology into Tier 1 supports.
Webinar · August 1, 2024 · Recorded webinar
Wellness Strategies for All: Support In and Out of the Classroom
An edWeb Mental Health & Wellness Week session on practical, districtwide wellness strategies that support students inside the classroom and beyond it.
Interview · 2021
781 News Interview with the Waltham High School Principal
A local news conversation with Brenda Peña as the first Latina principal of Waltham High School, on school leadership, community, and supporting students.
Interview · Wellness series
NSCS Wellness Series, Episode 3
A conversation on student wellness, school-based mental health, and the supports schools can build around young people and their families.
Keynote · Community keynote
Lynn PRIDE Flag Raising — Keynote Speech
Keynote remarks at the City of Lynn PRIDE flag raising on belonging, dignity, and creating communities where every young person is seen and valued.
Speech · June 11, 2024 · State House testimony
Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act — Testimony
Public remarks in support of the Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act and the importance of a teaching and leadership workforce that reflects its students.
Work With Me
Request My Services
Dr. Ortiz McGrath brings more than two decades of experience across classrooms, school and district leadership, student support, research, policy, and community advocacy. Her presentations blend research, lived experience, practical systems-level strategies, and culturally grounded leadership to create meaningful experiences for educators, leaders, organizations, and communities. Share your audience, dates, and goals, and she will follow up personally.