KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mother, Gabby Petito
Despite the unimaginable loss of her daughter Gabby, Nichole Schmidt remains deeply committed to turning pain into purpose. A devoted mother, she finds strength and solace in the signs of Gabby’s enduring presence. Alongside her husband, Jim, Nichole draws on her diverse experiences as an artist, former EMT, and teaching assistant to fuel her resilience and advocacy. Since Gabby’s passing, she has become a powerful voice for domestic violence prevention and missing persons awareness, determined to drive meaningful change.
Through the Gabby Petito Foundation, Gabby’s four parents, Nichole, Jim, Joe, and Tara, continue to work tirelessly to honor her legacy and create a lasting impact in the fight for justice, awareness, and healing.
Haley Gray is a credentialed victim advocate, researcher, and writer committed to ethical, victim-centered true crime. Since 2016, she has worked alongside families and contributed to more than 20 podcasts to amplify unresolved cases with empathy and accuracy. As the founder of True Crime Research Training and co-creator of The Advocacy Blueprint, Haley provides education and resources that empower both families and professionals to approach true crime ethically and effectively. Through advocacy, training, and storytelling, she strives to honor victims, support their loved ones, and ensure every case is handled with integrity, compassion, and respect.
Vangie Randall-Shorty is a devoted advocate, community organizer, and grieving mother who transformed her pain into purpose after her son, 23-year-old Zachariah Juwaun Shorty, was found murdered on Navajo Nation land in 2020. As the Advocacy Coordinator for the Missing and Murdered Diné Relatives Coalition (MMDRC), she supports Native families, organizes remembrance events, and fights for accountability in unsolved cases. From local marches to national platforms like CrimeCon 2024, Vangie continues to be her son’s voice, steadfast in her mission to seek justice and shine light on systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities.
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*Applications close December 1, 2025