Speaking Experience

State/National Conferences


National


NAEHCY

Horizons for Homeless Children
Institute of Children Poverty and Homelessness

State

NY State Dept. of Ed/TEACHS, liaison training 

PA St. Dept. of Ed/McKinney-Vento, liaison, providers 

TX Homeless Network, providers, liaisons, community 

OH St. Dept. of Ed/McK-V, liaisons

MI State M-V Liaisons

GA Alliance to End Homelessness, state conference

MS State M-V Liaisons

NH Statewide shelter staff and educators
KS Statewide Homelessness conference



I have known Ms. Nilan for about 15 years and enthusiastically endorse her presence in your community.  Diane was keynote speaker at the Texas Homeless Network conference and was very well received by attendees.

Her list of successes is endless and her passion for homeless kids is unrivaled.

She has made a personal commitment to service that most of us can only dream about…I would encourage you to work with neighboring districts as well—her message needs to be spread as far and wide as possible!

Barbara E. James, Project Director, 
Texas Homeless Education Office 

Excerpt from the winning nomination of Ms. Diane Nilan for the Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award through the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). (Nov. 2012)

Diane epitomizes the Lifetime Achievement Award, having devoted so many years professionally and personally to serving and advocating for homeless children, youth and families. Her selfless devotion and tireless commitment to improving the lives of those experiencing homelessness is something I strive to emulate. She is truly AMAZING!

I remember hearing Diane for the first time at a NAEHCY conference in the mid-1990s, when I was a district liaison in an urban Michigan school district, just after learning about my newly assigned responsibilities under the McKinney-Vento Law. I was inspired by her presentation, her work and her feisty spirit, and I became determined to carry on this work back in my state...

I believe that the voice of Diane Nilan is not only the voice of homeless children, youth and families throughout this country, but that it has also become the voice of thousands of advocates, school district staff and liaisons supporting our children and their families. She gives our kids a voice, and by doing so gives all of US a voice, as well.

Pam Kies-Lowe 

State Coordinator for Homeless Education 

Office of Field Services 

Special Populations Unit 

Michigan Department of Education

Footage of Diane's interviews/talks:

• University of St. Francis, 3/14 
• Bridge Communities, 4/12

Colleges/Universities

Columbia University, NYC, School of Social Work 

Northern IL University, Psychology Dept.
North Central College, Naperville, IL

Univ. of TX, El Paso, Education Dept.

Univ. of TX, Austin, School of Social Work

Loyola School of Law, New Orleans

Ohio State University, Mansfield campus

SUNY, Fredonia, community/Education Dept.

New Mexico St. Univ., community, Education Dept.

University of St. Francis, IL, Education Dept.

Skidmore College, NY, community
Thiel College, PA, community

Waubonsee Community Col., Aurora, IL

Blackhawk College, IL, community

GA Southern University, community/Education D.

Kennesaw State University, GA, community

Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 

Fordham University, NYC, Inst. of Women & Girls

Washington Training Center, DC

Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH

Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Aurora University, Aurora, IL SW classes
SUNY, Oneonta, NY, multiple classes, community
Kansas State University, community forum

Other interesting places of note...

DC, House Financial Sub-committee, testimony

Cook County (IL) Jail, Women’s Division
S New Mexico Prison, Las Cruces, NM
The Women's Treatment Center, Chicago

Flagstaff Juvenile Detention, Flagstaff, AZ