Announcing Our Keynote Speaker: Tara Conner

We are excited to announce this year’s Keynote Speaker: Tara Conner!

Tara Conner has direct experience with the damaging effects of stigma and secrecy around addiction, as well as the hope and possibility of recovery. She was crowned Miss USA in 2006 and, after a very public struggle with addiction, entered treatment in December of that year. Since then, she has found a path to long-term recovery and become a national advocate with the “Recover Out Loud” movement.

“I was suffering from a disease that affected my mind, my body, and my spirit. This disease prevented me from being the best version of myself,” she said.

Tara travels around the country sharing her story with a wide array of audiences. She focuses her advocacy efforts on adolescents, supporting resources for families and loved ones of those with addiction, and the need for treatment and recovery services.

Tara ends her TED Talk with a strong and clear appeal: “I challenge those who are in long-term recovery and the families whose lives have been recreated because of recovery to join together and recover out loud. Then maybe we can take the shame away from those who are in the shadows and encourage them to step into the light.”