Keynote Speaker – Ann McElhinney
Ann McElhinney is a NYT best-selling author, journalist, film producer and director and one of the most successful crowdfunders in the world.
She and her husband, journalist Phelim McAleer have written the NYT Best Seller Gosnell – The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer, published by Regnery The book debuted at #3 Amazon Best Seller and sold out in 3 days after publication.
She produced the Gosnell movie, with Phelim McAleer and Magdalena Segieda. They financed the movie by running a massive crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. It was the most successful Indiegogo campaign ever. Over 26,500 people funded the film contributing $2.25m in 45 days. To date, the project has raised over $2.34m from over 29,000 people.
Gosnell is a ripped from the headlines story about a once-respected doctor who ran a medical clinic in an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood. But behind the doors of his clinic the smiling, avuncular Kermit Gosnell was also America’s most prolific serial killer.
The Grand Jury investigating Kermit Gosnell’s horrific crimes said: This case is about a doctor who killed babies … What we mean is that he regularly and illegally delivered live, viable, babies in the third trimester of pregnancy – and then murdered these newborns by severing their spinal cords with scissors …. Over the years, many people came to know that something was going on here. But no one put a stop to it. (Report of the Grand Jury)
McElhinney has also written for or is a regular contributor to an array of international media organizations including CNN, FOX News, ABC (US), BBC, CBC (Canada), ABC (Australia), RTE (Ireland), The Sunday Times and The Irish Times. She is a regular on a number of US talk radio shows including The Hugh Hewitt Show, The Dennis Miller Show and The Dennis Prager Show.
McElhinney has worked as a journalist and filmmaker in the US, Canada, Romania, Bulgaria, Chile, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Ghana and Uganda.
Master of Ceremonies – Ellen Troxclair, Austin City Councilwoman – District 8
Councilwoman Troxclair was elected to public office in 2014, and is the youngest woman to ever serve on the Austin City Council. In addition to her role at City Hall, she manages a successful residential real estate business and is a founding partner of Luxe Property Group.
After graduating with a degree in business from the University of Texas, she began a decade long career in public policy. In her capacity at the State Capitol she worked with constituents, local municipalities, state agencies, and interest groups in researching and developing effective policy on a vast array of issues. She played an integral role in crafting statewide legislation on topics such as improving our education system, assisting veterans, providing reliable water infrastructure, ensuring election integrity, and truth in budgeting and taxation. This experience gave her an appreciation for serving others and a passion for effecting positive change at City Hall.
Currently, she is honored to serve as the Chair of the City Council’s Audit & Finance Committee. She also represents the City on the Regional Affordability Committee and the Capital Area Council of Governments.
Ellen and her husband live in Southwest Austin with their daughter and two dogs. As a member of the committee for the St. David’s Foundation Neal Kocurek Scholarship Fund, she dedicates her time to raising scholarship money for Central Texas students wishing to pursue health related careers. She is also a long-time volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a Steward of the Wild with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, and a member of the Ballet Austin Board of Directors. She is passionate about helping a new generation become involved and invested in their communities.
Ellen is honored to serve as the first City Council Member representing District 8, and is a true advocate for Southwest Austin, dedicated to protecting our quality of life while making it affordable to live in the city that we love.
Invocation by “Father Rocky” of Relevant Radio
Fr. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD (aka “Fr. Rocky”) is a priest of Opus Dei and Executive Director of Relevant Radio. His “Question and Answer” column appears in Sunday Visitor’s The Catholic Answer Magazine.