Honorary Chair Lisa Schmidt

Honorary Chair Lisa Schmidt launched and continues to direct the Highland Park United Methodist Church’s Belong Ministries Spotlight Academy of the Arts, a 13-year old program where adults with disabilities write, score, and stage their own original musical productions. Spotlight evolved as a direct result of a similar program Schmidt created working with teenagers on probation with the Dallas County Juvenile Department. Many of those teens had been diagnosed with learning differences or intellectual disabilities. Ultimately, they received the White House’s Coming Up Taller Award in 2004. HPUMC’s Spotlight Academy draws thespians from across the metroplex, including many members of Best Buddies.

Celebrity Champion George Teague

Former Dallas Cowboy and Alabama Sports Hall of Famer George Teague is the Celebrity Champion. Following his time as a player, Teague found his niche leading and coaching youth, having served as Athletic Director and head football coach at Harvest Christian Academy and Carrollton Christian Academy. Teague now serves as the Athletic Director at John Paul II High School in Plano Texas.

It is his time as coach and Athletic Director at The Shelton School, the largest independent school in the world for students with learning differences, that resonates with Best Buddies mission of friendship, leadership, and careers for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Celebrity Champion Mission Partner Kelsey Hogan

Kelsey Hogan grew up knowing something was different, but not knowing exactly what it was. As an adult, testing resulted in nine different diagnoses…and the most common question remains: “What does a disabled person look like?” Beyond identifying as someone with IDD, Kelsey works full time in IT and has her own business consulting on ADA compliance for websites and the importance of inclusion in the digital spaces. Kelsey has been an ambassador for Best Buddies for over a year with her message that “we all share 90% of our DNA and we should celebrate the differences in humanity.”