Keynote Speakers

 Born this Way Cast Members

Rachel Osterbach is an inspirational and motivational speaker who has Down Syndrome. She enjoys using her experience to be an advocate and role model for all people - showing that you can achieve your dreams if you set your mind to them, work hard, and believe in yourself!

Rachel is currently a principal cast member on the Emmy Award winning A&E docuseries “Born This Way,” which has completed its’ fourth season. “Born This Way” follows the lives of eight individuals who have Down Syndrome as they strive to achieve their hopes and dreams.

Rachel has appeared as an honored guest speaker for various organizations throughout the United States, and she has given interviews in print, radio, and television. She is passionate about speaking to individuals, sharing her story and empowering them to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams!

Rachel has worked in a clerical position in the insurance industry for over ten years. For the past seven years, she has served as a global messenger for Special Olympics Southern California, traveling throughout the region giving speeches to groups both large and small to raise funds and awareness.

Rachel is also an advocate for eliminating the use of the “R” word. Having once been affected by being called the word herself, Rachel informs individuals on the negative and harsh effects of using this word.

Rachel has worked in a clerical position in the insurance industry for over ten years. For the past seven years, she has served as a global messenger for Special Olympics Southern California, traveling throughout the region giving speeches to groups both large and small to raise funds and awareness. She is also a member of the Special Olympics Southern California Toastmasters Gavel Club, where she amongst others hone their public speaking skills and spread the message of Special Olympics.

Megan Bomgaars is a well known self-advocate with Down Syndrome, an artist and a rising entrepreneur. Loving to share her life experiences with others, she has developed her skills as a public speaker and travels across the country giving keynote speeches and presentations on a variety of topics.

Recently, Megan wrote about her life experiences and her beliefs about being fully included in her community while overcoming limitations. Working with her teachers at school she composed a popular video called, “Don’t Limit Me”. Megan truly lives by her motto and she is an inspiration to her wide circle of friends and family.

Megan has taken a lifetime of creative experiences and turned them into a full-time passion. Whether it is painting, journaling, singing or working with color, she has done it all with her own unmistakable style! As a surface design artist she creates original, one-of-a-kind textiles and fabrics by incorporating unusual techniques such as dyeing with ice, manipulating fiber reactive dyes and the use of colorants. Megan is an ardent observer of her surroundings and is always ready for the unexpected color or element to catch her eye and influence her next project.