OneLife LA 2021 MCs and Speakers

JC has worked as a tv personality on shows such as “Esta Manana” (2012), and “NITIDO” for Telemundo, which was transmitted in the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America. In 2000, he worked with “Super Estrella Network” in which his program could be heard in more than 13 stations in Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Sacramento, Phoenix, Mexicali, El Paso, and Albuquerque. In addition, in 2009 he worked with “Exitos 93.9 FM”, the first Mexican-owned radio station in Los Angeles. As far as his experience as an audio producer, his job consists of recording voices, editing, translating, and producing commercials for important clients like AEG, Livenation, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Home Depot, among others. For the last 5 years he has been the audio producer for commercials for national clients, as well as host of “El Top Regional con JC Cuevas”. This show is transmitted on weekends in more than 50 stations within the United States.

With over 17 years of experience in radio broadcasting, the Mexican American, Burbank- native, Marcela has held some of the most important positions in Los Angeles Radio and on a national level while working with some of the most prominent Morning Radio Personalities. Her beginning as a solo radio personality on KSCA LA Nueva 101.9 FM radio station has led to many great collaborations, such as co-hosting with Eddie Piolin Sotelo on El Show de Piolin on Sirius XM, Satellite Radio. Marcela hosted morning’s on La Poderosa on the digital platform, DashRadio. She held the #1 spot on the Dash Platform with over 500k weekly listeners since its launch. Most recently, Marcela joined El Dorado Broadcasters, hosting middays La X 103.1, the first local Regional Mexican Format radio station in the High Desert covering Hesperia, Victorville, Apple Valley to Barstow.

Most Reverend José H. Gomez is the Archbishop of Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Catholic community. He also serves as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In his ministry, Archbishop Gomez encourages people to follow Jesus Christ with joy and simplicity of life, seeking to serve God and their neighbors in their ordinary daily activities.

Noemi is a resource parent who has adopted 3 children and Fostered several kids over the past 28 years. She is passionate about God, family, and safety of the children. she feels at home while working as a foster care recruiter. Visiting different faith communities weekly, Noemi works with FosterAll to give guidance and support for prospective foster parents.

Gloria is a public speaker and radio host. She is the leading Catholic voice on racial justice and the pro-life movement, connecting our understanding of the dignity of the human person to the issues of racism and abortion. She is dedicated to promoting the dignity of human life and marriage and creating a just society for all.

Sarah has a passion for utilizing her skills in leadership and administration to serve at-risk women and children, equipping women to break the cycle of poverty and dysfunction, and creating long term health and wellness for future generations. Sarah has 15 years' experience working in non-profit and church administration; serving as Harvest Home's Executive Director since 2013. Her educational background includes a B.S. in Social Work and an M.A. in Administration.

Christopher Duffley is a 19-year-old musician, inspirational speaker, and podcaster. Born prematurely, Christopher is blind as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity. He was later diagnosed with Autism but as Christopher puts it, “Yah- I have blindess and autism, but it doesn’t stop me!” Christopher Duffley was handed a microphone at 4 years old.  Although categorized as “significantly delayed” in speech, social interaction, and cognitive ability, he began to sing and in doing so started a journey that has inspired audiences throughout the world. By 10, he sang the national anthem at Fenway Park and became a YouTube sensation by 11. Christopher unknowingly began to inspire millions of people from all walks of life.  In each song and speech, Chris has spent his life teaching us we are unlimited…we just need a little reminding. When he was born, Christopher weighed 1 lb 12 oz, due to drug exposure.  After five months in the NICU, he was placed in foster care.  His biological aunt located him, brought him to NH and later adopted him into her family of 6.  A new life lay ahead and his challenges of total blindness and severe delays would define his future. How we approach a challenge determines its outcome.  Taught that his disabilities were just an inconvenience and focusing on what he could do, victories were won.  And despite a diagnosis of autism at the age of 5, his boundless personality and gift of music emerged, creating light in the lives of others. Now, Christopher continues to tour the nation speaking, singing, and creating podcasts.  He has been nationally recognized and featured on major news outlets.  It is estimated that over 65 million people have collectively viewed the famous “Open the Eyes” video. Sometimes we lose sight of our potential and the potential of those around us.  Christopher removes the limitation blinders of his audiences through story, laughter, and song.  He teaches us, through his own life experiences, what it means to be unlimited and to have a mission possible attitude.

Damon an international speaker and evangelist for over 20 years, is the founder and executive director of joytob. Following four-years as the first executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute in Philadelphia, he served as Chairman of the 2016 International Theology of the Body Congress. In 2002 after 16 years in the technology sector, he sold out of his firm and founded Joy-Filled Marriage New Jersey, and New Jersey Natural Family Planning Association, non-profit organizations dedicated to building a marriage culture through training, seminars, and conferences. Damon and his wife Melanie taught Natural Family Planning (NFP) for 14 years, and served as NFP Coordinators for the Archdiocese of Newark (NJ). A Certified Speaker for the Theology of the Body Institute, National Trainer for Ascension Press, and presenter at the 2015 World Meeting of Families, Damon keeps a full international speaking schedule at conferences, marriage seminars, universities, high schools, seminaries, and parishes on the good news of marriage, sexuality, Theology of the Body, Theology of the Family, adoption, and NFP. Damon currently lives outside Philadelphia with his wife Melanie and their eight children.

From the moment she was born, Karen Gaffney began an incredible journey that continues today. She is the President of a non-profit organization dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, the workplace and the community for people with developmental disabilities. She is doing this by creating awareness and calling attention to the tremendous capabilities of people with disabilities.

Karen graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon and earned a two-year Associates of Science degree from Portland Community College. She successfully swam the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team. And two years ago, she accomplished her biggest swimming Challenge yet…she swam 9-miles across Lake Tahoe in 59-degree water to raise money for the National Down Syndrome Congress and to show the world that people with Down Syndrome are more alike, rather than different, from everyone else. Karen travels the country speaking to a wide range of audiences about overcoming limitations and about what can be accomplished with positive expectations. Karen tackles any challenge she faces with determination and commitment, knowing she has limits, but not allowing them to limit her drive to succeed. Oh, and by the way…. Karen Gaffney has Down syndrome.

Jess Echeverry is a women and family advocate and speaker. She has survived parental divorce and alcoholism, as well as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Her testimony includes dark times of physical and sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, years of on and off homelessness, abortion, same sex attraction and two attempts at suicide. In 1997 she met the man she would eventually marry; this man would help her create an environment of authentic love that enabled her healing journey, her relationship with Jesus Christ and her eventual forgiveness and love for her attackers. She converted to Catholicism in 2008. Her husband Charlie is a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Together Deacon Charlie & Jess have 5 children: 2 teenage boys still at home, 2 young adults out in the world, 1 lovely soul in Heaven and 2 English Bulldogs. Jess is the founder and Executive Director of SOFESA, a 501c(3) non-profit ministry that has been serving Southern California homeless and low-income children and their families since 1999. 

Jess has previously appeared on multiple episode's of EWTN's The Catholic View for Women, has been interviewed by Spirit Radio's Morning Show host Jen Brown, and Guadalupe Radio's Morning Glory host Gloria Purvis. She has had the opportunity to share her testimony in various events throughout the country and has also been featured in a Catholic Answers Focus podcast with then host, Patrick Coffin. Inspired by the good things God has wrought in her life, she is presently finishing her first book titled ‘Dazzled” detailing her life experiences in a way that lifts up and enlightens others who are searching for ways to heal. She is a strong and effective speaker who has been able to, with the help of God's grace, turn those past experiences, and all the healing that she has received along the way, into real, loving help for others.