About HPEF

HP Education Fanon, Inc. (HPEF) is a U.S.-based educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to producing academic symposia on the Harry Potter books and cultural phenomenon. We strive to distinguish our symposia by the premiere quality of the programming we offer, particularly the caliber of our featured speakers and guests. Our volunteer planners aim to bring fans and scholars professional-quality, creative, premium experiences for affordable prices.

HPEF also promotes the benefits of reading for both children and adults by offering Library Science and Education tracks in our symposium programs. We have also donated portions of our proceeds to Book Aid International, Books Behind Bars, Kids Need to Read and other literacy projects; we continue to identify other charities whose missions focus on providing audiences with books to read and love. Conferences to our credit include Nimbus – 2003, The Witching Hour (2005), Lumos (2006), Prophecy (2007), Portus (2008), Azkatraz (2009), and Infinitus (2010).

The current voting members of the Board of Directors are Bekki Olivieri, Rob Ihinger, Barbara Purdom, Emeritus President Lee Hillman (AKA Gwendolyn Grace) and Amy Vezza.  The non-voting advisory directors are  Debbie Duncan, Heidi Tandy, Mary Ellen Maple, Flourish Klink,  Kristen Kucera, Heim Grewal, Sara Goetz, and Mary Markovinovic.

Past Board Members include Peg Kerr (author of The Wild Swans and Emerald House Rising), Dr. Philip Nel, Steve Vander Ark (AKA “Lexicon Steve”), John Walton, Carlisle Kraft Webber, Dr. Catherine Schaff-Stump, Willene Wadkins, Dan Myers-Power, Penny Linsenmayer, Betty Hamilton, Deb McLain,  Audrey O’Connor, , Jenn Clack, Aziza Aba Butain, and Mike Steele.