In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Morristown High School
50 Early Street
Morristown, New Jersey, 07960
United States

Carolyn Dorfman

Award winning founding Artistic Director, Choreographer, Carolyn Dorfman Dance

Known as a creator of evocative dances that reflect her concerns about the human condition, Dorfman is interested in creating “worlds” into which the audience can enter. She has created stunning pieces that reflect a spirit and passion for life, people and truth, survival and renewal. Hailed as the consummate storyteller, Dorfman, a child of Holocaust survivors, has also created a celebrated body of work that honors her Jewish legacy; its trials and triumphs, its treasured uniqueness and, most importantly, its universal connections.

Chip Paillex

CNN Hero, Farmer, and President and Founder of America's Grow a Row

Chip Paillex started America’s Grow-a-Row as a private garden project in 2002. Since then, he's gone on to help feed and educate thousands, and has donated millions of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, with the help of thousands of volunteers. He formally converted his efforts into a fully operational, farming non-profit program in 2008. As a result of his personal accomplishments with America’s Grow-a-Row, Chip has received numerous volunteer and community service awards. In 2010, he was publicly recognized as a New Jersey Hero at the New Jersey Governor Inaugural Swearing In Ceremony for Governor Chris Christie. In 2011, Chip was appointed by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Hunger Prevention Advisory Committee.

Domenico Randazzo

High School student, musician, songwriter, jewelry designer, and entrepreneur

Domenico is a 17-year-old musician, songwriter, jewelry designer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of il Dottore Productions, a company which pushes the limits on all contemporary music and jewelry. Domenico has also collaborated with other successful pop artists such as the Disco Fries, an EDM DJ/producing duo, and most recently participated as a student Producer/Entrepreneur at NYU’s Tisch Summer High School Program for Recorded Music. Domenico also designed a unique line of jewelry, which aims to celebrate individuality and self-empowerment amongst today’s youth. il Dottore Productions supports charity both with its music and jewelry through the NJMS Squared Program and the Real World Academy. Domenico hopes to re-define pop culture through his music, design, and passion for creativity. His original songs, jewelry designs, and progressive ideas for education all strive to inspire today’s youth to find their passions.

Kerry Magro

National speaker, best-selling author, and film consultant on Autism

National speaker, best-selling author, and film consultant Kerry Magro knew early on in his life that he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. Kerry was diagnosed with autism at age four. Growing up, he dealt with many difficulties in regards to sensory integration, motor problems, and overall social interaction and communication delays. After countless hours of therapy and support from a loving family Kerry has been able to overcome many of his obstacles. His first two books, Defining Autism from the Heart and Autism and Falling in Love quickly reached Amazon best-seller lists for special needs while his third book College for Students with Disabilities: We Do Belong was released by Jessica Kingsley Publishers this summer. He currently resides in New Jersey, works for Autism Speaks as their Social Media Coordinator and is on the Panel of Advisors for the Autism Society.

Michael Cantor, D.O.

Physician, researcher, pioneer in stem-cell based regenerative medicine

Dr. Cantor is an avid pioneer working and educating in fields that offer options never before possible in the field of regenerative medicine. Having graduated from Rutgers university in 2006 and then completing schooling at the New York College of Osteopathy, he completed his residency at Emory University Hospital. He has specialized in a field that gives him a special knowledge of advanced techniques including facet joint injections, electro diagnostics and radiofrequency ablation.

Michael DePalma

TEDxMorristown Organizer and Host

Richie Etwaru

Chief Digital Officer. Author, entrepreneur, polymath, infector of thought, agent of change

An agent of value, Richie is an infector of thought for which there is no cure. His career has been defined by cognitive jujitsu that places people and companies in powerful positions that drive creativity and success. Rising from simple roots in Guyana, he has become a Chief Digital Officer, COO for technology at a large financial services company, a divisional CIO & CTO at a large investment bank, a co-founder of startups, a head of innovation of a billion dollar software company, an author, and sits on multiple start-up advisory boards. Richie's own life story and challenges provide him a unique "rags to riches" view of how "luck" works, what it is, what it's not, and how it can be harnessed to your own benefit.

Roya Hakakian

Award winning Iranian-American poet, journalist and writer, founding member of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center

Roya Hakakian a writer. Her opinion columns, essays and book reviews appear in English language publications like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and NPR’s All Things Considered among many others. She has collaborated on over a dozen hours of programming for leading journalism units in network television, including CBS 60 Minutes. She currently serves as an editorial board member of World Affairs. An active thinker of foreign relations, Roya is a founding member of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. She has been highlighted “among the most important activists, academics, and journalists of her generation.” 

Roya is the author of two collections of poetry in Persian, and is listed among the leading new voices in Persian poetry in the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.

Troy Neuenberg

Cross-cultural global citizen, international lecturer and world traveler

Troy Neuenberg is an international lecturer, and frequent traveler. Born in Nebraska, his formative years were spent in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. He relished these cross-cultural experiences and returned to the U.S. feeling both African and American. Troy’s passion for increasing understanding between cultures has recently led him to train, mentor, and befriend Eastern European university students traveling to the U.S. through participation in the J-1 Visitor Exchange Visa program. Troy spenda his winters lecturing in Europe, and his summers managing a Martha’s Vineyard restaurant that has employed more than 80 people from 20 different countries. Troy’s mission is to share how international travel, cross-cultural friendships, and the resulting conversations can break through prejudice, help us see through new eyes, and create understanding where none existed before.