Theme: Why Not?

TEDxLehighRiver 2015 will bring together a diverse group of speakers and audience members from the Lehigh Valley and beyond for a program of engaging and thought-provoking presentations and conversation reflecting the quotation from George Bernard Shaw: "You see things and say, Why? But I dream things that never were and say, WHY NOT?"

Innovation Alley begins at 12:00pm, with talks beginning at 1:00pm.

Miller Symphony Hall
23 N 6th Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania, 18101
United States

Dr. Catherine Moore

English Teacher, English Literature and Theatre

Dr. Catherine Moore is a Moravian Academy Upper School English Teacher and has taught at Moravian Academy for ten years. She has an extensive educational background in English Literature and Theater. In her talk, “The Story Laboratory,” Catherine will explain how she has transformed the short story anthology course with its traditional narrative study to an experiential one, filled with blended learning, collaborative activities, and story fieldwork in our community.

George Hrab

Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, composer, and heliocentrist

George Hrab has written and produced seven independent CDs and one concert DVD; published two books; recorded hundreds of episodes of an award winning podcast; and has emceed numerous international science conferences, all while being the drummer for The Philadelphia Funk Authority. He's travelled to four continents promoting critical thinking, science, and skepticism through story and song. George is considered one of the preeminent skeptic/science/atheist/geek-culture music icons currently living in his apartment.

Joyce Marin

Executive Director of Renew Lehigh Valley

Hailing from Bethlehem, Pa., Joyce is executive director of Renew Lehigh Valley, the region's voice for smart growth and governmental cooperation. She has extensive experience in downtown revitalization and traditional neighborhood design from her academic background and service in government.

Lauren Villaverde

Engineer and entrepreneur

Lauren Villaverde is fusing her technical background with entrepreneurial studies to answer the nation’s call for more STEM workers. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Lauren began a year-long program in entrepreneurship in 2014. In this program Lauren initially hoped to create an interactive book to help children learn how to read. A psychology professor informed Lauren that there is a lack of books addressing spatial skills for young children. This meeting opened a new door for Lauren as she delved into the world of spatial skill development, its importance in child development and its impact on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning. Lauren used this knowledge to create a product paired with a book to address spatial development in children ages 3-5. Her ultimate goal is to form a company that will create spatial skill-inspired products intended to help young children develop the foundation needed to succeed in STEM.

Liz Jordon

Certified yoga instructor trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga

Liz Jordon is trained in Integrative Restoration - iRest® Level ll Yoga Nidra with Richard Miller and continues her studies with the intention of deepening her personal and professional practice. Liz has offered yoga sessions at national conferences and workshops. Locally she teaches movement and breath in the Allentown School District to elementary age students, group classes out of Caverly Chiropractic in Emmaus, group classes for Treatment Trends Inc. at the Veterans Sanctuary in Allentown, PA and private sessions in individual homes. Liz and her sisters facilitate The Days of Healing Workshop through their business Clear Path Wellness of the Lehigh Valley. "The Days" offers a safe and loving environment for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma. Through therapeutic process the sisters integrate Yoga, meditation and energy medicine revealing a clear path to inner resource for daily living.

Michael Brolly

Wood turning artist, teacher, environmentalist

Michael Brolly was born in Philadelphia in 1950 to immigrant parents. BFA Kutztown University 1981, MFA UMass Dartmouth 2007 Met wife, Lynne, at Kutztown, got around to dating her fifteen years later. Two teenage boys. Started showing artwork nationally in 1981, been at it ever since. Started teaching at Moravian Academy in 2007, been at that also ever since.