Theme: Masquerade

Our fourth event, bigger and better than ever. We moved from a boxy conference center to the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, a 360-seat performing arts venue ideal for TEDx events. Including tickets given to sponsors, we sold out the house,

Our 2015 theme was “Masquerade.” Costumes were not required, but curiosity was a must as we explored what happens when we reveal “ideas worth spreading.”

Seven speakers, a singer-songwriter and a vocal trio graced the stage while exhibits and activities were found outside in the courtyard.

It's been our best event yet, though they have all been successes.

Old Town Temecula Community Theater
42051 Main St.
Temecula, California, 92590
United States

Honey Whiskey Trio

Musical group

In 2013, after singing together for only 5 months, Honey Whiskey Trio won the Harmony Sweepstakes National Competition, also winning Audience Favorite at both the Regional and National sweepstakes. They have gone on to headline the Los Angeles A Cappella Festival, the Women’s A Cappella Association‘s SheSings Festival, the South Eastern Minnesota A Cappella Festival, and be featured artists at the FAR-West Folk Festival, the Rogue Valley Roots Festival, the Long Beach Folk Revival Festival,and the Shedd Institute for the Arts.

Brian Noland, Ph.D.

Biochemistry, biophysics

Brian holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A&M university and is a 20 year veteran of the biotechnology industry working in both pharmaceutical and diagnostic development. Brian has dedicated his professional career to the application of technological solutions to lower the cost of healthcare.

Denis Nurmela

Non-profit Executive Director

Denis Nurmela has been an entrepreneur since he was 9 years old and has since founded and run many businesses mostly in the high tech and medical industries. Denis is a published author, part-time college professor, business advisor and speaker. Denis runs a non-profit organization called YESplace, Young Entrepreneur Success Place, (www.YESplace.org) which has a mission of educating and motivating youth, including at-risk youth to start their own businesses. They do so through seminars, training, mentoring locations and through television and radio shows focused on business and success. Denis, along with others from the organization speak with schools and companies on leadership, entrepreneurship and other business related topics.

Dionne Thomas

Dancer

Dionne Thomas turned her lifelong love of dance into a career after a sleepless night in 2008 lead her to a Zumba® infomercial. Having previously used exercise as medicine, she immediately fell in love with the program and wanted to share it. Now, as an avid dance fitness instructor of various formats, her passion is to guide people to love themselves and move confidently through the world. After leading thousands of people in dance, Thomas realized dance is our natural instinct. Through public dance experiences, we give ourselves permission and freedom to be who we truly are. She encourages us to awaken our inner dancer and discover how our lives and communities can be transformed.

Ed Ettinghausen

Ultra-marathoner

I loved running as a kid, and ran everywhere. As a 31 year old adult, I attempted to run a marathon, but failed before getting to mile four. I was told my knees were ruined. 15 years later, at the ripe old age of 46, I attempted to run a marathon once again - and this time I finished. Within three years I attempted to break the world record for most marathon races in one year, and completed that goal. Three years later, I attempted to break the world record for most 100 mile races in one year, realizing that quest by finishing 40 races of 100 miles or longer in 2014. In less than seven years, I've completed over 200 marathons, in addition to 111 races of 100 miles or longer, including seven 6-day races, completing over 400 miles five times. I've set three American 50-54 age group records, including breaking the 6-day record, on three separate occasions. I've now completed more races of 100 mile length or longer, than all but one American, and two other people in the world.

Ingrid Adams

Student

Ingrid Adams has devoted years to nurturing her communication skills. She is a multi-award winning debater who has competed both locally and nationally. As a junior in high school, she competes in speech, debate, and mock trial competitions to polish her communication skills. Today, Ingrid hopes that everyone, no matter how young or how old, will be able to impart their own ideas with confidence.

Lee Koch

Musician

Lee Koch (pronounced "cook") carries a worldly, well-worn humbleness that is both captivating and refreshing, alluding to an era when pop music was used to express the depths of an artist’s soul. Lee’s newest album, Whole Heart, bears the gift of a voice brimming with honesty, full of youthful hopefulness and ambition. Growing up in the Inland Empire of Southern California, Lee Koch came of age with the radio dialed into the Golden Oldies. He soaked in the great music of Motown and the gritty voices of 60’s Rock, eventually crafting his own songs and developing a unique, rootsy croon. After finishing high school Lee cut his teeth playing harmonica and singing at blues clubs along the coast of Southern California.

Michelle McGovern Stewart

Demographer, Marketer, Speaker, Teacher

Michelle McGovern Stewart is a leading authority in strategic marketing and demography. Very early in her career, she noticed a connection between marketing success and shifting generational demographics. That began a 20 year obsession to understand how different generational groups moving through consumer cycles can affect everything from our overall economy to individual business success or failure. Today, she teaches business and non-profit leaders, city planners and college students how to use demography to recognize opportunities and, more importantly, capitalize on them.

Sara Cameron

Life Coach

Sara Cameron, M.A. helps people live fulfilling lives. A Life Coach with degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy and Psychology, she loves translating evidence-based theories, and techniques into everyday practices. In her private coaching practice she works with individuals, couples, and organizations to remove the obstacles that inhibit personal, relational, and professional growth.