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).

Lake Area Technical Institute
1201 Arrow Avenue
PO Box 730
Watertown, South Dakota, 57201
United States

Adam Weber

Adam lives in Sioux Falls where he’s the lead pastor of a church called Embrace. He’s married to his beautiful wife and has 4 kids. Fun fact: He once made the worldwide news when a turkey vulture fell out of the sky and onto his back porch during an ice storm. Google it. Look for his book on prayer that’s coming Spring ’17 through Waterbrook Multnomah (Penguin Random House). Connect with Adam on Twitter @adamweber or Instagram @adamaweber

Dave Hedt

David R. Hedt grew up on a farm in the South East of Australia he has traveled the world, working as a mechanic, truck driver, harvester, a farmer and business owner in Australia and the US. He has dabbled in real estate and investment properties, he started a bicycle shop in Australia with a fellow Australian he meet while travelling to Canada. During his travels he found Faulkton, South Dakota and fell in love with the land and the people. In 2013 Hedt Built the Faulkton Retail Center, a $1,000,000 project that provided the opportunity for rural business to have quality retail space in a prime location. Hedt’s extensive knowledge of American agriculture combined with his Australia upbringing helps him see the substantial market opportunity in the US for this product and provides him with an incredibly stable platform for development. These things are what took him down the road that ultimately became Walkabout Developments (Bin Division), LLC.

Emily Paulson

Emily Paulson lives by the mantra, “Yes…and.” It’s a concept that is a cornerstone concept in improvisational theater and holds true for how to have some amazing adventures, meet interesting people and wander through life successfully. She graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Acting from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, CA and a Bachelor’s in Theater from Gustavus Adolphus and much to her surprise (and delight) she’s just wrapped up a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls with a concentration in Marketing.

Heather Kallhoff

Heather Kallhoff describes herself as “pretty low key”. However, you’ll find this multiple national award winner anything but ordinary in her style and creativity. After a 13-year career in education, Heather left that to pursue a career in an area that she not only taught, but continues to love-photography. She has been active in the photography world for the past 17 years and has traveled extensively educating other photographers in the areas of creativity and Photoshop. Heather’s creativity behind the camera may possibly be surpassed only by her savvy in front of the computer. Heather’s storytelling approach to wedding and portrait photography has earned her Photographer of the Year awards, Fuji and Kodak awards across the Northern Light Region, as well as in the National and International arena’s, a National Top Ten Wedding album, Best of Images Fine Art winner, and most notably the Silver Award in Orvieto, Italy.

Hugh Weber

Living at the intersection of immersive experiences, community organizing, strategic messaging and network theory, Hugh Weber’s passion is focused on building a world-class network of individuals, organizations, communities and ideas that can accelerate individual innovation in the OTA states and elevate the region’s place in the world of creativity, community and innovation. Hugh serves as CEO and Curator for OTA, where leads organizational efforts focused on engagement, experience and external relationships. OTA is a for-purpose organization focused on sparking regional transformation through creative connections and collisions in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. Hugh has a gift for taking the passions and purposes of an organization and providing them the perspective necessary to inspire action.

Laurie Johnson

Laurie is an agriculture instructor at Lake Area Technical Institute focusing on Ranch Management and online. She has two little boys and co-owns and operates a cow/calf and lamb to finish operation with her husband, Brandon. She recently graduated from the South Dakota Agriculture & Rural Leadership (SDARL) program. She is starting in the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management Excellence in Ag Leadership program over the next two years.

PJ Anderson

PJ Anderson is an image maker. In addition to owning a commercial photography/content marketing firm he has been involved a diverse set of roles that make up a portfolio career such as substitute teacher, hotel front desk agent, reporter, bartender, human resources consultant, graphic designer and more.

Sabrina Kieser

Sabrina grew up in rural Minnesota on a family farm where she was taught the value of hard work, persistence, and finding and fixing problems. Some of her favorite hobbies include instrumental music, hiking, rock climbing, hunting, and running. Her involvement in leadership development, the National FFA Organization, and Christian ministry have shaped her outlook on life and given her the fundamental skills needed to pursue her passions. As a recent graduate from UW-River Falls with a degree in Agricultural Education, she is looking forward to taking a break from the classroom environment to challenge herself in new ways and act on her passions. She will be moving to East Asia in January 2017 to work with minority groups to establish agricultural development efforts.

Scott Shephard

Scott was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, graduated from Lincoln High School and then from the University of South Dakota with a degree in English and the Classics and with a secondary school teaching certificate. He taught English at Tyndall-Tabor High School for a year and a half and then moved to Watertown High School, where he coached debate, taught English, philosophy, world history and Advanced Placement European History, among other things. For the last four years of his career, he taught digital photography at Lake Area Technical Institute. Though he is retired, he still owns Scott Shephard Photography, which specializes in portraiture, architecture and photography education. Besides photography, his passions included travel, sailing a spending time with his two granddaughters.

Shayla Hoheisel

Shayla is a full time nomad. Just last year she traveled to 4 new countries and 12 states! Finally deciding to lead her dreams she is a full time traveler living and working in new places every few months. She believes if you do what you love you’ll find your passion. When you do, you must lead your dreams without limits and make them come true.