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).

TEDxSwitzerFoundation
Fairway Drive
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United States

Jessica Shade

Dr. Jessica Shade is the Director of Science Programs at The Organic Center, where she directs projects associated with communicating and conducting research related to organic agriculture. During her tenure at The Organic Center Dr. Shade has collaborated on a number of diverse research programs ranging from applied solutions to on-farm challenges to methods for improving environmental impacts of agriculture. Some of her most recent collaborations include projects aimed at improving on-farm soil health, mitigating agricultural contributions to climate change, increasing on-farm biodiversity. Dr. Shade has extensive experience leading groups of diverse stakeholders to successfully develop unified visions and project goals. She leads the Center’s signature conference event, Organic Confluences, which brings together policy makers, researchers, farmers, industry members, and other non-profits to address and overcome challenges faced by the organic sector. Dr. Shade has been honored for her environmental accomplishments by the Audubon Women in Conservation through their Women Greening Food Special Recognition, the Ecological Society of America Student Section and Union of Concerned Scientists through their Ecoservice Award, and is a Switzer Environmental Fellow. She received her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley.

Jill Kauffman Johnson

Jill Kauffman Johnson is Head of Global Market Development for Algae Ingredients at Corbion, a Netherlands-based global leader in food and bio-based ingredients. Jill is a leading advocate for the health and environmental benefits of algae for food, feed, and innovative materials. With decades of experience in the environmental movement, Kauffman Johnson was formerly Principal and Managing Director of CEA Consulting, a leading firm working at the intersection of policy, philanthropy and the private sector to address some of today’s most serious environmental challenges. She has co-founded and supported the launch of numerous non-profit organizations including Multiplier, OneTam, ClimateWorks Foundation and Roots of Change (ROC) Fund. She also served as the founding Director of the Pacific Coast Regional Office of the Ocean Conservancy where she initiated the first public-private effort in California to address marine plastic pollution. Kauffman Johnson has been a featured speaker at dozens of international environmental, business and scientific conferences, as well as future of food events. She has been interviewed and cited in publications ranging from the New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, to most major seafood publications as well as appearances on CNN, and local media outlets. She is a Switzer Fellow, the recipient of the PIBA Award for Outstanding Safety, Health and Environmental Leadership to the Silicon Valley EH&S Community, and serves as the Board Chair of the Algae Biomass Organization, the world’s leading algae trade organization. Kauffman Johnson holds a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University and a BA in Human Biology from Stanford University.

Karleen Boyle

Dr. Boyle is a marine ecologist whose research focuses on human impacts to coastal systems. She enjoys doing large scale field experiments and has worked to evaluate and measure the effects of eutrophication on coastal wetlands in southern California, and to quantify levels of particulate air contaminants in habitats near coastal airports. Currently, Dr. Boyle is the Executive Director of The Science Place, a company providing hands-on science enrichment programs for students with the mission of helping to develop informed, scientifically literate citizens for the future.

Kevin Kung

Kevin Kung is currently the CTO of a biomass technology start-up Takachar, as well as a Cyclotron Road entrepreneurial fellow collaborating with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT, focusing on biofuels and renewable energy, and specializes in biomass and energy conversion systems, engineering design in resource-constrained settings, and waste-sector innovation. In 2015, he co-founded Safi Organics, a biochar fertilizer company that has grown to be financially profitable today, serving more than 3,500 farmers.