Passion. Innovation. Grassroots.

TEDxSyracuseUniversity started with an idea and emerged as a community. The team united with bright and distinct talents but had one goal: to bring together a group of phenomenal speakers to spread their own ideas. The TEDxSyracuseUniversity brand design illustrates how our speakers' ideas are always multiplying and reaching out to the community in incredible ways. The "Evolve" theme is respective to this year's speakers' remarkable ability to affect change, be it through the new perspective they offer or the tangible ideas they bring to the table. Out humble beginning was carried by our big dream and has transformed into what is now the second annual installment of TEDxSyracuseUniversity.

Watson Theatre
405 University Place
Syracuse, New York, 13210
United States

Bill Jensen

consultant, researcher, simpleton, and gadfly. He is also a firm believer that we don’t need no stinkin’ rules! His former careers include being a graphic designer, chef, and gas station attendant.

Charisse L'Pree

Charisse is an Assistant Professor of Communications at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and a Critical Media Psycho-Theorist. Her work focuses on the complicated relationship between media and identity construction: how media affect our self-concepts, and how we can use media as a self-es-teem intervention.

Derek Grassman

Derek has been a passionate member of the clean energy movement for over 12 years. As founder of Kohilo Wind and inventor and mechanical engineer of the patented Kohilo turbines, he is determined to keep the company based in creativity in order to be a leader in high performance clean energy solutions.

Domingo Zapata

Domingo is a Spanish-American artist born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Currently, Domingo maintains studios in his Gramercy Park townhouse in New York City, the Design District in Miami, and Hollywood. In these private ateliers he produces Neo-Expressionist paintings as well as sculpture.

Doug Melville

Doug graduated from SU in ‘98. He was a Cheerleader for 4 years #School Spirit. He became a tour manager on Britney Spears 1st Tour #HitMeBabyOneMoreTime. He also started his own Marketing Company #Entrepreneurial. Doug is a 3rd generation Halfrican #IAmDiversity.

Hailey Temple

Hailey is a senior at Syracuse University and is passionate about using technology to connect people with the world around them. During her time at Syracuse, she has served the community as a Remembrance Scholar, Class Act, U100 Ambassador, and Assistant to the Chancellor - with time for basketball games in between.

Petra Kolber

Petra is a movement motivator and speaker with 25 years experience presenting around the world. As a two-time cancer survivor, she is passionate about waking people up to the precious gift of time. Her mission is to inspire people to move more and fear less so that they can stretch their dreams, strengthen their courage muscles, and build an inspired life; full of joy and gratitude

Ronald Taylor

Ronald is a senior at Syracuse University double majoring in political science and policy studies, and is originally from Hempstead, NY. He has been writing monologues and plays since he was 15 years of age, an outlet he began after losing his grandfather and having issues accepting his identity as a black male.

Sean Kirst

Sean has been a columnist with The Post-Standard and Syracuse.com since 1991and has been a working journalist in Upstate New York for more than 40 years. His passion is narrative journalism, or storytelling. He lives in Syracuse with his wife Nora, a city school teacher; they are the parents of three children.

Sean Kirst

Sean has been a columnist with The Post-Standard and Syracuse.com  since 1991and has been a working journalist in Upstate New York for more than 40 years. His passion is narrative journalism, or storytelling. He lives in Syracuse with his wife Nora, a city school teacher; they are the parents of three children.