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).

Cole Hall
1425 W Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, Illinois, 60115
United States

Dale Spencer

Dale Spencer was left paralyzed at the age of 20, after an unforeseen injury changed his life forever. Dale had to adapt to new ways of doing everyday tasks, getting around, interacting with people, finishing college and entering the workforce. By using simple techniques to keep his fear in check and his mind focused, Dale has been able to achieve his life goals. He is now sharing his experiences to help others attain their goals and ambitions.

Iris Sidikman

Iris is a junior at Northern Illinois University. She is a Music Performance major and a Woman’s Studies minor. She has been playing the cello for 10 years. Outside of music, Iris is interested in topics including intersectional feminism, social justice, and body positivity.

James Cole

James Cole, currently the assistant medical director of trauma services at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, has dealt with such maladies as gunshot wounds, flesh-eating bacteria, farm industrial accidents, and attempted suicides. His patients have included criminals, drug addicts and the mentally ill. But his experiences go beyond those of most doctors. Dr. Cole, 46, has served in a Marine Corps reconnaissance unit, in the U.S. Special Operations Command and on a Navy Reserve SEAL team. He cared for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has treated, in his words, “individuals wounded from both common mechanisms of injury and by every other gruesome cause imaginable.” Dr. Cole talks about how he had to overcome many obstacles in order to make his dream a reality.

Loren Hecht

Loren Hecht is an award-winning college teacher, published writer, performer and professional musician. She holds a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from San Diego State University, a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, and she teaches writing composition and critical thinking at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Loren has performed in many theaters and cabarets around the country. Her talk, titled “Core Matters,” takes the audience to a whole new world as she addresses the importance of keeping in touch with your inner self.

Meggan Hill-McQueeney

Meggan Hill-McQueeney is currently the President/COO at BraveHearts and a PATH (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International) Master Level Instructor. BraveHearts is a PATH Premier Accredited Center with two facilities, and is deeply dedicated to serving U.S. veterans, as well as hundreds of children and adults with various diagnoses through a multitude of therapeutic equine-assisted activities. Regardless of diagnoses or freeze brands, Meggan’s personal motto is every person and every horse has unlimited possibilities. Her talk brings this motto to life.

Sophal Ear

Sophal Ear, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor of Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College in Los Angeles. He taught political economy and how to rebuild countries after wars at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and international development policy at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. His career highlights include consulting for the World Bank, Assistant Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme in East Timor, a TED Fellowship and Fulbright Specialist. He is a Trustee of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, Partners for Development, the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Diagnostic Microbiology Development Program, and Southeast Asia Development Program. He has also authored several books. A graduate of Princeton and Berkeley, he moved to the United States from France as a Cambodian refugee at the age of 10.

Timothy Brown

Tim Brown is currently a New York Firefighter. Tim began to realize his dream of firefighting at the age of 15, after he started to volunteer firefight. Tim started his FDNY career in the South Bronx, on 73 Engine. After 7 years of “punishment” there, he moved to 4 Truck in the Times Square section of Manhattan for a year. In 1992, Tim achieved his life-long dream of a spot in Rescue 3 in the Bronx. Tim spent about 10 years assigned to Rescue 3, during which he was a part of the FEMA USAR team. He participated in their activities in Oklahoma City and the Atlanta Olympics. He also responded to both terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center.

Tonya Wallach

As a consultant, academic and executive, Tonya has spent her career helping individuals and organizations across the world achieve their potential. She currently leads talent development for Kraft Foods Group driving strategy, program design and collaboration across Kraft University, a newly launched enterprise-wide approach to development. For nearly a decade prior, she made an impact on the leadership, consulting and interpersonal skills of nearly 5500 MBA students and hundreds of client executives as a lecturer, administrator and executive education consultant at Chicago Booth.