Theme: Pioneering the Space Between

Our theme, Pioneering the Space Between, reflects our university's long-standing heritage of challenging the status quo and empowering underrepresented voices. When we engage in public dialogue about the passions that drive us and challenge each other to examine the unexamined, we become part of a ripple effect of progress. We generate growth in ourselves and others, break down barriers, and ignite opportunities where there were none before.

Redbud Theatre Complex
304 Administration Dr
Denton, Texas, 76204
United States

Amber Briggle

mother + entrepreneur

Amber Briggle is a small business owner, a community volunteer, a political junkie, and the mother of two incredible children -- Lulu (age 3) and MG (age 8), who have brought many surprises along the way -- including MG's revelation at the age of 2 that he was mislabeled at birth and identified not as a girl, but as a boy. Through trial by fire, Amber has quickly and earnestly become an advocate for transgender rights, helping her son navigate the world of boy/girl while simultaneously challenging society's gender stereotypes. She is also a board member of the League of Women Voters of Texas, a proud member of Rotary International, and she has a rescue dog named Bluebell who still hasn't figured out how to fetch Amber a glass of wine, but they're working on it.

Carissa Enright

Registered nurse

Associate clinical professor at Texas Woman's University where she has taught over 5,000 students and, through those nurses, has touched the lives of countless patients. She wishes to share her passion for nursing with the TED community.

Carmen Cruz

Psychologist + diversity educator

Dr. Cruz is a licensed psychologist and diversity educator/consultant. She is currently assistant director & director of training at Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center. She also provides private consultation to institutions & businesses who aim to improve inclusion in their organizations. Cruz earned degrees at Florida International University & Nova Southeastern University. Her professional interests include social justice, teaching/supervision, psychology of gender, cultural/spiritual development, and the impact of stigma. Her strength lies in her ability to connect with others and providing opportunities to increase personal awareness through authenticity, stories and laughter. She believes authentic connection to self and others is the road to personal freedom. She is a Cuban American from Miami, who lives with her wife, kids, and cats in the cool town of Denton, Texas where she engages in hobbies such as hand drumming, community organizing, and tending to her palm trees.

Connie Cornwell

couple and family therapist + trainer

Connie S. Cornwell has always believed that people are not just suffering from some inherent personal pathology but are bound up as much by their environment and the context in which they live. She has over 30 years experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor and approved LMFT & LPC supervisor. She is a clinical fellow and approved supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of American Family Therapy Academy. She is the senior supervisor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Family Studies Center in the Department of Psychiatry where she trains and supervises interns, psychiatry residents, and medical students.

Cortney Baker

Executive leadership specialist + entrepreneur

Dr. Cortney Baker is a speech therapist, business owner, entrepreneur, speaker, philanthropist, wife, mother of three, and proud native Texan. She received her doctoral degree from Pepperdine University in Organizational Leadership, where she conducted research on women who had overcome challenges in their careers in healthcare but whom achieved incredible success. Cortney has a passion for helping others achieve their greatest potential, specializing in leadership development. Dr. Baker is the owner and CEO of KidsCare Therapy, a successful pediatric home healthcare agency that employs over 300 people and assists more than 2000 pediatric patients throughout the state of Texas. Most recently Cortney has opened Baker Management Group, a speaking, consulting, and executive leadership coaching business in which she can pursue her dream of helping others grow and develop to their full leadership potential.

Dianne Randolph

Soprano + artist-educator

Dianne Randolph is an artist, educator and activist. A classically trained soprano, she has performed throughout Europe and the United States, exploring the rich musical styles of African American and European classical traditions. Equally at ease and proficient in performing African American spirituals, operas and oratorios, Dianne Randolph endeavors to not only share her gifts theatrically, but also to engage others, as an educator and mentor, with the opulence of her success as an artist/musician. She has served on music faculties in New York City Schools, The Harlem School of the Arts, national summer music institutes and chaired a New York State Music Association committee. Dianne has created and implemented numerous presentations, lectures and workshops on the rich varying components of vocal music. A member of several professional music organizations, Dianne is a recipient of many honors for singing, teaching and mentoring young artists.

Edyka Chilomé

Artist + spiritual activist + social justice educator

Edyka Chilomé, born Erica Granados - De La Rosa, is a queer woman of color writer, artist, educator and spiritual activist. Born of third world liberation struggles, she is the daughter of Salvadorian and Mexican spiritual, intellectual, and community leaders. She holds a BA in social and political philosophy from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in multicultural women's studies from Texas Women's University. Edyka has published numerous articles, essays, and poems including a collection of poetry that explores queer indigenous mestizaje in the diaspora entitled She Speaks | Poetry, praised by the founder of Democracy Now en Español as "A must read for those yearning to discover new ways to open up to deep personal and global transformation." Edyka currently serves on the steering committee for Human Rights Dallas and is an instructor for Free Minds Dallas at El Centro College, host of the presidential award winning initiative The National Clemente Course for the Humanities.

Gray Scott

Writing faculty trainer

Gray Scott runs the first-year composition program at Texas Woman's University, where he also teaches writing and writing pedagogy. A contributor to four editions of the ST. MARTIN'S GUIDE TO WRITING textbook, he studies writing assessment as well as on the impacts of academic dishonesty and stereotype threat on the development of writing skills. Before pursuing his PhD at the University of California, Riverside, he was a journalist and newspaper editor.

Gretchen Busl

narrative theory professor

Gretchen Busl is a narrative scholar, working to understand how stories can be used both to divide communities and to bring them together. She is an assistant professor in the Department of English, Speech, and Foreign Languages at Texas Woman’s University, focusing on global literature, rhetoric, and writing. As a Public Voices fellow with the Op-Ed Project, she is committed to erasing the artificial division between academic and public discourses. She believes that understanding and harnessing the power of narrative is a critical tool for social change.

James Lawrence

triathlete + iron cowboy

James is originally from Calgary, Alberta Canada and now lives in Utah. He grew up a wrestler and later in life grew to love endurance racing to escape the hectic routine of corporate America. Although James sets many hours aside for training and racing, he is a father and husband first. He has held several Guinness World records in the racing world. During the summer of 2015, accompanied by his family, he was able to accomplish the unthinkable. Despite everyone saying his end goal was impossible, he completed 50 ironman distance triathlons, in 50 days, in each of the 50 United States.

Jamie Covey

Combat veteran+ high school teacher + PhD student

In her hometown of Denton, Texas, Jamie has been teaching American Sign Language at her alma mater since 2002. She joined the United States Navy Reserve in 2003 and is still serving today at the rank of chief. She attended Texas Woman's University (TWU) where she received a bachelors degree in history and a masters of education in administration. Currently, she is attending TWU seeking a PhD in sociology studying the cultural effects of military service on women. During her time in the Navy, Chief Covey deployed to Iraq in 2008, received a national award for her work as a career counselor in 2013, and is currently being considered for a national women's leadership award. Jamie serves as vice president of the board of directors at First Refuge Ministries and is an ambassador and team captain for the non-profit organization Carry The Load. Jamie attributes much of her success to hard work and the love and support of family and friends.

Jen Rulon

Performance-based triathlon/strength coach

As a health and fitness expert Jennifer “Jen” Rulon has inspired, coached and motivated many athletes to get to their first triathlon up to their 3rd Ironman Triathlon. Jennifer guides her athletes to learn about themselves BEYOND the physical aspects of doing an Ironman Triathlon. Jennifer is a 9x Ironman Triathlete and has learned "How to Structure Life with Ironman Triathlon Training.” Jennifer received her masters degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis in exercise science and started her business, JenRulon.com. You will also see some of her expertise shared in Runners World, Men’s Online Journal and WebMD.

Katie Kellett

student + activist

Katie Kellett is a student passionately advocating for the human rights of the most vulnerable in our communities. She is the co-founder of Students Against Trafficking and Slavery at Texas Woman’s University. Under her leadership, this organization has partnered with local non-profits to bring awareness to human trafficking in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 2014, she was a recipient of the Glenda Brock-Simmons Community Service Award. She is a Terry Scholar, Honors Scholar, and member of the Leadership Institute and the TWU Chamber Singers.

Katie Lane

Nursing student

Katie Lane, an aspiring surgical first assistant, is currently a nursing student at Texas Woman's University College of Nursing—Houston Center. She has a family full of diverse personalities as well as professional backgrounds. The inclusive intellectual and empathetic ideals of the business entrepreneur and medical minds of those closest to her have helped establish who she is today. Being born and raised in the small town of Ennis, Texas, she knew she was destined for greater things. Upon her high school graduation, she decided to pursue criminal justice, more specifically, victimology, at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She very much enjoyed the aspect of being a patient advocate, but her mind kept wandering to the medical side of criminal justice. She decided to transfer to Texas Woman's University in Denton to pursue the ultimate patient advocate occupation: nursing.

Lauren Hoebee

Motivator + healthcare operations

Lauren Hoebee aspires to become part of the Dallas Top 40 Executives under 40. Through seeking out an administrative internship, supervising two hospital departments, networking, and working on completing a dual MBA/MHSM degree, her next step is to land an associate administrative job to be eligible to apply for the HCA COO Fast Track Program. Ms. Hoebee has been extremely involved in the Denton, Texas community working with small businesses through Enactus, teaching group exercise classes at various gyms, and volunteering through school programs. Her passion is to help empower young adults to pursue a healthy and fulfilling life.

Lucy Lawrence

daughter + runner

Lucy is 13 and is loving life in Utah. She is in seventh grade and her favorite subject is PE. She is very self motivated and loves to be with friends and family. She comes from a family of five kids, in which she is the oldest, and has always loved it. Lucy was born in Utah and has lived there her whole life, except for a short time in Oregon. She loves running, playing football and basketball, and loves to jump on the trampoline with her siblings. She is a straight-A student and loves going to school and learning.

Madelyn Blair

Caregiver + yogi

Overly enthusiastic female, with a lack of volume control, actively seeking out ways to get people out of their comfort zone I Wild child by day, yogi by night I TWU Nursing I Dog owner I People lover

Miguel Roman

Motivational speaker + neighborhoods organizer

Miguel Roman has taken care of many people, while giving patients hope by sharing his story. Miguel builds relationships by connecting with patients through comedy, conversation, and compassion. Miguel has persevered despite a me-against-the-world mindset. At age 36, Miguel went back to school to obtain an AAS in radiology despite his skeptics. Not only did he obtain his AAS, but he also has advanced level imaging credentials, a BS, and will earn his MBA in May 2016, despite long odds. Now, Miguel has his sights on a senior level position within his organization. He has achieved so much in such a short time, as he continues to break barriers. Miguel is conscious that there are others who may need his support and encouragement. He intends to start a renaissance in neighborhoods like the one he grew up in by educating young people, investing in the community, and bridging the gaps that exist in society today. Each one; teach one...

Neftali Gomez

First generation college student

Neftali Gomez is an Undergraduate student at Texas Woman’s University. She is studying business administration with a concentration in management. During her three years at Texas Woman’s University, Neftali has dedicated her time to the G-Force Mentorship program, University Housing and Residence Life, and the Center for Student Development. In 2015, Neftali was awarded the Outstanding Emerging Leader of the Year Redbud Award and was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the student regent for Texas Woman’s University. Neftali is a first generation college student with a desire to educate and motivate individuals through the power of storytelling.

Pamela Wat

Minister + peace activist

Pamela Wat is the minister of Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Denton, Texas. Previously she has worked as a hospice chaplain, ballet teacher, fundraiser, performance artist, finance assistant, camp counselor, and elf to Santa. She has a BFA in related arts/dance from Kutztown University, an MA in creative art from San Francisco State University and a masters of divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Her community work centers on racial justice, LGBT resource-building, and interfaith dialog. She is a founding leader of OUTreach Denton, a program that hosts an LGBT youth group and an annual observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance. She joyfully officiated the first same-sex wedding in Denton. She leads annual interfaith prayer events for representatives of diverse religious traditions in Denton. She is passionate about haiku, ukulele, and good, long hikes in the wilderness. She and her spouse share their home with Clyde the dog and Happy the cat.

Prathiba Natesan

Choreographer + dancer + statistician

Prathiba Natesan uses Indian classical dance (Bharatanatyam) to explore the human condition in her various roles as a performer, a choreographer, and a teacher. She is a three-time Indian national champion of Bharatanatyam and the principal dancer of the critically acclaimed play “The Great Celestial Cow” and the dance short film “Set Free.” Her choreographies have focused on addressing human rights issues surrounding gender and race.

Salma Hooshmand

Life balance enthusiast

Salma Hooshmand was an adjunct instructor at her local community college, teaching courses in English composition, when she first discovered occupational therapy. She was drawn to its definition of “wellness” as the ability to participate in meaningful activities, rather than as the absence of disease. Intrigued by occupational therapy’s holistic, client-centered approach to treatment, Salma decided to pursue this profession.

Sarah Woods

Family therapy researcher

Sarah Woods has over a decade of experience in the mental health field as a clinician, supervisor, and educator specializing in marriage and family therapy. Her research has focused on the specialty of medical family therapy, working to understand the connections between family relationships and physical health, especially for under served populations. Dr. Woods is an assistant professor and program coordinator in the Family Therapy Program at Texas Woman's University.

Sarah Kelsey Hall

Librarian + diversity advocate

Sarah Hall is a millennial passionate about finding creative solutions for making our communities more inclusive and diverse. In 2015, Sarah graduated with a Masters of Library Science from the University of North Texas and now works as a law librarian for a corporate law firm in Dallas.

Susan Cooley

Nurse practitioner + healthcare consultant

Susan Cooley is a nurse practitioner with advanced degrees in public health and nursing. Dr. Cooley served on the faculty of the University of Texas Medical School for over 30 years where she taught medical student, nursing students and residents in clinics located in Houston’s barrios. After retiring from UT, she was medical director for RediClinic, a healthcare company with clinics located in grocery stores. Dr. Cooley works as a consultant, assisting healthcare organizations with a variety of strategic projects. Dr. Cooley’s first nursing job at the Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, prepared her for a career working with vulnerable families. She is proud of her roles in bringing Reach Out and Read, a national pediatric literacy program, to Texas and of her work during relief following Hurricane Katrina. I addition to her work in healthcare, Susan is a passionate photographer, with four grown children, a new beekeeping enterprise and a growing number of grandchildren.

Vanessa Taylor

Theatre artivist + educator

For more than a decade, Vanessa Mercado Taylor has created theatrical performances that create a dialogue about human rights and social justice. She gathers her histories from the latino diaspora in order to stitch up the patchwork of experiences that influence her aesthetic. Caught between cultures, her inspirations cause a magical push-pull on the stage. Her stage is in a constant state of hybridity. When she realized that theatre was excluding her identity from the "universal", she embarked on a painful journey through historical and cultural invisibility. Alongside other wombyn of color, she has created an indigenous futurism performance which explores the effects of socialization on black and brown bodies. "Where Earth Meets the Sky" asks questions about white privilege, indigenous resistance, collective decision making, matriarchal leadership and belonging.