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).

Topeka Performing Arts Center
214 SE 8th Street
Topeka, Kansas, 66603
United States

Brittany Simmerman

Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator

Brittany Simmerman is the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. She is a 2011 graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College where she played intercollegiate soccer for 4 years and was a 3-year captain of the team, including the 2009 USCAA National Championship Runner-Up squad. Simmerman is also a 2014 graduate of Indiana University McKinney School of Law. She has successfully bicycled across the United States twice with the non-profit, Bike & Build, raising money and awareness for affordable housing organizations across the US. While most people are made up of about 70% water, Simmerman is certain that she is at least 50% sweet tea, based on her average weekly consumption. She lives in Topeka with her partner, Emily, and her dog Mia and cat Basil.

Denise Selbee-Koch

Social Worker

Denise Selbee-Koch takes people outside. She is a Social Worker and an Outdoor Adventurer as well as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. Denise has 25 years of experience as a Social Worker and a lifetime of experience as an Outdoor Adventurer. She was born and raised in Kansas and is proud to be a Kansan. Denise is the Original Dirty Girl and co-owns Dirty Girl Adventures, LLC, an outdoor adventure company designed “to encourage, empower and motivate people of all ages and abilities to explore their full potential through outdoor adventure and connection with a community that promotes whole health." She believes that creating connection between nature, self and others is vital to our society.

Dr. Beryl New

Administrator USD 501 Topeka Public Schools

Beryl A. New, Ed.D., received the majority of her public education in Topeka Public Schools. She and her family moved to the community in 1961 from Lake Elsinore, California. However, the entire family ended up settling in Topeka, where she has lived ever since. As a young child, she loved organizing activities that involved teaching others. This desire grew to become her passionate profession later in her life. After high school, she enrolled in secretarial college, but then married and began a family. When she had six children, Beryl enrolled in Washburn University where she graduated with high honors, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1988. She then began her career doing what she had always felt a calling to do – teaching English at her alma mater, Topeka High School! She went on to later earn her master’s in educational administration from Washburn in 2001. Following that, she earned a doctor of education degree from the University of Kansas in 2007. During her administrat

Dr. Priti Lakhani

‎Director, Physician Alignment Organization at Cerner Corporation

When Priti Lakhani was seven, she emigrated from one of the most populous cities in the world to Tecumseh, Kansas. She graduated from Shawnee Heights High School and Washburn University. She received a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Des Moines University and a Master’s in Healthcare Management from Harvard University. Dr. Lakhani is a board certified surgical podiatrist who has spent 15 years treating debilitating foot conditions. She credits her time in Mumbai, where she saw several people die of preventable causes, to her passion for medicine, specifically diabetic podiatry. Dr. Lakhani traveled the world and viewed health care in all its wonder and disparities; her focus is medical economics and global health. She is a clinical advisor to a medical start-up at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and currently involved in four separate projects across four continents to improve community health outcomes, including efforts to decrease maternal fetal deaths in East Afric

Michelle McCormick

Program Director YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment

Michelle McCormick, LMSW is the Program Director at the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment where victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking are served. Michelle has been an advocate in this field for 17 years, first as a volunteer and then as professional staff. Previously, Michelle worked for the State of Kansas Attorney General’s office to develop a certification program for Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP’s). In this role, Michelle assisted in drafting laws and regulations which strengthened the response to domestic violence offenders in Kansas. Michelle has provided training to thousands of professionals and community members on the topics of domestic violence and batterer intervention. In 2014, Michelle was recognized as one of Topeka’s top “20 Under 40” for her work as well as her community involvement in Topeka, where she resides. Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in social work.

R. Shawn McBride

Corporate Business Attorney

R. Shawn McBride is a corporate business Attorney, Author, CPA, CEO, Consultant and Speaker. R. Shawn McBride is the CEO and CIO at McBride For Business, LLC and the Managing Member of The R. Shawn McBride Law Firm, PLLC. The R. Shawn McBride Law Firm, PLLC is a boutique business-focused practice with offices in Dallas, Texas and New York, New York. Currently, Shawn is licensed to practice law in 12 states and the District of Columbia. R. Shawn is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Florida, Maryland and Texas. SPEAKING R. Shawn McBride has spoken nationwide at over 80 speaking events since 2014. R. Shawn is the CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of McBride For Business, LLC a corporate strategy company. McBride For Business, LLC was formed in response to increasing demand for R. Shawn McBride as a business visionary and consultant. He speaks to audiences and works directly with business owners on setting their companies up for success; R. Shawn helps establish systems

Sophie Brazington

High School Student

Sophie Brazington is a sophomore at Shawnee Heights High School. She is a proud member of the Marching Thunderbirds as a trumpet player and her favorite classes are Honors Chemistry and AP World History. Sophie is a recipient of the Kansas State High School Activity Association’s Citizenship award. Harry Potter isn’t an obsession, it is a way of life- according to Sophie. She lives at home with her wonderful stepfather and mother, including Charlie the goldendoodle. Sophie’s ambitions lie with science, medicine, and international relief, helping other people in every way that she can.