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).

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Bisi Williams

Aiyemobisi “Bisi” Williams serves as Chief Insights Officer for Massive Change Network (MCN),the design consultancy she co-founded in 2010 with Bruce Mau. Bisi combines more than 20 years of communications experience and strategic design expertise with a deep focus on innovation at the intersection of disciplines. Her work informs a holistic approach to helping MCN clients create impact at scale and drive growth while making the world a better place for all. Under Bisi’s leadership, Massive Change Network has become a global leader in the field of enterprise design and is pushing the traditional boundaries of publishing and branding. Williams frequently addresses groups on the power of design to drive positive economic, social and cultural change. Most recently, she spoke at “Future Unknown: Global Education Summit,” held at CAFA (Central Academy of Fine Arts) in Beijing, China; “What Design Can Do 2017,” a global design conference held in Amsterdam, and at “The Human Element Communications Consortium,” a conference hosted by Johnson & Johnson. She also spoke to students at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where she has served as an academic advisor. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Williams graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in Journalism. Prior to the inception of Massive Change Network, Williams worked with media, arts and cultural organizations to develop programs and events at the intersection of popular culture, fine art and social transformation. In her adopted hometown of Chicago, Williams has been involved in shaping fundraising events at several major cultural institutions, including the Shedd Aquarium, Ravinia Festival and the Fashion Department of The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. She served on the Ravinia Women’s Board and with the Winnetka Public Schools Foundation.

David Gould

David Gould is an administrator at the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development and a member of the honors faculty. Previously, Mr. Gould served as the Associate Director of Professional Student Development in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a Lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Physiology, and the first Obermann Center Public Scholar at the University of Iowa. Mr. Gould also worked with the Downtown Project in its effort to transform Las Vegas into the “most community-focused large city in the world.” For over a decade, the focus of Mr. Gould’s professional work has revolved around reimagining higher education and, in turn, he has created a number of distinctive university courses around issues of meaning and community engagement. In 2013, Mr. Gould created the University of Iowa course Reimagining Downtown. This course continued the work of LifeDesign, focusing on assisting upper-level undergraduates find a way to apply their passion to the larger world. An interdisciplinary group of students were charged with creating a social entrepreneurial enterprise that benefited downtown Las Vegas. Mr. Gould has won numerous awards for his teaching and student advocacy. Graduating seniors at the University of Iowa have recognized him as one of the top faculty and staff members who had a “positive effect on their lives” for the past 11 years. Mr. Gould is a sought-after public speaker, whose presentations include the commencement address for the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Educating 21st Century Adolescent Learners (keynote, Tokyo, Japan), Luther College Convocation, Next Gen. Summit (keynote), and TEDxUNI.

Kent Stock

A teacher, coach, middle school principal, and powerful speaker, Kent Stock is also the man who coached the Norway baseball team during their now-famous final season. As depicted in the 2007 film, The Final Season, the nationally recognized Norway baseball team came together under then first-year head baseball coach Kent Stock to defy the odds and win Norway’s 20th state title in what would become the team’s final season before merging with a bigger, neighboring school district. Kent authored a book titled, “Heading for Home: My Journey from Little League to Hollywood” outlining his life’s journey and the behind the scenes stories of filming a movie Kent was born and raised in Ankeny, Iowa where he excelled at baseball. Kent continued his baseball career at Waldorf College and Luther College. In 1985 he began a teaching and coaching career that spanned 23 years. Today, Kent is a vice-president at Community Savings Bank in Robins. Kent currently lives in Marion, IA with his wife Laurie and two daughters attending the University of Iowa.

Lisa Song Sutton

Lisa Song Sutton is a real estate investor and entrepreneur, holding ownership interests in several companies in the real estate, tech, retail and food & beverage industries, including Las Vegas’ #1 alcohol-infused cupcake company: Sin City Cupcakes. Lisa currently writes and speaks about entrepreneurship and business. Her work has been seen in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company and other business publications. Lisa has shared her knowledge at large-scale conferences including CrowdConverge and the Asian Real Estate Association of America national conference. She also sits on the advisory boards for several companies including Bitcoin Nevada, an education foundation promoting cryptocurrency, and Youngry, an entrepreneurship media company. In addition to her professional careers, Lisa is actively involved in her community as a former Miss Las Vegas (2014), Miss Nevada (2014) and serves on the executive board of the Asian Community Development Council. Lisa was selected as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum and was named a 2017 Top 10 Social Entrepreneur to Watch. Find more information about Lisa at http://www.lisasongsutton.com.

Marc Zornes

Marc Zornes holds an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD and a Bachelors of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a former Manager at McKinsey & Company where he was a leader in the Sustainability and Consumer practices. While at McKinsey, Marc co-authored the McKinsey Global Institute report, Resource Revolution: Meeting the World’s Energy, Materials, Food and Water Needs. In developing this report, his team highlighted food waste as one of the biggest issues globally and yet very little was being done about it. Marc then left McKinsey to found Winnow. Winnow builds technology to help chefs run their kitchens more efficiently focusing on helping chefs understand and prevent food waste. Since launch five years ago Winnow has been deployed in hundreds of kitchens in 30 countries globally and has saved its customers over $21m by reducing food waste.

Paulo Simas

Paulo is a creative and business strategy professional with over 25 years of agency experience. He is a Managing Partner for W2O Group. As a lifelong creative and entrepreneur, Paulo is equally skilled at riffing about campaigns with his team as he is at sitting down with the C-Suite to map out a business model fueled by his deep understanding of analytics. His knowledge spans healthcare, technology, and consumers, which gives him unique insights into behavioral change. He understands which story or promise will have the most impact, then leverages the data that will unearth the brand’s truth that is most relevant to its audience. He has launched over 100 brands and believes deeply in creating “tribes” to deliver the right narrative that will amplify a brand’s potential. Additionally, his long-standing relationships in the VC and investment community provide him with greater insight in how to translate inflection points at every stage of the commercial journey.

Ryan Siskow

Ryan, President of Consult 3C, is a people and organizational capability consultant, author, and speaker. Ryan is also an adjunct instructor at Kirkwood Community College where he teaches communication and public speaking. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Project SAFE of the Cedar River Corridor Area. Ryan works with Fortune 500 companies, privately held firms, and small businesses in the areas of change, organization effectiveness, leadership development, talent management, learning, and communications. His experience includes full-time positions and client work with Arthur Andersen, KPMG, MTV Networks, Taco Bell, Kodak, Coca-Cola, IHOP Restaurants, The Ohio State University Fisher School of Business, and amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research). Ryan – a self-described ‘A-ha’ activist – returned to Iowa after 25 years away from his home state. He says, “it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Sarah Gardial

Sarah Fisher Gardial was named dean of the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa in 2012. Previously, she was the Beaman Professor of Business at the University of Tennessee where her leadership roles included Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, as well as Assistant and Associate Dean for the College of Business Administration. She has served in leadership and volunteer positions for international business school associations, including the MBA Roundtable, the Graduate Management Admissions Council, and AACSB. Sarah is a board member of the United Fire Group, Inc. and the University of Iowa Community Credit Union. Throughout her academic career, she has been the recipient of several teaching awards, and she has published on the topic of customer value and satisfaction, including her book, “Know Your Customer.” She is a frequent public speaker for academic, corporate, and non-profit organizations, and she has worked with a variety of companies, including Procter and Gamble and Frito-Lay.