Theme: Big Ideas for Little America

About
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).

The theme for TEDxQuincy is Big Ideas for Little America.

We have fantastic speakers across diverse topics that are all able to be scaled to rural areas like Quincy. Small towns can dream big dreams, and TEDxQuincy will enlighten, encourage and inspire with ideas worth spreading!

Please see more on our website www.tedxquincy.com

2019 Speaker applications will be open in the month of June.

John Wood Community College Mary Ellen Orr Auditorium
1301 S 48th St.
Quincy, Illinois, 62305
United States

Álvaro Amat

Álvaro Amat is an artist, design director and educator, who collaborates with scientists, writers, media producers, designers and others, to create spaces in which narratives, objects, and experiences bring people together around critical questions about culture, nature, life, reality and existence. He is particularly interested in crossing boundaries between art-like and science-like modes of inquiry to explore the creation of knowledge that can inspire curiosity and creativity. He has a Master of Arts in Art Education (2013, School of the Art Institute of Chicago), a Bachelors in Architecture, (1997, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico) and a Bachelors in Fine Arts (2007, School of the Art Institute of Chicago). In 2007, after 20 years of experience as an architect and academic in Mexico and Spain, he became the design director at the Field Museum, where he has created 10 large permanent Exhibitions like The Cyrus tang Hall of China, The Grainger Hall of Gems, and The Abbott Hall of Conservation: Restoring Earth. He has completed over 80 temporary exhibitions, including China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors, Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux, Ancient Mediterranean Cultures in Contact, and The Machine Inside, Biomechanics. He also led the implementation of the new brand for the museum and designed a completely renovated visitor experience that includes a replica of the largest dinosaur ever discovered and the largest interior hanging 3D-printed hydroponic gardens in the world. His work has been shown in galleries in Chicago and in Mexico City, and has been published in The New York Times, Time-out Magazine and The Chicago Tribune. He teaches and lectures in Chicago, Madrid, Mexico City, Houston and Seattle. He advises artists, cultural centers, government agencies and educational institutions in the creation of programs for the public understanding of complex issues, from climate change and water rights to cultural diversity and human resilience.

Brian Lewis Smith

Drew Morton and Brian Lewis Smith have been playing music together for almost a decade in many different groups and contexts. After meeting in college, the two quickly became interested in the other’s musical language. Currently in Iowa City, composing and performing are both a constant for each of them. Visit koplantno.com jacklionsound.com and drewmadestuff.com

Debbie Reed

Debbie Reed has been supporting children and their families for nearly 25 years through her work at Chaddock, a nonprofit human service organization based in Quincy, IL that has been internationally recognized for its specialized work in attachment and trauma. In addition to serving as the President/CEO of Chaddock, she co-edited the book Attachment Theory in Action, and is currently co-authoring a book for parents, and writes a weekly leadership blog at reedaboutleadership.wordpress.com. Debbie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Drake University, a Master of Arts Degree in Leadership from Bellevue University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University.

Dr. Harry Wilkins III

Dr. Harry Wilkins III is a native of Illinois and a practicing trauma surgeon on staff at Blessing Hospital here in Quincy. He completed his medical school and surgical residency training at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed a trauma fellowship at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD. After practicing for several years in Texas, Kansas and Missouri, Dr. Wilkins then completed a Master’s Degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University’s T. H. Chan school of public health before joining Quincy Medical Group in 2010. Dr. Wilkins has received the HRSA medal of honor for his role as co-faculty of the HRSA-sponsored Organ Donation and Transplant Breakthrough collaboratives and serves as the current administrative medical director for Midwest Transplant Network in Kansas City. Dr. Wilkins is also the medical advisor-elect for AOPO, is widely published in medical literature and is a member of numerous medical societies.

Drew Morton

Drew Morton and Brian Lewis Smith have been playing music together for almost a decade in many different groups and contexts. After meeting in college, the two quickly became interested in the other’s musical language. Currently in Iowa City, composing and performing are both a constant for each of them. Visit koplantno.com jacklionsound.com and drewmadestuff.com

Jeri Conboy

Jeri Conboy is Director of Blessing Hospice & Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics for Blessing Health System. She is a licensed social worker in Illinois and Missouri and has earned masters’ degrees in History, Social Work, and Health Care Ethics and a PhD. She has made presentations at state and national conferences and published articles in The Hastings Center Report and NHPCO Newline. *The ideas presented in this talk are the ideas of the presenter and do not represent the ideas/policies of Blessing Hospital.

Julian Watkins

Julian Watkins is the Executive Director for the American Red Cross in Cape Girardeau, MO and is originally from Cairo, IL. Julian refers to himself as a “recovering attorney” who spent time in both corporate law and criminal prosecution before moving to the nonprofit field. He finds that nonprofit work is rewarding and inspiring and he has enjoyed moving to a career that serves others. Julian’s piece, titled Change the World from Your Couch, is designed to inspire you to make a difference for people both at home or abroad by using the resources, technology and knowledge that you’re already equipped with.

Kelsey Celek

Kelsey Celek is the Head of Education/Director of Student Theatre at Quincy Community Theatre. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Kelsey has had the pleasure of working with young people through her work with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and the Omaha Theatre Company. At Quincy Community Theatre Kelsey directs student productions, teaches classes in acting and creative drama, and leads the outreach program in local schools which reaches approximately 10,000 students each year. Visit kelseycelek.com and 1qct.org

Melissa Kilby

Melissa Kilby is a Quincy-native who now lives in Washington, DC. She serves as Co-Executive Director of Girl Up, a global leadership development initiative that inspires, convenes, trains, and connects girls globally and helps to position them as leaders and changemakers as part of an initiative founded by the United Nations Foundation in 2010. Previously, Melissa served as a National Director for OP3 Fundraising and Event Services. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Journalism in Strategic Communication from University of Missouri. Melissa has appeared on MSNBC, written articles for Huffington Post and Harvard International Review and been quoted in many national press outlets. Visit girlup.org

Pres Maxson

Pres is a career creative and Amazon.com best-selling author. In 2018, his second novel, Pigeon, earned honorable mention in both the New York and the Paris Book Festivals. Pres has been nominated by NUVO Magazine as a best local author in Indianapolis for three consecutive years.

Roger Breisch

Roger Breisch: During his career, Roger taught high school, was a manager for a Fortune 100 company, owned a management consulting company, and, most recently ran the local Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he has worked with teens in an anti-alcohol, anti-drug program, a nd has spent more than 3500 hours answering calls on a suicide hotline. Roger holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science in Management from the Sloan School at MIT. Today, Roger and Judi, his wife of 36 years, have two grown children and live in Batavia, Illinois. Visit his website rebreisch.com

Ryan Foland

The Power of the Pause As an international Keynote Speaker and Managing Partner of InfluenceTree, Ryan Foland helps executives harness the power of vulnerability and authenticity to build better, more relatable, more profitable brands. Recognized by Inc. Magazine as a Top Youth Marketer and named a Top Personal Branding Expert by Entrepreneur Magazine, Ryan helps thought leaders create and syndicate content that reveals their whole self to drive differentiation, growth, and loyalty. Ryan is also a three-time TEDx presenter. TEDxUNLV: How to not get chased by a bear. TEDxUCIrvine: Borderline millennial disorder TEDxUWStevensPoint: Why no one cares what you do

Victoria Bradford

Victoria Bradford is Executive & Artistic Director of movement research company A House Unbuilt. She has produced works of social practice, public art, performance, and installation for the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, and deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, among many other spaces. Victoria has built collaborative projects rooted in site-based, response-driven practices. Her current work Relay of Voices: The Great River Run involves collaboration with 104 towns and cities along the Mississippi River, tying back to her origins in Coastal Louisiana and the environmental, political, and cultural dialogue specific to that region and places like it. A House Unbuilt dancers for TEDxQuincy include Angela Gronroos, Lisa Leszczewicz, Carla Gruby, Zack Bailey, and Ben Sanders. Visit ahouseunbuilt.com and relayofvoices.com