Theme: From Ashes We Rise

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience, with “x” indicating it is an independently organized TED event. At this TEDx conference, TED Talks and live speakers will combine to spark discussion and connection among attendees. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including this one, are self-organized. Specifically, for TEDxIndianaUniversity, this conference has been organized by Indiana University students.

The theme for TEDxIndianaUniversity this year is entitled “From Ashes We Rise”. "From Ashes We Rise" is a theme centered on the discovery and uncertainty of life that stems from difficulties and struggle. Learning and understanding fundamentally derives from facing obstacles and roadblocks in one’s path. Whether those obstacles arise in one’s personal life or professional career, success can emerge out of those limitations in the form of experiences, stories, and inventions that push boundaries. "From Ashes We Rise" is the story everyone has experienced, because to a certain degree, it is a story every person has or will live through. The audience will leave these talks with wider perspectives on how to tackle obstacles that come their way — and rise from the ashes.

Indiana University Auditorium
1211 E 7th St
Bloomington, Indiana, 47405
United States

Dr. Anima Anandkumar

Bren Professor, Director of Machine Learning Research

Dr. Animashree Anandkumar is a Bren Professor at Caltech and Director of Machine Learning Research at NVIDIA. She develops machine-learning algorithms that enable computers to process dimensional data using tensors. She finds ways to make machine learning algorithms scale more effectively. She earned several prizes including the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, NSF Career Award, and faculty fellowships from Adobe, Google, and Microsoft. Anandkumar was nominated to the World Economic Forum’s network of experts for many fields including academia, business, and the arts.

Dr. Giada Arney

Planetary Scientist and Astrobiologist, NASA

Dr. Giada Arney is a planetary scientist and astrobiologist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Her research is aimed at understanding how to characterize the environments of planets orbiting other stars, and how to detect signs of life in their atmospheres. She is involved with the design and planning of a potential future large space telescope she calls “the great grandchild of Hubble.” Dr. Arney is an avid tea drinker and traveler, and she is a 2018 recipient of the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal.

Jeff Mittman

COO, Bosma Enterprises

Jeff Mittman has dedicated his life to service. After suffering an attack that ended a 20 year military career, Mittman is now the COO of Bosma– one of the Midwest’s largest disability nonprofits. He is a requested speaker across the United States giving lectures and sharing the lessons gained from his experiences.

Jonathan Jones

Executive Director, Motivate our Minds

Jonathan Jones, a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, serves as Executive Director of Motivate Our Minds, a Central Indiana nonprofit that focuses on youth academic enrichment. He has developed and led various initiatives in Central Indiana focusing on adolescent male development, literacy, career exposure, self exploration, and more. Collaborating with industry and higher education, he focuses on establishing positive and supportive relationships between adults and youth, while building engaging, forward thinking, and dynamic experiences conducive to personal development.

Justin Phillips

Executive Director, Overdose Lifeline

After losing her son to addiction, Justin Phillips started Overdose Lifeline. This organization maintains a broad focus on advocacy, harm reduction, prevention, and support for those affected by addiction and substance use disorder. In the three years of its existence, Overdose Lifeline has initiated a number of programs to help it achieve these goals, including youth outreach and evidence informed training courses. Justin currently serves as Executive Director of Overdose Lifeline, and is excited share stories of her efforts at the conference.

Trevor Paetkau

Owner, Ashes Still Water Boats

Trevor Paetkau is a canoeist, philosopher, and storyteller. He began his storytelling journey as a creative writing major at The University of British Columbia. Following his university studies, he worked in the communications world for many years before choosing to quit his job and pursue creating his own canoe-craft company, “Ashes Still Water Boats.” His company doesn’t just make canoes and paddles; he specializes in creating memories and telling stories through the medium of woodwork.