Theme: What If?

“What if” you had the superpowers to change the world and positively impact your community? What would you do?

TEDxEmeraldGlenPark explores all the “IF’s” around the impact of human connection, health, technology, education, sustainability and anything in between.

We are calling all the dreamers, the change makers, and the doers who dare to dream big but are bold enough to act small. Those brave enough to seek opportunities in failure and boundaries to jump over the status quo. The leaders with the loudest, softest and most vibrant voices who dare to be heard when no one listens. The curious who inspire change, and lead by example when no one watches.

The sky’s the limit so let your passion lead. Are you ready for this? We are.

At TEDxEmeraldGlenPark we await your greatness to inspire actions that bring positive change, hope, love and humanity to our community and to the world.

TEDxEmeraldGlenPark serves the Tri-Valley area— Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton and San Ramon. We bring Tri-Valley leaders together and provide a forum for the Tri-Valley community to share ideas, embrace differences, get educated, and understand many views.

Shannon Community Center
11600 Shannon Ave
Dublin, California, 94568
United States

Ali O’Grady

Cardpreneur

Ali O’Grady is a mushroom marketer turned zero waste cardpreneur. Ali founded quirky card start-up Thoughtful Human in October 2017, which works to take the “greetings” out and put the human back into cards and how we communicate — specifically in dynamic relationships and challenging life circumstances (think cancer, grief, addiction…). Thoughtful Human emphasizes radical empathy and works to build community, educate, and de-stigmatize conversations about physical and mental health. Thoughtful Human products are now available in Whole Foods Market throughout the Bay Area, Target.com, Paperchase UK, and coming to US retail stores nationwide in Spring 2019. O’Grady and Thoughtful Human have been recognized by Diablo magazine’s 40 Under 40, Bustle, Brit & Co, The Mighty, Thrive Global, and Mental Floss.

Elizabeth Andrew

Return to Work Expert

Elizabeth Andrew is well known return to work expert, who has established herself as a leader, motivator, and role model with her inspiring story of career reentry by breaking barriers into the San Francisco technology space – at over 50 years old, after a 17 year career break. Elizabeth has addressed audiences at Stanford University, Dreamforce, University of California at Berkeley, and more with her career reentry presentations. She also advocates the need for corporations to develop 'Returnship' programs to help people return to the workforce, especially within technology companies. Elizabeth is currently a Sales leader with HelloSign, a Dropbox company.

Jeff Parrett

Software Engineer

Jeff Parrett had a 30+ year career in technology as a software engineer. He saw the industry go from punch cards to the cloud. After retiring in 2013 he is supporting social entrepreneurs in addressing the challenges we’re facing as a society.

Nora Toure

3D Printing Strategist

Nora Toure is an Additive Manufacturing expert since 2010, distinguished by her peers and awarded several times for her work in the 3D printing industry. From serving as General Manager for a global service bureau to VP of Strategy in her current role at Ivaldi Group, Nora is a business and sales-driven professional who is passionate about how products are made and how technology can disrupt established supply chains. Her expertise leads her to build strategic alliances and strong business relationships. Nora also founded Women in 3D Printing in 2014 to promote women leaders in the Additive Manufacturing industry.

Surina Mazzola

Doctor

Dr. Mazzola is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience. She began in community mental health services and foster care before entering into a medical system with more resources and programs. Her experience with children and families in both types of care models made it evident that many programs weren’t meeting the client’s needs. She founded Blackhawk Family Development Center to meet the needs of families the way a larger company may be able to, while still making it based on the fibers of each and every individual. Dr. Mazzola completed her undergraduate degree at DePaul University and earned her doctorate and masters from Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Vanessa Thomas

Community Leader

Vanessa Thomas is a South African-born Freelance Journalist with a scientific and research background now living in California. She views herself as a catalyst for connecting people and is co-founder of the non-profit Dublin Arts Collective. Her volunteer work in the arts community led her to be nominated for Citizen of the Year 2017. With a passion for inspiring stories and hyperlocal news she currently volunteers as Patch Mayor for the Dublin Patch and is participating in the Bulletin from Google project. Her involvement in community-based projects began in her teenage years in South Africa and has continued ever since. Vanessa also volunteered for Uckfield News while based in the United Kingdom. Her fascination with flowers led her to floral photography and she has exhibited in both the United Kingdom and the United States. She shares her uplifting and colorful images on the popular floral photography Facebook Page, ‘Fables and Flora’.