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).

Newburgh Free Academy
201 Fullerton Avenue
Newburgh, New York, 12550
United States

Donna Mikkelsen

Donna Mikkelsen is an ambidextrous artist living in Beacon, NY. She has been developing her method of symmetry drawing as an artistic daily practice and a teaching tool for over 25 years.

Fatou Jammeh

Fatou Jammeh is a sophomore at Newburgh Free Academy enrolled in the P-Tech program, which is a program that gives students the opportunity to graduate with their high school diploma and associates degree in either cyber security or networking. As a strong leader in her school and community, and a recipient of the Hudson Valley Girl of Merit award, she strives to the best of her ability for change and growth within herself and those around her.

Josh Galarza

Josh Galarza is a Mental Health advocate, emphasizing the need for mental wellness in everyday life for everyday people. In a vulnerable talk that strikes emotion, he shares his story on how self-forgiveness saved his life. This is a talk for humanity.

Lauryn Renford

Lauryn Renford is an incoming freshman at The George Washington University and after suffering the loss of her boyfriend, Zaire Kelly, to violence in 2017, Lauryn has become a leading voice in the fight for attacking the systematic causes of violence in black communities. Shortly after Zaire’s murder, Lauryn created a petition to create a mural as a memorial to slain teens in D.C. that is now in the works. Lauryn is also a co-founder of Pathways 2 Power, a student activist group that works to attack toxic mentalities that normalize violence, crime, housing insecurity, mental health issues, and more.

Lisa Montanaro

Lisa Montanaro, Hudson Valley, NY native shares her experience of making a conscious choice to see prison and boot camp as a gift. Lisa is writing a memoir about her 12 months in prison and her self discoveries while incarcerated.

Michelle Wang

Michelle is a sophomore attending NFA, and is a very active part of her community. She has seen firsthand the issue she discusses in her talk, and hopes to raise a greater awareness to students mental health. Her ultimate goal in life is a make a difference, no matter how small, in the world.

Noor Pinna

Noor Pinna is a private mental health therapist and a transformation mindset coach in the Hudson valley. She works with women on issues ranging from life transitions, anxiety, depression to issues relating to shame and culture. She has worked international on mental health programs.

Ori Alon

Ori Alon is an interdisciplinary artist, writer and cartoonist from Beacon, NY. Among his participatory works are the Center for Supportive Bureaucracy, White Men Registry and the Hidden Fortune Wheel, he dedicates benches and parks in memory of war on drugs victims, post Alternative Street Signs, rename parks, create a comics series with postage stamps of Hitler, Stalin, Chaplin and other world leaders and convert Facebook posts into printed books and street art installations.

Penelope Taylor

Penelope Taylor is a writer, performer and speaking coach. Penelope puts her love of language to work each day; believing in the power of communication to bring people together and help us understand what it means to be human.

Sanjay Natesan

Sanjay Natesan is a Sophomore at John Jay High School, Hopewell Junction, NY. He is the Vice President of Dutchess County Youth Council and is also the class Vice President in his school. Sanjay is an accomplished player of Mridangam - an Indian classical percussion instrument - and frequently performs on stage accompanying musicians from around the world.