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 Long Center
701 W Riverside Dr
Austin, Texas, 78704
United States

Ben Rubenstein

Ben Rubenstein is an entrepreneur who has extensive experience in founding data-driven organizations, online marketing and lead conversion, and building large inside sales teams. As a founder of Yodle, he grew the company to over 1,500 employees and 55,000 small business customers, resulting in a $342 million exit. As a founder and CEO of Opcity, in 4 years Ben scaled the organization to over 700 employees, over 100,000 agents, and a $210 million exit to Realtor.com. Ben has been recognized as a member of the INC 30 under 30, the Empact 100, Austin Inno's 50 on Fire, Austin Business Journal’s Best CEOs, and is proud of leading Opcity & Yodle to be named “Top Workplaces” in Austin. He was also named an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2018. Ben is currently the CEO of Opcity, a technology platform that uses large proprietary data sets and applied analytics to match top agents with qualified home buyers and sellers in real-time with no upfront cost.

Caroline Cullers

Caroline Cullers is a dancer and choreographer in Los Angeles California pursuing a career in professional dance. She grew up in Austin Texas and has been competing and performing her whole life, and knew from a young age she had a special passion for choreography. She started her training in ballet and tap but has now expanded to hip hop, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, and heels. She has used her passion to choreograph many award-winning pieces and has performed all over the country. She hopes to continue using dance as an outlet to inspire others to feel comfortable in who they are and do what they love.

Ciaran O'Connor

Ciaran O'Connor is a speaker, writer, and advocate for a new way of talking politics. He serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Better Angels, the nation's largest grassroots organization dedicated to the work of political depolarization. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in public policy, and previously worked as a staffer on the Obama 2012 and Clinton 2016 presidential campaigns.

Down to Funk

“Down to Funk” was formed together by a bunch of music-loving high school jazz musicians in Westlake, TX. They’ve been playing together for a couple of years now and have started performing live as of 2019. They often are found performing live music sets during lunches at Westlake High School and are also seen around Austin performing with other funk groups every now and then.

Imaad Khan

Imaad Khan is a performance poet originally from Austin, TX. Imaad started writing poetry in high school, and at the urging of his speech teacher entered local poetry slam competitions. Imaad made it on to the Austin Under 21 Slam Poetry Team and since then has gone on to perform across the country winning the University of Texas' biggest talent competition, Texas Revue, performing at the Takin' it to the Streets arts festival in Chicago, and writing and performing for various non-profits and organizations. Imaad is a former refugee resettlement case manager, and worked in non-profit advocacy after graduating from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Imaad is currently a public affairs consultant in Houston where he lives with his wife Hareem, and two children Idris and Hala.

Jen Golbeck

Dr. Jen Golbeck is a computer scientist and Professor of Information Studies at the University of Maryland. She builds artificial intelligence and algorithms that work with social media data and studies privacy and malicious behavior online. She also brightens the internet by running social media accounts for her five golden retrievers, @theGoldenRatio4

Kathy Johnson

Kathy Kellogg Johnson has been referred to as the “First Lady of Compost” by the President of the U.S. Composting Council. She currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Kellogg Garden Products. Kathy is a California native, with 3 adult children. She lives on the Palos Verdes Peninsula with her husband of 28 years, Brian, and her crazy rescued dog, Luna.

Nithya Gillipelli

Nithya Gillipelli is an advocate for civic engagement and social justice. She is an undergraduate student at Rice University, where she studies Spanish, Kinesiology, and Biochemistry. Nithya volunteers as a Spanish language interpreter at a Houston clinic, where she is working to begin a Spanish Diabetes Education Program to improve health outcomes for Spanish-speaking patients. She has been a community leader since her time in high school in Austin, when she immersed herself in the study of the Spanish language. She is a recipient of the Texas Foreign Language Association Hamilton Award and the Girl Scout Gold Award. An aspiring physician, Nithya plans to continue empowering others through education and improved health throughout the rest of undergrad and beyond.

Shawna Schuh

SHAWNA SCHUH, is a Certified Speaking Professional, Master Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner, and Executive Coach. She also owns a horse boarding facility and lives in rural western Oregon with horses, dogs, and one old cat. Her passion project is the Women in the Pet Industry Network which she leads with the mission to unite women pet leaders worldwide. Shawna believes it’s leadership using the traits pets display that can rebuild our society.

Soultree Collective

Soultree Collective was created to encourage today’s youth to learn about and engage in the fundamentals of the music industry though the classic genre of the 70’s – 90’s R&B. Central Texas youth ages 10yrs old to 21 yrs old are encouraged to audition to become a part of this year’s band that has shared the stage with such legends as Morris Day and The Time, EnVouge, Johnny Gill, Kool and the Gang and Teddy Riley.