Theme: Now More Than Ever

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).

VA Central Office
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
room 230
Washington, District of Columbia, 20420
United States

Amy Parker

Chief Learning Officer/Executive Director HREC

Amy Parker is the VA’s Chief Learning Officer and Executive Director (ED) of the Human Capital Services Center, responsible for learning, development, and emergency accountability services Department-wide. Prior to this, she was ED for Financial Planning and Analysis in the Office of Management, providing leadership for financial management programs and policies. Prior experience includes: the Personnel and Readiness Office of the Secretary at the Defense; as a Navy civilian; and private sector program management experience at large and small defense contractors. She is the proud wife and daughter of Air Force and Navy Veterans, and a step- and pet- parent.

Ca-Asia Lane

Congressional Relations Officer

Ca-Asia Lane is the Director for the Veterans Health Legislative Affairs, Office of Congressional & Legislative Affairs. She is a retired Army Military Police Officer, an academic scholar, published author and advocate for suicide prevention and awareness. Since the suicide loss of her husband in 2008, Ca-Asia's personal journey and story is one of help, healing and hope, as an encouragement for other survivors of suicide loss. She is a graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University; Old Dominion University; Georgetown University and is currently in PhD dissertation phase at Regent University. Ca-Asia is also the author of numerous books to include, Free to Dance, A Suicide Survivor’s Memoir.

Chad Kessler, M.D.

National Program Director, Emergency Medicine

coming

Daniel Sitterly

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration & Operations, Secutity, and Preparedness

coming

Danielle Nam

Harvard college student

Danielle Nam is a rising sophomore at Harvard College. A California native, she first reached out four years ago to the VA Palo Alto hospital offering to play harp music for the hospice unit, visiting every Saturday morning to play for patients, staff, and families. She was the recipient of the 2020 James H. Parke Memorial Scholarship Award, which annually selects one VAVS student volunteer from across the country on the basis of responsibility, scholastic ability, and leadership potential. Danielle has studied the harp since age six and has won several awards at competitions, including second place in the 2018 Hong Kong International Harp Competition. She was also selected to represent the USA at the 2017 World Harp Congress as one of 30 young harpists from all over the world. Beyond her passions for public service and music, Danielle is also interested in business and public policy; at school, she is a member of Harvard College Consulting Group and the Institute of Politics.

Dr. Indira Subramanian

Neurolgist

Neurologist and professor at UCLA

Lucy Houghton

n/a

Mehgan Flanz

VA Attorney

coming

Nikkole Weiss

Social Worker - Transition Care Management

Nikkole Weiss is a first-generation immigrant from Ukraine. She discovered a passion for working with Post-9/11 Era Veterans through volunteer work with troop support nonprofit organization AdoptaPlatoon, while attending high school in 2004. Nikkole has worked with community stakeholders and city leadership to enhance crisis response intervention for Veterans diagnosed with TBI and PTSD. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master of Military Social Work degree in 2014. She currently works with the Transition Care Management Program at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport LA, and serves as the Chair of the TCMS National Education Committee.

Pamela Powers

Acting Deputy Secretary for Veterans Affairs

coming

Richard Stone

Dr. Stone is the Acting Under Secretary for Health for Veterans Affairs. He led the agency's covid-19 response efforts.

Victoria Braham

Network Director

Ms. Victoria Brahm was appointed Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12 Executive Director on March 1, 2020. In this role, she oversees eight medical centers, 41 outpatient clinics, eight nursing homes, and seven domiciliaries, providing health care services to almost 800,000 Veterans. She also served as the Tomah VA Medical Center (VAMC) Director in an acting capacity from October 2016 to January 2017, with a permanent appointment in February 2017. Brahm is a member of the Whole Health Advisory Council, and the Center for Information Dissemination & Education Resources (CIDER) Steering Committee for Veterans Health Administration (VHA). She is a VHA Certified Mentor at the Fellowship level and is actively engaged in the mentorship of multiple SES leaders. She previously served 25 years in various leadership roles at the Milwaukee VAMC. Over her career, Brahm has served on multiple National level workgroups, committees, and councils.