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).

Brandman University
16355 Laguna Canyon Rd
Irvine, California, 92618
United States

Anna Faith

Anna Faith is currently serving as an academic counsellor at Brandman University Monterey campus. She is pursuing her second master’s degree in Business Administration with emphasis in Data analytics. Anna is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and sustainable practices in organizations. Anna’s topic focuses on understanding human connection and embracing the uncertainty.

Aurelius Bernard Gibson

Aurelius Bernard Gibson has worked with the Vice President and director level in sales and marketing with numerous Fortune 100 organizations served as a Navy Captain in our country’s armed forces and most importantly serves as a thought partner, instructor and collaborator in our higher education system. Dr. Aurelius Bernard Gibson, Jr. holds an MBA from the University of San Francisco and a doctoral degree from San Diego State University. He is also a graduate of Stanford University’s Advanced Management program and design school as well as Wharton’s online Business Analytics program. While he specializes in assisting individuals and teams on becoming aware of how to provide solutions and design to complex situations. Today, he speaks on the need for equitable student engagement through trust.

Barbara Bartels

Dr. Barbara E. Bartels is the co-founder Meaning-Centered Leadership, LLC, which provides keynote speaking and consulting. She is also the co-author of the book Meaning-Centered Leadership: Skills and strategies for increased employee well-being and organizational success. She is employed full time as the assistant vice chancellor of strategic initiatives, as well an adjunct faculty member, at Brandman University. Dr. Bartels received her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from St. Mary’s College of California, and her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Brandman University. She has a passion for organizational leadership, change management, inspirational speaking, and motivational theory in the workplace. When she is not pursuing her passions in speaking, coaching, and helping others find meaning in their life, she enjoys vacationing all over the world with her two children and hiking through the Bay Area open spaces with her two dogs.

Bethany Hendricks

Bethany Hendricks has over 25 years of experience in the investment management field with global leadership roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, and she is currently pursuing a master’s in psychology, transitioning into a new career as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also an advocate within her community on the issue of homelessness. She is a wife, the proud mom of two kids, and loves spending time with the family Labrador, “Chickie Bunny.” (That’s what happens when the kids name the dog.)

Catherine Pearlman

Dr. Catherine Pearlman is a licensed clinical social worker and an associate professor at Brandman University. As the founder of The Family Coach, Catherine works with parents to resolve every day issues to enjoy parenting more. Realizing that coaching can only help a few individuals at a time, Catherine started writing about parenting and child development. Her work has appeared in the LA Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report and many online outlets. Catherine is also the author of the book, Ignore It!: How Selectively Looking the Other Way Can Decrease Behavioral Problems and Increase Parenting Satisfaction. When not teaching or writing, Catherine enjoys painting, cooking, paddle boarding, training her dog Poppy and spending time with her family.

David White

David White is a public school teacher, religious leader, and community advocate in the Central Valley of California. He holds degrees in Education, Religious Studies, and Sociology and currently earning a Masters in Educational Leadership. He was a finalist for Educator of the Year by his district, received the Outstanding Leader Award at his University with his term as student body president, and has been a sought-out speaker for various conferences. David has been married to his gorgeous wife, Sarah, for ten years, has two beautiful kids and a fat chocolate lab named "The Moose."

Dodi Drozd

Dodi Drozd is a Career Coach at Brandman University (University of Massachusetts Global). Through her work as a coach, a counselor, and a consultant in leadership development she helps people define and redefine themselves to reach their vision through learning, purpose, and curiosity. She supports and empowers them in connecting who they are with what they do. Dodi has traveled extensively and has embraced many cultures. She believes quality relationships and curiosity are at the heart of a rich and fulfilling life. She was born and raised in Bulgaria and currently lives in Orange County, CA with her husband and two sons.

Ella Nunley-Spaights

Dr. Ella Maria Nunley-Spaights has been in the United States Army for 19 years. She prides herself in diversity, inclusion and servant leadership. The purpose of today’s talk is lived experience, before and after Don’t ASK Don’t Tell.

Glenda Clark

Glenda Clark is a Special Needs Educator, Grief and Loss Counselor and mother of four from a beautiful blended family. Originally from East Saint Louis, IL, by way of Denver, CO, she now lives and works in the beautiful blossoming Los Angeles County, California. Glenda serves our communities as a dedicated leader of mental and emotional healing, providing counseling and resources for underserved populations both in person and online through her website GigiGivesHopes.com. She is a survivor of much death and grief, subsequently fueling her dedication to helping others overcome their personal loss and time of grieving. Her presentation today will express the overwhelming connection between grief, loss and love despite the tests of time.

Golnaz Agahi

Golnaz Agahi, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., M.P.H. Dr. Agahi has over two decades of management expertise working in health and human services private and public sectors. Her clinical work and publications has focused on: suicide prevention and treatment, co-occurring disorders, substance use disorder and leadership development. Presently, Dr. Agahi is an Associate Professor and Assistant Field Director at Brandman University, School of Social Work. In addition, she is the president of SocialWise Consulting, which provides an array of services critical to organizational development and sustainability; from leadership coaching to use of evidence-based frameworks to plan, implement and evaluate programs and deliver behavioral health services.

Jessica Schulman

Jessica is a registered dietitian-nutritionist and health educator, who has a holistic approach to life. She holds two masters degrees: one in public health and one in psychology. And doctorate in health behavior. Jessica has published in scientific journals and is the author of the book: Nutrition in Sickness and in Health. Her research addressed the lack of nutrition education among physicians. Jessica is passionate about health promotion and disease prevention. When Jessica is not teaching nutrition to nursing students, she is competing on the United States Masters Swim Team.

Kenneth Steele

KEN STEELE’S LIKE YOU, HE LOVES A GOOD STORY. HE’S ENJOYED A DYNAMIC BROADCASTING CAREER SPANNING THIRTY FIVE YEARS ON THE RADIO, TELLING STORIES AS AN AIR PERSONALITY AND MAN ON THE STREET INTERVIEWER. NOW TEACHING PUBLIC SPEAKING AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL, HE’S USHERING IN THE NEW GENERATION OF STORY TELLERS. A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN, KEN’S A SELF-DESCRIBED WORK IN PROGRESS, SEEKING TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF HIMSELF. HIS WIFE SUPPORTS THAT GOAL. TODAY KEN SHARES HOW TO MAKE A REAL CONNECTION WITH ANYONE, IN BUSINESS, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND PARENTING

Kimberly Olson

Dr. Kimberly Olson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapist program for almost 20 years. Her research interests include all things relational with an emphasis on improving understanding and empathy. The purpose of today’s talk is to help people stay connected in an era of disconnection.

Kristen Miller

Following a three-year engineering career, Kristen Miller spent 13 years in education in Northern California, teaching predominantly high school mathematics, AVID and Career Technical Education, as well as serving as a middle school Vice Principal. Seeing a huge need for high quality social and emotional interventions, systems and supports, Miller created a youth empowerment organization, With Heart Project (WHP), to work alongside schools and districts promoting Social-Emotional Wellness (SEL), Restorative Practices (RP), Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP), and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). In her inaugural year, she partnered with a high poverty middle school in Northern California to create and implement practices, processes, and procedures to decrease student suspension rates and increase academic achievement. The results were remarkable. Her efforts yielded a 79% growth in Common Core Mathematics achievement, as well as reduction in discipline and attendance infractions, increase in GPA, and increase in math and reading grade levels among at-risk students.

Margaret Moodian

Dr. Margaret Moodian is a tutorial assistant professor of humanities and social sciences at Brandman University. Additionally, she sits on doctoral dissertation committees and serves as Vice President the board of Tias Arms, an Orange County, CA–based nonprofit dedicated to assisting children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Pepperdine University selected her as an inaugural 40 Under 40 honoree in 2016 and the Chapman University Delta Gammas presented her with an Outstanding Alumnae award in 2019. Margaret earned a doctorate degree in education and master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University, and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Chapman University. Her dissertation focuses on the leadership traits of female Fortune 1,000 board members. She lives with her husband Dr. Michael (Mike) Moodian, son Mikey, and pets in Rancho Mission Viejo, CA.

Maxwell Myers

Maxwell Myers is an actor from Los Angeles and has been performing professionally at live venues for nearly 15 years. He holds a BFA in Acting from Cal State Fullerton, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Psychology at Brandman University. He’s looking forward to working with other performers in Los Angeles on areas of mental performance and resiliency as a licensed professional clinical counselor.

Megan Matsumoto

Megan Matsumoto was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii where she was homeschooled with her 4 siblings all the way through high school. She now lives in Southern California where she has made magic at The Disneyland Resort for the past several years. She holds several certificates in professional baking & pastry, studio art, and design, and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She is still not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but is passionate about her love for her Heavenly Father and the people He has placed in her life, and her goal is to dedicate her life to spreading joy and inspiration to all the world.

Michelle Goyette

Michelle Goyette is the Director of National Resources and Partnerships at Brandman University. She holds an MBA and is currently studying Data Analytics and GIS. Michelle is a global citizen who loves meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and strongly believes we are a universal family whose purpose is to uplift each other. Traveling to 39 countries, she’s had the opportunity to see firsthand what sustainable, fair-paying jobs can do to create greater equity in the world. She is the founder of Unique World Inspirations, a Fair Trade Federation member social enterprise organization partnered with artisan groups in developing nations worldwide. A proud advocate of conscious consumerism and Fair Trade, she hopes to spread awareness of what we all can do to change the world.

Rabia Ahmed

Rabia Jamal Ahmed is an 18 year old MBA student, and received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. Aside from being a full time grad student, she is a professional businesswoman, 2x founder, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, aspiring health coach, and philanthropist. She is concentrating her degree emphasis in Healthcare Administration and Hospital Leadership. Today she will be talking about the Art of Co-regulation, a topic near and dear to her heart.

Relisa Richardson

Relisa Richardson is a staff development trainer and facilitator, she strives to create a safe space for mental wellness to be a huge part of training and development. Through Brandman University she is completing her degree in Organizational Leadership. Relisa’s passion and purpose is centered around people, developing them both professionally and personally in any way she can. Relisa has a public speaking background and has won numerous speech competitions through Toastmasters International, but if you ask her what her greatest accomplishment is to date, it would be delivering her first son, Honor just 2 short weeks ago….

Robin Williams

Dr. Robin Williams is a wife, mother, and teacher. She loves to travel the world and make memories with her family. When Robin is not teaching, she is often found planning vacations, baking in the kitchen, or going on bike rides with her children.

Solomon DeFrancis

Dr. Solomon D. DeFrancis was born and raised in the Antelope Valley, graduated from Antelope Valley Christian High School, and completed his undergraduate program at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. Solomon went on to earn two Master’s degrees from Chapman University one in Administration & Leadership, the other in Special Education. Solomon completed his doctoral degree program at Brandman University in Organizational Leadership. For 8 years, Solomon worked as an educational specialist teacher for the Palmdale School District, educating at-risk students and mentally handicapped students. For the last 5 years, Solomon has to work as an Assistant Principal and Principal for Lancaster School District. A firm believer that every child deserves a great education, Dr. Solomon D. DeFrancis invests himself in his students and their potential. Currently, he is a Principal for Lancaster School District and an adjunct Professor for Brandman University—working to improve education at the next level—Dr. Solomon D. DeFrancis embodies millions of American teachers who dedicate themselves to their students and communities.

Tony Kashani

Tony Kashani , Ph.D. is an author, educator, philosopher of technology, and a cultural critic. Tony is a subject matter expert and university professor, focusing his interdisciplinary scholarship and writing on humanities in the digital age and social justice. He is the author of five books on media and cinema, including his latest, Movies Change Lives, an examination of transformative power of cinema. Tony believes that if the “self” builds solidarity with the “other,” harmony is achieved, and we can all live at ease with each other while engaging our differences. He is also a Black Belt in Karate and as a student of Zen philosophy believes in balancing his life with mindfulness to result in a harmonious mind-body-spirit existence.