Theme: Code Switching

Our mission is to host a TEDx event in a virtual space that shares ideas worth spreading, showcases community culture, and communicates vitality in the face of adversity. Our speakers represent a broad array of backgrounds and experiences, and will be sharing their own perspectives and stories reflective of our theme.

Santa Clara High School
2121 Saviers Rd.
Oxnard, California, 93033
United States

Brian Rosario

Coach, Entrepreneur, Social Justice Leader

With experience in business, higher education, sports, and community development, Brian Rosario has 22-years’ experience serving as a catalyst for a wide-range of industries, in the areas of strategic management, communications, and public affairs. During his 13-year coaching career, Brian has coached West Coast Conference and Ivy League Players of the Year, two NAIA All-Americans, multiple all-Conference/League players, and three Conference Championship teams. He has volunteered by serving on the Board of Directors for the Christamore House, a community center serving the Haughville (IN) community, along with the Board of Directors for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). He is currently serving on the WBCA Social Justice Taskforce, formed to improve race relations, combat racism, and promote social justice within the sport, all of athletics, and society in general.

Catherine Aguilar

Persuasive Strategist, Communications Expert, Creative Storyteller

Catherine Aguilar is a rule breaker. She is notorious for pushing past boundaries and chasing after her passion for public service. In 2015, Catherine was one of the select few chosen to serve as a White House intern under the Obama Administration. She first served as a White House Scheduling and Advance intern, providing support in coordination and event logistics for the President’s in-house, domestic, and international events. She later served as a Public Engagement intern at the White House Council of Environmental Quality, where she provided outreach support on several of the President’s environmental initiatives. After completing her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Smith College, Catherine went to Cornell University to pursue her Master of Public Administration (MPA). During her MPA program, Catherine completed communication fellowships at the United Nations and Environmental Protection Agency.

Liz McTague

Liz McTague is a singer-songwriter and jazz musician based out of Los Angeles, California. Her passion for poetry and song was birthed by the influence of her parents, whom are talented writers themselves. Following that passion, Liz continued her training at Los Angeles based music academy, the Musicians Institute. Liz has worked with several Grammy nominated producers, engineers, and world touring musicians. She brings light filled melodies with lyrics that carry potent truths about what it means to love and be loved. Liz is an independent artist currently working on her debut EP that is set to be released in Summer 2021 .For more music, find her Instagram www.instagram.com/lizmctague

Lorri Santamaria

Equity Leader, Scholar

Dr. Lorri J. Santamaría is an equity leader, scholar, author of more than 50 books and publications, and an award-winning international researcher. Dr. Santamaría conducts inquiry around critical aspects of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion; Indigeneity, Indigenous healing, and diversity as a resource. Her focus is on international culturally responsive/ sustainable educational leadership, Spiritual activism and anti-racist research practices. Currently, Dr. Santamaría is the Director & Principal Investigator for Healing the Soul –Curando el Alma – Na Sánaeé Inié and Director for Proyecto ACCESO at The Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP). She has been a Professor of Multilingual and Multicultural Education and Educational Leadership in the Schools of Education at California State University, San Marcos and The University of Auckland in New Zealand. Dr. Santamaría is also an Usui/ Holy Fire® Reiki Master Teacher and a Yogi.

Melinda Wells

Author, Entrepreneur

Voted one of the Top 10 Operational Excellence Experts to watch in the Bay Area, continuous improvement and change expert Melinda Wells is an award-winning corporate citizen, author, keynote speaker and business strategist. She leads through inspiration and strongly believes, “the art of the possible happens when people and ideas converge towards a collective goal.” With a background in manufacturing, sales, and leadership, her career expands over several industries including technology, aerospace, manufacturing, and life sciences. As an author of “The Woman in Blue” a published literary story in Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspectives, Melinda presents a fascinating perspective on diversity, perseverance, change and military transition. It is with this level of commitment Melinda energizes and inspires a movement of “I can too.” She is passionate about helping her clients learn continuous improvement and change strategies they need to succeed no matter the disruption.

Michael Lotker

Rabbi, Physicist

Rabbi Mike Lotker spent the bulk of his first career as a physicist in the alternative energy business, working in windpower, solar and geothermal energy. He has served synagogues in, Guatemala, Montana, Arizona and California. In 2003, he was ordained as a rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles, where he also received his Master of Hebrew Letters degree. His rabbinic thesis addressed the theology of Jewish-Christian Partnership. He presently Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo, California, Scholar in Residence at Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, California and the Community Rabbi for the Jewish Federation of Ventura County and a chaplain for the Ventura County Fire Department. In addition to his studies, Rabbi Lotker has published a book for the Paulist Press entitled, A Christian’s Guide to Judaism

Pierce Brooks

Empowerment Speaker, Storyteller

With experience managing great loss and great recovery, Pierce J. Brooks is an empowerment speaker, coach and social entrepreneur giving practical solutions for people and teams to find meaning and inspiration from trauma. As a former college athlete, Pierce was pressured to excel in basketball, ultimately playing at the Division I level. After losing scholarships and his father’s tragic suicide, he hit a personal rock bottom before age 20. Pierce responded with personal reflection, examination, and realignment of purpose. He transformed his career experience at CPG brands and sports and entertainment firms into a foundation for helping people across the professional and personal spectrum. He credits his uncle, Bill Duffy, one of the most successful sports agents in the world, for his guidance and positive influence.