Theme: Looking Backwards, Moving Forwards

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).

1826 University Avenue
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22904
United States

Christopher Pezzullo

Dr. Christopher Pezzullo, DO serves as the Clinical Director for the Maine Primary Care Association, supporting the clinical integration, health equity and quality improvement programs. Prior to this role, Chris served as the Chief Medical Officer for MaineCare, Maine’s Medicaid program. He is a practicing pediatrician and has also previously worked as Medical Director for the Maine CDC.

Donny Makower

Donny is a business leader and marketing veteran who realigned his personal and professional endeavors around plant-based living. He is currently the CEO & Co-Founder of RDCL Superfoods, an innovative brand that makes plant-based superfood products. Donny is also a passionate public speaker and the Chairman of the Board of the Gentle Barn, a national nonprofit organization specializing in the rehabilitation of abused and neglected animals.

Kartik Chugh

Kartik Chugh is a second-year Echols Scholar majoring in Computer Science and Economics. Last summer, he interned with Amazon's Alexa team, and developed an award-winning web app for the Facebook AI Hackathon. A recognized Amazon Future Engineer Scholar in the field of computer science, Kartik enjoys using his programming skills to develop novel visualizations and machine learning tools. In his free time, he enjoys reading philosophy, watching baking shows, and playing Minecraft with friends.

Monica Logothetis

Monica Gray Logothetis is an education entrepreneur with a passion for harnessing everyday technologies to find scalable solutions to close career opportunity gaps in America.

Stephen Arter

Stephen Artner is a fourth-year from Annandale, VA, studying English and German Studies with a minor in Philosophy. He spends his time at UVA reading great books, singing in choirs, playing the piano and guitar, and swing dancing. He has deep interests in literature, philosophy, psychology, and the intersections between the three disciplines. His talk examines poems from Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson to discuss the power of poetry in bringing a sense of human connectedness and beauty in the midst of great suffering

Tom Walls

Tom Walls has spent his career working on politics, policy, legislation and the law of politics and government. He enjoys sharing those experiences in the classroom and beyond. He currently is the Director of Public Policy for Verizon in Virginia. He joined Verizon from the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia, where he served as Executive Director. Tom has held senior staff posts for three U.S. Senators, - Chief Counsel to Senator Mark Warner, Legislative Director for Senator Russ Feingold and Legislative Assistant for Senator Dale Bumpers. As an attorney in Washington, D.C., he helped clients to navigate policy challenges and matters of ethics, regulatory compliance, and congressional investigations.He was a Principal in the law firm of Dentons US, LLP, and Partner at McGuireWoods LLP, as well as Senior Vice President of Federal Public Affairs at McGuireWoods Consulting. Tom served for 10 years as an adjunct faculty member at the George Washington University Law School. In all of these roles he has been an advocate and communicator, and worked with the tools of strategic messaging, speechwriting, persuasive writing and public speaking. In nearly four decades in and around politics, government, academia and the law he has seen a lot of things but is not yet tempted to become a cynic. Tom is a 1987 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and earned a B.A. in English at UVA in 1982. He lives with his family not far from UVA in Charlottesville, VA. Last October, he got the word “VOTE!” tattooed on his arm in red, white and blue.