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).

Elaine Wolfe Theater
350 S Dahlia St
Denver, Colorado, 80246
United States

Chagit Moriah-Gibor

Director of Innovation

"Over two decades as an educator, teaching a variety of students, Chagit has always made a point to challenge the school system and push it out of its comfort zone. In the course of her career, she has given lectures, written articles, facilitated training workshops, and coached thousands of educators across the state of Israel. She headed an Innovation Unit at Jerusalem’s Education Department, which provided teachers with tools and knowledge to adopt innovative teaching practices. In addition to encouraging bottom-up innovation in education, and organizing hackathons and accelerators, her team also guided teachers in hundreds of schools across the city in becoming teacher-entrepreneurs. Chagit is currently the Director of Innovation at Denver Jewish Day School, where she works closely with faculty and staff to imagine what the school's future looks like and what can be done to equip students with the skills they need to be successful adults."

Cristina Escobar

TV and Movie Critic, Co-Founder and EIC of LatinaMedia.Co

Cristina Escobar is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of LatinaMedia.Co, a digital publication uplifting Latina and gender non-conforming Latinx perspectives in media. She came to that work with more than a decade of experience working on feminist causes across the United States. Today, she is a regular contributor to POPSUGAR and Roger Ebert with bylines in outlets such as the A.V. Club, Glamour, NPR, Refinery29, Remezcla, TODAY, and Vulture. Cristina is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association and a Rotten-Tomatoes-approved critic. When she’s not opining on the state of Latinx representation in print, on the radio, or at live events, she’s loving life in Santa Fe, NM with her spouse, two kids, and rescue dog.

Crystal Kim

Language Expert and Author

Crystal's passion lies in revolutionizing language education globally. As a foreign student from Korea who majored in history, Crystal felt limited by her writing abilities, which led to deep frustration and shame. Her experiences and those of her peers became the driving force to address what is missing in the typical language instruction. Through extensive research spanning two generations and 60 years, Crystal authored 16 internationally patented publications employing machine learning techniques. Her vision is to establish a comprehensive global database of language learners' challenges, primarily drawn from valuable data provided by Korean students. Alongside her book publications, Crystal has actively participated in international academic conferences like Asia TEFL and speaking engagements across Korea, China, Japan, and Vietnam. Crystal currently serves as a radio speaker for 'Frankly Speaking' on Dallas Korea Net AM 730, catering to the Korean American community.

Elizabeth Markle

Psychologist + Innovator

Dr. Elizabeth Markle is a licensed psychologist, speaker, writer, researcher, and Associate Professor of Community Mental Health at California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Open Source Wellness, an national nonprofit innovating experiential behavioral health and wellness models via a "Community As Medicine" approach with clinical, insurer, government, and community partners. Dr. Markle earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University and her M.A. from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She trained at Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard University and at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. Dr. Markle is a thought leader in the fields of psychological upstreamism, clinic-community integration, intentional community, belonging, and social design for human wellbeing. She is committed to generating vitality, vulnerability, and humanity in her speaking, facilitation, writing, and leadership!

Kelli Melissa Reinhardt

Founder of BCC Evolution

Kelli Melissa Reinhardt, Founder of BCC Evolution, is a Warrior for Mental Health and has dedicated her life to save as many lives as possible by normalizing the conversation around mental health and suicide. After losing her middle sister to a completed suicide in 2017, she founded BCC Evolution, a mental health and suicide awareness nonprofit which is on a mission to ACE; increase Awareness, cultivate Conversation, and provide Education. Kelli is a Mental Health Speaker, Educator, Author and ICF Certified Mental Wellness Coach. She has a B.A. in Communication, minor in Psychology, NLP Master Practitioner, Trainer and Consultant certifications from Worldwide Institutes of Neuro Linguistic Programming, certified as an Adult, Youth and Teen instructor for Mental Health First Aid. She is the host of 'Make Mental Health Matter' TV Show and has been featured in Authority Magazine, Brainz 500 Global and many more which can be found on her media page at BCC Evolution.

Lachi Music

Recording Artist and Cultural Activist

As a globally touring performer, charting recording artist and award-winning cultural activist, Lachi uses her platforms in music, fashion and storytelling to amplify Disability Culture and identity pride. Founder of U.N. recognized RAMPD.org – a professional network of music creators and industry workers with disabilities – Lachi serves on several boards, including the GRAMMYs, to advocate for accessibility and inclusion in the music industry. She's twice collaborated with PBS to amplify disabled icons and has appeared in national ads amplifying accessible tech for companies like Google, MasterCard and others. Her NYU Masters thesis assessing recording industry accessibility was peer-reviewed in the 2023 Audio Engineering Society convention. Named a “new champion in advocacy” by Billboard, Lachi's held talks with the White House, BBC, UN and Fortune 100's and been featured in Essence, Forbes, Good Morning America and NYTimes for her unapologetic celebration of disability pride.

Lisa Smith

Certified Family Recovery Coach - Founder, Reclaim and Recover - Family Recovery Services

Lisa Smith is a Certified Family Recovery Coach and Masters level teacher who made a shift in career after her son struggled with Substance Use Disorder. When Lisa realized that the traditional support models of helping families struggling with substance use disorder were not effective in her family, she focused on her own personal recovery as a way to connect with her son and support him better. Lisa is the founder of Reclaim and Recover-Family Recovery Services, a comprehensive support organization for families on the journey of loving someone struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. She has developed a process of “Parallel Recovery” to empower families to become an actionable part of the solution to substance use disorder. Her primary goal is to support families to honor both themselves and their loved one with compassion and connection, and to empower families with the tools of sustainability needed to support their loved one and invite change.

Lumière Bukasa

Storyteller/Writer

Lumiere Bukasa, a writer and storyteller from the Democratic Republic of Congo, empowers people to own their stories and the confidence that comes with it. She founded Education For Afrika, a nonprofit that helps women and children in war-torn African countries recover. Lumiere also inspires leaders to own their voices and stories, fostering a community of compassion. Her compelling narrative skills have touched lives worldwide, promoting unity and understanding. Lumiere's work, spanning from her book and speaking engagements, has made her a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change.

Mary Grant

Fashion Designer & Coach

"Mary Grant is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and coach with over three decades of experience running her own business. Her passion for helping women show up as their most authentic selves led her to create the revolutionary Style Archetype Formula, which has impacted the lives of hundreds of women. Mary understands that the most important relationship a woman can have is the one she has with herself. But, she has seen all the places where life’s curveballs can sideswipe a woman’s confidence Through her TEDx talk, ""The Art Of Empowered Dressing,"" she'll take you on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and empowerment, revealing the secrets behind this ground-breaking formula which helps every woman to step out of her bedroom every morning, effortlessly feeling like the most empowered version of herself. "

Michelle Adams

Attorney and Author

Michelle Adams is a seasoned attorney, speaker, coach and newly titled author. Michelle is passionate about helping people live their lives purposefully with a focus on establishing their personal legacy. This passion is conveyed during her numerous community presentations and further reflected in her first book entitled, “Family Strong – 7 Gifts For A Lasting Legacy”. She is the founder of Hello Legacy, a training and personal development company and the Law Office of Michelle Adams, LLC where she serves families, in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning and family legacy planning. Michelle volunteers her time with several organizations including the The Denver Foundation, Colorado Legal Services and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. As a wife and mother, she is dedicated to championing organizations that support and empower women and children. But most importantly, that strengthen families.

Michelle Lucero

“She’s just a small town girl” …who has been urgent for years… as a community champion, C-Suite Executive, a motivational speaker, Executive Coach, mentor, mother, corporate board member, consultant, and adventurer.

Michelle Lucero lives life with urgency. She’s just a small-town girl that... is a community champion, C-Suite Executive for a prestigious system of health, Children’s Hospital Colorado (chief administrative officer, general counsel, and chief flashmob officer) a motivational speaker, coach, mentor, mother, corporate board member, consultant, and adventurer… Michelle is a true believer that we have an obligation to give back to our community and the world. She is able to do and accomplish all she is blessed to do, both locally and globally, because she is a person who lives life with urgency. Michelle also has a consulting business (Edgefinders, LLC) and is writing two books – the first on embracing milestones and the second on authentic leadership.

Michelle Pruitt

Director of Engineering Strategy and Planning

Michelle Pruitt, commonly known as "Pruitt," is a Director of Engineering Strategy and Planning at Microsoft, leading technological innovations. Recognized for her sharp insights into AI's nexus with neurocuriosity™, her contributions have been celebrated on the TEDx platform. She is a fervent advocate for AI's strategic evolution and the future workforce as a force of personal and professional empowerment. Pruitt leverages her significant corporate achievements as a sought-after executive coach and advisor to Career Climb, championing women in tech. Committed to data ownership and privacy, Pruitt is a board advisor to Women in Cloud working to shaping industry standards, safeguarding user rights, and promoting ethical tech practices. Additionally, Pruitt makes her mark in the entertainment sphere as an executive movie producer.

Nancy Sharp

Story Muse + Life Letters Coach + Author + Speaker

Nancy Sharp is an author, storyteller, speaker, and Life Letters coach. She is passionate about helping others share meaningful life experiences as a legacy for loved ones and to foster greater resilience, well-being, and purpose today. Hard-won wisdom led Nancy on this path, as told in her award-winning memoir Both Sides Now: A True Story of Love, Loss, and Bold Living. Nancy holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction and has been published in several essay anthologies; articles, essays, columns, and letters of hers have appeared in The New York Times, AARP’s The Ethel, Next Avenue, The Huffington Post, and elsewhere. She has guest lectured at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, The New School, and New York's 92nd Street Y. Nancy works with corporate and nonprofit groups large and small, as well as private clients. A certified instructor in Guided Autobiography, Nancy teaches storytelling and Life Letters workshops online, and at numerous events and retreats.

Rebecca Chopp

Alzheimer's Activist

Rebecca Chopp, PhD, is an Alzheimer's activist and educator. Chopp co-founded Voices of Alzheimer's and serves on the Board of the National Alzheimer's Association. She is a frequent speaker and writer on Alzheimer's. Chopp's book, ""Still Me: Accepting Alzheimer’s without Losing Yourself,"" will be published in 2024. Before Chopp's diagnosis with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's in 2019, she was a widely published author, editor, and renowned academic. Chopp served as the 18th and first female chancellor of the University of Denver. She has also served as president of Swarthmore College and Colgate University, of Provost at Emory University, and of Dean of Divinity at Yale University. Chopp defies the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s by living with joy. Her goal is to help everyone understand that those with this disease can find ways to contribute and flourish.

Sarah Banker

Singer/Songwriter

Sarah Banker is a singer/songwriter based in the mountains of Colorado. Sarah’s educational background in Cultural Anthropology, Interpersonal Communications, Hypnotherapy and her life experiences have inspired her music to be a source of light and love through sound.

Simone Ross

Workforce inclusivity and integrative change agent

"Simone D. Ross, a transformative leader rooted in Denver, CO, champions gender equity and authentic leadership. As CEO of the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation, Simone strives to make Colorado a haven for women in business. Her belief in authentic leadership shapes her work, fostering inclusive environments where communities flourish. Founder of Simone D. Ross, LLC, and CEO of SDR Events, she also leads Youth United University, nurturing future change-makers. Simone's accolades include ""Outstanding Women in Business"" and ""40 Under 40"" by Denver Business Journal. Simone's academic pursuits led her to earn a Master of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University. Simone serves on boards like Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, underscoring her community commitment. Inspired by her children, Gavin and Zoe, Simone exemplifies how genuine leadership can drive equitable change and inspire human thriving.

Téaghan Ferguson

Youth Mental Health Activist

Téaghan Ferguson is a 17 year old youth suicide prevention activist, school and community leader, curious researcher, Girl Scout, musician, and high school student from Littleton, Colorado. For the last 7 years, she’s been a huge advocate for youth suicide education and prevention in her school district and at a legislative level and she’s been a part of multiple organizations that deal with this important issue we all face. Téaghan loves to play the piano and cello. She’s her school’s National Honor Society President and Technology Student Association Vice President. In her spare time, she can be found lost in a novel or even writing her own. She has also emceed the last two TEDx2CherryCreekYouth events and now sits on the Youth Board as Vice president. Téaghan has a passion for science and medicine and is currently taking her CNA certification and hopes to attend Med School.

Wendy Steele

Expert Philanthropist, Bestselling Author, + Speaker

Wendy Steele is the Founder of Impact100, a grassroots global movement in women’s philanthropy. Since it began in 2001, Impact100 chapters have invested over $140 million in local nonprofits, growing through every economic cycle. Wendy Steele’s work in philanthropy has been included in several books and celebrated with many awards including Forbes inaugural 50 over 50 list of women leading in impact, and the prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service. Author of Invitation to Impact: Lighting the Path to Community Transformation, Steele inspires readers to increase their impact through generosity. The importance of giving back with the intent to leave the world a little better than she found it was instilled in her from a young age. She observes that there are two kinds of people: those who see the problems in the world and realize they can be a part of the solution and those who still need to be invited to the party.