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).

The Cavalier Cinema
104 Main Street West
Cavalier, North Dakota, 58220
United States

Chelsey Wald

Farmer, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Makeup Artist

Chelsey is a small town farm girl turned entrepreneur. From leaving her job in the beauty industry to becoming her husband’s right hand on the farm while keeping the things that brought her JOY alive!

Eva Robinson

North Dakota’s only current competitive dog musher; business owner; motivational speaker

Eva Robinson is currently the only competitive sled dog musher in the state of North Dakota. When she was 5 years old, Eva decided she wanted to run the Jr Iditarod, a 150 mile race through the wilderness of Alaska. To make her dream a reality, Eva started her own dog treat business in 2014 when she was 8 years old. At the age of 15, Eva completed her goal of running the Jr Iditarod, however the race was modified due to warm weather and was not considered an official qualifying race. Determined not to quit on her dream, in 2024 Eva returned to Alaska and completed the race in 19th place and officially conquered her childhood dream. She currently has 24 sled dogs and plans to run the full Iditarod in the future.

Frank White

Retired UND Sociology Professor

Frank White recently retired after a forty year teaching career filled with numerous awards, international teaching and a host of regional and national speaking presentations. He spent the last thirty-four years as a sociology professor at the University of North Dakota and before that was an instructor at Lake Region Community College in Devils Lake. Frank taught a variety of sociology classes that included sociology of sport, drugs and society, social problems and introduction to sociology. Frank continues to share his critical insights at various high schools, colleges and community organizations on topics that deal with current drugs of concern, community leadership, self-growth and athletics and academics. Frank has been named the University of North Dakota’s “Professor of the Year” on two separate occasions. He has also earned numerous academic and service awards.

Ginny Priem

Keynote Speaker & #1 Bestselling Author

With over two decades of leadership experience in the corporate world, Ginny Priem is not only a dynamic and captivating motivational speaker and a #1 bestselling author, but also hosts the popular Drinking With Gin podcast, and holds a certification in life coaching at the mastery level. In her #1 best selling book, You’re My Favorite, she shares the true story of her own personal traumatic end of a romantic relationship with a shocking twist -- the man she thought was living in her house turned out to not be the man she thought he was at all. This harrowing experience sent her on her own path of healing and growing. In discovering her own path forward, she created GINpath, which is the path that she developed, tested and implemented and shares in her most recent book, I'm My Favorite: A Guided Journal for Your Path Forward, to help others in growing through adversity.

James Zorn

Chairman and CEO of M25 Ministries

James believes in lifelong learning and making a positive impact in our communities. He considers himself a mission-based servant leader, always seeking opportunities for growth and personal development. His passion lies in sharing knowledge and wisdom with his teams, both in professional and personal settings. A North Dakota native born in Bottineau, he spent his formative years in Cavalier, where he completed grades K through 12, graduating from high school in 1985. His quest for knowledge took him to Mesa Community College, the University of Tennessee, and Arizona State University for his post-secondary education. He is a Registered Nurse with an MBA and a master's in health administration. His leadership journey has taken him through various roles. As a community activist, he has dedicated countless hours to volunteering in every place he has called home. Throughout his life, he has served on and chaired numerous local and state-level organizations.

Jim Springer

Retired - Business Executive

Jim Springer is a retired business leader, passionate about rural America and its unleashed potential. Growing up on a farm in Illinois, being an entrepreneur and holding leadership roles in a multi-national technology arm of a large agricultural company during his career, give him unique insight into the reason why technology is not only critical to rural America’s success but also the key to laying the groundwork for a thriving rural America that leads the world into defining solutions for generations to come.

Kari Helgoe

Extension Agent with NDSU Extension Pembina County / Family Community Wellness

Kari is a Cooperative Extension educator and an adventure-seeker. Professionally, her adventure allows her to work with individuals, families and communities; helping them discover and explore new avenues that give them the ability to thrive in their lives and make their neighborhoods vibrant. She is fascinated by new people, new experiences and living every day of her life. Kari’s greatest passion is to help people find their spark and give them the necessary tools to prompt them into action. Any action. She strives to recognize the gifts in people and propel them to make an impact in the world around them. To be a difference maker. In their own health, within their families, where they work or play, for their communities and for the future. For growth. For pure joy. Her professional career has seen her wear a variety of hats and titles involving family, community and wellness in one form or another; giving her life lessons and wrinkles galore.

Peter Loewen

Owner of Country Cycle & Ski Inc.

Peter is an avid cyclist and community builder who owns and operates a small bicycle business in Winkler, Manitoba. His passion for the sport has allowed him to be a significant voice and at the forefront of the cycling culture in Manitoba. Through his small shop Peter organizes four different bike races, is affiliated with two others, and runs a successful kids bike program called, “Kids of Mud.” He has also developed his own race program called, “Prairie Fire Racing.” A team represented by the fastest cycling dads in the province. A team of which, at age 47 and a father of two under age 10, he is proud to be a part of. Being in the most creative and motivated time of his life (a self-assessed observation), 2024 will mark a new era for Peter and the Country Cycle brand. After 15 years of focusing his energy on growing and sharing his passion with the “local market,” Peter is shifting his focus and building inroads to the indigenous communities of Manitoba.

Rebecca Undem

Executive Director of Growing Small Towns

Rebecca Undem has always been passionate about two things: people and talking to people. As an inspirational speaker, community advocate, and host of the podcast “The Growing Small Towns Show,” she’s put her gift of gab to good use. As Founder and Executive Director of Growing Small Towns, a regional non-profit organization, Rebecca helps the communities in southeast North Dakota be places people love to call home through programs that grow their human, social, and cultural capital. Not one to let people down, Rebecca still lives up to her childhood label of drama queen. She binges on Netflix shows, coffee, and anything that makes her feel verklempt—her self-declared favorite feeling. Rebecca went against her youthful declarations and married a farmer, Jeremiah, and together, they have three amazing kids: Andrew, Carter, and Brynlee. They love their small town and the crazy-good life they get to live there.

Tara Emerson

Farm Wife, Mom, Photographer and Author

Tara Emerson is a dynamic individual whose eclectic life experience has shaped her into a career that is deeply rooted in the rich soil of agricultural tradition. With nearly two decades of experience as a farm wife, devoted mother, and farm business manager, Tara exemplifies the essence of resilience, dedication, and passion that defines the farming community. As a proud mother of four and an integral part of her family's farming operation for almost 20 years, Tara's journey into agriculture began when she was three years old, riding in the tractor with her grandfather. She and her husband proudly carry on the legacy of being fifth-generation farmers. Their dedication to upholding traditional values while embracing innovation reflects Tara's belief in the importance of learning from the past while looking towards the future, while embracing the challenges and rewards of farm life with unwavering commitment and a boundless love for the land.