Theme: Hidden No More

TEDxEscondido looks to unite a community with ideas worth spreading, knowing that those best suited to solve an issue are the ones closest to it, here is your platform for hope. With the theme of “Hidden No More” we will empower our speakers to talk about truth and ideas for change, despite how uncomfortable they may be.

California Center for the Arts, Escondido - Center Theater
340 North Escondido Boulevard
Escondido, California, 92025-2600
United States

Alin Sotelo

Hispanic LGBTQ+ Advocate

Alin Sotelo is 17 and a recent graduate of San Marcos High School, where she participated in Color Guard, AVID, ASB, and the Equity Student Coalition at the San Marcos School District. She is passionate about advocating for students that share similar backgrounds being first-generation Hispanic and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Alin uses her personal journey to inspire all with the idea that "Yes, failure sucks, but there is a light at the end that will help you." Alin aspires to attend a four-year university to study health psychology.

Bill Toone

Conservation Biologist

Bill Toone is an internationally recognized conservation biologist. He developed many of the techniques that lead to the highly publicized and groundbreaking recovery of the California condor. He has led biological expeditions through the rainforests of Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon, and many other remote areas. Over the last 30 years, a great deal of Bill’s work has been focused on the conservation of the monarch butterfly. Bill has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, worked on wildlife films with Olivia Newton-John, and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Osgood. Bill is a winner of the 2023 AARP Purpose Prize, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, founder of ECOLIFE Conservation, and the author of "On the Wings of the Condor."

Bob and Kate Carpenter

Restaurant Owners

Kate and Bob are the owners of Sunny Side Kitchen in historic downtown Escondido. Recently named the #3 place to eat in the nation by Yelp, Sunny Side Kitchen is a small, off-the-beaten-path panini shop that set out from the beginning to be just different enough and connect the community through food and friendship. This is not the first career for Kate or Bob; they started out as journalists. That background was key to their ability to talk to people, ask for help, and collaborate with experts in order to achieve the success they have experienced.

Carol Rogers

Glass Artist

Carol has built her network and developed her personal mission while working alongside her husband in his Escondido based art glass studio and gallery, “Stone and Glass." Previously, she was VP of Operations at Progressive Technology, VP at TMP Services and Western Region VP of Operations with WMI Services. This experience is the base for Carol’s team building and collaborative approach to leading projects and making things happen. Early in Carol’s professional career, she also owned a retail travel agency specializing in honeymoon destinations and co-hosted a caller-driven radio talk show, “Travel Talk” on KFBK in Sacramento.

Daja Marks

MindFull Mover

Daja Marks has always been driven by her unique life experiences and heritage. Navigating the intricate space between her Black and Samoan roots, Daja's journey has been both figurative and literal, shaped by her deep connections to her Samoan, Rotuman, and Black ancestry. Growing up amidst the vibrant Filipino diaspora in Oceanside, Daja was raised in a Filipino home, enriching her multicultural upbringing. Studying Sociology and Critical Race Theory at Cal State San Marcos, Daja also explored the world of film, recognizing art's power to bridge cultural divides. Her personal journey through visual art, film, and dance laid the foundation for MindFull Movement.

David Zumaya

Marketing Advisor

David is a marketing advocate for the community. His passion is bringing the community together and sharing the best of San Diego North County with his online directory and social media channels. As a former banker, marketing representative, and photographer, David combines his experience to deliver marketing services to his clients, including working with the Small Business Development Center as a business advisor and community outreach. At the age of 50, David returned to complete his master’s degree in Internet Marketing. This allowed him to complete his goal of being a college and university professor. David has served in many roles with the local chamber of commerce from Escondido to Oceanside, managing digital marketing, being the membership director, and supporting local businesses. This experience is how he created My San Diego North County community and business directory and the very popular Cafecito Business Networking events.

Jennifer Oliver

Artistic Director

Jennifer Oliver earned a B.A. in Dance at U.C. Irvine and a M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy from The European Graduate School. Teaching dance was her first career choice and still is. Along the way, she became an arts education administrator, providing and advocating for access to quality arts instruction for all. Jennifer is the co-founder of several collective impact and community initiatives including Arts Empower, the Arts Education Resources Organization (AERO), the San Diego Teaching Artist Institute, the Teaching Artist Support Collaborative (now TAG), the Carrie Anne Fipps Memorial Scholarship, and The San Diego Youth Dance Festival. Jennifer is the Artistic Director of A Step Beyond, a creative youth development organization providing dance, academic and counseling services to youth. She has certifications in somatic movement, leadership, youth in nature, dance therapy, and youth development.

Jennifer Schoeneck

Economic Development Director

Jennifer Schoeneck, Director of Economic Development for the City of Escondido, is a leader in bringing tech-forward and innovative approaches to local government. Drawing on her extensive experience in the private sector, Jennifer has successfully translated best practices into public administration, achieving significant efficiencies and enhanced service delivery for businesses, residents, and visitors. Recognized with several awards for innovative program design, Jennifer has created process improvements within local government to better serve the public. Her recent accomplishments include spearheading the region’s inaugural AgTech Startup Program, adopting the city’s first public art strategic work plan, streamlining business license processing, and leading policy design for short-term rentals and commercial building vacancies.

Kelly Lewis

Brain Injury Survivor

Kelly Lewis is an author, model, business resource group leader, mother, and traumatic brain injury (PPCS) survivor. Her story resonates with audiences from all walks of life. With over two decades of leadership experience, she has honed her ability to inspire and motivate others through her unique perspective and unwavering sense of humor. Kelly’s captivating storytelling and authentic approach make her a sought-after speaker, leaving a last impact on every audience she addresses.

Pako Pablos

Mixed Media Artist

Known for his contemporary style, mixed media artist Pako Pablos is recognized internationally for his stylistic approach by industry and social icons. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Pablos showed an early interest in artisanship, winning awards in state youth art shows for his drawings and paintings. Growing up, his career initially focused on his talents in basketball, playing in tournaments until after college, eventually becoming a center and power forward for his country on the National team. Following his athletic career, he moved on to do print and runway modeling before eventually choosing to pursue his true passion for the arts. His work has been featured internationally in art shows and exhibitions; on film, television and in print media; and through growing prominence in his social media following.

Paul Tseng

Cellist

Cellist Paul Tseng has performed as a soloist, recitalist, orchestral, and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and South Africa in concert halls such as Avery Fischer Hall, Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Cairo Royal Opera House in Egypt, The Royal Cultural Center in Amman, Jordan. The second cellist ever to be awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the Peabody Conservatory (Johns Hopkins University), Paul specialized in the cello music of Prokofiev. He also holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from the Juilliard School. He has held various faculty positions in New York, Maryland, West Virginia, New York, and Washington D.C. Paul is a founding member of the Logos Trio and the artistic director of the San Diego Music Society.

Rachel Heslin

Social Psychologist

Rachel S. Heslin has been fascinated by social psychology for decades, exploring how the interactions between groups and individuals can affect our identity and experience. Rachel is currently the author of two books: "Navigating Life: 8 Different Strategies to Guide Your Way" and "Rituals of Release: How to Make Room for Your New Life." Her work through her company, The Fullness of Your Power, helps people embrace not only themselves, but all the complexity of Life itself.

Richard Marks

Business Owner

Richard is a seasoned professional and the owner of RDM Management Group, a distinguished training company founded in 2014. RDM Management Group, a proud veteran-owned enterprise, specializes in a comprehensive array of training services, encompassing leadership skills, diversity, equity, inclusion with emotional intelligence, professional development, performance coaching, sales training, conflict resolution, and assessments. With a robust background that spans over 30 years, Richard’s professional journey has taken him from an individual contributor to mid-level management and finally, to senior leadership roles across various corporate settings. This extensive corporate experience has instilled in him a profound grasp of strategic thinking and tactical execution, equipping him with the ability to establish meaningful connections with audiences on a global scale.

Rick Najera

Broadway Playwright

Rick Najera is an award-winning screenwriter, actor, director, producer, sketch comedian, author, playwright with an expansive portfolio of credits in all forms of entertainment. He has received numerous industry awards for his work. From starring in films with Sidney Poitier, George Clooney and most recently Mario Lopez, to writing sketch comedy for Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx, Najera is best known for starring on Broadway in his award-winning, self-penned stageplay, Latinologues, directed by comedy legend Cheech Marin. Najera is only one of three Latinos to ever write and star in their own play on Broadway.

Roger Rolim de Moura

Coach

Roger Rolim de Moura, born in Curitiba, Brazil, is a multifaceted individual currently residing in Escondido. He is an entrepreneur, author, coach, and motivational speaker with a rich background in human development, coaching, and leadership. Roger passionately manages his own business, while actively contributing to well-being of youth and families. His expertise extends to promoting values through courses and seminars on effective communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationships.

Royce Escobar

Elementary Student

Royce Escobar attends Conway Academy of Expeditionary Learning. She has been honored with many academic and citizenship awards such as the EPIC Scholar Award and the YMCA Outstanding Attitude Award. Last year, she had the opportunity to develop her public speaking skills as an Ambassador CREW Leader at his school, where she gave numerous tours to visitors, educational leaders, and teachers from all over the country. She also had the opportunity to speak to the district, advocating for improved waste management systems in district schools. She is grateful for these experiences because she has learned not to let her fears get in the way of trying new things and that we can accomplish anything to which we put our minds. Outside of school, she loves making music, playing the trumpet, recorder, and piano, riding bikes, swimming, camping, and all things outdoors. Most of all, she loves to laugh and make others laugh with her jokes and pranks.

Steve Dilley

Executive Director

Steve Dilley, MFA, Executive Director of the Veterans Art Project, was moved after 9/11 to help Veterans, Active Duty and spouses through artmaking. Steve has a MFA in Ceramics from California State Fullerton. Steve is a former Art/Sculpture/Ceramics adjunct professor at Grossmont College in El Cajon. When not walking on the beach and cooking for his family, Steve manages the day to day operations at the VETART School of Ceramics and Glass in Vista.

Tad Seth Parzen

President and CEO

Tad Seth Parzen is the President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, which he co-founded alongside longtime civic leader Malin Burnham in 2021. The Burnham Center seeks to create a thriving future for our region through building collaborative efforts to solve problems and maximize our opportunities. Tad is well known for his long-standing commitment to community and civic causes, and expertise in collaborative community development. With extensive executive experience in the legal, education, philanthropy, government, and nonprofit sectors, he brings a unique and multi-faceted perspective to his work. Tad was named a 2023 Nonprofit CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal and the 2023 Champion for Community & Education at IQ Podcasts’ Annual San Diego Academia Awards.

Taylor Bratton

Nonprofit Director

Taylor Bratton is a marine social ecologist committed to the sustainable management of marine ecosystems and the advocacy for the rights of small-scale fishing communities. As the founder and director of Sea Collective, a research-driven non-profit, Taylor leads initiatives aimed at integrating the traditional knowledge of tropical fishing communities into conservation strategies to create resilient marine protected areas in the face of climate change. Holding a master’s degree in marine ecology, Taylor's award-winning research and fieldwork before the age of 26 include the design and management of three marine protected areas across the globe. Her research in the Philippines and Belize have informed equitable fisheries regulations and underscored the connection between human and ecological health.

Zander Chan

Elementary Student

Zander Chan enjoys soccer, video games, and the epic adventures of One Piece. Beyond the virtual battles and on-field victories, one of the most fulfilling chapters of his life was his time as part of the leadership crew at Conway Academy, known as Ambassadors. As an Ambassador, he had the privilege of welcoming newcomers to the school, sharing its spirit, and leading informational tours. Beyond the school gates, he seized opportunities to speak at notable events hosted by Escondido Unified School District, amplifying the school's voice in the community. Along the way, he has been honored with awards for his athleticism, dedication as an Active Citizen, and academic achievements as a Scholar at Conway. Excited for the next chapter of adventures, both on and off the field!