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).

St. Louis Science Center
St. Louis, Missouri
United States

RON SHAICH

Ron Shaich is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Panera Bread Company, where he previously served for over 25 years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Under Shaich’s leadership, Panera has been the singularly best performing restaurant stock when measured over the last decade and the second best performing consumer stock in America when measured over that same decade. Today, the company is the 8th largest restaurant company in the country, and operates or franchises over 1,400 bakery cafes in the United States and Canada.

M. ISABEL VALDÉS

M. Isabel Valdés is the principal of Isabel Valdés Consulting (IVC), a boutique consulting firm that provides strategic business development services to companies seeking to tap, expand and successfully penetrate “cultural markets.” She believes that in order to engage African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, Eastern Europeans and other growing consumer segments in the United States, one must develop and deploy culturally relevant marketing strategies.

ANDRE NORMAN

As an inmate in the Massachusetts penal system, Andre Norman rose to the top of the prison’s largest gang before deciding to take charge of his life and apply his talents to creating something positive. His fifteen year odyssey from gang leader to lecturer at Harvard University, featured speaker of the London Business School and nationally recognized youth advocate is testimony to the fact that the extraordinary is possible.

DAVID ROBERTSON

A consummate musician, masterful programmer, and dynamic presence, David Robertson has established himself as one of today’s most sought-after American conductors. A passionate and compelling communicator with an extensive knowledge of orchestral and operatic repertoire, he has forged close relationships with major orchestras around the world through his exhilarating music-making and stimulating ideas. In fall 2010, Robertson embarks on his sixth season as Music Director of the 131-year-old St. Louis Symphony, while continuing as Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, a post he has held since 2005.

JASON PONTIN

Jason Pontin is the editor in chief and publisher of Technology Review, a media company owned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology whose print and electronic media describe emerging technologies and explain their impact. As publisher and editor in chief, he is responsible for all the business and media of the world’s oldest technology publication. Under Pontin’s leadership, Technology Review has won many awards itself and has introduced a variety of important innovations to publishing.

DAVID STILLMAN

Succession, leadership, talent management, diversity, social media - name a hot topic in business today and you better bet generational gaps are getting in the way. Generational expert, David Stillman, brings the ideas, the energy, the multi-media, the entertainment value, and the business solutions that make him one of the most sought-after speakers today. David is co-author of the best-selling book, When Generations Collide and the recently-released, The M-Factor: How the Millennial Generation is Rocking the Workplace.

JIMMIE EDWARDS

St. Louis native, Judge Jimmie Edwards has been a circuit court judge for the past 18 years. Edwards is a firm believer that education, discipline and exposure to the broader world are the keys to success for every inner-city child. His ground-breaking work in the area of juvenile delinquency has made him one of the best-known and respected judges in Missouri as well as a much sought-after speaker and guest lecturer.