Theme: Community Spirit

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).

Barrington Area Library
505 N. Northwest Highway
Barrington, Illinois, 60010
United States

Bob Lee

Speaker / Founder, Ride for 3 Reasons

Bob Lee was honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Award-for the contributions he made to raising funds and awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS), cancer and hospice care. In 2001, Lee organized his first cross-country RIDE to benefit ALS research and hospice programs; he rode more than 3,200 miles from California to Florida. In 2007, Lee completed a second RIDE up the east coast and across the northern border of the United States. He cycled 6,500 miles and raised almost $500,000. In 2012, Lee embarked on the RIDE for 3 Reasons. His trip began in Vancouver and ended in Mexico. He peddled over 2,000 miles and raised over $875,000 for the Les Turner ALS Foundation, American Cancer Society, National Hospice Foundation, and Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Illinois. When Bob isn't planning his next ride or supporting ALS, cancer, or hospice; he devotes his energy to several volunteer boards and committees that support conservation, biking, and his community.

Courtney Quigley

Speaker / Co-founder of Hope's In and college student

Courtney Quigley is a junior at New York University studying Nonprofit Organization Management with a minor in Spanish. Since the age of ten, Quigley has been traveling internationally to do service work with her family. Inspired by all that she saw and experienced abroad, Quigley and her twin sister, Ashley, went on to co-found a nonprofit, Hope's In in 2012. Hope's In works in the Guatemala City garbage dump communities through a partnership with Potter's House Association. Hope's In builds homes, runs medical clinics and sports camps for the local families. Quigley and her family remain active in the leadership of Hope's In and continue to dream big for the communities there. In the future Quigley hopes to work and live full time in Guatemala.

Dr. Brian Harris

Speaker / Superintendent of Barrington 220 School District in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Ill.

Dr. Brian Harris is superintendent of the Barrington 220 School District in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Ill. His leadership of this nationally recognized public school system began May 30, 2014. Before joining Barrington 220, Dr. Harris was an administrator with several respected large suburban school districts in the Chicago area. He was superintendent of School District 200 in Wheaton-Warrenville and was an area superintendent of Secondary Education for School District 303 in St. Charles. He was also a junior high school principal in Mt. Prospect and a middle school assistant principal and curriculum coordinator in Barrington. He began his career as a classroom teacher, coach and assistant principal for schools in Yorkville and Waterman. Dr. Harris earned his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and his master’s and doctoral degrees in educational leadership from Northern Illinois University of DeKalb, Ill.

Joyce Palmquist

Speaker / Executive Director of Barrington Area Council on Aging

Joyce Palmquist is the executive director of the Barrington Area Council on Aging, the primary organization serving Barrington-area seniors, their family caregivers and the community. Joyce has been BACOA’s executive director since 1995; before that she was community relations representative for the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and social services director for the McHenry County Senior Citizens Council. She has spoken on aging issues and intergenerational programming to the Workers in Aging Conference, the Chicago Association for the Education of Young Children Conference, and, most recently, the American Society on Aging Conference. She’s a member of the Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club, the Healthier Barrington Steering Committee, and the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. Joyce is especially interested in supporting caregivers and regularly co-facilitates BACOA’s six-week “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” course.