Theme: Blueprint between X and Why

As we begin a process, there is always a starting point (x). We progress forward with a “blueprint,” or plan, to get to where we intend to go. Along the way, though, we learn new things about ourselves, our intentions, and sometimes come to a result nothing like we intended. This TEDx event will explore these concepts. Our selection of speakers will focus on the process, learning while doing, and how there are various and sometimes unknown paths to arrive at a destination (y). What's your blueprint?

Cook-DeWitt Center
1 Campus Dr
Allendale, Michigan, 49401
United States

Jared Demeester

Entrepreneur

Jared grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. While studying chemistry & jazz performance at Hope College (less of an accolade and maybe more of a badge of indecisiveness), he and his best pal, Bobo, founded a long board wheel company called “Sweet Spot Wheels.” Working alongside of Grand Rapids startup-initiative, Start Garden, Jared quickly grew a deep-seeded love for design & branding. Post-graduation, Jared attended Western Michigan University to pursue a masters in jazz performance. Having finished half of the program, Jared left in an effort to create a bit more headspace for prior & new entrepreneurial endeavors. After a return to Holland, Jared joined forces in founding the Michigan Academy of Folk Music, Stovetop Coffee Roasters, & launched a website of hand drawings under the moniker, I Tried My Best. He is now working each day in Holland, from a large wooden table, in a large & enchanted old home, learning things, drawing often, & being humbled by the newness of each venture.

Jimmy Tomczak

Founder, Inventor, and Author

Jimmy Tomczak lives to design, inspire and connect. As founder, inventor, and author, Jimmy helps doers do more, inspiring people to live their best life now. He’s launched multiple companies and was even selected to appear and taped for a primetime business pitch television show. His work is featured in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, CNN, Mashable, and more. Jimmy knows people matter most so he hosts themed gatherings that enable connection, collaboration and community. Jimmy graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Neuroscience and also completed the Program in Entrepreneurship. Jimmy likes boats, beaches, and adventuresome life in the sand and sun. When not traveling, he feels at home in Michigan by a lake. Connect at jimmytomczak.com or @inspirejimmy

Karen Evans

Attorney with a background in higher education and entrepreneurship

Karen Evans is an attorney with a background in higher education and entrepreneurship. She founded The Launch Professor and The Launch Professor @ Work in 2016 to provide support and coaching to women in their entrepreneurial and professional journeys. Karen is an adjunct faculty member at Lawrence Technological University and directs the university's Detroit Center for Design + Technology Design Accelerator in Midtown Detroit. Karen has experience teaching Entrepreneurship, Business Law, Rhetoric and, Management & Supervision. She has consulted with companies on employee culture and morale, and worked with entrepreneurs during their transition from solo firm to hiring employees and independent contractors. Karen is an Institute for Continuing Legal Education facilitator and panelist, a Lawrence Technological University Leaders & Innovators panelist, and has been featured on several news stations. Karen also runs Macaroni Kid Ferndale-Royal Oak, a hyperlocal website founded in 2013.

Marcus Collins

SVP of Social Engagement at Doner Advertising

Marcus Collins is a culturally curious thinker with an academic insight into the cognitive drivers that impact consumer behavior. He serves as the SVP of Social Engagement at Doner Advertising, a full-serve advertising agency, and is a recipient of Advertising Age's 40 Under 40 (2016) and Crain's Business Detroit's 40 Under 40 (2016). His strategies and creative contributions have led to the success of Budweiser’s “Made In America” music festival, the launch of Bud Light Platinum, the launch of the Brooklyn Nets (Hello Brooklyn!), and State Farm’s “Cliff Paul” campaign – to name a few. Prior to joining Doner, Marcus worked in marketing at Apple (iTunes Partner Marketing), ran digital strategy for Beyoncé, and led the social media practice at Translation, Steve Stoute’s full-service advertising agency in NYC. Marcus is also a lecturer of maketing at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He is a proud Detroit native, a devoted husband, and loving father.

Matthew Smith

Student at Grand Valley State University

Matt Smith is a pre-nursing student at Grand Valley State University. He graduated from Grandville High School in 2016, where he excelled in academics and athletics. Taking his passion of distance running too far, he struggled with serious health problems that subsequently led him pursue dumpster diving and food waste activism. His efforts have saved almost $40,000 worth of food and other products, which is nearly all donated to food pantries, low-income residences, and nursing homes, helping to feed and educate hundreds in the Grand Rapids area. Any revenue generated from his dumpster diving sales is donated to the Samuel Omogo Foundation.

Ryan Lafferty

Innovator, Creative Problem Solver and Professional Educator

Ryan is an innovator, creative problem solver and professional educator with a Master of Science in Communications Management from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. Ryan has over 20 years of experience managing, developing and delivering creative solutions to complex problems. His range of expertise includes marketing and public relations, design thinking, instructional design, e-commerce, corporate branding, market research and analysis, media training, internal communications, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility with an emphasis on health care, product innovation and higher education. Ryan works with teams to ignite creative thinking, design new products, enter new markets, explore company strategy, strengthen or redefine brands, evaluate new or existing processes, redefine how people learn and develop creative chemistry.

Shane Larson

Research Associate Professor of Physics at Northwestern University

Shane is a research associate professor of physics at Northwestern University, and an astronomer at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. He works in the field of gravitational wave astrophysics, specializing in studies of compact stars, binaries, and the galaxy. He works in gravitational wave astronomy with both the ground-based LIGO project, and the future space-based detector LISA. Shane grew up in eastern Oregon, and was an undergraduate at Oregon State University where he received his B.S. in Physics in 1991. He received a Ph.D. in theoretical physics (1999) from Montana State University. He is an award winning teacher, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He currently lives in the Chicago area with his wife, daughter and cats. He contributes regularly to a public science blog at writescience.wordpress.com, and tweets with the handle @sciencejedi.

Shannon Cohen

Founder, Principle of Shannon Cohen, Inc.

Shannon Cohen is the founder and principal of Shannon Cohen, Inc. [dba Community Ventures]. Shannon is an award-winning industry leader and sought-after strategist, innovator, and inspirational leader. Through Shannon Cohen, Inc. Shannon has served several entities including but not limited to, The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency, Kids Food Basket, Network180, Heartside Ministry, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Wyoming Public Schools, Camp Blodgett, and Project GREEN. Shannon is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation fellow and has received several awards for her work and service including a 2015 Grand Rapids Business Journal Influential Woman feature, the 2014 '40 Under Forty' Award, Rising Star Award from Our Community's Children, and the Local Champion and Hero Award from the Michigan Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking.