Theme: Awakening: Ideas on the Rise

Brilliant ideas can come from anywhere. They grow out of tech startups, universities, corner offices, and conference rooms. But these ideas also come from daydreams. From the heart. From a house down the street and the corner coffee shop.

With 2016 in the rear view, we look to inspiring people in and around Pittsburgh to lift our great city to new heights in 2017. Together, we will reach higher and elevate our consciousness, and we will do it together, with esteemed speakers and performers.

Byham Theater
101 6th Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
United States

Anna Voelker

Anna Voelker is a science communicator, NASA space weather forecaster, and astronomy accessibility advocate. She specializes in public outreach projects that are dedicated to making science accessible to people with disabilities. Anna has primarily worked with the National Federation of the Blind and with children on the autism spectrum. She passionately believes that all people deserve to know that there is more than just room for them in science; there is a need for them. Anna is currently earning a minor in Astrophysics and a Bachelor of Science in a self-designed program entitled Science Communication and Accessibility at The Ohio State University.

Bill Strickland

Bill Strickland leads Manchester Bidwell Corporation, which provides diverse programming to create empowering educational environments for young adults. This Corporation yielded the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, which promotes a national model for education, culture, and hope through MCG Youth & Arts and MCG Jazz. The former provides classes and workshops in ceramics, photography, digital imaging, and design, while the latter is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting jazz. Bill is replicating the Corporation's model throughout the country to help people form relationships and change the way we see one another, and the world around us.

Chris "#2" Barker

Chris “#2” Barker is a songwriter, performer, and activist. Ten records, millions of Spotify and YouTube streams, hundreds of thousands of record sales later, he and internationally known punk band Anti-Flag continue to make music with a message of social justice. Chris’ musical and artistic endeavors are a rallying cry for those with no voice against fascism, racism, and inequality in favor of hope, empathy, and solidarity. Chris doesn’t speak truth to power; he shouts it at the top of his lungs. Chris has also produced several albums for the record label he helped to found: A-F Records.

Dianna Feng

Dianna Feng is a consumer insights strategist, where she applies her training in neuroscience and passion for social science to marketing and branding. As a first generation Chinese-American, she has always been interested in the nexus of socio-cultural differences and mental health, exploring its influence on all aspects of life. From shaping larger personal outlooks and societal perceptions, to coloring even the most quotidian of experiences. Her unique perspective on the habits, beliefs, and principles that develop from different sociocultural backgrounds helps her formulate a deeper understanding of the unconscious motivations behind consumer thoughts and behaviors.

Eman Eltigani

Eman Eltigani is qualitative research and development communication professional who has worked with UNICEF, UN Habitat, BBC Media Action, the International Bar Association, and the British Foreign Office. In her work with diverse clients, Eman has promoted on-the-ground dialogue with diverse groups of people living through multiple challenges, including Internally Displaced People (IDPs), refugees, human right activists, and vulnerable groups. Eman uses media to advocate for the education of vulnerable women and children discussing sensitive issues such as Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C), Early Marriage, and human rights.

Hannah Du Plessis

Hannah is a principal at Fit Associates, which develops and spreads methods for growing healthy, system-wide creative culture, and then applies those methods to organizations in need of transformation. Her work blends design, personal development, and the arts to help people create and become the change they seek. This blend stems from involvement in community leadership in South Africa, design and consulting experience in the US, Europe and Africa, and a keen interest in inside-out social change. Hannah's love for the creative process has manifested onto the stage where she presents, acts, and dances.

Jacquea Mae

Jacquea Mae is a singer, actress, and creative artist who cut her teeth at the funky (but now defunct) Shadow Lounge. Since then, Jacquea has expanded her reach to open mic events, theater productions, festivals, and many other venues throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. Jacquea starred in Black Pearl Sings, The Queens Of The Blues, Josh Gibson: The Black Babe Ruth, and other productions under the direction of the New Horizon Theater. In 2016, she released her first EP, The Makings of Me, and is releasing a solo album this summer titled, The Autobiography of Jacquea Mae. Jacquea also serves as a teaching artist at 1Hood Media and The Corner Pittsburgh, helping other voices soar.

Jeremiah Marcel

Jeremiah is a poet, spoken word artist, MC, and teacher. Known for his charismatic performances, Jeremiah shapes words to create lyrics that tap both the heart and the mind. At the University of Pittsburgh, Jeremiah wrote for Blackline, a publication of the Black Action Society, which led to performances on campuses throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Area. In addition to performing, Jeremiah works as an Assistant Coordinator for Arts Greenhouse, a hip-hop education program for high school youth at Carnegie Mellon University. This summer, Jeremiah is releasing an album with vocalist (and TEDxPittsburgh performer) Jacquea Mae titled, From The Shadows.

Julius Boatwright

Julius Boatwright is a Licensed Social Worker, Executive Director with the Will Allen Foundation, and the Founder of Steel Smiling. Through these various roles, Julius helps to counsel those in need, change lives in our schools and neighborhoods, and bridge the gap between mental health providers and community members. Julius and Steel Smiling create safe spaces for people to participate in workshops, trainings, and group conversations facilitated by mental health professionals. Julius was recognized for numerous distinguished awards, but what he truly cares about is for you to know that you are loved, valued, and appreciated.

Kelly Rabenstein Donohoe

Dr. Kelly Rabenstein Donohoe is a licensed psychologist and psychotherapist who focuses her work on the importance of making meaningful connections at home, work, and in the world based on awareness + education + empathy.

Kristi Woolsey

Kristi Woolsey is the Practice Lead for Creative Environments at MAYA, a design and technology innovation consultancy. She is a behavioral strategist specializing in the impact that the physical, digital, and cultural environment has on human behavior. Kristi began as a researcher focused on the influence physical environments have on behavior. She left academia to focus on discovering and defining the connections between environment, culture and outcome. She pulls together interdisciplinary teams to think deeply about the interaction between physical and virtual space, and explores the widest possible definition of “environment” in service of the client’s desired outcome.

Mila Sanina

Mila Sanina is the executive director of PublicSource, a non-profit media organization providing public-service journalism in Pittsburgh. Previously, she was the deputy managing editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where she led innovation in storytelling and integration of print and online operations. Before joining the Post-Gazette, Mila worked at The PBS Newshour and CNN International. Mila is a champion for powerful journalism without fear or favor, and strives to give voice to the voiceless. Mila is originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan, but Pittsburgh owns her heart.

Rich Venezia

Rich Venezia is a professional genealogist and founder of Rich Roots Genealogy, which specializes in 20th-century immigrant ancestry. Each day, Rich has the privilege of researching a different family's pursuit of the American dream. In his work as a professional genealogist, Rich has helped many families find their roots in Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Canada, the US, and many other countries. He was a member of the research team on Genealogy Roadshow for two seasons, and also consulted on the show Follow Your Past. Rich lectures nationwide, is a frequent blogger on various websites, and is President of the North Hills Genealogists in Pittsburgh.

Shinjini Kundu

Shinjini graduated from high school at age 16, earned a PhD at 25, and was named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40 in 2016. In her PhD work at Stanford, Shinjini employed machine learning that trained computers to detect patterns in medical images. That technology enables doctors to detect osteoarthritis three years before symptoms are evident. Shinjini is currently an MD-PhD scientist in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), a collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on medical diagnosis in the pre-disease stage when a patient is still asymptomatic. She is also an advocate for women and minorities in STEM professions.