Theme: Against the Grain

Our event will showcase individuals and ideas that challenge the status quo and employ new approaches to longstanding community practices and issues. This event will make you think twice about how you look at the world and people in it. From turning adversity into creative growth to instigating a new normal, our speakers excel no matter their circumstance. Their example shows us how and why we should go against the grain.

7500 University Drive
Bismarck, North Dakota, 58503
United States

Cole Girodat

Student at the University of Mary

Cole Girodat is a Junior studying Music Performance, specializing in Voice from Kindred, ND. When not stuck in a practice room working on a new piece of music, Cole is probably socializing with friends, hitting a volleyball, or swinging a tennis racquet. In the future, Cole would love nothing more than to be performing professionally with The Metropolitan Opera or on a Broadway stage, but trusting God with his plans and is open to any opportunities that may come his way. He is extremely excited to be speaking at TEDx UMary because he knows in his heart, someone needs to hear his story. Having the opportunity to share his life experiences through a TED talk is beyond his wildest dreams, and is ecstatic about creating this work and sharing it. The greatest thing he wants people to gain from this event is a new perspective.

Colton Shoults

Serial Entrepreneur

Colton Shoults is a serial entrepreneur who has started five businesses that continue to operate in four different industries. He resides in Bismarck, ND with his wife Samantha and newborn daughter Harper MaryAnn. In 2016, Colton graduated from the University of Mary with a Master of Science in Business (M.S.) and currently serves on the UMary alumni committee. A veteran of the U.S. Military, Colton proudly served his country for 7 years as a member of the ND Army National Guard. He is driven to understand the art of business and strives to make a positive impact to those around him on a daily basis.

Lorraine Davis

Executive Director of the Native American Development Center

When Lorraine Davis, a Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota, moved to the Bismarck metro area from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux reservation over 15 years ago, she came as a single parent without a college degree, and with addiction and economic challenges in search of a better life for herself and her son. Today, as an urban Indian leader, advocate for Native American needs and an educator of cultural competency, she initiated the 2016 Proclamation of First Nations Day for the city of Bismarck, which holds the largest urban Native American population in ND. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Native American Development Center, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation launched in January of 2014 to better serve Native Americans in North Dakota. She wants to enhance Native Americans’ capability to improve life for themselves and their families through cultural preservation and social-economic education and supportive services.

Marlo Anderson

Tech Guru

As host of the talk show, the Tech Ranch, the “Guru of Geek” Marlo Anderson has the privilege of interviewing many people who lead the world in innovation. This first-hand knowledge allows Marlo a unique perspective in emerging technology trends and hardware. This love of technology is also reflected in the companies he currently owns. This list is widely varied including Awesome 2 Products, Zoovio, Inc., Talking Trail, Pakkage, and National Day Calendar. Marlo is also heavily involved in his local and greater community. As a leader of the start-up culture in North Dakota, projects such as 1 Million Cups and StartUp Weekends are now taking place all over the state. He is currently leading the effort for the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame. He has also chaired the North Dakota Scenic Byway committee, the Mandan Independence Day Parade and many other smaller committees. Marlo and his wife Alice currently reside in Mandan, North Dakota.

Michael Buster

Student at the University of Mary

Michael Buster is a sophomore from Laurel, Montana. At eight months old, Michael was diagnosed with Pneumococcal Bacterial Meningitis, which caused him severe hearing loss. However, this has not impaired his ability to excel. He is in his second year at the University of Mary studying biology and pre-medicine. Michael’s competitive spirit and commitment to excellence has led him to be student athlete as he plays for the University of Mary Marauders Division II football team. A true Montanan, he loves spending time outdoors especially while fly-fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking. In his rare bit of free time, between football and rigorous academics, he enjoys connecting with the people he has met here at the University of Mary. His current plan for the future is become either be a pediatrician or a sports medicine physician.

Stacy Schaffer

31:8 Project Founder

Stacy L. Schaffer is the Founder of 31:8 Project, a cause against human trafficking. With a passion towards serving others, Stacy has dedicated much of her time towards advocating for human rights. In 2011, she was crowned Miss ND International and represented a platform on combating human trafficking. She currently serves as the president of the Farwest Rotary Club – Bismarck, board member for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition and Invisible Innocence. She continues to work with organizations including the North Dakota Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission and Soles4Souls. Stacy often credits her motivation, work ethic, and determination from growing up on a farm near the town of Wishek, North Dakota.