Theme: Creating Change Locally

TEDxLeonardtown is a one day event on September 9th, 2017 that highlights those who have created change on a local level with the mission to inspire others and share ideas. Our speakers are from the local, DC and Maryland area. Our speakers featured are innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors and more, all change-makers within their community. The event includes a pre-event reception and post-event reception showcasing the small businesses of Southern Maryland.

Leonardtown High School
23995 Point Lookout Rd
Leonardtown, Maryland, 20650
United States

Adrienne Somerville

Mentor Talent Manager, Carolyn E. Parker Foundation, NAVAIR Community Management Program Manager

This 2014 NAVAIR Mentor of the Year, has mentored countless individuals to follow their dreams and honor their authentic self. Her phenomenal results in both non-profit work and NAVAIR alike, are a testament to her passion to help others.

Allison Cappelaere Righter

President of Wings for Val + Nutrition Instructor

Mrs. Allison Cappelaere Righter, a Nutrition Instructor at the Culinary Institue of America and Maryland native, started the Wings for Val Foundation in 2013 in honor of her sister, Lieutenant Valerie Cappelaere Delaney. Valerie was a Navy fighter pilot who died in a training mission at the age of 26. After her sister's death, nearly 200 female military aviators sent in their coveted aviator wings to honor her sacrifice and celebrate the collective strength of all women aviators. This overwhelming response prompted Allison and her family to start the Wings for Val Foundation as a way to carry on Val's incredible legacy. The Foundation supports other women pursuing careers in aviation.

Amy Looney

Vice President, Travis Manion Foundation

Amy is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of her late husband and friend, who are buried side by side in Arlington National Cemetery. Through her work with the Travis Manion foundation, she continues the mission to honor the fallen by challenging the living.

Brian Jordan

Innovator, Futurist, CEO

Mr. Brian Jordan, a Navy veteran, has pursued his passion to invent and create as the founder of his own engineering firm. In his quest for a personal solution over the medical diagnosis of limited hand functionality, Jordan created his own prosthetic finger while establishing a non-profit organization, Robiotech Corporation, to raise awareness for digital amputees and provide working solutions for those in need of similar solutions.

Christine Bergmark, PhD

Founder / CEO / Food Systems Expert

Dr. Christine Bergmark has over 25 years of experience in both the United States and internationally working in research, education, and development. As a strong entrepreneurial professional, she is skilled in both Economic Development and Strategic Planning, and has a rich background in Community Development, Marketing, Public Policy, and Creative Development. She has managed and led several programs with annual budgets ranging from $5-12 million dollars. Dr. Bergmark’s expertise and broad thinking strategy leads her to currently focus her consulting efforts on food policy, food systems, agriculture and tourism programs. Expression she lives by: “Anyone who has ever taken a shower has had a great idea. It’s those who dry off and go out and do something about it that make a difference”.

Diego Mariscal

Founder, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International

As the founder, CEO and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a Washington D.C. based not-for profit, Diego Mariscal utilizes communication technology to engage disabled and non-disabled youth into several disability issues ranging from education and employment to police violence and sexuality. His current area of focus is on developing supports that help disabled entrepreneurs achieve self employment.

Dr. Troy Townsend

Dr. Troy Townsend - Chemistry Professor - St. Mary's College of Maryland

Fueled by his dream of providing free clean energy to the average person, Dr. Townsend’s projects include developing photovoltaics at a fraction of the cost via spraying and ink jet printing of inorganic nanomaterials.

Matt Hall

Pastor, Southpoint Church

An overcomer and energetic speaker, Pastor Matt Hall is the founding church planter and pastor for Southpoint Church In Leonardtown and Lusby. Matt is a team player who loves to help other reach their full potential. He is passionate about Jesus, his family, and The Redskins!

Stacy Seigel

Doula

While raising her two sons as a single mom, Stacy realized there was very little support for women through birth and motherhood. She saw a  shift in parenting, away from the "it takes a village" mentality, and wanted to change that. This is when her passion for working in the birth community truly emerged.  Stacy has guided more than 200 families through the birth of their children. By helping mothers find their voice and speak their truth and encouraging father's to be present in the birth process, her love of all things birth has grown.