Theme: Grow

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).

University of Southern Indiana Performance Center
8600 Univesity Blvd
Evansville, Indiana, 47712
United States

Ben Trockman

Community Outreach and Employment Specialist

Ben Trockman serves as Community Outreach and Employment Specialist for Old National Bank, where he is dedicated to assisting the bank in becoming a leader in disability employment and inclusion. He is active within the disability advocacy community and works with legislators in Indianapolis and Washington D.C., to improve employment opportunities, airline accessibility and health care options for people with disabilities.

Camea Davis

Doctoral Teaching Fellow, Ball State University

Camea Davis is a poet, educator and educational researcher with a heart for urban youth and communities. She is a doctoral teaching fellow at Ball State University, where she teaches multicultural education. There, she is also an advanced doctoral candidate, majoring in Critical Educational Policy Studies and minoring in Educational Technology and Curriculum. Her research interests include culturally responsive teaching, youth spoken word and youth civic engagement. As program director and co-founder of Indy Pulse, she works to cultivate critical literacy and develop youth as leaders in Indianapolis.

Christopher DeSchamp

Customer Solutions Development Director, Vectren Corporation

Christopher DeSchamp is Director of Customer Solutions Development at Vectren Corporation, where he focuses on new energy solutions – smart cities, smart homes, smart buildings and smart energy. DeSchamp is a futurist who thinks and acts boldly. He makes what is technically feasible a reality and implements technology solutions that improve lives and positively impact the environment.

Jason Burton

Founder, Evansville Podcast Network

Jason Burton is the creator and host of Evansville Podcast, which spotlights business owners, event organizers and interesting people in the Evansville area. He is also a software developer in the health care industry.

Lisa G. Wube

Program Service Director, City of Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation

Former Division I college basketball player, Lisa Wube serves as program service director for the City of Evansville’s Department of Parks and Recreation. In her role, she has introduced numerous new athletic and community-based programs for residents and strives to create a high level of awareness about the community’s parks and recreation.

Mark Logan

Physician, Midwest Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery

Henderson, Ky., native Mark Logan, M.D. is a surgeon with Midwest Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery, husband and father of three children. Logan is also active in real estate development and acquisition, as well as restaurant development. He is committed to retaining and attracting the talents and energy of Millennials in the tristate and helps them make professional and community connections.

Paul K. Doss

Professor of Geology, University of Southern Indiana

Paul K. Doss is Professor of Geology at the University of Southern Indiana, where he teaches courses on environmental geology, environmental science, geology of national parks, and water resources. Doss directs student research on environmental problems, such as impacts of humans on water resources, natural resources management and geological hazards. He has previously held positions with Yellowstone National Park, Indiana Dunes and Everglades National Park.

Ryan Stephen Loehrlein

President, Guardian Aviation Technology LLC

Ryan Stephen Loehrlein is a student at the University of Southern Indiana, where he is pursuing degrees in mechanical engineering and finance. He is a student trainee at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana, and president of Guardian Aviation Technology LLC.

Sarah Kluemper

Sourcer/Recruiting, OneMain Financial

Sarah Kluemper is always looking for her next adventure. After never having traveled as a child, she has now been to 10 states (most multiple times) and Italy (sadly, only once) in 10 years. As someone in constant pursuit of her own purpose, she enjoys her job as a recruiter at OneMain financial as it allows her to connect people and opportunities. Sarah lives in Evansville and is currently raising a very adventurous 10-year-old.

Sue Ellspermann

President, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana

Sue Ellspermann is an academic administrator and politician, who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2016 before becoming current President of Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Ellspermann, an Indiana native, has served in the Indiana House of Representatives for the 74th District. She also has classroom experience teaching at the University of Southern Indiana, the University of Evansville and University of Louisville, where she earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering.

Thunder Dreamer

Earthy indie rock band from the Heartland

Thunder Dreamer is an earthy indie rock band from the Heartland who write emo-inflected tunes. They’re often soft, tempered and slow but can veer into explosive, impassioned melody at a moment’s notice. The combination of clear key tones, writhing guitar work and lead singer Steve Hamilton’s sorrowful, nostalgic vocal tone makes for specific storytelling that packs a revelatory punch.

Trent Engbers

Educator and nonprofit consultant

Trent Engbers is an experienced college educator and nonprofit consultant living in Evansville. Engbers, who holds a Ph.D. in public affairs from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, has taught more than 35 different courses in his 15 years of college teaching. His research on leadership, economic development and social capital has been published widely in journals, including Social Science Quarterly, Public Administration Review and the Journal of Leadership Education. A husband, father of four children and former Peace Corps volunteer in China from 2005-2007, Engbers actively serves on three local nonprofit boards.