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).

Rancho Bernardo High School Performing Arts Center
13010 Paseo Lucido
San Diego, California, 92128
United States

Hannah Hughes

Educator, Mentor

Hannah Hughes is the Director of Communications for David’s Harp Foundation, a non-profit organization based in San Diego where the lives of “at-risk” and homeless youth are radically transformed through the powerful platform of music. In addition to her administrative role at the David’s Harp Foundation, Hannah lives out its mission of inspiring, educating, and empowering “at-risk” and homeless youth every day. Hannah plays a key role in mentorship and providing professional growth opportunities to the marginalized teens that David’s Harp serves. Hannah specializes in non-profit administration and event planning. She has worked with numerous youth-focused organizations including iThink Big School Assemblies, TWELVE San Diego, and the San Diego Kids Expo and Fair. Her extensive experience in this area has gifted her with a unique and diverse youth-focused skill set.

Jacqueline Isaac

Humanitarian, Social Activist

Jacqueline Isaac is a human rights advocate, a humanitarian, lawyer, and motivational speaker. She has spent over a decade supporting those escaping crisis and advocating for the rights of minorities and women across the Middle East. She has been featured on BBC, NBC, FOX, ABC, the Guardian, Channel 4, Huffington Post, Rome Reports, Corriere Del Serra and other international media outlets. Isaac recently testified before the United Nations, UK Parliament and U.S. Congress as to her experiences in the war-torn parts of Iraq, supporting resolutions declaring that ISIS committed genocide against Christians, Yazidis and other minorities. Her focus has been on issues such as the refugee crisis, sex trafficking, female genital mutilation and HIV/AIDs. As a motivational speaker, she travels across the globe encouraging audiences to ignite their God given destiny and to live out their dreams.

Monica Montgomery

Lawyer, Activist

Monica Montgomery is a native San Diegan. She received an undergraduate degree in Political Science from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. She has been a member of the California State Bar for eight years and practiced civil rights and consumer law until 2013. Before joining the ACLU, Monica worked at the City of San Diego for three elected officials, including Councilmember Cole, Mayor Faulconer and Councilmember Todd Gloria during his term as interim mayor. While at the City of San Diego, Monica worked as a Senior Policy Advisor with specific focus in the following policy areas: criminal justice reform and public safety, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, small business development, equal opportunity contracting, and youth services.

Paul Messerle

Educator, Artist

Paul Messerle is an artist, teacher, shamanic practitioner and a student of the human experience. His lifelong journey of self-discovery has made him a passionate advocate for social justice and equality in schools. He is a San Diego County Teacher of the Year and has most recently been designated the North County LGBTQ Resource Center’s 2016 Ambassador of the Year. He has trained extensively with The Foundation for Shamanic Studies and integrates the practices of identification, reflection and integration into his pedagogy. Messerle’s classroom mantra is “Know Thyself” and he has been sending confident, self-realized students out to explore the wonders of the world for 22 years. He revels when his alumni return to share in their encounters with greatness.

Rick Halsey

Environmentalist

Richard W. Halsey is a writer, photographer, and the director of the California Chaparral Institute, a non-profit research and educational organization dedicated to the preservation of California's native chaparral ecosystem, helping communities understand the dynamics of wildland fire, and supporting the creative spirit as inspired by the natural environment. Richard also works with the San Diego Museum of Natural History, teaches natural history throughout the state, and leads the Chaparral Naturalist Program at the Elfin Forest Reserve in Escondido. While teaching high school biology, Halsey was selected as the Teacher of the Year for San Diego City Schools and awarded the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship. He has given more than 500 public lectures and has published numerous papers and articles concerning the ecology of California’s chaparral ecosystem.