Theme: Innovation and Development

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).

Falk Theater
428 W Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, Florida, 33606
United States

Alex Rodriguez

Dir. of Creative Strategy at YMMY, a Creative Digital Firm

Alex has been involved in Advertising and Marketing for 22 years supporting large brands in 4 continents and developing campaigns in 3 different languages. He is the author of Digital BACON, Amazon best-seller in 4 categories. He is also the host of The Digital Marketing Minute, a 60-second per episode podcast.

Charlie Shrem

Bitcoin Pioneer

Charlie Shrem is a Bitcoin pioneer. A social economist and digital currency trader. His work in this field is legendary. In 2011, at the dawn of the crypto era, he founded BitInstant, the first and largest Bitcoin company. In 2013, he founded the Bitcoin Foundation and serve as its Vice Chairman. Since then, Charlie has advised more than a dozen digital currency companies, launched and managed numerous partnerships between crypto and non-crypto companies, and is the go-to guy for some of the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. In short, he is the ultimate insider at the epicenter of the cypto universe.

Enilda Romero-Hall

Assistant Professor of Education

Dr. Enilda Romero-Hall is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Design & Technology in the Department of Education at The University of Tampa. She is a former Link Foundation Fellow in Simulation and Training and Old Dominion University Darden College of Education Research Fellow . In her research, Dr. Romero-Hall is currently exploring different topics in the instructional design and technology field related to web- and computer-based instruction and learning. Her research interests include: the design of multimedia instruction, human-computer interaction, informal learning in online social communities, and the design and development of online/hybrid education.

Giselle Mota

Professor, Training Consultant

Founder of Preductiv, a training consulting practice working with organizations in continuous learning. A Professor of several business and general education courses. Tampa native and first generation American from a family that migrated from the Dominican Republic. Masters in Business from Kaplan and dual Management and Marketing bachelors from USF. Travels internationally leading several community development projects, speaker, trainer, passionate about unlocking inner potential. Foodie, family focused, lover of music and artful expressions.

Jesse McCarthy

Founder & Head Guide

Jesse McCarthy is the founder of Montessori Education, an organization helping parents and teachers to raise independent, flourishing children — while bettering themselves along the way. Jesse received his B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his teacher's diploma for 3- to 6-year-olds from the Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD). Over the past 15 years, he has worked with thousands of children, teachers, and parents, as an elementary & junior-high school teacher, as a Head of School overseeing programs for infants to 8th graders, and as an executive leading a group of over a dozen private schools.

Juhi Kore

International Speaker, Social Entrepreneur, International Relations Researcher

Juhi is a strong advocate for many different social, economic, political, and psychological causes and believes in the power of social entrepreneurship as the solution to end these problems. She is an active citizen who loves to create experiences and events that will open people's minds to creative problem solving. Juhi is also an international speaker who delivers world-class talks and presentations on various topics that she is extremely passionate about. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Juhi studies Political Science and Leadership Studies and her research work is focused on international relations and urbanism.

Maya Patel

Undergraduate Student

Maya Patel is an experienced Co-Founder of a non-profit organization, MSMPC, which works to promote education and health worldwide. She aspires to become a healthcare professional one day, and her true passion lies in integrating technology into mainstream healthcare administration. Maya is an outgoing, highly motivated, and mindful young woman currently working to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. She is a Tampa native and is a 4th generation Indian-American. In her free time, Maya enjoys traveling, yoga, cooking, and watching movies.

Renata Sindicic

Student

Renata Sindicic is a first year student at the University of Tampa, from St. Augustine. Her on campus involvement includes membership in the Exclusive Concert Board, The Students production Stage Committee, and a member of the Student Hall Council.

Robert Mutagwaba

Financial Analyst

Experienced Financial Analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry. An award winning speaker with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and a minor in Entrepreneurship from The University of Tampa.

Topher Morrison

Managing Director, Key Person of Influence - USA (Business Growth Advisor)

Topher Morrison is the CEO of Topher Communications, a brand agency that specializes in helping business owners develop their perfect pitch. He is featured in the award-winning documentaries “The Compass” and “Riches,” and his first book Stop Chasing Perfection & Settle for Excellence has been hailed as The self-help book for people who are sick of self-help books. His second book, Collaboration Economy, was released May 6, 2014 and reached national best-seller status within hours. Topher wrote the book on public speaking. Literally. His book, entitled, The Book on Public Speaking, will be released in bookstores August 2017 and takes an ‘in-your-face’ approach to traditional speaker trainings and helps business professionals break free from the 1980’s motivational speaker, ‘happy-flappy’ approach that has since become cliche in the industry.

Yolanda Harper

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

My name is Yolanda and emotions are my superpower. I’m a therapist by trade — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in trauma and post-traumatic growth — but my meaningful work is to bear witness to people’s stories of struggle, strife, grit, and growth. My desire is to foster dialogue around the importance of mental and emotional well-being, about how we can connect more deeply with others when we are truly connected to ourselves. I hope to see us restore some balance in our lives and remember the importance of being imperfectly human. I am a private practice owner in the Tampa Bay Area, a clinician, a researcher, a trainer and teacher. I’m also a wife and mom to three human children and two therapy dogs.

Zulema Ramos

Social Justice Advocate and University of Tampa Student

I am a third year student at the University of Tampa studying philosophy and history with a concentration in global studies and world culture. My involvement on campus includes the Environmental Protection Coalition (VP), Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, Tampa Spartans for Animals (Social Media Editor), UTampa Pride (Secretary), among others. My engagement in the community as a whole ranges from the defense of Net Neutrality to Climate Justice. I strive to live my life infringing as little suffering on other living things as possible. Through this scope, I have come to be a vegan and overall social justice advocate for all species. Every Humanitarian and Animal Rights issue that I am able to affect I attempt to (hopefully effectively). I am privileged to be able to serve the world.