Theme: Evolve

Technology, Education, Vision, Creativity

Midland Center for the Arts
1801 W. St. Andrews Rd.
Midland, Michigan, 48640
United States

Karl Gude

Creativity is required to successfully navigate an increasingly complex world. When we were small children, we had a proclivity to explore new things, to wonder, to experiment and to invent. In order to succeed we have to unlearn a lifetime of predictable lines of thinking. We need to break through the patterns in our mind and lives. Karl will challenge us to do so and give a few tips on how to get there. Karl spent nearly a decade as Director of Information at Newsweek. Karl Gude created and currently teaches at the information graphics and visual communication programs at Michigan State University. He gives frequent lectures on the subjects of visualization, and he has conducted visualization workshops around the world.

Matt Langdon

Taking a proactive approach to stop bullying by creating heroes, Matt explains how creating positive change agents in schools can help remove the need for disciplinary programs. The student body will learn to transform itself by being taught about heroes and the journeys that they have undergone. Heroism has been taught throughout time, and our heroes have taught us how to live. Matt Langdon travels across the world giving lectures to schools, summer camps, and sports teams encouraging heroism both in and outside of the classroom. He does this by explaining what it actually means to be a hero, and by going over the journey one must undertake in order to become one. He is also currently authoring the Hero Handbook.

Kenneth W. Kousky

Every day technology creates interconnectedness, linkages, and interdependencies between all aspects of our world. However, most western thinking about risk assumes the independence of events rather than the dependence of one event upon another. Let’s come to terms and make economic corrections in how we handle risk to make sound choice in both public and private life. Ken is CEO of the MidMichigan Innovation Center and Serial Tech Entrepreneur. Ken is an experienced chief executive and financial economist, Ken is a veteran of the information technology industry. Ken has successfully started three companies and played instrumental roles in two turnarounds and two IPO’s.

Joe Affholter

There is an interesting relationship between science, business and opportunity creation. Most people are gripped with fear of unending investments of time, energy or dollars in topics that are seemingly untied or irrelevant. Joe will illustrate the "breeding" of ideas that can occur in a broadly informed, cross-disciplinary environment. His talk encourages people to develop an attitude of readiness: ones that expects failures and actively searches for ways to turn them into opportunities. Joe is a scientific adventurer who has spent over twenty years developing business in multiple industries and is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at SVSU. He enjoys helping high technology (energy, chemical and bio-pharmaceutical) companies, anticipate change, and invest in a high-value tomorrow. Joe has a PhD degree in Molecular Pharmacology at Stanford University.

Ryan Eggenberger

Everyone is looking for success in their lives, but most become lost looking for it. There are three key aspects to life explored: business, money and relationships. Successful people know who they are, where they are going, and how they will achieve what they want. Ryan gives us the tools and questions needed to find our dreams. Ryan is the owner of the TheWorkPreneur.com, a blog about entrepreneurship, business, and overall wellness. He is a writing-contributor to GrowDetroit.com and Benzinga.com, and coaches people through the transition from job to entrepreneur. He likes to blog, travel, and learn from successful people.