Theme: Embracing the Future

TED is an annual event that bring together the world’s leading thinkers and doers to share ideas that matter in any discipline –technology, entertainment, design, science, humanities, business, development. The Talks at the conference, called TED Talks, are then made available to watch for free on TED.com
In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED has created TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events, that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
At a TEDx event, TED Talks videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connections. Our affiliation with TEDx event, as well as our own TEDx event is not organized by TED conference, but is operated under a license from TED.
This event is a TEDx licensee committed to the power of ideas.

Wartburg College
100 Wartburg BLVD
Waverly, Iowa, 50677
United States

Anne Duncan

Environmental sustainability coordinator

Anne Duncan is a passionate environmental advocate, using her time and skills to bring environmental awareness to her community, near and far. Anne has worked in the environmental field for 15 years: first as a leader for an outdoor recreation program, then as a trip leader, moving on to a development officer and administrator in a county parks system. She now serves Wartburg College as the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. Anne is a trained member of the Climate Reality Leadership. Driven by her hope to make the world a better place for her children, Anne continues to educate the students she works with, groups she speaks to, and anyone she crosses paths with on the state of our climate, and what individuals can do to make a change.

Bill Withers

Professor of Journalism and Communication

Dr. Withers holds a B.A. degree in communications from Winona State University, an M.S. degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University, and a doctorate degree from Drake University. His research interests lie in the areas of public relations, quality customer service, organizational change, and leadership. Withers has more than two decades of management and leadership experience in both business and education, and his research has been presented multiple times at the International Conference on Business in Honolulu. He has both studied and served organizations such as Procter & Gamble, Ritz-Carlton, Disney, Hy-Vee, and Starbucks. Closer to home, Dr. Withers is the recipient of both the Chellevold Award for Teaching Excellence and Advisor of the Year award. He specializes in the areas of public relations, quality customer service, organizational change, and leadership and is a frequent speaker and consultant outside of Wartburg.

Cynthia Bane

Psychologist

Cynthia Bane is a social psychologist who specializes in health psychology. She earned a B.A. in psychology from Luther College and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in social psychology from Miami University. She has conducted research on health behavior change as a postdoctoral fellow at the Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Rhode Island and research on stress and immune function as a senior researcher at the Stress and Health Psychoneuroimmunology Lab at the Ohio State University. Her current research addresses mindfulness, stress, burnout, and well-being among medical resident physicians and mindfulness-based interventions for stress management for undergraduate students. Dr. Bane is a certified Koru mindfulness teacher and has taught mindfulness meditation classes for undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and community members. She also is a jazz vocalist and recently released her first album, “Clearly.”

Johanna Kluck

Environmental Science Student

Johanna Kluck is a third year Enviornmental science major from Bruning, Nebraska. Alongside her studies, she is active in many on campus organizations, including Wartburg College Service Trips and EARTH club. She also plays the French horn in the Wind Ensemble, which is one of the three touring music groups on campus. After she graduates next year, Johanna is looking forward to attending graduate school and continuing her education in climate science. She hopes to use her education not only to research the effects of climate change on specific environments, but also to communicate her findings to a broader audience and educate others effectively about the impacts of a changing climate.

Madalynn McKelvey

Engineering & Mathematics Student

Madalynn McKelvey is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Ottumwa, Iowa studying Engineering Science and Mathematics at Wartburg College. Outside of her academic pursuits, Madalynn is involved in several music and theatre groups, and enjoys singing opera, singing in the internationally acclaimed Wartburg Choir, and playing the violin. Madalynn loves learning about and from others, and helping others pursue their passions. She has a passion for leadership and hopes that her ideas will benefit the lives of others. After graduating in May of 2018, she plans to work in manufacturing engineering at John Deere.

Maria Munguia-Cortés

Public Relations and Spanish student

Maria Munguia-Cortés is a second year student at Wartburg college from Immokalee, Florida studying Public Relations and Spanish. Aside from her academics she is heavily involved with Wartburg College Service Trips. Maria has led two service trips to her hometown, she has a heart to serve people especially the community that has molded her into the person she is today. She feels strongly about immigration, farm worker rights and child education. Her desires after graduation are to continue fighting for what is right. Her passion to give and serve are what drive her.

Nate Monson

Iowa Safe Schools Executive Director

Nate Monson leads Iowa Safe Schools where he has been Executive Director since 2007. He is a well known voice in Iowa on issues related to LGBTQ youth and school climate issues. He speaks annually to many colleges/universities, schools, corporations, and community organizations. Nate serves his community with involvement in various organizations including being a Board Member of the Walnut Creek YMCA, Iowa Bullying Prevention Council, and Chairperson of the Iowa Pride PAC. Nate graduated from Clarke University in 2007 with a BA in History. In his role at Iowa Safe Schools, Nate works to lead the organization’s strategic plan, development efforts, organization of the Annual Iowa Governors Conference on LGBTQ Youth, and creation of programming efforts.

Samantha Pfab

Public Relations Director for Student Senate at Wartburg

Samantha (Sam) Pfab is a second year at Wartburg College from Dubuque, Iowa. Sam is doubling majoring in public relations and Religion with minors in Spanish and Leadership. On campus, Sam is the Public Relations Director for Student Senate, Marketing Coordinator for Service Trips, and the Social Media Director for Dance Marathon. After Wartburg, Sam isn't sure what exactly she will be doing but she knows that she wants to change the world - or at least do her best to make a difference!

Shahzeb Jadoon

Actuarial Science, Computer Science and Economics Student

Shahzeb Jadoon from Lahore, Pakistan is a second-year undergraduate student studying Economics, Actuarial Science, & Computer Science at Wartburg College. On campus, Shahzeb is a Hall Council Chair for Student Senate, Resident Assistant for Wartburg Students, Mentor to Freshmen Students, and the Treasurer for International Club. Shahzeb has a passion for learning new things and utillizing them to help people out. After Wartburg, Shahzeb wants to travel the world, get to learn more about the people and their ways of living and then use that knowledge to help everyone out.