Theme: Dialed In

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).

The Grand Opera House
100 High Ave.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 54901
United States

Adam BellCorelli

Change Management Operations Catalyst

Adam BellCorelli is always smiling, and people know his laugh wherever he goes. He is an avid photographer who loves to scoot around Oshkosh with his wife and two kids, enjoying the neighborhoods, parks, and trails. A fixture at UW Oshkosh for many years, Adam finished up his Master’s in Public Administration and continues to be involved in many community boards and committees, including the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board, and the Winnebago County Health reThink Leadership Team. Adam loves to help other develop their professional skills by teaching resume workshops, interview prep, and leadership development for non-profits and university programs. Adam’s past roles as an academic adviser, career adviser, department office manager, and many years of customer service, as well as his current position as Community Operations Catalyst with Change Management Communications Center, have honed his uniquely positive perspective on everyday barriers and how awesome everyone can be.

Allen Edge

Minister, Actor, Director, Producer, Stand-Up Comedian

Allen D. Edge is an ordained minister, an actor, director, producer, and stand-up comedian with over forty years in the performing arts. Equipped with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theatre from Columbia College in Chicago and a clear calling, Allen is a founding member of Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and founder and president of Transitions Edge Productions.

Cassandra Haack

College Student

Cassandra Haack is a fourth-year student at UW Oshkosh studying Secondary Education. While she proudly dedicates much of her time to maintaining her spot on the academic Dean’s List, she keeps herself grounded with a variety of pursuits, including immersion in worldwide "snail" (postal) mail communities that have taught her the value of meaningful letters.

Charles Sykes

Author / Commentator

Charles Sykes is an NBC / MSNBC contributor, and the Editor-in-chief of The Bulwark. For almost two and a half decades, until he stepped down in 2016, he was the host of a top-rated conservative radio talk show on WTMJ Radio out of Milwaukee. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Los Angeles times, Newsweek, Time.com, Salon, USA Today, National Review, The New York Review of Books, the New York Daily News, The Weekly Standard and other national publications. He has appeared on Meet the Press, This Week with George Stephanopoulos, State of the Union with Jake tapper, the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC. Sykes is currently a member of the Aspen Institute's Knight Commission on Trust, Media and Democracy.

Gretchen Herrmann

Graphic Designer

Gretchen Herrmann is a freelance Graphic Designer whose passions include living out loud, and learning what makes people tick. While those skills help her create design that moves people to do things, it has also helped her navigate through life and to overcome the hardship of losing six immediate family members. Gretchen received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from UW Oshkosh and has continued her studies in Life Lessons. She is the mom of two 20-somethings, and is active in many area non-profits through her work, and as a volunteer.

Jennifer Szydlik

Professor of Mathematics

Jennifer Earles Szydlik is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, where she specializes in preparing future teachers and studies students’ beliefs about the nature of mathematics. She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a specialty in mathematics education.

Jerry Benston, Jr.

Diversity, Inclusion & Global Business Consultant

Jerry’s professional career followed a social justice path, as the former Director of Diversity and Cultural Competence for one of the largest healthcare employers in the State of Wisconsin. He is also a former Vice President of Human Resources for a major financial organization and has advised executive management on the importance of the total human resources and organizational development functions relative to inclusion, productivity and profitability. He is currently Vice President for Critical Measures, LLC, a national management consulting and training organization specializing in diversity and inclusion, cross-cultural healthcare and health equity.

Misty Gedlinske

Community Activist

Misty Gedlinske is a Fond du Lac, Wisconsin resident originally from Asheville, North Carolina. She received her Associate of Applied Science degree in Leadership Development from Moraine Park Technical College in May 2018, and will transfer to UW-Green Bay in August to pursue her B.A.S. degree in Nonprofit Leadership. Her professional career includes over a decade in local government administration as a Municipal Clerk. She is the founder of Fond du Lac Pride Alliance, a community outreach effort connecting local LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies with services, resources, and welcoming organizations.

Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, Jr.

Language Warrior

Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, Jr. is a member of the Menominee Nation, a nation with a history in what is now called Wisconsin, that goes back farther than any other modern group of people. Ron takes pride in being called a language warrior, and over the course of his life he has fought to maintain, preserve and now revitalize the unique dialect of Algonquin language. As groups continue to grow, it only matters if traditional culture and heritage teachings are honored and it has been Ron's great struggle to innovate and develop these skills to pass on to other members of the proud nation of the Menominee people.

Sahil Badruddin

Interview Host & Project Management

Sahil Badruddin is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Chemical Engineering, Religious Studies, and History. As the host of Candid Insights with Sahil Badruddin, he conducts interviews of influencers, leaders, and intellectuals for their deeper insights on contemporary issues. Some of his interview guests, among others, include Karen Armstrong, Hasan Minhaj, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, and Eboo Patel.

Scott Lesnick

Sales & Leadership Expert, Motivational Speaker

Scott Lesnick exemplifies the attributes of the Never Give Up guy in many areas of his life. Having experienced an unimaginable horror in his personal life, Scott was able to focus on his resourcefulness, despite limited resources, to bring about a positive resolution. His tenacity and persistence has shown in his personal triumphs, business successes, and having run more than 50,000 miles over 30 years. An author and speaker known around the world, he earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the National Speakers Association. In addition, Scott has 28 award-winning sales and management years at a Fortune 500 company.

Shannon Rawski

Assistant Professor - Management & Human Resources

Dr. Shannon L. Rawski is a leading researcher in understanding sexual harassment in the workplace, especially employees' differing interpretations of ambiguous sexual behaviors (e.g., sexual joking). She also specializes in the effectiveness of anti-sexual harassment training programs and their unintended, negative side effects. Her research has been internationally recognized by The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and Le Monde. Dr. Rawski is currently an Assistant Professor of Management and Human Resources at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. She also holds an M.A. in Management from the University of Nebraska, and a B.S. in Psychology from Bowling Green State University.

Sharon Tenhundfeld

Violist, Lecturer in Music & Music Business

Sharon Tenhundfeld performs as violist with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and teaches Viola and Music Business at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She is deeply committed to exploring collaboration in and outside the musical medium and has collaborated in concert with dancers, actors, and a range of visual artists. Based on her performing and collaborative experiences she developed a practice method for musicians called Creative Musician: an artistic method to aid the expressivity of musicians. She actively researches creativity and the influence the arts have on music. Sharon earned bachelor and master of music degrees in viola performance from New England Conservatory and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Paul Collins Wisconsin Distinguished Fellow.

Thom Britton

Science Lecturer

Thom Britton is a fire-eater, a classically trained chef, a science lecturer, director of stage plays, computer guru, producer of circus shows and a sideshow / freakshow historian.