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 Marc
120 E. San Antonio Street
San Marcos, Texas, 78666
United States

Cara Wilson-Granat

Author

Cara Wilson-Granat is an author, inspirational speaker, storyteller, vegan, animal advocate and nature-lover. Her books and talks embrace a universal theme of hope over adversity. She is the author of Strength from Tragedy--Anne Frank's Father Shares His Wisdom with an American Teen; and Strength from Nature--Simple Lessons of Life Taught by the Most Unlikely Masters: The Nature Teachers. Her books, talks, and workshops for all ages are designed to help others lead fulfilling lives while renewing faith in the possibility of peace, diversity, and making positive choices every moment.

Clay DeStefano

Artist, Writer, Change-Agent

Clay DeStefano is an award-winning writer and artist currently serving as the Executive Director of the Price Center, a unique, non-profit community center in downtown San Marcos Texas. His personal wellness and aging philosophies are derived from life experience, including 30 years in the health care industry, which led to a book he published in 2016 titled “HealthScare: Confessions of a Hospital Spin Doctor.” Under Clay’s direction, the Price Center has broadened its focus and outcomes using the arts and Blue Zone concepts that include healthy and creative activities offered within an intergenerational, multi-cultural, and historic venue.

Hillary Cauthen

Clinical Sport Psychologist

Dr. Hillary Cauthen, a clinical sport psychologist and certified mental performance consultant specializes in mental health treatment for athletes, coaches, and parents. Dr. Cauthen has significant experience in the sport environment, as a competitive youth and Division 1 collegiate athlete, her experience has guided her professional development and is the crux of creating a Culture of Care for a Culture of Champions.

Jake Young

Actor + Artist

Jake Young is an actor and artist hailing from Sacramento, California. He currently studies musical theatre at Texas State University. Jake started performing in plays and musicals when he was eight years old, embedded in a community that disregarded the arts in favor of the local high school football team. As a result, Jake spent most of his young life suppressing his most vibrant qualities in favor of a more socially-acceptable identity. However, his outlook changed when some high school mentors showed him that masculinity was not as “black and white” as he thought. Determined to encourage young male artists across the country, Jake has spent the last few years researching and analyzing traditional American masculinity. Jake believes that redefining what it means to be masculine in the modern era has the potential to eradicate numerous social hurdles our country faces today.

Jennifer Millspaugh

co-founder + CEO

Jennifer Millspaugh is the co-founder and CEO of Aesthetic Ventures, a venture production studio for the fashion industry, which accelerates and builds innovative companies in fashion. In this role she applies her academic research to design innovative brands and business models for a new era of fashion. Jennifer completed her Ph.D. in fashion entrepreneurship at the University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion, where she explored the brand development and internationalization strategies of emerging fashion companies based in London and New York. She is also the founder of the Austin Fashion Initiative, a social impact organization launched to enhance Austin's fashion ecosystem. She serves on the Independent Fashion Advisory Board (IFAB), an international collective of professionals advancing business transformation for fashion, retail and creative technology. Millspaugh is also a visiting scholar at Texas State University.

Kelly Stone

Sexual Health Educator, Comedian

Kelly Stone is a sexual health educator and college lecturer who describes her stand-up comedy as "edutainment". Born in Houston, Texas to a 17-year old mother, she worked hard to avoid repeating the teen mom cycle by being an over-involved super nerd-she even played on the JV football team. Stone first performed stand-up comedy in 2006 at an open mic in Philadelphia and has been hooked ever since. Stone speaks to schools and universities about a variety of health topics and is still trying to figure out how to keep her boys from smearing Greek yogurt on the furniture. Follow her on twitter: @funnykelly or help stop her kids when they are trying to dart across a busy street. There's safety in numbers.

Michael Maresca

Teacher & Researcher

Michael Maresca has worked with tens of thousands of singers across the globe changing how they understand the human voice and how to build it. In 2010 Michael noticed a pattern in the human voice that became the catalyst for the vocal movement now known as One Voice. As the creator of the One Voice theories, techniques, and training, he has certified multiple One Voice Coaches and Masters to teach private singing sessions and masterclasses internationally. Currently, Michael teaches in-person as Lead Voice Faculty exclusively for the Texas State Musical Theatre Program, and conducts research at Texas State University. To learn more about One Voice go to www.SingOneVoice.com

Morgan Jones

Artist

To question and challenge social norms and ideologies, Morgan Jones combines images from a range of sources to reframe viewer’s perceptions by placing depictions of lives that are seemingly disjointed, alternate realities side-by-side to implicate an interconnected relationship.

Shannon Faseler

Lecturer

My studio research is based on my concern and interest in climate change and its effects on the planet, including flood, glacier and drought affected landscapes. The intent of my work is to evoke the fragility and instability of our seemingly stable reality. My research deals with the documentation of events, focusing primarily on aesthetics and representation to create a deeper understanding of the content. I have a MFA in Painting and Drawing from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and maintain a rigorous studio practice in addition to an international exhibition history.

Shetay Ashford

Scholar-Activist

Dr. Shetay Ashford-Hanserd (affectionately known as “Dr. Shetay”) is a scholar-activist who is passionate about using her talents to empower women and communities of color. As a scholar, Dr. Shetay is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational, Workforce, and Leadership Studies at Texas State University. Currently, she is the principal investigator of two community-engaged research projects from the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation, which total nearly a half million dollars. As a community activist, Dr. Shetay leverages her research to illuminate untold stories of historically marginalized groups and to develop innovative solutions that drive community revitalization.

Victoria Black

Director for PACE Mentoring

Victoria Black is the Director for PACE Mentoring at Texas State University and a 3rd year doctoral student in the Program in Higher Education Leadership at UT Austin. Her research interests include college access for first-generation students, first-year student success, working mothers in student affairs, and the concept of mentorability. She has shared mentorability across multiple messages inspiring others on how to help enhance their mentoring partnerships by examining their role and responsibility as a mentee. Originally from La Joya, TX, she received a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas San Antonio and a M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from Texas State University.

Yocelyn Riojas

Designer, Illustrator, Resident Artist

Yocelyn Riojas is a Latinx designer, illustrator, and resistance artist passionate about empowering her community through creating a voice for people of color. Her art depicts themes of Latinx culture, women empowerment, and issues surrounding immigration. Yocelyn currently lives in Austin, Texas and is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in Communication Design at Texas State. Recently, she has been gaining momentum amplifying political messages in support of people of color through art.