Theme: Showing Up

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).

Laudermilk Conference Center
40 Courtland Street North East
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303
United States

Alicia Zhou

Dr. Zhou leads Color's research and scientific affairs team and is responsible for leading research collaborations with academic institutions, biopharmaceutical companies and patient advocacy groups. She is also responsible for managing a team that initiates, executes, and publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts and posters by internal scientists and engineers. In addition, Dr. Zhou is a active part of Color's market development team for population genomics and population research. Dr. Zhou did her PhD at Harvard and post doctoral work at UCSF with an emphasis on cancer genetics.

Carlos Hidalgo

Carlos Hidalgo is what you would call a “serial entrepreneur.” During the span of his 25-year career Hidalgo has served in two non-profit organizations, led global marketing teams in two enterprise software companies and founded two consulting agencies. In addition to his various roles, Hidalgo is the author of Driving Demand, one of the Top 5 Marketing Books of all time according to Book Authority. He is also a managing partner in two software start-ups, serves on the board of one other and has followed his wife’s lead in volunteering for Beauty For Ashes Uganda, an organization dedicated to the long-term sustainability and healing for single moms and widows in Uganda. Hidalgo has found success throughout his career and led his first agency to three consecutive Inc. 5000 awards. However, this often came at the expense of his family and finding balance was a continual struggle. In 2016, Hidalgo left the agency he started in Atlanta and committed to developing work-life boundaries. Since his departure, he and his wife have started a second consultancy with a different focus. He is also working on his second book about his journey and expects that The UnAmerican Dream will be out in March of 2019.

Chris Appleton

Chris Appleton is co-founder and executive director of WonderRoot, an Atlanta-based organization founded in 2004 that works at the intersection of arts, community development and social justice. At WonderRoot, Chris drives the organization’s strategic growth, partnership development and leads its talented and passionate staff.

Erika Shields

Erika Shields is the 24th Chief of the City of Atlanta Police Department, appointed in December 2016. She is an advocate for 21st Century Policing – with a focus on reducing crime while also strengthening trust and collaboration with our communities. Chief Shields has a tough mindset on crime, but a compassionate and proactive approach to working with the community and its leaders while also ensuring accountability for officers. Chief Shields is committed to developing a culture of technology, innovation, excellence and transparency throughout the organization. Since her appointment as Chief, the department has made significant strides in its focus on reducing violent crimes and taking repeat offenders and stolen guns off the streets. She continues to work closely with judicial leaders to advocate for stronger sentencing for those individuals who commit violent felonies.

Jenny Levison

Jenny Levison is an actress and entrepreneur, known in Atlanta as Souper Jenny. A native of Atlanta, she opened her first restaurant 19 years ago with only two employees and ten thousand dollars from a short-lived hand modeling career. Today Jenny no longer has hand model hands, but has created a soup empire with 46 employees, four restaurants with a fifth opening in November, a non-profit feeding hungry Atlanta families and is about to take on a one woman show right here in her hometown. Her 501c3, The Zadie Project is an arm of her restaurant business and of her life. In the past year, they have cooked and donated over 22,000 quarts of nutritious soup to Atlantans in need. Jenny spends most of her time re-enforcing her mission of hospitality one bowl of soup at a time. She strives daily to be fully ensconced in the Atlanta community and for each guest to be treated like friends and family. Although her tiny dream has turned into a multi million dollar company (and growing), Jenny has remained true to her original thoughts about entrepreneurship and about life. “Showing up is half the battle. Be present, work hard and know that nothing is impossible.”

Keri Potts

Keri Potts is President and Founder of A Fight Back Woman, Inc., a speaking and consulting firm specializing in matters of gender-based and interpersonal violence, respect in the workplace and women’s empowerment and leadership.

Mark Berry

Dr. Mark Simpson Berry, P.E., was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He is currently vice president of Environmental & Natural Resources for Georgia Power. Named to the position in August 2015, Dr. Berry is responsible for maximizing the value from Georgia Power-owned natural resources, acquiring real estate to support company operations and managing the company’s environmental compliance and stewardship programs to meet or surpass all environmental laws and regulations. Mark returned to Southern Company after most recently serving as director in the generation sector at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), where he managed research and development efforts in renewables, water management, carbon capture and storage, and advanced fossil generation. Prior to EPRI, Berry served as director of Energy and Environment at Southern Research Institute. Mark worked 17 years in various capacities of increasing responsibility at Southern Company. He served as manager of environmental assessment for Southern Company’s Research and Environmental Affairs organization, where he managed the company’s regulatory response to federal rulemaking activity and the environmental science research program. He also served as director of Research and Technology Management, managing a portfolio of research related to emission controls, energy efficiency, renewables, power delivery, central station generation, and carbon capture utilization and storage. Prior to joining Southern Company, he attained the commissioned rank of lieutenant commander in the United States Navy as a surface warfare officer. While on active duty, he served upon the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) in the capacities of deck officer and Combat Information Center officer. After joining the reserves, he served as an engineering officer supporting the USS Sentry (MCM-3) and as an intelligence officer supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA HQ). Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Alabama A&M University, a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also earned a master’s degree in public and private management from Birmingham Southern College and is a registered professional engineer. Dr. Berry holds four patents regarding technical approaches to control emissions from coal-fired power plants. He is a governing board member of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and serves on the boards of the Georgia Conservancy, Georgia Wildlife Federation, and Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Berry is president of the International Society of Electrostatic Precipitation, serves on the advisory boards of the Georgia Chapter of Trust for Public Lands and the School of Engineering at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a former board member of the Youth Motivation Task Force at Alabama A&M University. He currently serves as executive champion of the Georgia Power AMIGOS employee resource group which is designed to assist in the recruiting, retention and development of Hispanic/Latino employees. Mark is married to Crystal Reid Berry and is the proud and loving father to four children. He is an active, lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Patricia Romboletti

Patricia Romboletti is an executive recruiter, workshop and webinar leader and as a career coach, has provided insightful coaching for senior executives from Fortune 100 to family- owned/closely held companies in every discipline and industry. She has served as a career strategist and Master-Level coach for senior executives for Execunet, the leading career resource site. She is also a Master Class webinar creator and leader for Execunet.