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).

Bellevue State Park Figure 8 Barn
800 Carr Road
Wilmington, Delaware, 19808
United States

Adebisi Adebowale

College Coach, Founder & CEO, Upliftology™

A native Washingtonian and two-time graduate of the George Washington University, Adebisi Adebowale is a Coach, Speaker, and the world's only Upliftologist™. She is passionate about working with college-bound Millennials, and through her company, Upliftology™, she works to help students transition from debt and doubt to scholarship and success. To date, Adebisi's clients have earned over $2 million dollars in scholarships for their educational pursuits, and boast of attending schools such as Columbia University, Syracuse University, and University of California- Berkeley, among others. Her work has been featured in MadameNoire, BET Awards events, and Essence Music Festival. She loves pizza, football and the city of Paris!

Andrew Gabelic

CEO & Founder, Teledipity

Andrew Gabelic is the CEO & Founder of Teledipity, a self-improvement blog with 16,000 subscribers from over 100 countries. A graduate of the University of Southern California’s Cinema-Television and Public Administration schools, he spent five years building technology solutions for nonprofit organizations before making the jump to turn Teledipity into the world’s first artificial intelligence life coaching app. With the concept for Teledipity, Andrew won the StartOUT Smart Pilot Scholarship program to attend and graduate from the Founder Institute accelerator in 2013. He was also one of the 10 finalists at the USC Stevens Center for Innovation Showcase that same year. The Teledipity app is part of the Startup with IBM program and is expected to launch next year.

Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer

Business Growth Expert & Founder, Grasshopper Strategies

Brandon Blackburn-Dwyer is a business growth expert and the founder of Grasshopper Strategies. Through his writing, speaking and consulting, Brandon has helped individuals and organizations build their ideal life and businesses across 15-years and four continents. Brandon’s expertise sits at the intersection of sound business operations, financial return, and motivation. Brandon has more than 200 appearances on international television, and was a news radio host in Beijing, China for 2-years. After traveling to more than 50 countries, Brandon has found a universal truth: positive mindset equals success. His passion is to help people attain their ideal life through improving their work environments, their goal clarity, and their understanding of success.

Carlyn Montes De Oca

Animal-Human Health Expert

Carlyn Montes De Oca is an author, acupuncturist, wellness coach, and animal advocate. Combining her passion for human well-being and love for animals, Carlyn authored the award-winning book, Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse which also became a #1 Amazon bestseller. Today she is the founder of The Animal-Human Health Connection, which focuses on bringing awareness to the powerful ways that animals enhance human health, happiness, and longevity.

Cassandra Pavolic

Former Aerialist

Cassandra has traveled the world as a circus aerialist and has returned to the East Coast to begin again. A life hanging by her ankles in the air taught her about the human spirit, diversity, resilience, and courage. She holds an Associates Degree in Music/Theater/Dance from Dean College in MA and is also a former Licensed Massage Therapist, as well as a Certified Personal Trainer. Cassandra is a speaker who encourages those feeling lost in life’s transitions and uses her own story to inspire and motivate all who have allowed fear to paralyze them from living their truth. Health & Wellness is one of her many passions. Movement is her favorite form of expression. Her children inspire her to never give up.

Colleen A. Cowles

Attorney and Author

Having to break the law in order to get her son medical treatment opened the eyes of Mom and Attorney Colleen A. Cowles to the dysfunction and deadly harm of our punitive approach to ‘treating’ addiction. This experience fueled Cowles’ research, advocacy and work with other families to answer the questions ‘How did we get here?’ and ‘What can we do that will actually solve the addiction and overdose epidemic’? She is author of the online course ’20 Steps to Freedom: A Parent’s Guide to Addiction’ and the book ‘War on Us: How the War on Drugs and Myths About Addiction Have Created a War on All of Us’.

Dr. Michael A. Turnbull

Director, The Wellness Center Ltd.

- Dr. Michael A. Turnbull is a licensed clinical psychologist and ordained minister, who is passionate about making the lives of those he serves better. He has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact through selfless service. This is exemplified through his non-profit organization that he started at age to his 16, to his current mission of helping people to “Live Well”. Dr. Mike and a tremendous team of volunteers, conducted Trauma groups and Individual therapy for over 1500 children, after the devastation of Hurricane Irma and Maria in 2017 in the BVI. He is the Husband of Shondrea Turnbull, and father of A’Nia, and twins, Elijah and Amelle.

Dr. Michelle Yep Martin

Psychologist & Owner, Michelle Yep Martin LLC

- Michelle Yep Martin is a life-long Alaskan. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2000 and her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Saybrook University in San Francisco, California in 2012. She earned her Psy.D. in 2014. Michelle's focus in private practice (for the last 13 years) is on the treatment of those who have committed a sexual offense as an Approved Provider for the Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offenders, Supervisor level for the Department of Corrections in the State of Alaska. She also works with victims of sexual assault and their families. Michelle provides training and supervision statewide for the Department of Corrections and the University of Alaska.

Dr. Monique Rainford

Center Medical Director at St. Agnes, Baltimore Medical System

- Monique Rainford, MD, an award-winning academic and practitioner, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is the Medical Director of the Baltimore Medical System on the St. Agnes Hospital campus. A prolific writer, public speaker, and Lifestyle Medicine advocate, she has throughout her life volunteered and worked professionally in underserved communities in multiple cities in the United States, Jamaica and Honduras. She has appeared in the media (television, radio and print) on multiple occasions nationally and internationally and has authored The Maternal Glow, a pregnancy guide and Please God Send Me a Husband.

Dr. Paul Rosen

Medical Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

- Paul Rosen, MD, is a pediatric rheumatologist. He is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. He holds a masters of public health degree from Harvard University and a Masters of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Rosen is a medical officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). He works on large scale healthcare quality improvement and quality measures development. Dr. Rosen was named “One of the First 100 Innovators” by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for his work on patient-physician communication. He was named a thought leader in patient engagement by NEJM Catalyst. He is a former TEDx speaker and has appeared on Sirius XM on the Business of Health Care show and on the Relentless Health Value podcast to discuss the patient experience movement.

Dr. Wendy Leonard

Scientist & Medical Writer

An award-winning science documentary film writer, best-selling author, and internationally recognized expert medical writer, Wendy Leonard, PhD, MPH, elevates translating medical jargon to a whole new level: she demystifies it in a way that intrigues, excites, and builds confidence. A passion for empowering others, her books include a human anatomy coloring book; a factopedia that covers 23 fields of science; and a heart healthy cookbook. She’s authored hundreds of patient education pieces, and was an invited speaker at the National Institutes of Health’s “Science and the Media” symposium. Wendy was inducted into the National Press Club in 1994, is a member of the American Public Health Association, 500 Women Scientists DC, and resides in the Agricultural Reserve, outside of Washington, DC.

Errol Ebanks

Tech Enthusiast & Owner, Errol E Photography

Whether it's behind the lens or in front of a computer, Errol Ebanks brings his passion, teaching, and expertise to his clients and the community he serves. Born in New York, Errol's thirst for knowledge of everything photography and tech came about a decade ago. Graduating from Wilmington University with a bachelor’s in media design, Errol started his own photography business in Delaware known as Errol E Photography. Whether its creating those moments or working for a renowned tech company, Errol values every interaction with the people he meets on a day to day basis. Understanding even one percent of technology, can open someone's mind to things they never thought were possible.

George A. Pagano

Ocean Rower

George A. Pagano is currently in his 2nd year of law school at Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. George started rowing at the Haverford School where he went to the National Championships all four years and was a co-captain his senior year. He then went on to row for the club team at the University of Nebraska where he won oarsman of the year twice and was the Vice President and Men’s Coach his senior year. George then went on to row across the Atlantic Ocean, close to 3000 miles, where his teammate, Caitlin Miller, and he set multiple World Records. They rowed to raise money and awareness for ALS research.

George J. Chanos

Former Attorney General of Nevada

- George J. Chanos, Esq. served as Nevada’s 31st Attorney General. He administered Nevada’s Department of Justice and acted as the state’s Chief Legal Officer and Advisor. He also successfully (9/0), argued the case of Warton v. Bockting, 549 U.S. 406 (2007), before the United States Supreme Court. Prior to serving as Nevada’s Attorney General, Mr. Chanos had a distinguished legal career, representing individual and corporate clients on all matters relating to the growth and management of their businesses. Mr. Chanos has a common-sense approach to dealing with problems and a unique ability to understand and explain complex issues. His book, “Seize Your Destiny,” is available on Amazon.com and his second book, “Millennial Samurai,” will be released in 2018.

Gerald Leonard

President & CEO, Principles of Execution, LLC

Gerald J. Leonard PMP, PfMP, is the author of "Culture Is The Bass: 7 Principles for Developing A Culture That Works," and is the President and CEO of Principles of Execution, a Certified Minority Business Enterprise, Strategic Project Portfolio Management and Culture Change consulting practice with over 20+ years’ experience working with large Federal and State Governments and Multi-National Corporations. Gerald provides an insightful and unique way of combining his experience and expertise as a professional bassist and a certified Portfolio Management Professional consultant. Gerald received a Master’s in Music from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and has acquired certifications in Project Management and Business Intelligence from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Executive Leadership Certification from Cornell University.

Glen Dunzweiler

Owner, Glen Dunzweiler Productions (GDP)

- Glen Dunzweiler is a filmmaker, producer, public speaker and former college professor whose documentary, yHomeless?, is available on Amazon Prime and whose book, Things I’ve Learned From The Homeless, is on KDP Select. In 2015, he moved from a professorship at CSU San Bernardino to Los Angeles to focus on the business side of entertainment. He found distribution for yHomeless? and began work on his second film, a biopic about a former student. In addition to filmmaking and writing, Dunzweiler is a public speaker who shares insights into working with the homeless, strategies for navigating success out of academia, and production tips for corporate audiences. His new YouTube series Skid Row Speakers aims to share inspiration from the homeless.

Hubert Akeem Lennard, Jr.

Founder & Lead Artisan, Greencrete BVI

Hubert Akeem Lennard Jr. is a 28yr old proud BVilander that lives by Ella Fitzgerald’s quote “it isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts”. Akeem is the Founder and Lead artisan of Greencrete BVI, a business he started 5 years ago. Greencrete BVI creates unique products with concrete and epoxy and incorporates recycled materials such as glass and shells in the designs. Akeem holds many certifications in decorative concrete applications. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family.

Jennifer Behm-Lazzarini

Co-Owner & Executive Chef, Red Fin Crudo + Kitchen

Jennifer Behm-Lazzarini is Gordon Ramsay’s Season 2 winner of MasterChef USA. She is co-owner/ co-executive chef with her husband Julio of Red Fin Crudo + Kitchen. Jenny has blogged for People.com, has been a product specialist for QVC, and founding member of the Confrerie de La Chaine des Rotisseurs-Delaware. She has cooked at The James Beard House-NYC, the National Mushroom Festival, Saborea Puerto Rico, BVI Winemakers Dinners, Meals for the Masters and the MFWF. She has appeared on Food Network's Cutthroat Kitchen during the Super Bowl sweeps week. A mother of 2 precocious little girls she still finds time to play soccer, has volunteered her time to the MS society, adoption/foster care causes, Meals on Wheels and March of Dimes and continues her passion as a motivation speaker.

Jodi Aman

Psychotherapist and Author

Jodi has worked with over 10,000 families as a licensed psychotherapist for 20+ years, including ten years at Mt. Hope Family Center famous for advancing research in attachment parenting. She studied Child Play Therapy with Eliana Gil. Receiving her certification in Narrative Therapy from Dulwich Centre, she subsequently worked as a faculty member there, teaching other therapists in Norway, China, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. She is the author of four books–most notable is her best seller, You 1, Anxiety 0: Win your life back from fear and panic– and is currently writing a book on teen anxiety. Jodi’s biggest challenge, greatest joy and heaviest workload has been that of being a mom to Cal, Leo and Lily.

Johnny Gillespie

Mindful Movement Specialist, Founder of Balanced Athlete

Johnny Gillespie’s mission is to make us aware of our innate Movement Operating System. Practiced correctly, it heals injuries and prevents us from becoming The Tin Man as we age. For 23 years, Gillespie has bridged the professions of personal training, strength and conditioning, yoga, and mindfulness into the movement operating system he calls Balanced Athlete. With humor and ease, he simplifies complex information into relatable terms and practices to empower a diverse population toward increased vibrancy and well-being. Gillespie, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), earned a B.S. in Sports Management from West Virginia University in 1995. Since 2005, he has lectured annually at NSCA National Conferences and consulted throughout corporate America.

Linda Tucker

Conservationist

After being rescued by a Tsonga medicine woman from a life-threatening encounter with a pride of lions in 1991, Linda Tucker gave up a career in international marketing to become a conservationist. She has dedicated her life to the urgent protection of the critically endangered White Lions,amongst the world’s most targeted trophy. Over 3 decades, Linda Tucker has campaigned for their protection against the legalized malpractices in South Africa’s notorious cuddle-and-kill industry. Founder of the Global White Lion Protection, she has successfully rewilded them, and secured vast protected heritage lands in the heart of their ancestral territories: UN-designated Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere. She is author of Mystery of the White Lions (2001), Saving the White Lions (2010) and LionHearted Leadership (2016).

Lisa Cuesta

Principal, NextGen Venture Partners

Lisa is a Principal at NextGen Venture Partners, a network-driven venture firm that is powered by over 1,000 Venture Partners that support NextGen's portfolio companies. This year, Lisa launched NextGen Venture Partner - Align, focused on investing in early-stage companies driving impact in social inclusion, health and environment at scale. Previously, Lisa worked in strategy and product operations roles at Google. Lisa graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Markevis Gideon

Owner & Managing Director, NERDiT NOW

- Since a young age Markevis has always been an entrepreneur and you can witness that whenever he speaks about his past ventures. Recently returning from his 5-year stay in China, where he taught at a University, worked for an Import/Export company all the while opening and running a hotel lobby bar. He has continued his entrepreneurial ventures by creating NERDiT NOW, LLC., all the while donating 100 computers to families and organizations that is devoted to assisting those from lower income families. He says he wants to do this because he came from a lower income family and he wants to give back to the community, which has given so much to him.

Mindy Tatz Chernof

Equine Specialist

Mindy Tatz Chernof, B.A, M.A. is the founder of The Resonant Horse. From her farm in Newtown Square, PA, she partners with horses to aid all in becoming fully present, authentic, and free. Viton is a twenty-year-old double registered Gelding. He is a world champion in the American Paint Horse Association, as well as a two-time Pinto Congress Champion. Mindy offers private session at her barn, as well as offering workshops and retreats. She is the author of the Amazon #1 Hot New Release: "From Muck to Magnificence, How Cleaning Horse Stalls Can Lead to an Astonishing Lifel"

Paul B. Redman

President and Chief Executive Officer, Longwood Gardens

Paul B. Redman is an award-winning leader of public gardens, known for his dedication to the beauty and sustainability of gardens and to the training of future generations of horticulture professionals. For the last 13 years, he has led one of the great gardens of world to record-setting attendance, revenue, and horticultural and artistic excellence. This has resulted in Longwood Gardens becoming the most visited public garden in North America and the most visited cultural attraction in Philadelphia, outside of the many free attractions. Paul has been working and studying in the field of public horticulture for more than 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Science Degree in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University.

Phillip J. Roundtree

Founder, Quadefy LLC

Phillip J. Roundtree, MSW, MS is the Founder of Quadefy LLC, an organization dedicated to providing empowerment services to enhance the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength of an individual, team, and/or business. He is a staunch advocate of destigmatizing mental health, by promoting total wellness, amongst marginalized and often underrepresented communities. His transparency, as it relates to his personal journey in coping with depression and anxiety, gives a face, voice, and hope to those who’ve yet to recognize their emotional and cognitive strength.

Richard Lackey

Chairman & CEO, World Food Bank

Mr. Richard Lackey is a serial entrepreneur with a unique background that includes several years in emergency medical response and medical missions and almost three decades as an active trader and fund manager. Mr. Lackey has held eight different securities licenses spanning equity, options and futures markets, and has served as the Managing Director for five private funds. His expertise in emergency response management, as well as the inefficiencies of markets, led him to create the World Food Bank. The World Food Bank is responsible for establishing the world’s most valuable commodities as the world’s newest and potentially safest asset class. In addition to leading the World Food Bank, he regularly consults for startup companies needing innovative solutions, marketing direction, or board leadership.

Rod Wallace

Executive Strategist

Rod Wallace, Ph.D., is an economist, speaker, and executive strategist with a unique blend of expertise. He focuses on energizing organizations to deliver profit and make a difference. A Fulbright Fellow, he has worked with a leading economic historian, led multi-organization billion-dollar initiatives worldwide, and partnered with a Silicon Valley pioneer to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on society. In his book, "Drowning in Potential: How American Society Can Survive Digital Technology," Wallace delivers insights into the unintended consequences of digital technology on American society, and provides strategies and tools with which businesses can profit while solving society’s most pressing issues.

Sara Blanchard

Conscious Connector

Sara Blanchard holds safe space for a loosely associated group to peel back the layers and connect authentically through a deep level of conscious conversation. Having worked at Goldman Sachs and taught positive psychology at Harvard, Sara speaks the language of traditional accomplishment, but for over 10 years, Sara has also pursued the science and techniques of well-being as a life coach, mother, and author of Flex Mom. She now bridges the gap between the serious mission of supporting success, and the lighthearted yet impactful actions that build quality relationships, meaning, and happiness in our lives.

Sean J. Kennedy

Drumset & Percussion Artist

Sean J. Kennedy is a multi-faceted musician, equally accomplished on the stage, in the recording studio, and in the classroom. He has performed on drumset and percussion with The Philly POPS! Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Jacksonville Symphony, and is principal drumset player with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. Tours have included performances with Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo, Roger Daltrey and The Who, The Strauss Symphony of America, and Evanescence. His orchestral works have been premiered at Carnegie Hall and Iglesia San Pedro de Montes de Oca, in Costa Rica. Kennedy is also the author of numerous drumset, percussion and improv books. Jazz legend Dave Brubeck stated that Sean’s drumming, “… sounds like it should—it swings!”

Seth Rainess

Diversity Consultant & Trans101 Expert

Seth Rainess is a sought-after Diversity Consultant and Keynote speaker who talks about the experience of being transgender to build understanding, compassion and create allies for young people and the adults in their lives. He is also the Best-Selling Author of REAL TALK FOR TEENS: A Jump-start Guide to Gender Transitioning and Beyond. This book offers trans teens a foundation for transitioning and a distinct perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s world. He is a contributing board member to organizations that share his mission- including PFLAG Jersey Shore, and of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Gender Development and Sexuality Clinic.

Susanne Birgersdotter

CEO & Founder, SBDM

Susanne Birgersdotter, a Swedish self made entrepreneur and investor, shares her inspirational journey from designing her first app from her kitchen table to becoming a partner in the VC company, Milky Way Cap within 7 years. Susanne’s strong instincts and intuition has helped her grow her companies including designing a #1 ranked app and founding Igotcha, SthlmAppLab, SBDM. She is an active mentor/member on several boards, and a popular global speaker giving lectures and workshops on entrepreneurship and venture capital. Susanne was nominated for Sweden’s most powerful female founder in 2017 and 2018.