Theme: Building Blocks.

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).

TBA
1620 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222
United States

Alissa Carpenter

Alissa Carpenter is the Owner of Everything is Not Okay & That's Okay. She works directly with organizations to bridge communication gaps across generations, job functions, and geography and has worked with non-profits to multi-billion-dollar enterprises. She has an MEd in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education, is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and is certified in the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Alissa has been featured on ABC, CBS, NPR, FOX, Forbes, and quoted in multiple media outlets including CNN Money and Fast Company. Alissa’s first book on communicating in diverse workplaces is set to release next year.

Alyssa Carpenter

Alissa Carpenter is the Owner of Everything is Not Okay & That's Okay. She works directly with organizations to bridge communication gaps across generations, job functions, and geography and has worked with non-profits to multi-billion-dollar enterprises. She has an MEd in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education, is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and is certified in the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Alissa has been featured on ABC, CBS, NPR, FOX, Forbes, and quoted in multiple media outlets including CNN Money and Fast Company. Alissa’s first book on communicating in diverse workplaces is set to release next year.

Cotey Jordan

Dr. Cotey Jordan is the proud owner of Family Chiropractic, Co- founder of The Pittsburgh Migraine Challenge, and Creator of Inspired To Be Healthy. Recognizing that our country is in a health crisis, Dr. Jordan had made it his mission to provide valuable content, techniques, and strategies revolving around lifestyle to help as many people as he can get their lives back. Dr. Jordan has expanded his influence to a national level by creating a Corporate Wellness Program that allows for companies to increase their bottom line, by simply investing in their employees and giving them the knowledge, tools, and rituals to be able to live a healthy lifestyle. As a newly published author of the book Beyond Symptoms, Dr. Jordan’s work focusing on the principle that Stress Attacks the Weakest Part of the Body has been recognized on several powerhouse networks to include CBS, NBC, and ABC News.

Crystal Morrison

Dr. Crystal Morrison is a highly regarded scientist and leader who is passionate about developing people and organizations to their highest potential. She believes strongly that innovation is an act of leadership not just creativity. With extensive experience across industry, academia and national labs, Dr. Morrison knows what it takes to build and lead successful teams that create lasting value and bring products from concept to reality. Dr. Morrison holds a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Chemistry. Following graduate school at the University of Michigan, Dr. Morrison was a Harold Agnew National Security Postdoctoral Fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and later became a staff member, team leader and program leader before moving to Pittsburgh, PA. Since LANL, she has held successive leadership roles, including global R&D leader in a Fortune 500 company for 2 business units covering 11 unique market segments with over $2.5B in annual sales. In 2018, Dr. Morrison converted her passion for people, technology and leadership into EverRise. EverRise is focused on uncovering and unleashing hidden potential in technical professionals and organizations to deliver growth and long-term sustainability.

Griffin Jones

Griffin Jones earns a living by serving clients in expensive cities, while residing in an affordable city with a high quality of life, Buffalo, NY. Griffin stopped serving businesses exclusive to his local area in 2014 and began earning revenue from clients across North America and the world at large. He is the founder of a business development and marketing firm for fertility centers called Fertility Bridge. Griffin is an advocate for business as a force of good and a champion for the sustained development of urban areas. Griffin uses the term "rust belt" proudly, is its brand ambassador, and is bullish on the potential of its cities. Griffin is a volunteer and donor to the Catholic Church, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), and Big Brothers Big Sisters. One of his favorite unpaid activities is showing visitors around Buffalo.

Jody Bechtold

Jody Bechtold, keynote speaker and workshop training expert, is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working extensively across the US with individuals, organizations, and associations. She has an International Gambling Addiction Counselor, Level 2 certification and is a Board Approved Clinical Consultant with the IGCCB. She is a member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA). She holds a Masters in Social Work and undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. She has presented and spoke at conferences across the nation as well as London England and Florence Italy. When Jody isn’t working, you can find her providing pet therapy with her dog, Hanna, and supporting her husband’s business, Pittsburgh Guitars. Please email jody@betterinstitute.com or go to www.BetterInstitute.com to contact Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, PC.

Joe Mull

Joe Mull, M.Ed works with organizations that need their leaders to become better bosses and build stronger teams. Joe is the former head of learning and development for one of the largest physician groups in the U.S. and the author of two books: Cure for the Common Leader and No More Team Drama. As President of Joe Mull & Associates, he partners with clients across the country to give their leaders the skills and tools they need to foster teamwork, engage employees, and lead people. Joe holds a BA from IUP (’00), a Master’s in Education from Ohio University (’03) and has more than 20 years of experience as a trainer and facilitator. His TedX talk Why Gossip Starts and Spreads at Work will shine a light on the predictable, inaccurate thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate gossip in the workplace, and the ways to disrupt, disable, and prevent them from occurring.

Lucas Mack

Lucas Mack is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, podcast host and coach. He is the author of the book “Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face,” a guide to developing a passionate and authentic story in order to achieve results. Lucas has a passion for people who are looking for healing, forgiveness, rest, balance, purpose and peace in their lives by reconnecting them to an understanding of the true definition of love and the power it brings, by giving them personal empowerment, a clear vision, purposeful direction and an ability to give back. Growing up in an abusive home where fear and confusion ruled his life, he’s been able to break the cycle and find true healing. He learned that love gives truth permission to come forth resulting in personal freedom, and the reason we aren’t free is because we don’t know what true love is. He leads people to experience change in themselves in order for them to impact the world, through spiritual reconnection, personal healing, and legacy building.

Tyler Andrews

Tyler Andrews moved to Pittsburgh in July of last year to serve as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Ross Park Mall. In addition to his role at Ross Park, he is the acting social committee chair for the Pittsburgh Young Professionals, active with Pittsburgh Ultimate, and currently co-hosting a podcast called 'Don't Be Boring'. He is writing a book based on the Podcast, titled 'The Only Thing Boring Is You', with the goal of challenging others to live more exciting lives. His talk will focus on 'The Four E's of Exciting Existence', with an emphasis on 'boredom is just a state of mind'.