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).

St. Edward's University
3001 S Congress Ave
Austin, Texas, 78704
United States

Angela Shaw

Angela Shaw is an accomplished HR professional with experience in multiple industries. She is currently HR Manager at Formspace. She also teaches an Essentials of HR Class at Austin Community College where she can interact with future HR leaders. She is dual certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and a SHRM Certified Professional. Angela has a love of HR but is specifically devoted to diversity, inclusion, and workforce readiness. She believes in organizations being socially responsible, accountable and diverse. Angela views volunteer leadership as a pathway for her passion as a servant leader to the HR community. She is the 2019 President for Austin Human Resource Management Association.

Anjali Maazel

Anjali is the founder and CEO of Anja Education Consultants and the proud mother of a thriving college senior, recipient of numerous merit scholarships and two-time intern at NASA. For over 15 years, Anjali worked as an alumna interviewer for Princeton University and obtained an in-depth understanding of the Ivy League admissions process. She also draws on a lifetime in international education, the arts and public relations to offer the highest caliber college and graduate admissions guidance. She works with a limited number of students in order to offer highly personalized guidance and the highest quality mentoring to each and every one of them. As a seasoned college counselor and a parent, Anjali fully understands families’ concerns. She empowers parents with strategic information and support to navigate the system smoothly and successfully. Anjali grew up in New York City, receiving visual arts training at the Art Students League, dance instruction at the Harkness School and American Ballet Theater School, and piano study with a teacher from the Juilliard School. As the daughter of a composer and the former director of the New York Philharmonic, the Orchestre National de France and the Vienna State Opera among others, she travelled extensively as a child and acquired an intimate knowledge of how talent is developed, managed and promoted. She attended the Lycée Français de New York, from first grade through high school, obtaining a French Baccalauréat with Honors. Princeton University awarded her a full year of college credit as a result, and she graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a BA in Romance Languages, writing her thesis on the adaptation of a French novel into film. At Princeton, in addition to fulfilling pre-med requirements, she was trained in theater, photography and film production and continued this training at the New School, HB Studios in NYC and at the University of Southern California graduate film school. Her time at Princeton included a junior year abroad with the Sarah Lawrence program in Paris, France, summer study in Salzburg, and summer film internships in Portugal and Spain. After college, she worked at entertainment public relations firm Rogers & Cowan, took postgraduate writing courses at the University of California Los Angeles, Warren Wilson College and Columbia University, as well as Adolescent Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University. She then lived and worked in Rome and Paris for over a decade, writing and translating for corporate clients, teaching English to students at the University of Paris, offering writing workshops and advising students about study in the United States while continuing to interview students for Princeton. She speaks 7 languages and is attuned to the needs of international and multicultural students. Anjali returned to the United States and settled in Austin, TX where she wrote curriculum for Pearson Prentice Hall textbooks and founded Anja Education Consultants. She also worked in the community in Austin, volunteering her services at ACE Academy, a school for gifted children. At ACE, she leveraged her contacts for the Fundraising Committee. She drew on her extensive PR experience to increase the school's visibility and expand their network of supporters. She then created a special relationship with the Austin Lyric Opera as Arts Enrichment Coordinator, organizing social events and curriculum enrichment around 14 operas over 6 years. In addition, as College Counseling Consultant at ACE, she educated high school families, edited the school profile and course catalogue, advised staff on how to present the newly created program to universities, invited college representatives, coordinated access to college fairs, and successfully guided the senior class in the application process. They were all admitted to at least one of their top choice schools and obtained scholarships ranging from $230,000 to full rides. 100% of Anjali’s clients to date in her private practice were admitted to at least one of their top 3 schools and have obtained academic merit and talent based scholarships up to $276,000. Acceptances include Yale University, Cornell University, Rice University, Johns Hopkins, Colgate University and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Carla Howard

Carla helps women become more Influential and Promotable so they can Rise with Confidence and Grace! She has served as a trusted advisor and mentor for over two decades. Her background includes experience leading successful transformational change, coaching professionals to achieve their personal and business goals, and gracefully navigating office politics. She understands the challenges facing woman professionals in the workplace today, and is passionate about helping them take charge of their careers.

Christiane Michaelis

Christiane Michaelis is the founder of The Dirty Easel, a business that helps organizations to develop an innovative culture through team building and creativity training. She has spent years studying the nature of creativity, learning, and innovation. Her career started in Germany, where she earned her Master’s degree in music and German. After college, she became an opera and theater director and staged productions across Europe for 10 years. She then settled to teach language arts, theater, and music to young people, first in Germany and later in Austin. As a teacher, she learned how to encourage others to express themselves creatively. In 2014, she founded The Dirty Easel, which synthesizes all of her artistic experiences, as well as her research into creativity. She found that her true passion is igniting in others a thirst for creativity and original thinking. She now speaks on the subject of creativity and innovation, and leads workshops that foster collaborative and innovative teams.

Crista Beck

Crista Beck, The Love Radar, is a dating expert who teaches single people who are seeking a healthy and long-term relationship how to attract quality dating partners, increase their confidence, and take the actions necessary to have the love they deeply desire. She is regarded by her clients as a “romantic healer” due to her holistic and conscious approach to finding a meaningful relationship in the era of hookup culture and online dating. While Crista coaches both men and women alike, she specializes in helping smart and successful single people who want a secure relationship, but struggle with the fear of picking the wrong partner again. Through her one-on-one and group coaching programs they can stop struggling with the overwhelm of dating and finally feel at home in the relationship they always wanted. Actively building her dating advice and coaching business since 2009, she has played an active role in the love and relationship industry, advising and helping thousands of people around the world. She is the co-creator of the Jumpstart Your Heart Process™, and creator of the Sure-Fire Dating Formula™ focusing on helping people identify and release their hidden barriers to love, become the kind of person that is open to love, and feel empowered and at ease on the dating scene. Crista creates a loving and effective environment to educate, enlighten and empower ALL people to step into love.

Cynthia Kahn

Cynthia Kahn has over 20 years’ experience consulting with software companies. She has her MBA, and she's also a certified scrum master and project manager. Cynthia is co-author of the GSD Scrum Handbook and co-founder of the agile consulting company GSD Mindset, where she teaches Scrum in 1 Day and coaches teams to focus on what's important, become more agile and get more stuff done.

Dara Zycherman

Dara Zycherman is the owner of Less Equals More, a lifestyle consultancy that helps people create organized, minimalist spaces in their homes and offices with a focus on reducing waste and simple living. After earning her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, Dara set off to “save the planet” at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). As one of USGBC’s first staff members, she helped propel its growth as one of the world’s preeminent environmental organizations. During her twelve year tenure, she launched new programs (LEED for Neighborhood Development, LEED v4) and created educational courses and publications. Devoting herself full-time to her entrepreneurial passion in 2015, she launched Less Equals More. Encouraging her clients to work from a deeper level of understanding through the process of downsizing, she incorporates elements of sustainability, personal finance, minimalism, and mindfulness. She has presented on these topics at libraries, coworking spaces, and community centers. To further her desire to educate and inspire, she launched the Words for Wednesday podcast and publishes a twice monthly blog. Additionally, she started the Meaningful Minimalism Meetup group in Austin, TX.

Ellen Smoak

Ellen Smoak has shared the stage with Marci Shimoff who was featured in the hit movie the Secret. In fact, Marci Shimoff calls Ellen a “true change agent.” Ellen has been featured on ABC, NBC, Yahoo, and FOX, and her work has reached over 10 million women around the world. Her #1 bestselling book, Breakups Are A Bitch, But Getting Over It Doesn't Have To Be! was called, “a brilliant path to rebuild your life,” by Dr. John Gray, the author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. Top Thought Leaders consult Ellen to help them land their books on the New York Times bestseller list, include Katherine Woodward Thomas, the author of Conscious Uncoupling. Ellen is the Founder & CEO of The Society of Women Entrepreneurs -- Austin’s largest community of female businesses owners. The Society of WE helps women make their business dreams come true by offering events, mentorship, masterminds, workshops, trainings, and an ongoing “Sisterhood of Support.” Ellen believes in the power of true sisterhood, and its ability to change the world. On a personal note, Ellen has a passion for jumping horses. In fact, she was the first person in history to receive a Division I Varsity Letter from jumping horses in college. As a keynote speaker, Ellen uses her passion & wisdom learned on the back of a horse to teach women how to gracefully come together to lift, support and empower each other's success. For more information on Ellen Smoak and The Society of Women Entrepreneurs, please visit www.societyofwe.com.

Janet Zaretsky

Janet Zaretsky is a master professional coach, author, and speaker that helps people unleash their brilliance, confidence and visibility in the world. Janet has worked with over 32,000 people in the past 22+ years Janet is a powerful advocate for ending the gender gap, both in pay and influence. Her work with women has led her to be a frequent contributor to Forbes and the author of “Where’d My Confidence Go… and how do I get it back?”. Known as The BS-to-Brilliance Master, has a gift for having you unapologetically and confidently express yourself – and succeed! – as the unique and powerful professional you are. She is a TEDX and Keynote Speaker, a corporate trainer and expert in communication and leadership, an International Coach Federation member, Enhanced Conversational Intelligence Coach, Certified in Behavioral Style Instruments, graduate of Coach U, former senior program leader for Landmark Worldwide. You can find more information at www.janetzaretsky.com.

Kimberly Culbertson

Kimberly helps clients to lead authentically, maximize their teams, and create an empowering culture in order to reach beyond the good to the extraordinary. Decades of leadership experience in publishing, non-profit, and corporate training have taught her a thing or two about how teams function, and these days she’s leveraging that knowledge on behalf of leaders who are looking to release the full power of their teams. She uses tools like Strengthsfinder, Myers-Briggs, and Enneagram to map a team and help them to curate an environment that expresses value, appreciates diversity, and harnesses collective intelligence.

Leigh Christie

Mrs. Christie is the Senior Vice President of Global Technology & Innovation at the Greater Austin Chamber. She leads the development and execution of the organization’s vision for Central Texas as a top global region for innovation, which includes executing on Opportunity Austin programs and initiatives. Her legal background combined with a deep understanding of the business community, venture capital investment, and the significance of Austin startups provide a strong foundation to expand the Chamber’s role in growing innovation and global technology. Prior to joining the Austin Chamber, Mrs. Christie was the Executive Director at the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas where she spent more than eight years working with Austin area CEOs and tech companies on entrepreneurial and community-focused projects. She is a lawyer by trade and practiced law for more than five years in Seattle, Washington. She has more than 15 years’ experience in program creation and development, management and operations. Building and supporting strategic and impactful collaborations to address community needs is one of her greatest strengths. Locally, Mrs. Christie is an Advisory Board member of Philanthropitch, a graduate of the Leadership Austin Essential Class, the Acton Leadership Edge Program, the AISD UpClose Program, and she is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Austin. She has also served in leadership roles in the community, including the Austin Chamber of Commerce, Board Member; City of Austin, Corporate Engagement Council, Member; Austin Gives, Executive Council Member; and SXSWedu Advisory Board Member. From 2016 - 2018, Mrs. Christie was named one of Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power & Women of Influence. Outside of Austin, she has volunteered her legal services to VAPWA (Volunteer Attorneys for People with AIDS) in Seattle, Washington and served on the Hospice Seattle Board of Directors.

Lena Ehrenberg

Lena Ehrenberg believes that success skills are transferrable, and to this end she coaches women who have created success in certain areas of their lives who want to Have More Love. For some that means creating a romantic partnership, for others it means mothering a foster child. She works one on one with clients and also facilitates a monthly Mistress Mind for women to share and learn in an active group environment. In addition to being an actress with both regional and national commercial and theatrical credits, Lena has held various positions within the entertainment industry including stints with Home Box Office and The Walt Disney Company. Her very first film, which she self-produced, wrote, performed in, and edited, was selected for inclusion in the pilot Disney/ABC Television division short film festival. Lena volunteers as a certified coach-monitor for the L.A. County Dep’t of Children and Family Services. She coaches biological parents during visits with their children who are currently in foster care in order to help them develop better parenting skills and create positive family relationships. She has been a happily single, fulltime, foster mama and is a world traveler. She is the recipient of mentoring and coaching that led her to change results in every area of her life and help other women to do the same in their own lives. As an advocate for educating girls, employing and empowering women and keeping families and communities together Lena volunteers her time with and financially supports charitable organizations that operate in both the US and Uganda.No matter where in the world Lena lives, or for how long she lives there, she identifies first and foremost as a New Yorker, and she loves to laugh!

Lindsay Ronga

Lindsay, Food & Wellness Coach, has an MBA from Harvard Business School, teaches yoga and speaks at wellness events and retreats. She empowers other to find lasting wellness and freedom from emotional eating and eating disorders.

Maureen Lomo

Maureen is a new author and speaker who has visited over twenty countries and has lived and worked in four countries on three different continents. Her former career as a diplomat presented her unique experiences such as meeting two former presidents and first ladies at events surrounding Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. Maureen’s nearly ten years of federal service fulfilled her, and she credits her time overseas for illuminating her purpose and helping uncover her talents, creative writing, and public speaking. Maureen's creative and speaking work draws on her dual-cultured upbringing and international background to discuss universal themes of transformation, connection, and inner-change while bringing to light global issues dear to her heart. She now adventures into the world of creative service by writing entertaining and engaging stories with impact. Her love of creativity shines through as she brings her spirit of freedom, discovery, and transformation to her debut novel, Tenth Year in the Sun. Maureen's creative and speaking work draws on her dual-cultured upbringing and international background to discuss universal tales of transformation, connection, and inner-change while bringing to light global issues dear to her heart. Maureen was born in Ghana and grew up in Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas. She currently lives in Austin, Texas where she enjoys the great outdoors, a great cup of joe, and spending time with family and friends.

Reda Hicks

Reda Hicks is an attorney, advocate, and policy consultant based in Houston Texas. Reda’s work centers around connecting people and resources to make impact at the local, state, national and international level. Reda is the Founder of GotSpot, a digital marketplace that pairs Main Street space with entrepreneurs who have ado hoc space needs. The spouse of a retired Army Special Forces soldier, Reda is also a military families advocate. She works with organizations in Houston and across the country on a number of policy initiatives designed to improve the lives of our servicemembers and their families. Reda serves on the advisory board of the Military Family Advisory Network, and as the Houston Delegate to the Texas Veteran Spouse Network board. She’s also an active volunteer with the Lonestar Veteran Association and Bunker Labs Houston. In 2014, Reda was named Army Spouse of the Year for her work advocating for military families. She’s also a founding member of the Military Spouse JD Network, the national bar association for military spouses, and frequently serves as a mentor for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Military Spouse Professional Network AMPLIFY Career Intensive. Reda is a proud Texan and an even prouder Houstonian, who devotes a great deal of her time and energy to the community. Reda serves as board chair of Leadership Houston, and VP of Civic Engagement for the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area. She also serves on the boards of the Texas Lyceum, Sketch City which houses the Houston Hackathon, and Code Park, which teaches kids coding skills.

Savannah Taylor

Savannah grew up in Houston, Texas, and attended Southwestern University where she studied political science and philosophy. She is passionate about feminism and motherhood, and her role as a doula allows her to connect with many women at what is the most pivotal time in their life. Savannah is the founder and president of Venus Birth Work, LLC. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Shelley Delayne

Shelley Delayne founded Orange Coworking to empower location-independent professionals to be more creative and productive, and to provide a friendly environment for human flourishing, connection, and self-actualization. Prior to creating Orange Coworking, Shelley worked as a freelance graphic designer, small business consultant, and professional storyteller. The combination of experience, research, and a deep fascination with people contribute to her devotion to improving the experience of life through the context of work. She is a mother, a tango dancer, a voracious reader, and an eternal optimist.