Theme: Take The Leap

TEDxPepperdineUniversity will challenge each and every one of us to consider the vast terrain of new ideas beyond what we consider to be normal. Our speakers will talk on what it will be like to climb new mountains of thought and peer into an endless distance of possibility within the realms of technology, entertainment, and design. With each new mountain peak comes a new sense of understanding how the world beyond us truly works, and more so, revelations about how we, as Pepperdine students, fit into the bigger picture. So join us at this event to reach that first peak, and Take The Leap!

Firestone Fieldhouse
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California, 90263
United States

Clayton Blaha

Founder, Ferrari Jetpack, Inc.

Clayton Blaha is an entertainment entrepreneur from Boise, Idaho. In 2011 he formed the influential electronic music label, OWSLA, with international superstar DJ/producer Skrillex who has since sold millions of records worldwide and won 8 Grammys. He has developed and managed artists on Interscope and Atlantic Records under his company Ferrari Jetpack and works closely to develop film/television content as well as innovative marketing strategies with William Morris Endeavor. Clayton has lent his acumen to campaigns by Toyota, Mazda, Red Bull, Converse and hundreds more while keeping a deft finger on the pulse of youth culture. For more, follow Clayton Blaha on Twitter and Instagram @FerrariJetpack.

Danielle Harris

Assistant Director of Intercultural Affairs at Pepperdine University

In this TEDx Talk, Danielle Harris, M.S. shares her experiences growing up with Black boys and the importance behind sharing our stories so that theirs continue. Danielle is a Black woman, creative, and empath with more questions than answers. She teaches sometimes. She writes poems sometimes. She takes Black students abroad sometimes. Most days she’s living in the clouds and loving on the Black folks in her life.

Elijah Zoarski

Senior at Pepperdine University

Elijah Zoarski is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, having studied Interpersonal Communication as his major. While at Pepperdine, he spearheaded Unite Pepp, a school-wide initiative invoking conversations about acceptance and safety. Off-campus, Elijah's entrepreneurial spirit has led him to an array of experiences, from promoting some of LA's top clubs to managing high-budget fundraisers. He currently resides in Shenzhen, China. To learn more, follow Elijah Zoarski on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram @elij.ah.

Emma Johnson

Senior at Pepperdine

Emma Johnson, author of How to Be Heartbroken (2018) and Daily Sentient (2019), writes authentically about sadness, loss, loneliness, and heartbreak. She has a degree in Interpersonal Communication from Pepperdine University.

Irene Ashu

Director, Producer, Writer, and Creative Strategist

Irene Ashu is Cameroonian-American Choreographer, Director, and Producer. Irene has curated work for notable Pop/Hip hop artists, tech companies, and various brands. Her most notable work was for P!NK, Serena Williams, Google, Apple, Under Armour, Nicki Minaj, and W-magazine. Irene is currently the Creative Director/Founder of Afrique Au Monde. Afrique Au Monde is a full-service production company that specializes in music video, commercial, and film production. Irene is passionate about social justice and utilizing her platform to be a voice for minorities. Irene is the founder of Dance For A Cause a non-profit organization that raises money for various charitable organizations each year.

Kim Perell

CEO at Amobee

Kim Perell is an award-winning entrepreneur, bestselling author, angel investor, and technology CEO. Laid off from her dream job out of college, Kim started her first company from her kitchen table, going from broke to a multi-millionaire by the time she was 30, and selling her last company for $235 million in 2014. Passionate about supporting others to achieve success in life, Kim is an angel investor in over 70 startups, 14 of which have successfully been acquired. Kim attributes her success to her ability to execute, which inspired her to write her bestselling book, The Execution Factor, The One Skill that Drives Success. To learn more, visit KimPerell.com or follow Kim on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @KimPerell.

Matthew Helderman

CEO and co-founder of BondIt Media Capital & Buffalo 8

Matthew Helderman is the founder and CEO of BondIt Media Capital and Buffalo 8. Helderman founded Buffalo 8 in 2010 while an undergrad student and over the past 9 years Buffalo 8 has touted premieres at Sundance, South By South West and the Berlin Film Festival and recently produced the Netflix original film “Rodney King” directed by Spike Lee. In 2013 Helderman cofounded BondIt Media Capital with the vision of providing reliable and frictionless access to capital for media projects, producers, and companies. By 2019 BondIt had acquired ABS Payroll, raised $30M in the partial sale of the business to Accord Financial, and had financed over 300 projects including “Midway” from director Roland Emmerich, “Crypto” (starring Kurt Russell and Alexis Bledel), “Bel Canto” (starring Julianne Moore), the cult hit "The Invitation", "King Cobra" (starring James Franco and Christian Slater), “Aftermath" (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), and the Academy Award nominated film "Loving Vincent”.

Nathan Mellor

CEO of C3Brands and President of Strata Leadership

Dr. Nathan Mellor is a storyteller and leadership guide. He is the CEO of C3Brands and President of Strata Leadership. He holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership degree from Pepperdine University. He earned the Master of Dispute Resolution degree from the Pepperdine School of Law. Nathan has recently released a new book, “Sleeping Giants” and is the cofounder of the Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Presidential Leadership Institute. Nathan cares deeply about people and ideas and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses for over twenty years. In pursuit of educational, humanitarian and religious interests, he has studied or taught in Australia, Belize, China, Guyana, England, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, and Russia. An avid hiker, he founded the Executive Summit Series, which provides executive development experiences for leaders hosted in the striking beauty of the National Parks. He and his wife Christie live in Edmond, Oklahoma with their two teenage daughters.

Olivia Robinson

Junior at Pepperdine University

Olivia Robinson is a junior at Pepperdine University majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications and Rhetoric and Leadership. Olivia has been heavily involved in campus events throughout her time at Pepperdine, and has spearheaded conversations related to diversity and inclusion, impactful leadership, gender-based violence, and a vast array of other topics. She currently serves as the Co-Vice President of the university’s Black Student Association. Olivia’s passion for social justice has given her opportunities to write articles for the NAACP Washington, D.C. Branch and for the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina in Buenos Aires. As a woman committed to expanding the boundaries of community and creating platforms for the hushed to be heard, Olivia desires to invigorate others to love more.

Raymond Rider

Freshman at Pepperdine University

Raymond Rider is a sophomore at Pepperdine University, majoring in psychology with a minor in philosophy. On April 17, 2018, Raymond was a passenger on Southwest Flight 1380, in which the plane engine exploded, causing the plane to rapidly decompress, and a woman lost her life. Despite this, Raymond has taken nine plane trips since then and plans on taking many more. Through this experience, Raymond hopes his story will show people that strength and courage to face challenges or tragedies throughout life can come from the most unexpected, undesirable places. Raymond also hopes his story will inspire people to just take the leap of faith.