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).

Westfield High School
18250 N. Union Street
Westfield, Indiana, 46074
United States

Benjamin Rascon-Gracia

Benjamin will be a senior at Westfield High School. He is the editor of the school newspaper and is very interested in foreign languages. Benjamin is a member of the WHS Speech and Debate team and Mock Trial. Benjamin will pursue studies in law, economics, and foreign policy.

Bridget Arnold

Bridget is a Westfield High School graduate who will be attending Purdue University in the fall of 2019.

Christina Fugate

Christina Fugate is a partner in the Firm’s Litigation Group, providing risk management and litigation services for a wide range of commercial matters and clients. Christina has represented companies and individuals in several types of litigation involving franchise disputes, product liability claims, real estate matters, securities litigation, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights issues, and general competitive business litigation. Christina’s franchising and distribution practice provides clients with counseling and litigation services, from initial negotiation of the franchise relationship through dispute resolution. Christina has represented franchisors and franchisees in a variety of commercial disputes including breach of contract claims, vicarious liability claims, collection issues, trademark claims, and trade secret claims. On the transactional side, Christina has helped a number of clients negotiate, purchase and implement franchises. Christina is an active member of the ABA Forum on Franchise. She has written several articles for the ABA Franchise Journal and was a speaker at the ABA Forum on Franchise's annual meeting in October 2015. Additionally, Christina has extensive experience defending manufacturers, distributors, and retailers against product liability, warranty, and indemnification claims. Christina has represented global and regional manufacturers in numerous state and federal courts. In doing so, Christina has defended a variety of products including industrial machinery and agricultural equipment. Originally from Kiel, Wisconsin, Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in finance, magna cum laude, from Butler University in 2004. Christina received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. While in law school, Christina was an editor for the Indiana International and Comparative Law Review. Outside of Ice Miller, Christina is a very active member of the Butler University Alumni Association. She currently serves as the President of the Central Indiana Alumni Chapter and is the former President of the Young Alumni Board of Directors. In May 2014, Christina received the Joseph Irwin Sweeney Alumni Service Award for her commitment and outstanding service to Butler University.

Cooper Brooks

Cooper is a senior at Westfield High School.

Geoff Davis

Geoffrey Davis firmly believes that all humankind was created with an inherent drive to use their hands and bodies to create. Geoff is an artist, teacher and craftsman who works in his Noblesville. His teaching studio, The Workshops of GB Davis, aims to build community and engage folks in exploring and building new skills in wood carving, ukulele building, general woodworking and leather. During his 33 years as an Indianapolis Public School teacher, Geoff balanced his dual careers as an elementary teacher and an independent traditional artist. His commitment to creative handwork was always present his classrooms. Geoff led students to explore their potential through boatbuilding, bookbinding and musical performance. Geoff has has received two Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowships and is listed in the Early American Life Director of American Craft. Most recently he served a three month term of Maker-in-Residence at the Fishers Library Ignite Makers Studio.

Hannah Fife

Hannah is a Westfield High School student.

John Wechsler

John Wechsler, Founder & CEO of Launch Fishers and The Indiana IoT Lab John has founded, co-founded or served in C-level roles in several high-growth and venture-backed startups including Formstack, Formspring, DeveloperTown, Vontoo, Wishoo and beenz. In 2012, John founded Launch Fishers, a 52,000 square foot launch pad for start-ups and high- potential enterprises. In 2014, John founded the statewide entrepreneurial mentorship initiative, Launch Indiana; he continues to serve as an active advisor to entrepreneurs and startup teams. In 2017 John founded The Indiana IoT Lab in Fishers, a 24,000 square foot innovation and commercialization hub for Internet of Things (IoT)- related enterprises. John has been a lifetime volunteer with community organizations and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of several organizations including the Indiana State Museum, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, where he co- chairs the Technology & Innovation Committee, and the Indiana Technology and Innovation Association where he is a founding board member and serves as vice chair. John started his career at IBM where he achieved membership in the Golden Circlerecognizing the top 1.5% of the IBM sales force. Prior to joining IBM, John earned a marketing degree from Indiana University where he participated in the School of Business Overseas Study Program in Maastricht, the Netherlands. John served in the US Army where he learned the art of rappelling from helicopters as an Air Assault-Qualified Combat Engineer in the First Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas!

Mitch Frazier

Mitch Frazier serves as Chief Executive Officer of regional John Deere retailer Reynolds Farm Equipment. As the company’s first chief executive appointed from outside of the Reynolds family, Mitch leads a 250-person equipment sales and service organization serving farmers, landscapers, turf professionals, golf course operators and homeowners. Prior to joining Reynolds, Mitch served in marketing leadership and executive leadership roles in the technology industry. He served as Vice President of Marketing at sales technology platform TinderBox and as Vice President of Marketing, Investor Relations Officer and Chief of Staff to the CEO at digital marketing technology leader ExactTarget. There, he founded the company’s investor relations program and spearheaded a successful 2012 IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:ET). He also served as the company’s senior communications leader for its $2.5 billion acquisition by Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) in 2013. Prior to ExactTarget, Mitch led media relations for Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels' economic development team and served in various U.S. Army Civilian leadership roles, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Chief of Public Affairs (Kansas City), senior Civilian public affairs officer for the agency’s team in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and as a senior spokesperson for the agency’s reconstruction program in Iraq. Mitch is an Indiana native and a U.S. Army veteran, having served five years on active duty where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and an MBA – both from Upper Iowa University.

Riley Parshall

Riley Parshall is a senior and has been involved with STEM activities since elementary school. She is a 10-year 4-H member, where she has completed electrical projects and competed in public speaking contests. Riley is a four-year member of the Westfield Mock Trial team and also a three-year member of the Speech and Debate team, which she co- captains. She plays tennis, and enjoys electronics, math, and economics. She is considering college options in engineering at Purdue or economics at IU, and she hopes to eventually go to law school.