Theme: Rooted

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).

Sensenbrenner Hall
1103 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233
United States

Anna Oakes

Growth Strategist

Raised by hippies to think she can change the world (without a cape), Anna combines her love for humanity with her 20+years of corporate experience as a leader, coach and strategic business advisor. Passionate about leveraging your strengths and maximizing your impact, Anna’s work is focused on helping organizations and leaders honor their NOW and get to where they want to go NEXT. She’s currently writing a book and preparing for a TEDx talk on the topic of INTRApreneurs. These are the idea people, perhaps displaying “entrepreneurial qualities,” that are often under utilized within an organization – corporate, non-profits, churches and schools alike! Anna is passionate about helping these individuals reclaim their voice and reengage in their work, ensuring they get the most out of their experience while contributing their maximum impact.

Bria Smith

Student, Activist

Smith has become an advocate for black and brown youth. During the March for Our Lives upsurge, Smith organized a school walk out back in March, and she’s also a part of multiple organizations that are improving the city, such as LIT (Leaders Igniting Transformation), PEARLS for Teen Girls and more. Smith currently attends Franklin High School through the Chapter 220 voucher program, which allows inner-city children to attend suburban schools.

Griselda Aldrete

CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Milwaukee

Griselda Aldrete is the president and CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM). Her primary responsibility is to work in coordination with the Board of Directors to develop and execute the vision and strategic plan for the organization. She has far-reaching experience in community leadership and outreach, financial oversight and managing day-to-day operations of complex organizations. Aldrete received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Law Studies and Spanish from Marquette University, a master’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a law degree from Marquette University Law School.

Joe Sweeney

Author, Speaker

oe Sweeney has spent more than 30 years blending his love of business and passion for sports. He has owned, operated, and sold four manufacturing companies, headed up the Wisconsin Sports Authority, and launched a sports marketing firm. Joe purchased equity interest in an investment banking firm and served as president and managing director. He is now an accomplished author, internationally-known speaker, and investor in private equity companies. Joe’s passion is studying human behavior. He has used the fields of sports, business, and military as his laboratory to better understand why certain people outperform others. He is especially devoted to helping and mentoring young athletes and executives to develop all aspects of their career, business, and life.

Paige Peters

CEO of Rapid Radicals

Paige has expressed her passion for water treatment and protection through various endeavors, most recently the development of Rapid Radicals Technology, LLC. Paige graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Marquette University. In 2015, she returned to Marquette University to pursue her M.S. in Environmental Engineering with an emphasis on water and wastewater treatment. The research focus was developing a high-rate advanced wastewater treatment process, particularly focused on combined sewer and sanitary sewer overflows, and that turned into the foundational technology of RRTech. Between her time as an undergraduate student and her graduate work, Paige worked as a consulting environmental engineer in Madison, WI designing solid waste and wastewater management solutions. Outside of the laboratory, Paige is a professional mentor with the Madison Area Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-MAPC).