Theme: Only Connect

2 TED Talks. 2 Live Speakers. 4 Topics. 1 Theme – Only Connect!

Mark Sturgell, Leadership Coach – Connecting Circumstance with Success
Kristi Palmer, Professor of Sociology and Psychology– Mental Illness and Connection

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design, TED, converged, and today covers almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events, like TEDxDecaturPublicLibrary, help share ideas in local communities around the world.

TED’s Mission? Spread ideas

Just think… Decatur is a part of a global community. With TED, we are welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. Like TED, we believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. TED is building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world's most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long. Our Decatur and surrounding community is a part of it!
TED is owned by a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation. Their agenda is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation. TEDxDecaturPublicLibrary welcomes you to hear these great ideas and be a part of the conversation it sparks!

Decatur Public Library
130 N. Franklin St.
Madden Auditorium
Decatur, Illinois, 62523
United States

Kristi Palmer

Professor of Psychology and Sociology

Professor Kristi Palmer has been teaching Sociology and Psychology at Richland Community College for the last 23 years. She has her B.A. in Psychology from the University of IL, Springfield and an M.S. in Family Development and Education from Friends University, Wichita KS. She is a Certified Family Life Educator who has presented workshops statewide on topics including education, child development, divorce, and parenting. She resides in Decatur with her son and their 3 dogs.

Mark Sturgell

Leadership Development Trainer

Mark Sturgell is a real “Go-Giver” certified coach, facilitator, and speaker who LOVES helping others grow by helping people do what they must, to become who they want, to get where they really want to go. Mark doesn’t like to do much telling. He asks questions. Great ones. Mark asks questions that take you beyond the horizon of your current assumptions. After all, if you are not asking the right questions, how will you know "What else is possible?" Mark is a corporate Leadership Coach and Trainer at Growmark Inc., a North American agriculture cooperative. He is founder and principal of Performance Development Network, a Midwest human development firm. He was a director of Millikin Institute, a business and corporate training and development organization, and was a career coach before that. It all adds up to 30 years of experience, if anyone is counting. Mark and his wife, Judi, live in Decatur, IL, and have raised three successful sons.