Theme: TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity

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).

Ethington Theatre
3300 West Camelback Road
Phoenix, Arizona, 85017
United States

Alison Hadden

Alison is a marketing executive in the tech industry, a veteran speaker, lifelong athlete and adventurer, and now, cancer warrior. With 15 years of experience engaging business audiences of 50 to 5,000 on stages across North America, EMEA, and APAC, Alison is excited to share what she now believes is the most important information of all - how to live every day as if it’s your last. When not adventuring all over the globe, Alison spends her free time playing outside, trail running, snowboarding, hiking, and playing with her dogs in Boulder, Colorado.

Andy Maurer

Keynote Speaker and an Emotional Wellness Coach

Andy is a keynote speaker and an emotional wellness coach for leaders and has a background as a licensed therapist specializing in leadership and trauma. He works with high-performance leaders, including CEO’s, founders, entrepreneurs, and influencers, educating and equipping them on the issue of toxic stress and trauma and its impact on their work and relationships. After years of working with leaders, he has come to believe that any leader can change the world, but only whole and emotionally healthy leaders can change the world for the better. Andy uses mindfulness and experiential-based exercises to bring about deep transformational change from the inside out. He earned both a Masters of Divinity in Professional Counseling from Phoenix Seminary and a Masters in Marital Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Catherine Plano

Catherine Plano Ph.D. is an International Keynote Speaker, Author, Executive, Business & Life Coach, Leadership Development Facilitator, and the Queen of Transformation. She is a dynamic and insightful entrepreneurial change agent who provides professional, personal, and business development services to individuals and organizations to inspire, motivate, guide, and transform. With over 22 years of corporate experience working with prestigious brands, Catherine has coached and assisted over 100,000 individuals. Creating her own brand, Catherine Plano, she offers life, career, team, executive, and business coaching services. Additionally, Catherine does individualized developmental work with women and teenagers. Catherine also undertakes public speaking in a wide range of areas, from stress management and self-discovery to entrepreneurship and emotional intelligence or neuroscience and neuromarketing to change management and developing high performing teams.

JA Plosker

J. A. Plosker has had careers as an attorney, social work counselor, and college instructor in the areas of comparative religion, philosophy, ethics, and social work. He is the author of the multi-award-winning book, “The Nobody Bible: Uncovering the Simple Wisdom in Ordinary Life” and host of The Nobody Guide to Life podcast. His forthcoming novel, “An Audible Silence,” will be published in February 2020, and he will soon launch “The Ploskers” podcast with his wife, Melissa. He is currently a dad to a very curious and energetic 3-year-old daughter and is a writer and speaker on personal and spiritual growth. He has appeared on stages throughout the Southwest as well as multiple radios, podcasts, and digital media outlets. J. A.’s mission is to bring greater awareness to the tremendous opportunities for growth in everyday life.

Jessica Brubaker

Jessica Brubaker is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from The University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University. She has 12 years of experience in education, both as a classroom teacher in Child and Human Development and Career Exploration, and a School Counselor in a large public school. Jessica has worked as a therapist, specializing in adolescents and young adults for 5 years, and currently serves as the Clinical Director of Transitions Counseling and Consulting in Phoenix. Jessica also writes for a personal blog and hosts a local podcast, both titled Bru-tiful Journey.

Mario Garcia

Mario Garcia is a 26-year-old artist from Phoenix, Arizona. He started learning Arabic Calligraphy in 2009. To create his art, he takes the Arabic language and meditatively arranges it into unique shapes, patterns, and figures. It’s a modern twist on a form of art that dates back to the 7th century. From the gallery’s to city walls, his art sees many surfaces. His goal is to keep this ancient script alive and thriving, in a way that everyone can appreciate and connect to, even if they have no ties to the culture or language.

Rian Doris

Rian holds a BA (Hons) in Philosophy & Economics from Trinity College Dublin and has recently enrolled in an MSc in Applied Neuroscience at King's College London. Rian is the Co-Founder & COO of the Flow Research Collective, the world's leading peak-performance research and training organization. He has also led research a number of research initiatives with Dr. Dan Siegel, Prof. of Psychiatry at UCLA, Imperial College London. The University of Southern California, University of Zurich, and Claremont Graduate University.

Tia Penny

Tia is a twelve year old singer/songwriter/guitarist whose lyrics are meant to inspire. Her retro sound appeals to young and old alike. She hopes to encourage the TEDx community to make creativity their first priority.