Theme: Do We Have Your Attention?

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).

Allendale Columbia School
519 Allens Creek Road
Rochester, New York, 14618
United States

Adrian Hale

Senior Manager, Talent Strategy, Workforce Development & Education Initiatives at Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Inc

A native of Rochester, NY, Adrian Hale is the Senior Manager of Workforce / Economic Development & Education Initiatives at the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his responsibilities at the Chamber, Adrian serves on several boards in the Greater Rochester community, most notably as a community board member on the Democrat and Chronicle’s Editorial Board. As a United States Marine, he made two combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan and served with the United States Air Force reserves. Adrian graduated from Monroe Community College with distinction in 2014 and was a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence. Upon graduating from MCC, Adrian transferred to Yale University, where he received his B.A. in Political Science and became a Director’s Fellow at the Institution for Social and Policy Studies with a focus on education reform, and police accountability.

Andrew Brady

President & Chief Evolutionary Officer

Can purposeful businesses that balance the needs of all their stakeholders compete with profit-driven companies that prioritize their stockholders above all? Conscious Capitalism has proved that they can…and the movement is growing! In addition to co-founding a local chapter of this worldwide movement, Andrew is the Chief Evolutionary Officer of The XLR8 Team, where he works with leaders to evolve themselves toward realizing their purpose and evolving their company’s culture into a competitive advantage. Andrew’s forthcoming book, For The EVOLution of Business, explores how the principles of positive psychology and cultural evolution reveal the path toward a more “conscious” capitalism and why the only sustainable path to a thriving planet is through inclusive prosperity.

Autumn Flowers

Student

Autumn is a junior at Greece Athena High School. Autumn is a student-athlete, she plays volleyball, cheerleading, and track. Some of her favorite hobbies are baking and singing. She enjoys volunteering in the community and working with kids. Autumn also loves teaching Zumba at her local YMCA. One of her many goals is to become a criminal defense attorney and to be a voice for those who don't have one. She finds that poetry is very powerful in doing so and wants to share her thoughts creatively.

Bill Ferguson

Executive Artistic Liaison/Student Ensemble Director

William J. Ferguson II began dancing in the Company in 1989 and teaching in the Garth Fagan Dance School. Although no longer performing, he is the Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Garth Fagan Dance School Ensemble. The Ensemble members are aged 5-18 and are selected by audition. They perform regularly at community events and annually at the Garth Fagan Dance Home Season at Nazareth.

Jack Jiao

Student

Jack Jiao is a student at Allendale Columbia School.

Kerry Dunn

Professor of Inclusive Education, Coordinator of Clinical Assistants and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Nazareth College

Kerry Dunn is a Professor of Inclusive Education, Coordinator of Clinical Assistants and the Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Nazareth College. Kerry has been married to her husband Michael for 27 years and has two amazing children: Aidan and Katie. She prides herself in being a wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, friend, and educator.

Lissarette Nisnevich

Early Childhood Professional

She was born and raised in the Dominican Republic with a fully bilingual education, and she started her career as an assistant teacher at the age of 15. . With over a decade of experience in 30+ different countries, and a Masters in Early Childhood, she chose to open a Daycare center and a Preschool of her own right after settling down in New York to start a family. As a Director, she has tested her ability to plan, design and implement curriculums in different regions of the world. She passionately loves her work and wishes to utilize her skills to educate her son, and help others in her community. Prior to joining the education field, she has worked as a performer, artist and a model while participating in tv, journals, radio as well as Broadway shows. Her journey in the entertainment business begun when she was 3 years old, which eventually led up to her having her own TV show in the Dominican Republic when she turned 16.

Mark Kortepeter

Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health

Mark G. Kortepeter, MD, MPH (Colonel, US Army-retired), is a physician, scientist, soldier, and author. He is a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health and Director of the Special Pathogens Research Network. During a 27-year Army career, Dr. Kortepeter held numerous senior positions in biodefense and research, including Deputy Commander of the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID – aka, the “hot zone”), Biodefense Consultant for the Army Surgeon General and co-chair of NATO’s Biomedical Advisory Panel. Dr. Kortepeter’s expertise includes pathophysiology of Ebola virus infection, care for patients requiring biocontainment, and management of exposures to potential biological weapons threats. He recently returned from 6 weeks working for the World Health Organization as the Infection Prevention and Control lead in Ebola preparedness efforts in Burundi.

Mfon Akpan

Professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design

Mfon Akpan is a professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he currently teaches business courses full-time. He has a passion for emerging technologies and is an expert in virtual reality technology. He continues to research new technologies and educational methods to offer students and clients a current, effective and relative teaching experience.

Olivia Van Gemert

Student

Olivia is a student at Allendale Columbia School.

Yueying Bai

Student

Yueying Bai is a student at Allendale Columbia School