Theme: Changing the Future Starts Now

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. The theme for the very first TEDxUCMerced is “Changing the Future Starts Now.” We all have the power to create meaningful changes in the world, and through this event, we hope to invigorate and inspire the community.

Virtual
Virtual
Merced, California, 95340
United States

Ana Zivanovic

IT Analyst

Ana works as an IT Analyst in local government helping others connect to their full potential through creative information sharing. Ana developed a professional toolkit where she applies research principles from her academic experiences at UC Merced and self-study to resolve enterprise business challenges. Since UC Merced, Ana aims to create a resilient space to exchange ideas in service of improving organizational IT practices. Ana is an advocate for minority participation in IT careers and vocal about promoting empathy in the workplace.

Chris Villanueva

Software Engineer

Chris is currently a software engineer in the Bay Area. After graduating from UC Merced in Computer Science, he joined Workday to do mobile engineering and development. Now, he works as a key engineer at a 10 person start-up in Silicon Valley called Overflow, a technology company aiming to inspire the world to give, by making it so easy and smooth. UC Merced has helped build his entrepreneurial and technological spirit so he hopes to continue giving back to this community.

Christopher Bernal

PhD Student

Christopher is a 2nd year PhD student in the Management of Complex Systems program within the Management of Innovation, Sustainability and Technology department at UC Merced. His primary focus is on serving as a youth advocate to understand gamers and their behaviors with the goal of helping connect parents and teachers back to their kids. I'm currently the Vice President for the Merced Youth Soccer Association and CFO for two Merced small businesses founded by UC Merced alumni.

Jesica Lopez-Perez

Student

Jesica is a first-generation college student double majoring in cognitive science and sociology. She is proudly representing my Guatemalan roots. Today she talks of bridging the gap between social skills and technology.

Matthew Louie

Student

Matthew Louie is an aspiring educator and an advocate for cultural diversity and better representation in education. Being of Cantonese-Chamorro descent, Matthew understands the challenges of marginalized and underrepresented groups in society. He wants to help others use writing and food as platforms to find their voice so they can share their unique experiences and diverse perspectives.

Quinn Griffith

Student

Quinn Griffith is currently a political science major attending UC Merced. After graduating from UC Merced next December, he plans to pursue a masters degree in Urban Studies or Transportation. After studying abroad in Germany, it changed his perspective on the way we travel as Americans, when he saw the awe inspiring public transportation networks, their care for the climate, and dense urban environments he never knew in small town, suburban America. Quinn envisions a new America with public transportation that rivals that of Europe and Asia, and where climate policy is at the forefront. UC Merced has helped build build his interest in these policy areas and shaped his world view forward and into the future.

Tanya Golash-Boza

Professor of Sociology

Tanya Golash-Boza is a Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Merced, the Founder of the Racism, Capitalism, and the Law Lab, and the author of several books. Her scholarship helps us understand how racism and capitalism structure our lives and what we need to do to change this country and the world.