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).

Washington Pavilion's Sommervold Hall
301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104
United States

Amy Baete

Amy Baete is a children’s health initiative and educational outreach programs director where she paves the way for children’s preventative medicine. As a full-time working mother of two, Amy has a very personal perspective when it comes to children’s health and well-being. Throughout her career, she has been responsible for the implementation of organizational programs in areas including health and wellness education, developmental research, science exploration, and school outreach programs to empower children and families to make healthy choices. Amy’s tenure has been spent finding new, innovative ways to solve problems that face not only the healthcare industry but also today’s families and children. A common answer to these problems – respect the child! This mentality has inspired Amy and her teams to design and implement an innovative, active waiting room space that encourages movement, play, and wonder.

Benson Hsu

Dr. Benson Hsu has practiced pediatric critical care medicine at a Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, since 2011. A nationally recognized academic clinician, he serves on the Data and Methods Council at AcademyHealth as well as the Chair-Elect of the Section on Critical Care at the American Academy of Pediatrics. He received his AB in Economics from Princeton University, MD from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, and MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business. A 2018 Bush Fellow and a 2019 Aspen Institute Health Innovators Fellow, he is passionate about bringing innovation to healthcare.

Eric Sivertsen

Business Owner & Climber of Mountains

.Eric Sivertsen is founder and CEO of Epicosity, a modern advertising agency and multi-year 5000 company, that focus on awakening champions within brands, creative professionals, and the community.

Melissa Johnson

Business Owner, Writer & Mom

Melissa is a writer who travels, and a traveler who writes. Founder and creator of Oh My Cupcakes! In Sioux Falls, Melissa balances her love of all things entrepreneurial with a passion for storytelling. Of all the roles she plays in a day, the most important role she plays is grateful Mom to her four children. Melissa considers grace, resilience, and unshakable optimism as some of her most cherished gifts.

Russ Van Der Werff

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Sean Sherman

Chef Sean has become renowned nationally and internationally in the culinary movement of indigenous foods and with an ever growing team of indigenous minded peers, is leading a movement to completely redefine North American cuisine through the understanding and utilization indigenous food knowledge.

Tracy Saathoff

What drives consumer decisions? As VP of Insights for a marketing agency firm, Tracy and her teams work daily to find out. Tracy spearheads coaching and innovation for both the consumer insights and media disciplines. Together they use research methods to learn what consumers want from brands to shape insights that drive marketing strategies. Tracy’s pioneered several agency initiatives to keep her teams on the cutting edge, leading better integration and use of media data, streamlining agency optimization processes. A Sioux Falls, SD native, Tracy graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. She’s a graduate of Leadership South Dakota and serves on the research committee for the CenStates Travel and Tourism Research Association. She's also the co-chair for the Her Vote. Her Voice. Women's Vote Centennial Delegation, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Wendy Mamer

Wendy Mamer is an admission professional in higher education. In her role Wendy worked alongside a student leader to bring their first student-led mental health organization to campus which focuses on resiliency and suicide prevention; Wendy is a co-advisor of that organization. Outside of university programming, Wendy serves on the board of a local non-profit, Sad Isn't Bad, which provides a free grief counseling program for children and adults who care for them. Wendy hopes that by sharing her personal story people will be inspired to show others, especially themselves, more grace.

Wes Eisenhauer

Photographer - Musician

There’s a certain edge people are willing to push to when it comes to comfort. For Wes Eisenhauer, going over the edge into uncharted territory is the only way to achieve lasting, worthwhile success. In a career that has spanned multiple industries and areas of expertise, Wes has made one thing clear—he’s not afraid to go the distance under any circumstances. A craftsman at heart, Wes thrives on achieving success in whatever areas he’s focused on. From music to photography, Wes has pushed himself to master new skills and take risks every step of the way. Wes’s current focus is capturing the unforgettable moments of life with an eye that sees beauty in even the smallest of details. Whether it’s through photography or music, Wes’s creativity, passion and enthusiasm provide a perspective and vision unlike any other.