Theme: TEDxFargo Beyond Series: Episode 1

This series will include an array of events throughout 2020. Our focus will be on redesigning our traditional full-day conference into small scale events and programming that brings new ideas and adventures to the community. These smaller events will push us to pilot new concepts and fully embrace the mission of ideas and innovation in this new era. Most importantly, these events will be designed with safety and creativity on the forefront.

Episode 1 of the Beyond series will be a drive-in TEDx event.

Fargo Air Museum
1609 19th Ave N
Fargo, North Dakota, 58102
United States

Donna Rice Hughes

"Donna Rice Hughes, President and CEO of Enough Is Enough(SM) (EIE), is an internationally-known Internet safety expert, author, speaker and Emmy Award–winning producer. She was a key figure in birthing the Internet safety movement nationally in 1995, and became the voice and face for the prevention of Internet-enabled sexual exploitation of children in America. She has given thousands of media interviews, testified many times before Congress, served as a Senate-appointed Commissioner on the Child Online Protection Act Commission, and won many awards for her advocacy. Most recently, she produced and hosted EIE’s Internet Safety 101 Program and Emmy Award–winning PBS Series, led EIE’s ""Safe Wi-Fi"" Campaign resulting in both McDonald’s and Starbucks filtering WiFi nationally; and spearheaded the bi-partisan Children’s Internet Safety Presidential Pledge, Governor’s Pledge, and State Attorneys General Pledge. "

Frederick Edwards Jr.

Fred is a recent graduate from North Dakota State University. He recently received his master’s degree in Education. He is the co-owner of Umoja Leadership Exploration and creator of FredsDissonance. Fred is a community engagement specialist, motivational speaker, community educator , program coordinator, and spoken word artist from North Minneapolis. The things he has seen speak through him with the energy he provides. He is passionate about helping others find their inner greatness and potential. He has spoken to hundreds of college, high school, and middle school students. Fred provides testimonies and stories of struggle and resiliency. With nine brothers and sisters, Fred is the tenth and last child. Before he was born, his mother had her tubes tied—she had a .0001% chance of becoming pregnant after her last child. Fred was that .0001%.

Hugh McCutcheon

Born and raised in New Zealand, Hugh McCutcheon was Inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2018. He is most known as the former head coach of the US men's national volleyball team (Gold Medalists, Beijing Olympics, 2008) and the former head coach of the US women's national volleyball team (Silver Medalists, London Olympics, 2012). Hugh stands as one of only three coaches to win medals with both genders and the only coach in USA Olympic history to have podium finishes with a men’s and women’s team. In 2008, he was named Olympic Coach of the Year. He currently coaches at the University of Minnesota.

Karen Nyberg

Dr. Karen Nyberg is a mom, artist, and former NASA astronaut. She has spent 180 days living and working in space and, through those experiences, is now committed to bringing attention to the fragility of our planet.

Pete Nelson

Nelson became excited about treehouses at the age of 5 when his dad built him a tree fort behind the garage of their Ridgewood, New Jersey home, but it wasn't until 1987 that he built his first adult treehouse in his Colorado Springs backyard. He is a graduate of Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Pete Nelson is a designer and builder who has specialized in treehouse construction for over three decades. He has published six books on the subject, and hosted 11 seasons of Animal Planet’s hit television show, Treehouse Masters.

Shawn Riley

Shawn Riley was born to a broken and abusive home. Shawn overcame the challenges of his youth and adopted a growth mindset and “we can make the world a better place” attitude. At the age of 16 he started a technology company. Later in his career he entered the private sector and worked as a thought leader for companies like IBM and the Mayo Clinic. His career has included massive change and transformation initiatives spanning multi billion-dollar organizations. In 2017 Shawn was appointed by Governor Doug Burgum to lead the state of North Dakota’s technology services as the Chief Information Officer. He is always looking to connect with others who have a “we can change the world” attitude as he strives to be a servant leader and improve lives, empower people, and inspire success.

Sophie Grace

Sophie Grace stars as Kristy Thomas opposite Alicia Silverstone on the hit Netflix series “The Baby-Sitters Club,” based on the beloved books by author Ann M. Martin. For her work, Sophie was honored with a Daytime Emmy Award for “Outstanding Younger Performer in a Children’s Program”. Sophie hails from a high-energy, loving and close-knit family. And while her five siblings found their stride in sports, Sophie landed firmly on the stage at the tender age of three. Along with learning-by-doing in school and local plays, she also studied film/TV acting with Hollywood acting coach Jill Donnellan.

Tigirlily Tigirlily

"It started with sisters, Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh. In 2013, at the ages of 16 and 14, the two made the decision to pursue singing, songwriting and performing full time. With that Tigirlily, the band taking its name from the ‘Tiger Lily’ flower that grew at the girls’ childhood home, was now born. In 2017, Tigirlily relocated to Nashville, TN where the band quickly landed a weekly residence performing at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. Tigirlily continued to tour and perform live, across the nation. By the end of 2019 Tigirlily had played over 130 shows to close out the year, including opening slots for LeAnn Rimes, Big and Rich, Justin Moore and Chris Janson. Tigirlily closed out 2020 by being included in a global campaign with Keds shoes for their campaign titled “Progress: Whatever That Means.” The campaign featuring women entrepreneurs from all over the world, including Tigirlily as trailblazers in the music industry."