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).

Wolcott School
1950 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, Illinois, 60622
United States

Ezra Erlebacher

Wolcott College Prep Student

Ezra Erlebacher is a sophomore at Wolcott College Prep. This is his first time delivering a Ted Talk. Ezra is fascinated by sabermetrics and enjoys analyzing them with his dad. With their rise in popularity, he has taken an interest in cryptocurrency and Non-Fungible Token (NFT). Ezra first learned about them in his Engineering Design class. He enjoys learning how cryptocurrency fluctuates and the advantages and disadvantages of investing in it. Ezra is a member of the school’s cross country team, where he and the team qualified for the Illinois 2020 sectional championship. Outside of school, he plays baseball for the Chicago Warriors and basketball with Chai Athletics. Ezra is also involved in his youth group (BBYO), where he is the Vice President of Recruitment and Member Education. He enjoys hanging out with his friends and spending time with his family. Ezra is the youngest cousin on both sides of his family, and he is the sole only child among his nine first cousins.

Kristel Bauer PA-C

Founder, Integrative Medicine, Speaker

Kristel Bauer is a wellness expert and Founder of Live Greatly with a mission of helping individuals thrive personally & professionally. Kristel empowers her audience to reclaim their well-being and attain their version of success. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow, Physician Assistant, adjunct PBL facilitator at Northwestern University, & an Influencer in the wellness space, Kristel provides her expertise in nutrition, stress management, and work/life integration. She shares her empowering message as a Speaker, consultant, and via her regularly ranked top 100 self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. With her experience in Integrative Psychiatry and Functional Medicine she has a unique perspective into optimizing physical and mental well-being. Kristel can be seen in Forbes, Thrive Global and was recently live on ABC 7 Chicago. Kristel is working on writing her first book and she lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband, 2 children and 2 dogs.

Lilah E. Elia

Wolcott College Prep Student

Lilah Elia is a freshman at Wolcott College Prep. She is new to the TEDx stage. Lilah's hobbies are different sports. She plays basketball, tennis, volleyball, and swims. Her favorite academic interest is theater, her favorite part of the class is always improving. Lilah does a lot of traveling over the United States. A few places that she's been to have been New Mexico, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, Main, New York, and way more. She loves traveling a lot, mostly because it shows her how it grows her mind. She is going to talk about how it can help you and others by traveling.

Meagan Pollock, PhD

Founder, Engineer Inclusion

Dr. Meagan Pollock envisions a world where personal and social circumstances are not obstacles to achieving potential and where kindness, inclusivity, and conservation prevail. As an engineer turned educator for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Meagan focuses on engineering equity in education and the workforce. Her company, Engineer Inclusion, helps people intentionally and systematically engineer equity and inclusion into their organizations: driving positive outcomes and effectively supporting employees and the community. An international speaker, teacher, engineer, and equity leader, her mission is to provide services, tools, and resources that inspire awareness and initiate action.

Selassiei Jordan

Wolcott College Prep Student

Selassiei is a junior at Wolcott Collge Prep. He is new to the TEDx stage. Selassiei lives with his mom in a Chicago neighborhood near Hyde Park. He is an avid gamer and is on his way to becoming an expert with Super Smash Bros. Selassiei is a passionate artist. His drawings focus on perfecting human forms using pencils as his medium. This past summer, Selassiei completed a college-level drawing course to ‘up his game’ as an artist. Living in Chicago, Selassiei sees firsthand how people are affected by food deserts, areas without access to grocery stores and fresh food. He hopes to bring more awareness to this issue and help initiate change. TEDx is Selassiei’s first platform where he can reach a wide audience.