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).

Warren Miller Performing Arts Center
45465 Gallatin Rd, Big Sky, MT 59730
Big Sky, Montana, 59730
United States

Azrya and Benjamin Bequer

Azrya and Benjamin Bequer are the co-founding stewards of BEQOMING, a platform that provides transformational tools, stories, and media to help people see beyond the veil of who they thought they were supposed to be and awaken their full spectrum aliveness.

BEN & AZRYA BEQUER

Azrya and Benjamin Bequer are the co-founding stewards of BEQOMING, a platform that provides transformational tools, stories, and media to help people see beyond the veil of who they thought they were supposed to be and awaken their full spectrum aliveness.

Bruce Anfinson

Bruce Anfinson grew up along the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. His father loved to sing old “Sons of the Pioneers” tunes as well as classics by Bob Wills, Eddy Arnold and the like. Bruce was nine years old when his father bought him his first guitar and he learned to accompany his dad on these old tunes at family reunions and friendly get-togethers. He started writing a few songs as a teenager and later found that music is a great vehicle for traveling and seeing the country; and as it turns out, much of the world as well. Bruce has shared the stage with such musicians as Merle Haggard, Michael Martin Murphy, Tony Rice, Bill Stains, Doc Watson, David Grisman, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Rob Quist, Jack Gladstone, Kostas, The Big Sky Mudflaps, Mission Mountain Wood Band, Doug Kershaw and Pure Prairie League, to name a few.

Jan Winburn

Jan Winburn is a fan of artful storytelling, kickass reporting and the powerful melding of the two. She spent more than four decades working in newsrooms as a narrative editor, writing coach and investigative editor and now teaches in the University of Georgia’s MFA program in Narrative Nonfiction. She was also the 2021 Distinguished Pollner Professor at the University of Montana. Her writers have won many of journalism’s top prizes, including the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing, a Peabody Award, two Murrows, The Livingston Award for Young Journalists and the Ernie Pyle Award for feature writing. She led reporting teams at CNN, the Baltimore Sun, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Hartford Courant and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri and the author/editor of “Shop Talk and War Stories: Journalists Examine Their Profession,” and co-editor of two e-books, “Secrets of Prize-Winning Journalism” years 2013 and 2014.

Ken Scott

Ken spent his early years on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. He developed a love of the outdoors while fishing with his grandfather on the waters surrounding the island. The outdoors and activities outside have dominated his life. Ken went on to spend 32 years in the ski industry in various capacities including lift operator, ski patrol, ski instructor and an equipment sales representative. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding have been both personal pursuits and vocations through the course of his adult life. Together with Ruth, his wife of 34 years, they have a daughter and three grandchildren, all of whom were on snow learning to ski by the age of two. Ken takes great joy in his skiing family regardless of ability, whether related by blood or not. He is always looking for the next chance to share the activity he loves with those he loves.

Lisa Senters-McDermott

Lisa Senters-McDermott, private aviation expert, is the CEO and founder of Jet Senters Aviation, JSA. With more than 25 years experience in the aviation industry, Lisa’s journey took off over two decades ago when she was instrumental in launching a charter brokerage firm in New York. Frequently quoted as one of the leading experts in aviation, and nationally recognized in the press for her knowledge and expertise, Lisa is considered the go-to resource and trusted advisor to CEO’s, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and Fortune 100 companies. Her clients depend on her advice and honesty in deals ranging from buying entire aircraft, to structuring complex management contracts, to finding charter services when needed. PGA great, Billy Horschel, proudly wore the JSA logo during his 2014 FEDEX Cup win, and JSA continues to be a proud sponsor. Lisa, a serial entrepreneur who has pursued a variety of interests and careers, has demonstrated the resilience to survive in pursuit of numerous entrepreneurial endeavors. Perhaps the greatest contributor to her success is her belief in trusting her instincts in the face of disbelievers and naysayers.

Monique Benabou

Monique Benabou is a world-class vocalist, multi-disciplinary artist and vocal embodiment coach who made her debut on NBC’s singing competition, The Voice. She has since spanned to global stages, performing, inspiring and leading others into their own personal revolution of self-expression and vocal empowerment.

Nick and Mike Fio

Mike & Nick Fiorito are brothers from Brooklyn and co-founders of Blankets of Hope, a 501(c)3 educational non-profit on a mission to inspire a global movement of kindness, one blanket at a time. The brothers’ work as social entrepreneurs has been featured on major national TV networks including NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX. Mike and Nick were also chosen as honorary speakers at President Clinton’s School of Public Service and co-hosted the first-ever GoFundMe Live Awards.

Rev. Briana Lynn

Rev. Briana Lynn is an Audacious Speaker on stages around the world sharing her personal story & her student's journeys of wildcrafting an authentic earth-based spirituality of healing, creation & celebration. She coaches & teaches a range of individuals & groups from major CEO's to village children to reclaim their ancient ancestry, honor the rituals of life, & heal the trauma of the past so we can all radiate our shared true purpose; the MAGIC of unconditional love & unlimited power.

Ryan Busse

Ryan Busse is a former firearms executive who helped build one of the world’s most iconic gun companies and was nominated multiple times by industry colleagues for the prestigious Shooting Industry Person of The Year Award. As Ryan’s career progressed, he recognized that cultural touchstones of his youth were being twisted into troubling NRA extremism that he believed was radicalizing an entire nation. He spent nearly two decades finding ways to fight back from the inside, eventually leaving his career in 2020. In October 2021, he published his memoir becoming the first insider to tell the story of the firearms industry. Gunfight has received voluminous national praise as a deeply personal and critically important book. Busse is also an environmental advocate who served in many leadership roles for conservation organizations including as an advisor to the U.S. Senate Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Biden Presidential campaign. He remains a proud outdoorsman, gun owner, father, and resident of Montana.

Saul Martinez

A father, husband, former Army Infantryman, and Purple Heart recipient, Saul shares his story of gaining strength in struggle to manage the daily effects of his catastrophic wounds and mental health conditions. He also shares thoughts and lessons learned in order to help others who may be struggling. He strives to make positive impacts on the people in the world around him, and also to let those struggling know that they are not alone.

Timothy Tate

Timothy was born and raised in the Chicago Suburbs, the youngest of four siblings, all much older than he, to an Irish Presbyterian minister father and a Swedish missionary mother. He has a son and daughter and two granddaughters and has been married to his wife Susan for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor’s in history from the University of Dubuque and his Master’s in counseling from Boston University. His quest for knowledge has led him to in-depth study either in person or with the works of Carl Jung, James Hillman, Alan Watts and others. He taught psychology at the collegiate level in Germany, France and California before moving to Montana in 1979 where he was a counselor at Pine Hills Correctional Facility for Boys. In 1984 he established his private psychotherapy practice and continues to practice, specializing in archetypal studies, imaginative creativity, and dream work. He is a licensed clinical professional counselor. Timothy has served on local non-profit boards, was the founding Headmaster of Headwaters Academy, co-founded the Montana Men’s Foundation and writes a column for Mountain Journal on Community Psyche. He has hosted a radio show since 1984 on KGLT, the MSU college radio station, as well as a monthly radio show for Montana Public Radio. He serves as a wellness consultant for The North Face global athlete team, the scope of which was featured in The New Yorker magazine. An avid hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman and camping enthusiast, Tate relishes living in the mountains, is grateful for the beauty, dramatic seasons and long view horizon line.

Todd Dittmann

Todd Dittmann joined Angelo Gordon in 2013 to lead the firm’s energy strategy. He is a Managing Director and a member of the firm’s executive committee. Todd is a seasoned and experienced investment professional who has spent more than 25 years in energy finance with investing and board experience in both public and private companies. His experience includes the closing of approximately 150 debt, equity, M&A, derivative-linked and other energy related transactions, most of which he completed as a principal investor or lead lender. Todd has previously held roles with D.B. Zwirn & Co., Jefferies & Co. and the Chase Manhattan Bank. Todd holds a B.B.A. degree with a concentration in finance and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Texas, Austin and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Tom Spruance

Tom Spruance is an avid fly fisherman and president of the Spruance Foundation, which supports many environmental challenges that face our natural wilderness. Tom has personally experienced the exponential growth endured by mountain communities in Colorado and Montana while bringing positive and practical solutions to the effects this growth has on the surrounding ecosystems. Supporting successful projects under the direction of Yellowstone Forever for many years, the Spruance Foundation is now expanding its support to many other organizations that realize the critical challenges that confront the future of the Mountain West.