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).

Rush University Medical Center
1725 West Harrison Street
Searle Conference Center, Room 542 Brainard
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
United States

Ashley Bryant

With over a decade of experience working as a psychotherapist, Dr. Ashley Bryant has worked with several individuals to help them navigate grief, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Dr. Bryant has also served many years as a rehabilitation counselor where she worked with individuals with disabilities to help them identify and eliminate employment barriers. Dr. Bryant now uses her experience in mental health and disability services to help organizations promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Mental Wellness in the workplace. Through keynote speaking and consulting, Dr. Bryant facilitates transformative experiences for leaders and organizations seeking to make sustainable impact. Dr. Bryant has been featured nationally on TLC’s My 600lb Life, NPR, Black New Channel, and on many local news stations across the country. Dr. Bryant is an HBCU Alum who received a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Langston University in Langston, OK. She is also a proud graduate of Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!) where she received a Doctor of Philosophy in Workforce and Adult Education. Dr. Bryant is married to her wonderful husband, BJ, and is the dog mom to one fur baby named Tulip.

Constantine Kanakis

Constantine Kanakis is a Chicago native and a resident physician at Loyola University Medical Center's Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is Rush University Graduate College of Health Sciences alum and a board-certified medical laboratory scientist; he is a published writer, patient advocate, and physician-scientist. With a career focus on hematopathology, transfusion medicine, and public health/equity, he has received recognition internationally for his efforts to combat Zika virus in the Caribbean and for being an early voice for accurate, equitable, and reliable COVID-19 testing in the US. From the American Society for Clinical Pathology, he is a 2017 Top 40 Under Forty Award, was named to the 2020 Global Pathologist Power-List, and sits on several committees with ASCP including the Commission for Continuing Education, the Social Media Committee, and Patient Champions Committee. His other committee appointments include the American Association of Blood Banks Education and Accreditation Committee and the Greater Chicagoland Area American Red Cross Auxiliary Board. A TEDx alum, he delivered a 2019 talk about the incredible changes to medical education and practice called "Unrecognizable Medicine." As an experienced public speaker, patient advocate, and laboratory medicine educator, Dr. Kanakis hopes to break down interdisciplinary barriers in medicine, crush stereotypes, and re-normalize compassion in new ways. From the bench to the bedside, laboratory medicine provides a unique perspective on communication, education, and what it really means to be an advocate.

Diandra Gordon

Diandra R. Gordon, Ph.D., J.D., is a visionary, advocate, creative and servant-leader from Columbus, Ohio, who believes in the power of centering humanity to achieve equity. Through her propriety, H.E.A.R.T.™ Framework, Dr. Gordon helps leaders and organizations bridge the gap between dreams and reality through cultural change, merging research, policy, and people. Her ultimate goal is to create sustainable change and inform policy to build an equitable society for people of color.

Erica Battle

Erica Battle is a thought partner to leaders in education offering strategies of impact propelling communities forward. The author of Who Are You? A Guide to Help Adolescents Navigate Through the Social and Emotional Issues of Life, she understands that the growth of schools, communities, cities, and nations begins with one person that becomes radically aware of who they are. She is a conversational, witty, and gritty leader who transforms big picture problems into solution focused action items for implementation in the real world. Erica understands that the challenges that schools face are both unique and yet familiar and she pushes educators to examine their own bias and stereotypes that may be stifling positive outcomes. She utilizes discussions of equity, trauma informed practices and academic data chats to build a blueprint for sustainable success. A featured speaker both nationally and internationally, Erica encourages all to make bold moves by evaluating the now while acting to impact their next.

Geoffrey Mount Varner

Your pain is your gold - your truth finder. It is your superpower. Geoffrey Mount Varner is an ER doctor who has practiced and led in trauma settings and healing environments for over 25 years. In his many years of treating patients in critical life and death situations he has learned this to be true: “pain or setbacks will happen to us all. In fact, they are required lessons for a successful life.” Additionally, he understands that “managing this one emotion allows your ‘setback’ to become your shield.” The setup for your comeback. In his talks, he shares how you can learn to never fail. In addition to his work as an ER physician, Dr. Geoffrey, is a multi-bestselling author, executive and a split-second decisions expert. His executive leadership includes international crisis work on Ebola, Hurricane Katrina, Chief of a large urban Level One trauma center, and working on the frontlines of Covid- 19 both in hospitals with COVID patients and serving on several governmental committees. Dr. Geoffrey, holds degrees and medical training from Harvard, Hampton, Wayne State, George Washington, University of Maryland – Shock Trauma, and John’s Hopkins Universities. He is the author of the bestsellers, Training Your Mind for Split-second Decisions (2020), and Home Alive: 11 Steps for Surviving Police Encounters (2017 and 2019).

La Toya Jackson

La Toya Jackson, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University in 2004 with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. With her marketing experience, she brings 16 years of business-to-business sales with Fortune 500 companies such as Philip Morris and Michelin Tire Company. In addition, her experience in the real estate industry included $1,400,000 in real estate sales. After relocating to Chicago, La Toya began to invest in real estate to include Fix and Flips, Rentals, Mixed-Use Commercial, Wholesale deals and Airbnb. It was at this time that she realized the need to secure funding. This journey then led to the emergence of Excel Capital Group. La Toya is the founder and CEO of Excel Capital Group which provides business credit and funding solutions for entrepreneurs looking for capital to start, grow and scale their business. In 2018, La Toya was inducted into the “40 under 40 Young Women’s Professional League” and was selected among 200 women in the Chicagoland area. Her future goals include expanding Excel Capital Group to a full-service wealth management company. In her spare time, she enjoys networking with other professionals, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Susan Torres

Susan Torres is a native New Yorker, mother, teacher, mentor, and author. Her tenacious spirit and determination has inspired her to share her story of breaking free from the toxic family cycle that she was born into. Susan was featured in the New York Times, termed “Single Mother, Creator of Miracles” by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Mike Winerip. She is the recipient of several Professional Toastmaster Annual Club Awards and the author of Living on Three Spoons, a chronicle of the lessons she learned and applied to inspire her life and her four children as a single parent. Throughout her career, Susan has taught and mentored children in New York City, New Jersey, Chicago, the United Arab Emirates, and New Delhi, India. She has dedicated her life to empowering youth, providing academic support to inner city children and homeless families, and mentoring parents caught in the crux of parenthood and life. Her vision is to teach women and youth that overcoming hardships is the difference between their fate and their destiny.