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).

Bowling Green State University - Bowen Thompson Student Union
1001 E Wooster
Bowling Green, Ohio, 43613
United States

Adam Roach

I am a photophysical chemist studying the dynamics of energy transfer for use in light harvesting devices with the hope of producing methods to photosynthesize fuels. I believe that renewable energy is vital to working class people and cheap renewable energy will transform the world. I am motivated to find an energy solution.

Arianna Bustos

I am a fourth year teacher candidate currently in student teaching graduating in April 2022. I am an Adolescence/Young Adult Secondary Education Integrated Language Arts (AYA ILA Major). I am a student leader on campus, I am a Student Ambassador for the College of Education and Human Development. I am also the Vice-President for the student-led organization Inclusive Culturally Responsive Educators. I am a culturally responsive curriculum developer for the College of Education and Human Development. I will be pursuing a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching and BGSU after undergrad.

Benjamin Hellert

Ben Hellert is a percussionist and music educator from Buffalo, NY. He specializes in research on Japanese marimba literature, contemporary percussion solos, percussion chamber music and progressive curricula. Currently, Ben is in his second year of a Master's Degree at Bowling Green State University where he studies with Dr. Daniel Piccolo. Ben is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia where he studied with the iconic percussionist, Kay Stonefelt and is the recipient of two performers certificates from the Keiko Abe Marimba Academy in Chofu, Japan. Ben is a successful studio drummer and has had the pleasure of performing in several continents.

Chien Tran Phouc

Chien is a sophomore double major in Biochemistry and Data Science. Chien is interested in using the immune system to treat cancer. At BGSU, Chien is working on a project that discovers antitumor peptides in Professor Xiaohong Tan's Lab in the Chemistry Department. Outside of the lab, Chien is a learning assistant for the General Chemistry class, a senator in the Undergraduate Student Government, and a Resident Advisor in Kreischer. In his free time, Chien enjoys shooting and nerding out about international news.

Cortney Smalley

Cortney D. Smalley is a seasoned and experienced public speaker, facilitator, recruiter, and organizational development practitioner. Cortney is passionate about the full employee experience, from new hire orientation, skill development workshops, and exit interviews. His approach to talent management is progressive and focuses on the total development of employees and their interaction with their company. He is dedicated to helping organizations find the right talent and leading recruiting programs to attract younger generations to corporations and businesses alike. In 2021, Cortney enrolled into the Doctorate in Organization Development & Change program at Bowling Green State University.

David Bixler

I am a saxophonist, composer, and educator.

Diamond Spratling

Diamond Spratling is an impact-driven environmental justice and non-profit leader motivated to mitigate health, racial, and environmental inequities in Black and Brown communities. She is the founder of Girl Plus Environment, a national non-profit organization designed to educate, engage, and empower Black and Brown girls, women, and non-binary individuals to stand up for environmental justice in their own neighborhoods. The Detroit native and 2021 TEDx speaker has spent more than five years at the forefront of environmental justice. Her strong dedication to the sector has earned her the William H. Sterner Memorial Award as well as the Elmore Manufacturing Award.

Gabriel Beaver

Creator, learner, and disruptor. A 20-year-old searching for truth through people's journeys and stories. Current host and producer of The Bridge Podcast.

Jennifer McCary

Jennifer McCary is the Chief Diversity and Belonging officer at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), where she oversees the Division of Diversity and Belonging. McCary earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art education/stone sculpture, a Master of Arts degree in college student personnel, a graduate certificate in instructional design, and is currently working on a Doctorate in organization development and change, all from BGSU. McCary values service in the field of education and to the community. She is a two-time TEDx speaker, an artist, and a recognized leader. McCary most enjoys quality time with her family.

Katie Evans

Kathryn assists colleges implement Collaboratory, a community engagement assessment tool, helping campuses tell public service and engagement stories. Previously, Kathryn worked in Residence Life and Civic Engagement at two institutions, encouraging students to utilize their voices in community and activism work. Kathryn holds a BA in Political Science from Northern Iowa, where she served as Student Body President. She volunteers with the American Model United Nations, facilitating their annual conference. Katie graduates with her Master of Public Administration this year. She resides in Toledo, working at a Mediterranean restaurant (eating all the hummus), always planning the next adventure.

Kristie Foell

Dr. Kristie Foell is Assoc. Prof. of German at Bowling Green State University (OH), where she has served as Director of International Studies, founding director of the Global Village residential program, and on-site director of the Academic Year in Salzburg four times. Her recent teaching and scholarship have focused on the encounter between Islam and the West, including Turkish-German cinema. She has received two Fulbright fellowships (Vienna and Berlin) and holds degrees from UC Berkeley (PhD) and Yale (BA). Her most recent Austrian tour was in 2017-18, when she was privileged to organize the 50th-anniversary celebrations for the program.

Lily Rosenberg

I am a senior student at BGSU studying biology and chemistry. After graduation this spring I plan to take a gap year traveling South America before starting medical school to become an Obstetrician-Gynecologist. My TED talk reflects research I worked on for two years for my Honors Project after being exposed to the inequities and underrepresentation in sex education in the United States.

Lisa Fisher

Lisa Fisher is an applied social psychological behavioral analyst, writer, and consultant for an IT and management consulting firm. Dr. Fisher has more than 20 years of experience as a researcher, analyst, strategist, and facilitator in higher education and consulting roles. She has authored or edited more than a dozen articles, chapters in edited volumes, and books that address applied social psychology topics in American society.

Luther Shinew

I am a fourth-year student at BGSU studying Sales and Supply Chain Management. I am fortunate to have travelled to many places like Germany, Austria, and England. I have met amazing people along the way who have completely changed the way I view life. I almost dropped out of college a year ago but found a new passion for ethical business that I am excited to try to bring to the world.

Mason Manns

I'm an aviation student and part time content creator with a passion for spreading financial literacy. In my free time I enjoy learning about developing financial technologies and creating content geared towards educating others. Outside of college and content creation I'm a part time server at a local restaurant and enjoy working out, reading, and continuing to challenge myself every day. Life is what you make of it and my biggest goal is to be better than I was yesterday.

Matt DeAmon

Matt is an Honors student in his third year at BGSU, specializing in Information Systems, Business Analytics & Intelligence, and International Business. He is a member of the Schmidthorst Student Ambassador Executive Board and President of the Business Innovation & Technology Group (BIT). Professionally, he is interested in the rapidly growing application of data science in the software and entertainment industries. A drummer since he was 10 and a self-taught pianist, music and creativity play a central role in his life.

Mikayla Russ

Hello, my name is Mikayla Russ! I am a recent graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Tourism Hospitality and Event Management and a minor in Leadership. In my time as an undergraduate I was actively involved with the Marvin Center for Student Leadership as a Student Leadership Assistant. I was also a four year member of the BGSU Cheerleading Team. I now serve as the BGSU Student Engagement Event Planner, and Assistant Cheerleading Coach. In my free time I enjoy making connections in the community around me, and teaching my three year old golden-doodle Emmie new tricks!

Nolan McHugh

I am a graduating senior in the College of Education and Human Development, and I have a passion for increasing the stock of informed, justice-oriented citizens willing and eager to advocate for social justice and equity within our democracy. As a prospective middle/high school social studies teacher, it is my mission to spark curiosity and engagement in the students of the world, invigorating the next generation to take agency over their future. I currently student teach in the Toledo Public School system and serve as the Internal Affairs Chair of BGSU's Undergraduate Student Government.

Olivia Corner

Hello! My name is Olivia Corner and I am a second-year Middle Childhood Education Major (RLA and Science) here at BGSU. When I'm not participating in school, I am spending a lot of time working with the Toledo Zoo's Education Department. I have a huge passion for conservation and have spent many years advocating for different species. In my free time, I love to read, make art, and spend time in nature. I am one of the few dozen people that actually enjoy public speaking, so I am excited about this opportunity!

Saleha Azmi

Saleha Azmi is a Bowling Green State University Falcon pursuing her PhD. in Leadership Policy. She advocates for women’s rights and children’s education and has written a novel inspired by her passion for tolerance and diversity of ideas and cultures. She believes John Lennon’s “Imagine” is the greatest hymn to human transcendence, painting a beautiful picture of an ideal world. Azmi has put her dreams into action by working with the American Association of University Women in Washington D.C. and co-founding the Zaheer Alam Foundation Academy, a school in a remote village in northern India.

Sandra Faulkner

Sandra L. Faulkner is Professor of Media and Communication at BGSU where she writes, teaches, and researches about close relationships. Her work focuses on how individuals navigate gender, race and sexuality through interpersonal communication and the use of arts-based research as inclusive pedagogy. She often uses poetry, creative nonfiction, and autoethnography to explore her own negotiation of identity as a parent, partner, and professor. She received the 2013 Knower Outstanding Article Award from the National Communication Association, the 2016 Norman K. Denzin Qualitative Research Award, and the 2020 Trujillo and Goodall “It’s a Way of Life Award” in Narrative Ethnography, and the 2022 Women of Distinction Award.

SIR Evans

SIR Evans is an author, content creator, and founder of Quality SIRvice. For over 10 years, his life work has been dedicated to creating content/products to help businesses, organizations, and individuals maximize their potential. Since losing his mother and sister in 2009, while in College at BGSU, Sir has been an advocate of mental health, grief as well as spiritual wellness. Most recently he developed an innovative product (Superpower Planner) that aims to reshape the way we view daily planning. “Everyone has a Superpower; the key is discovering that power and planning how to utilize it for good”.

Tim Ulbrich

Tim Ulbrich is the Co-Founder and CEO of Your Financial Pharmacist. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University and completed residency training at The Ohio State University. His academic career included nine years at Northeast Ohio Medical University and three years at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy as a clinical professor of pharmacy. Tim is the host of the Your Financial Pharmacist Podcast and co-author of Seven Figure Pharmacist: How to Maximize Your Income, Eliminate Debt and Create Wealth. He has presented to over 100 pharmacy organizations on financial wellness.

Val Kaba

Val Kaba is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Organization Development and Change (DODC) here at BGSU. He has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry currently work as a Business Banking Relationship Manager for JP Morgan Chase. Val is a father, husband, student, banker, and soccer coach. He enjoys working, coaching youth soccer, and serving his community through volunteer programs. He actively volunteers for several local service organizations including Children's Resource Center, Work Leads to Independence, Bowling Green Soccer Club, and Bowling Green Kiwanis Club.

Will Stafford

William Stafford is a student affairs educator who enjoys working with students. He currently serves as a resident hall director for Founders Hall at Bowling Green State University. William Stafford has also worked at an (HBCU) historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. He has nine siblings and has spent most of his career in the service of others. He has also worked as a residential counselor for several years at a residential treatment facility for troubled adolescents for the state of Georgia and served as a civic club leader at several local housing authorities in his hometown in Georgia.