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).

Rudder Complex
401 Joe Routt Blvd
College Station, Texas, 77843
United States

Allison Byrd

Allison Byrd serves as Unbound Now’s Europe Strategy Director, leading the Ukraine crisis response and ongoing programming to identify and serve survivors of trafficking in partnership with regional law enforcement. Allison graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies with a B.A. in International Affairs. She is currently pursuing her law degree at Texas A&M University. During university, Allison interned at the White House in the Office of Economic Initiatives. While there, she assisted with the White House Human Trafficking Summit, the roll-out of related executive actions, and the annual meeting of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking.

Ben Zoghi

As a member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 1993, Dr. Ben Zoghi believes that “We are each THE common denominator in the success or failure of everything we do. The fastest, surest way to improve our outcomes is to improve ourselves”. His passion is working with professionals by helping them develop their personal and professional leadership effectiveness by focusing on emotional intelligence and expanding their leadership capacities for optimal success. Ben is the founding director of the Master of Engineering Technical Management at Texas A&M University. He is the Victor H. Thompson professor of Electronic Systems Engineering Technology. He hold Leonard & Valerie Bruce Leadership Chair Professor, Director of Thomas & Joan Read Center for Distribution Research &; Education, Program Coordinator of Industrial Distribution Program, and Associate Department Head for Research in the Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. A member of the Texas A&M University faculty for 36 years, he has distinguished himself as a teacher, writer, and researcher, and has been honored for his teaching excellence by the College, Texas A&M University Association of Former Students and the Texas A&M university. Ben’s academic and professional degrees are from Texas A&M (Ph.D.), The Ohio State University (MSEE), and Seattle University (BSEE). Having trained in Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Development at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Zoghi is accredited by the Haygroup and Multi-Health Systems (MHS), two of the world’s leaders in developing Emotional Intelligence competencies.

Darin Paine

In Dr. Darin Paine’s civilian career, he serves as the Associate Director of Mentoring and Personal Development in the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership at Texas A&M University. Darin teaches Ethical Leadership courses in the School of Military Sciences; while most of the students are in the Corps of Cadets, these classes are open to all A&M students. For 18 years and counting, Darin has also served in United States Air Force in the Air National Guard, currently serving as a First Sergeant – his role is to serve his fellow Airmen and advise the Commander. Additionally, Darin serves as a School Board Trustee for the College Station Independent School District. Darin and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters. Darin’s private sector work experience includes marketing and public relations and his public sector experience is in development/fundraising and non-profit organizations. Darin’s degrees are from Oregon State University, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University. Personally, Darin enjoys whatever his daughters are doing – namely 4H, gymnastics, cheerleading, and softball – as well as camping trip’s as a family, hunting, fishing, physical fitness, building with his hands, BBQ’ing and college football Saturday’s.

Joshua Hicks

Joshua Hicks is a Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Texas A&M University. He received his Ph.D. in personality and social psychology at the University of Missouri. His research aims to understand how people answer the “big” questions in life and how their answers to those questions influence the way they think, feel, and behave. Specifically, his research examines the antecedents and consequences of the experience of meaning in life, authenticity, true self-knowledge and self-alienation, perceptions of free-will, and mortality awareness. Dr. Hicks has approximately 100 academic publications. His work has been featured in Scientific American, Washington Post, Vice Magazine, Greater Good Magazine, Prevention, IAI tv, NPR’s Think, among other outlets.

Julie Overlease

Julie Overlease grew up in central Illinois and earned degrees from The University of Tulsa (Bachelor of Science in Biology) and University of St. Thomas – Houston (Masters in Educational Administration). She is a wife of 22 years to Robbie and mother of four teenagers, with her firstborn daughter a current Texas A&M nuclear engineering sophomore. A former middle school science teacher and National Science Foundation program coordinator in Houston, Julie has been involved in many volunteer roles since becoming a mother. She and her husband head coach cross country and track together at Curé of Ars Catholic School in Leawood, Kansas. Julie is actively engaged in pro-life endeavors in the Kansas City metro, including working directly with women facing unplanned pregnancies and contributing to the Gabriel Project - St. Mary’s Home for Mothers newsletter as a writer and editor. Julie is the author of Hope Upon Impact: A Miraculous True Story of Faith, Love & God’s Goodness, which was published during the COVID shutdown in April 2020. Her writing has been published by Blessed Is She, Live Action News and Everyday Mamas. Julie shares her family’s uncommon story to encourage hope, trust in God and a perspective of gratitude. Learn more or connect with her at julieoverlease.com.

Kayla Lyons

As a recipient of the National Broadcasting+Cable’s Best Digital Multiplatform award and recognized by the Texas African American Museum as a Notable Woman of 2020, Kayla Lyons is a multi-faceted journalist, news personality and media strategist. Currently, Kayla serves as the Lifestyle Show Host and Traffic Anchor for FOX25 in Oklahoma City, hosting the lifestyle show, Living Oklahoma and finding the smoothest commutes for morning viewers on Good Day OK. From award-winning entertainment professionals, top U.S. White House officials, and community leaders, Kayla has interviewed a variety of distinguished people and believes that the shared knowledge of others has the power to empower the world. Kayla’s thirst for knowledge has led her to travel and live in other parts of the world to better connect with those apart of the global community on a personal and professional level. Kayla's life goal is to walk out what it means to live an authentic, faith-filled life, and inspire others to do the same. Kayla graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a B.B.A. in marketing and Full Sail University with an M.S. in Entertainment Business Management.

Kelsey Kemp

Kelsey Kemp is an ex-tech consultant turned Career Coach, Podcaster, and Speaker specialized in helping high-performing Christian professionals discern what they feel called to do, then land that job with efficiency and speed. Since founding The Called Career LLC, she has served 200+ clients globally, from New York to New Zealand. Her work has been featured in Forbes and she serves as a Startup Mentor for the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship. She is also the host of the Answer the Call podcast, a show with 130+ episodes and counting, all designed to help you find your calling and land a job that pays you to fulfill it. Kelsey earned her BBA from Texas A&M University in Supply Chain Management with a Certificate in International Business. A proud Austinite, she enjoys trying new restaurants with friends around town and growing in entrepreneurship alongside her identical twin sister and fellow entrepreneur, Kirsten Kemp.

Nathan Harness

Dr. Nathan Harness currently serves as the director of the financial planning program at Texas A&M University. He manages the financial planning program and teaches a multitude of courses. In addition, he has lectured both nationally and internationally on global financial risk, international investing, next-generation planning, and practice management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Arkansas, a master’s degree in finance from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. in personal financial planning from Texas Tech University. InvestmentNews recognized him as a top 40 Under 40 financial planner. He was also recognized as the DFW FPA Chairman’s award winner for his contributions to the profession of financial planning. A series of events through his formative years has helped him to see purpose in pain throughout a journey of self-awareness. Dr. Harness invests time with numerous student organizations at Texas A&M University and beyond to empower the next generation with a message of hope through hardship. Beyond the academic realm, the primary passion for Dr. Harness is his family. He has three kids and a beautiful wife, who is the definition of nurturing.

Shannon / Cheryl Deer / Miller

Dr. Shannon Deer is the associate dean for undergraduate programs for Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. She is an award-winning professor teaching accounting, energy finance, and general business courses. She conducts executive development training for leading companies. Shannon’s research, focused on women’s experiences exiting the sex trade or trafficking situations, has been published in leading, peer-reviewed journals. Along with Cheryl Miller, Shannon coauthored Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities, featured in People.com, NBC News, Business Insider, Ashton Kutchers’ A Plus Media, and more. The book provides companies a roadmap for effectively hiring women who have overcome challenging pasts of incarceration, addiction, poverty, and engagement in the sex trade. Cheryl Miller owns Quantum Circles Consulting and Training, providing transformative training in several areas: nonprofit leadership, economic development, conflict management, and restorative justice. She previously served for eighteen year as the Executive Director of a successful and innovative nonprofit housing program. Cheryl is a Credentialed Mediator with twenty years and over a thousand hours of mediation experience with victims of violent crimes and their offenders. Cheryl owns two other small businesses – Quantum Circles Press and Miller City Farms. Her overcomer story was featured in People.com and Adam Carolla’s Take a Knee Podcast. Along with Dr. Shannon Deer, Cheryl coauthored Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities, featured in People.com, NBC News, Business Insider, Ashton Kutchers’ A Plus Media, and more. The book provides companies a roadmap for effectively hiring women who have overcome challenging pasts of incarceration, addiction, poverty, and engagement in the sex trade.

Shannon Deer Cheryl Miller

Dr. Shannon Deer is the associate dean for undergraduate programs for Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. She is an award-winning professor teaching accounting, energy finance, and general business courses. She conducts executive development training for leading companies. Shannon’s research, focused on women’s experiences exiting the sex trade or trafficking situations, has been published in leading, peer-reviewed journals. Along with Cheryl Miller, Shannon coauthored Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities, featured in People.com, NBC News, Business Insider, Ashton Kutchers’ A Plus Media, and more. The book provides companies a roadmap for effectively hiring women who have overcome challenging pasts of incarceration, addiction, poverty, and engagement in the sex trade. Cheryl Miller owns Quantum Circles Consulting and Training, providing transformative training in several areas: nonprofit leadership, economic development, conflict management, and restorative justice. She previously served for eighteen year as the Executive Director of a successful and innovative nonprofit housing program. Cheryl is a Credentialed Mediator with twenty years and over a thousand hours of mediation experience with victims of violent crimes and their offenders. Cheryl owns two other small businesses – Quantum Circles Press and Miller City Farms. Her overcomer story was featured in People.com and Adam Carolla’s Take a Knee Podcast. Along with Dr. Shannon Deer, Cheryl coauthored Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities, featured in People.com, NBC News, Business Insider, Ashton Kutchers’ A Plus Media, and more. The book provides companies a roadmap for effectively hiring women who have overcome challenging pasts of incarceration, addiction, poverty, and engagement in the sex trade.

Stacey White

Stacey White is an aging expert and Gerontologist who has one foot in the wealth management industry and the other firmly planted in the science of longevity. She advises corporations, institutions, and individuals on Life, Health & Wealth Plans for their clients and families. A pioneer in the field of Financial Gerontology, Stacey helps financial advisors bridge the gap between science, research, implementation and communication on matters pertaining to aging and life in retirement. She is the founder of BrokerAGE®, an innovative platform that delivers strategies and insights to help advisors better navigate the rapidly changing landscape of aging. Her decades-long experience as a caregiver inspires her research focusing on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild-to-moderate dementia. Stacey received national recognition as a member of the George H. W. Bush Points of Light Honor Roll for her work during COVID mitigating the effects of loneliness and isolation in Dallas’ Senior Community. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, received Masters Degrees from the University of Houston and the University of Southern California, and will receive a Doctorate in Longevity Arts and Sciences from USC.

Tanya Wickliff

Dr. Dugat Wickliff shares her remarkable story of advancing to a PhD in engineering despite the doubt cast upon her during her years as a teenage mother. She discusses how to invest in oneself and others to persist through challenges in life.

Wei Lei

Dr. Wei Li is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. He is committed to research, education, and service activities that lead to smart solutions for challenges faced by underserved communities and underprivileged populations. In 2019, he received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Texas A&M University and the Association of Former Students. Since 1955, the Distinguished Achievement Awards have been awarded to those who exhibit the highest standards of excellence at Texas A&M. Since 2019, funded by the W.M. Keck Foundation, Dr. Li's pedagogical model called ENDEAVR has trained over 200 Texas A&M students from 10 different majors. Dr. Li is also an inspirational social entrepreneur. In 2020, he founded ENDEAVR Institute, a 501c3 public charity dedicated to bringing smart-city technologies to small communities and underprivileged populations. In November 2020, Dr. Li launched ENDEAVRide, a novel “Transport + Telemedicine 2-in-1” service delivered on a self-driving van. The program has become an inspirational model for solving small-town transportation and healthcare problems. Dr. Li's work received the 2021 Smart 50 Award, the 2021 W.K. Kellogg Award for Exemplary Community Engagement, and the 2022 American Planning Association TX Implementation Award.