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).

Sewickley Academy
315 Academy Ave
Rea Auditorium
Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143-1213
United States

D. Raja

CEO and Co-Founder of CEI America

D. Raja is co-founder and Chairman of CEI, a leading technology company that delivers solutions for companies to transform their business. CEI, formerly known as Computer Enterprises Inc., is headquartered in Pittsburgh and has offices across the country with more than 750 employees. Under Mr. Raja’s leadership, CEI has demonstrated steady growth and has been recognized with several awards including Inc. Magazine, VAR Business, EMSDC Supplier of the Year, and Smart Partner Magazine. Mr. Raja is a seasoned technology visionary and was recognized for his contributions and leadership as the regional winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. He was also awarded Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from Waynesburg University. A 1989 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Raja received an MBA with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 2003.

Dr. Bryan Donohue

Interventional Cardiologist and the Chief Cardiology Consultant for WWE

Dr. Bryan Donohue is an Interventional Cardiologist who has practiced at Allegheny General Hospital and is currently at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He has served as the Medical Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab and as Chief of Cardiology at the U.P.M.C.-Shadyside Hospital and as Chair of Medicine at U.P.M.C.-East. He is also the Chief Cardiology Consultant for World Wrestling Entertainment better known as “the W.W.E.” His clinical research has centered on the care and treatment of patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction, commonly known as heart attacks. His results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Heart Association Journal Circulation, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Donohue developed a wearable device to protect athletes from sudden cardiac death resulting from chest trauma and has been invited to speak around the world including the Republic of China, Japan, the United States, and Canada.

Karen Hanlon

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Highmark Health

Karen Hanlon is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Highmark Health, a $26 billion national, blended health organization that includes one of America’s largest Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers and a growing regional hospital and physician network. Ms. Hanlon is a key leader, strategist and visionary for Highmark Health, helping to guide the organization’s mission to create remarkable health effects ces that free people to be their best. She oversees the strategy and long-term operations of Highmark Health and Highmark Inc., as well as the operations of Allegheny Health Network, Highmark Wholecare, the Highmark Health-Penn State partnership, and enGen.

Leslie Bonci

Owner of Active Eating Advice and Co-founder of Performance 365

Ms. Leslie J. Bonci is a registered dietitian, a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, and the owner of Active Eating Advice, a nutrition consulting company. She is also a co-founder of Performance 365. Ms. Bonci has worked with five Major League Baseball teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and was the sports nutrition consultant for the 2020 and 2023 Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. She was the sports dietitian for the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Point Park University, and Robert Morris University athletics, and also works with Olympic and high school athletes. Her company, Performance 365 provides nutrition services for XFL, the USFL, and the FCFL/FCBL league. Ms. Bonci is the author of Sports Nutrition for Coaches and the American Dietetic Association Guide to Better Digestion, and co-author of Run Your Butt Off, Walk Your Butt Off, the Active Calorie Diet, and Bike Your Butt Off.

Mike Ressler

Chief Technology Officer of Diamond Kinetics

Mike Ressler is the Chief Technology Officer at Pittsburgh-based Diamond Kinetics - a baseball and softball motion analytics company. Diamond Kinetics enhances the games of baseball and softball by creating mobile-motion technology that helps players have fun and improve their play through player development, superior equipment fitting, and engagement-driven entertainment. Mr. Ressler has been with Diamond Kinetics since early 2014 where he was employee number 2. After joining the company, he participated in building "The Internet of Swings" with SwingTracker, an embedded sensor device that goes "in" or "on" bats. He also participated in the development of PitchTracker, a first-of-its-kind smart ball that tracks pitching motion. Prior to Diamond Kinetics, Mr. Ressler founded StatEasy, a sports statistics and video startup in 2010. A 2002 graduate of Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science, Mr. Ressler currently lives in Upper St. Clair with his family (3 kids and wife).

Pallavi Patil

Founder of Lark Adventurewear

Pallavi Golla Patil is the founder of Lark Adventurewear, an eco-apparel brand that uses an exclusive Softek bamboo-cotton blend that is chemical-free, UPF 50+, and super soft. The mission of the brand is to make life easier and more comfortable for families. Over the past 6 years, Mrs. Patil scaled Lark Adventurewear into a 7-figure brand with a large and loyal community of customers with strong repeat buying behavior. In December 2022, Mrs. Patil sold Lark Adventurewear to strategic buyers and stepped away from the business after transitioning operations to the new owners. She has been enjoying spending time with her kids and taking up new hobbies. Prior to founding Lark Adventurewear, Mrs. Patil worked at distressed credit hedge funds for many years in addition to serving as the VP of Product for venture-funded Winc Wines. She has a BS in Finance from NYU Stern and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. She has been featured in Inc Magazine, Forbes, Parents, and Vogue.

Travis Williams

President of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Travis Williams began his role as President of the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 1, 2019. In this role, he is responsible for the baseball and business operations of the organization, with a particular focus on the Club's vision for the future, connection to its fans, and commitment to the community. Mr. Williams has extensive executive leadership experience in Pittsburgh sports, having spent 11 years as an integral part of the Pittsburgh Penguins' executive team as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer. He oversaw the development of PPG Paints Arena as well as the construction of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry. Mr. Williams returned to Pittsburgh to join the Pirates after his most recent role as the President of Business Operations for the New York Islanders where he built an entire business operations staff, doubled the season ticket base, and broke ground on a new arena.