Theme: Blueprint

In life, one often looks to a guide to move forward; a mentor, a leader, a how-to, a roadmap, or, perhaps, a Blueprint. All composed of elements that show us where to turn next. The author of a blueprint takes careful thought and consideration to mold the next step for those who need it; but sometimes it is thrown away completely to perform spontaneously with no restrictions.

In TEDxDrexelU’s 2023 Main Event, Blueprint, our speakers will showcase their journey of creation, development, or the following of their own Blueprint. They will draw upon their own plans, models, and guides to craft inspiration for our curious audience.

The Great Courts
3141 Chestnut Street
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104
United States

Dan Castle

Operations and Cyber Security Executive, Author, and Life-Long Learner

Dan Castle is a perpetual student whose career has spanned both leadership and individual contributor positions. Dan’s unique perspective comes from his ability to marry his life experiences with those of his formal education across Psychology and Philosophy (Saint Peters), Information Systems (Stevens) and Organizational Dynamics (UPenn) domains.

Paige DeAngelo

Student Entrepreneur and Innovator

Paige Leigh DeAngelo is a 22-year-old entrepreneur, collegiate athlete, student, influencer, and sustainability activist. Combining her passion for sustainability and willingness to figure anything out, she plans to run her own internationally recognized business, Aer Cosmetics, after she graduates from Drexel University in the Summer of 2023.

Paula Marantz Cohen

Dean of Drexel University Pennoni Honors College

Higher education is in a state of crisis. It needs desperately to be reformed. Dr. Cohen proposes five areas that make up a comprehensive blueprint for reform. This blueprint must be adopted in order to produce innovative leaders who can rethink our ineffective institutions, and deep-thinking and deep-feeling citizens who can heal our divided country.

Shilpa Kulshrestha

Performance Coach and Consultant

Shilpa Kulshrestha is a Game Changer Coach, founder of Scintillate and bestselling author of “Play it Full”. Featured in Outlook, FOX, TV, Radio and top 200 podcasts, she enables mid-career professionals across 16 countries to create euphoric careers. A multi-awardee, recently she was named the Stevie Gold Coach of The Year 2022.

Veronica Carey

Clinical Professor and DEI Leader

Dr. Carey has taught in academia for the past 22 years. She is currently the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chair of the Board of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions. She is an Associate Clinical Professor within the Behavioral Health Counseling Department. Carey is Chair of the Academy for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, a certified psychiatric rehabilitation specialist and Vice President of the Caravan of Life, a behavioral health NGO in Pakistan. Dr. Carey is very much interested in the national impact of recent national and international events upon persons of color. She addresses social determinants of health, health disparities, organizational infrastructure for racism minimization, and diversity, equity, and inclusion seminars to bodies of faculty, professional staff, students, and professionals nationally and internationally.

Will Ramey

U.S. Army Veteran and Leadership Specialist

We have moved from the industrial age into the digital age of work. Top-down directive positional leadership is limiting team performance. Leadership has evolved to an interactive social process that can include all team members regardless of position. In this talk, Will shares how shared leadership saved his life while in a combat zone and gives the blueprint for you to set the conditions for shared leadership to emerge, develop, and flourish so your team will thrive!