Theme: Connected by Design

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).

Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts
221 Columbia Ave.
Holland, Michigan, 49423
United States

Brady Mills

Communications Coordinator

Brady has spent the past two years traveling to and from Nicaragua, where he is collaborating with the community of Isiquí to design a creative classroom structure for their preschoolers. In the Holland area, he works at an architecture and engineering firm, developing capital campaign communications strategies for public school districts. But no matter where you find him, he is an enthusiast about creativity in the classroom.

Caitlin Cusack

Musician

Caitlin Cusack is a Michigan-based musician whose life took a dramatic turn after a life-changing brain injury and the loss of her parents. On a challenging recovery journey, Caitlin found comfort and healing in songwriting and has since dedicated herself to sharing her music as a beacon of hope for others navigating their own hardships. Drawing from decades of musical experience, including a music degree and training in musical theater, classical, and liturgical music, Caitlin crafts soulful, piano-driven pop songs that blend memorable melodies with poignant lyrics exploring themes of love, loss, grief, and growth.

Charles Elwood

Business Intelligence Specialist

Charles Elwood is a Microsoft AI MVP and innovative technology expert, passionate about using cutting-edge AI solutions to improve lives and empower individuals with disabilities. With a background in the automotive industry and a wealth of experience in artificial intelligence applications, Charles has demonstrated the transformative power of technology in enabling communication and preserving endangered languages. As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Charles continues to inspire and motivate others to explore the future of technology and human connection.

Della Fetzer

Founder

Della Fetzer is a plant biologist, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt process improvement specialist, speaker, founder, and biotechnology entrepreneur serving the plant production industry. Her experience includes serving as the director of a plant tissue culture laboratory, process improvement and lab design strategy in architecture, and a publication in Molecular Ecology. Della is happiest leading free people, dissecting big problems, and helping people of the world make enough plants.

Jennifer Plante Johnson

Producers

Jen Plante Johnson is a freelance writer, independent film producer and production advisor based in Douglas, MI. Decoding the connective tissue between us has been Jen’s most profound professional theme and ongoing life lesson. She’s spent the last four years making a documentary film about the struggles, contributions and fifty-year friendship of a group of mothers (including her own) who’ve raised children with special needs. This process has brought many things to light, including how painful true connection really is while it remains even more critical than she ever realized.

Jonathan Gabhart

Musician

Over the past 5 years, Michigan–IO has been re-imaginging and re-arranging these great songs in a sound and style that rings true with the spirit of the original songs as well as our contemporary ears. Michigan–IO exists to give voice to these incredible tunes and celebrate the folk music tradition throughout the Great Lakes.

Richard Ray

Professor

Richard Ray is professor and provost emeritus at Hope College (Holland, Michigan), serving there since 1982. He served as the college’s chief academic officer, dean for the social sciences and chair of the Department of Kinesiology. He is the author of more than 40 peer reviewed journal articles and five books on sports medicine, leadership in higher education, health care management, and pilgrimage memoirs. He is presently Co-director of the Hope-Western Prison Education Program, a Hope College degree program at Muskegon Correctional Facility. He serves as the Chair of the Steering Committee of the Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison, an organization that advocates for best practice in and expansion of college-in-prison programs in Michigan.

Robyn Schopp

Chief Happiness Officer

Robyn Schopp has developed a reputation in her career as someone who can find the fun in just about any task. As a young professional, she earned the nickname of Chief Happiness Officer among her colleagues. Now as a consultant and training facilitator, she helps people and organizations leverage the power of fun toward their success.