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).

Halle Cultural Arts Center
237 N. Salem Street
Apex, North Carolina, 27502
United States

Briana Melissa Ford

Senior Community Manager

Briana Ford has spent almost 15 years working with businesses on their social media presence and strategy. She has covered all aspects including content creation, community management, and paid advertising, making her a full-stack subject matter expert. Her intuitive ability to put herself in the end-user’s shoes is her best super power.

Chenae Erkerd

Recruiter

Chenae Erkerd is originally from Camden, NJ. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Augustine’s University and juris doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. After graduation, Chenae decided to pivot into human resources to become a recruiter. She landed her first recruiting role in higher education as a temp recruiter. While in higher education, she was able to successfully convert into a full-time recruiter in healthcare. During her time in healthcare, Chenae recruited entry, mid-career, and senior level roles. She later pivoted into technical recruiting where she specializes in software engineers, program/product managers and cybersecurity professionals. Chenae currently resides in Durham, NC with her husband, Terrence Erkerd, and two dogs, Bane and Kodak. She believes her faith and spiritual maturity helps her speak life into her community.

Dr. Rhea Watson

Founder/CEO of Scholarship Solutions

Dr. Rhea M. Watson, the Scholarship Doctor and Founder/CEO of Scholarship Solutions, a Premier Scholarship and College Consulting Firm, is dedicated to working with students worldwide ages 0 to 99. As an international speaker, Rhea has presented to audiences from Egypt to Spain and all across the United States of America, teaching students of all ages how to have a debt free college experience. Furthermore, Rhea has assisted hundreds of students to enter college and win more than $200 Million Dollars in scholarships. She has received numerous honors, including Community Partnership Award, HBCU for Life Award, Highest GPA Honor, and US-Africa International Women's Day Award. Rhea has been featured on the TODAY Show and Good Morning America and in Forbes and Black Enterprise Magazines. She is on a mission and has committed to helping l,000,000 students earn debt free degrees.

Garret Biss

Veteran and Founder

Garret Biss, a veteran who faced his own dark battles with addiction and suicidal ideations, understands this trauma firsthand. His journey toward recovery illuminates the profound loss experienced by many veterans. Despite awareness of post-traumatic stress, addiction, and homelessness within the veteran community, the deeper crisis—stemming from these lost connections, identities, and purposes—remains underexplored. Garret delves into how the absence of these fundamental needs not only precipitates veterans' struggles but also obscures the path to healing; a path that is easy to navigate once loss is understood and steps forward are shared.

Hirbod Bigvand

Founder

Hirbod Bigvand, a resilient entrepreneur and creative force, immigrated to the USA from Iran at the age of 16. Starting with no connections, limited English, and zero financial resources, he defied the odds by building multimillion-dollar startups in Silicon Valley. Currently, Hirbod is leading Cassius, a groundbreaking lifestyle company poised to revolutionize the way people discover love and happiness. With a profound belief that addressing this fundamental human need can usher in a positive societal transformation, he is dedicated to creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to experience love and happiness.

Julia Korn

Founder + CEO of The Authenticity Guide

Julia Korn is the Founder + CEO of The Authenticity Guide, a career and executive coaching company focused on empowering emerging leaders to uplevel their careers. As a self-described recovering perfectionist, there’s nothing Julia loves more than helping professionals break up with “should” in their careers. She is a Business Insider Most Innovative Coach and a Contributor to Forbes. She has been featured on Fox Business News, BBC World News and more. She lives in Chapel Hill, NC with her husband, daughter and labradoodle.

Manal El-Ramly

Founder

Manal El-Ramly, Transformational Life Coach and Founder of Mattain LLC, is also the author of Transcending Anxiety: From Fear to Freedom. A cherished teacher on InsightTimer, she is renowned for her empowering and contagious style. Her inspirational presence motivates many to align with their authentic selves. Manal has over 20 years of experience as a professional and executive in business, consulting, and entrepreneurship. Her academic roots, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, serve as the catalyst for her unique analytical approach on life. Manal serves on the board of ZE PowerGroup, an energy and commodity data management company, Newsco Inc., digital signage software company, and Durham Nativity School, a school providing education for youth from low-income families, as well as holding leadership roles in Young Men’s Service League. Raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, she now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her three amazing children.

Peter Agiovlassitis

Speaker and Founder

Peter Agiovlassitis grew up on the rough and tumble streets of Brooklyn, New York, which allowed him to hone his speaking and negotiating skills at an early age — or, as he puts it: “I learned to run very fast.” Peter has spent an entire career in advertising, holding leadership roles at top advertising agencies. He possesses experience with Fortune 500 brands and has negotiated over $1 billion with TV and Radio networks. Today, he is a marketer, speaker, writer, consultant, and volunteer. He is also a husband and father and loves to spend as much time as possible with his wife Jeanann, their daughter Morgan, and their son Tyler. But it’s hard to see Tyler as he lives halfway around the world in Auckland, New Zealand. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…Peter Agiovlassitis.

Prash Shenoy

Vice President of Marketing

Introducing Prash, the dynamic Vice President of Marketing at a leading global marketing technology consulting firm and a true example of modern leadership that skillfully blends sharp intellect with deep spiritual wisdom. With an impressive background from top engineering and MBA programs, Prash is known for his innovative approach in the complex world of marketing technology, crafting cutting-edge strategies for giants like Google, Indeed, EMC and Intel. But Prash is more than just his two-decade-long career in the corporate world. His deep commitment to living in harmony with nature, drawing from a rich tapestry of ancient wisdom and disciplined practice, shines through in both his personal life and professional projects. This commitment is the heartbeat of CEOyogi, his passion project aimed at guiding people towards balanced, mindful leadership in both personal and professional life.

Sandy Joy Weston

Author

Sandy Joy Weston M.Ed. received her Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Temple University, and achieved her Bachelor of Science in Dance from West Chester University. She began her journey as a health club owner when she opened an in-home private training company called Specialty Fit. She then proceeded to open the first Weston Fitness in Bala Cynwyd, PA with the help of her mentors. After much success, she continued to open two more health clubs including one in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, PA.

Scott Mason

Coach and Founder

Scott Mason is the Myth Slayer: an attorney and executive leadership coach for stuck and unhappy lawyers looking to obliterate toxic personal myths -- so that they and their teams can become more engaged, creative, and resilient. Among other accomplishments, he led a division responsible for programmatic oversight of 300+ senior centers and home-delivered meal providers; was second-in-command of NYC's central administrative law court; and served as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and head of operations for the USA's largest provider of domestic violence shelters. Before founding his current business, Scott successfully grew and scaled a small manufacturing company into a two-city operation with clients that included some of the most recognized corporate names in the USA. He currently sits on the Career Advancement & Management and the Attorney Mindfulness and Well-Being Committees of the NYC Bar Association.

Sonal Mahapatra

Student

Sonal Mahapatra is a high school junior at America’s #1 High School - NCSSM and an Amazon Best Selling Author. Her novel, “Aventurine: A Story of a Girl and a Crystal”. has been highly appreciated in the reader's community. As per her book reviewers, " Mahapatra has accomplished what the most experienced novelists can only hope to achieve; she has crafted a story that connects with the readers on a human level." A presidential gold award winner, Sonal believes in giving back to society in various ways while striving for excellence and pursuing her interest in data science, biology, and neuroscience. She has also been invited to Harvard University to participate in the HSRC- a platform for exceptional high school students across the world. As a varsity golfer, and varsity swim team, an avid vlogger, and a leadership board member of various clubs, Sonal gets appreciated in her peer group as a very committed individual and her vlogs have been liked by hundreds of viewers.