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).

Colorado Technical University
1575 Garden of the Gods Rd
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80907
United States

Acey Holmes

CEO & Founder of BoredLess

Acey Holmes is the founder and CEO of BoredLess, a company that helps professionals rediscover the power of play. With a background in pediatric speech pathology, Acey has studied and experienced how play can enhance learning, creativity, and well-being for children and adults alike. With a cliche pandemic pivot, Acey decided to follow her passion for playfulness and help companies spice up their culture. She now works with solopreneurs, teams, and organizations to design playful experiences that spark innovation, collaboration, and joy. Acey is also a speaker, coach, and consultant who shares her insights and expertise on playful work design, based on the neuroscience of play. She is on a mission to spread the message of play to the world through her TEDx talk. Acey believes that play is not only fun, but also essential for human development and happiness.

Dr. Erik Huffman

Award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and cybersecurity professional

Dr. Erik Huffman is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and cybersecurity professional. Dr. Huffman is a founding researcher in the emerging field of Cyberpsychology, the study of how the human brain works while in a cyber environment. His research has begun to uncover biological deficiencies in humans that function for survival in face-to-face interaction, but does not activate in a cyber environment. He has applied his research with trailblazing results in over 60 organizations worldwide. His research focuses on mental biological deficiencies that every person has in a cyber environment that allow attacks like phishing and digital social engineering to continue to thrive. It is well noted that people are the weakest link and Dr. Huffman is working to specifically explain how the problem is existing and what can be done to mitigate. To date Dr. Huffman has conducted studies totaling over 20,000 participants.

Jamie Cutino

Occupational Therapist, Founder, ADHD Advocate

Jamie has been on a sprint searching for happiness through achievement since her mom passed, reaching societal milestones of success at a young age including: getting a master’s degree, 6-figure job, loving marriage, beautiful home, 2 dogs, and notable accomplishments in her business. Feeling no different than she did before accomplishing everything, she found that her definition of success has been wrong the entire time. She believes that as a society we need to redefine what success looks like as this is where peace truly lies.

Kyle Vorbach

Filmmaker, Comedian, Amateur Magician

Kyle’s career began after a battle with cancer showed him life’s too short to NOT do what he loves. He’s since worked tirelessly, making high-impact, high-concept films, using music, comedy, and technology to bend genres and push boundaries. His most recent short film, Somewhere In Between, premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival and his most recent documentary, a provocative social stunt about the advent of AI called How I Faked My Life With AI, opened the Cinema & AI symposium at the 2023 CogX Festival in London. This led Kyle to author his first book, Pandora’s Code: Decrypting the History, Benefits, and Dangers of AI, and launch his brand-new podcast exploring this cutting-edge field.

Paul Hylenski

Aerospace Leader

Paul Hylenski is an accomplished Aerospace Manufacturing Business Leader with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Beyond his technical expertise, Paul is passionate about leadership and human dynamics. He has implemented psychological safety and social engineering principles to create environments where people can thrive.

Rebecca Wildbear

Author, Advocate

Rebecca Wildbear, MS, E-RYT 500, is the author of Wild Yoga: A Practice of Initiation, Veneration, & Advocacy for the Earth. She is also the creator of a yoga practice called Wild Yoga which empowers individuals to tune in to the mysteries that live within the Earth community, dreams, and their wild nature so they can live a life of creative service. She has facilitated people in listening to their dreams for the past two decades. She has been leading Wild Yoga programs since 2007 and also guides other nature and soul programs with Animas Valley Institute.