Theme: Tomorrow Starts Today

Why Tomorrow Starts Today?

This theme resonates with the idea that the actions, ideas, and innovations we pursue today are what will define and build the world of tomorrow.

For TEDxBillings, a city rooted in growth and forward-thinking, "Tomorrow Starts Today" is particularly relevant. It reflects the community's spirit of progress, the willingness to embrace new ideas, and the determination to lead change rather than wait for it to happen. The theme encourages presenters and attendees alike to think about how their contributions today—whether in technology, art, education, or social impact—can create a better, more vibrant future for everyone.

In essence, "Tomorrow Starts Today" encapsulates the urgency and responsibility we all share in shaping a positive future, making it an ideal theme for an event focused on spreading ideas that matter.

Harvest Church
1235 W. Wicks Lane
Billings, Montana, 59105
United States

Alina Trigub

Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist, and Author

Alina Trigub is a TEDx speaker, Amazon bestselling author, and founder of SAMO Financial LLC, dedicated to empowering individuals to build wealth through passive real estate investing. With an MBA from Rutgers University and experience in tax accounting, IT, and private equity, Alina coaches her clients on portfolio optimization and tax strategies. Her insights have been featured in Forbes, MSN Money, and other leading publications, and she is a frequent speaker at top financial events and universities. Inspired by Warren Buffett’s philosophy, Alina’s mission is to help people create lasting wealth for themselves and their families through strategic value investing. An active volunteer and board member, she seamlessly integrates entrepreneurship, investment expertise, and community service.

Brandon Scala

Senior Vice President of Community Engagement

Brandon prides himself in being a Relational Business Champion. He prides himself in making sure people understand the WHY behind doing business, also how bring people together for the greater good can be extremely powerful. He is blessed with a wife, 2 amazing sons and daughters in law and 2 grandchildren! Brandon believes life is all about perspective on every level. Be awesome today!

Brandon Smith

Speaker | Author | Entrepreneur

Brandon Smith is an award-winning public speaker, entrepreneur, and author. He hosts The Missoula Podcast and co-authored the best-selling children's book Happy as a Hippo, with his wife Joy. He’s a sought-after speaker known for motivating audiences to think differently and to reach their full potential. With 20 years in the insurance industry, Brandon serves as EVP of Marketing & Communications for Glidewell. His innovative approach to business led to receiving the inaugural Liberty Mutual Agent for the Future Award. He also was honored as a Presidential Ambassador of Global Entrepreneurship, an award presented by Shark Tank’s Daymond John and former President Obama. He attended Southwestern University on a basketball scholarship. He is a die-hard Red Sox fan, loves coffee, Wi-Fi, down comforters, and was once a line leader in second grade. Brandon lives in Missoula, Montana, with his wife, Joy, and their children, Avery, Boston, and Harper.

Elias Not Afraid

Artist, Fashion Designer

Elias Jade Not Afraid is an enrolled member of the Apsaalooke (Crow) Nation. He is 33 years old; born and raised on the Crow Indian Reservation. He is a self-taught bead artist since the age of 12 and works full time as an artist since 2015. He has collaborated with companies such as Crate & Barrel, Wells Fargo bank, Teton Trade, Manatobah Mukluks, Nordstrom, and the NFL 57 Super Bowl. He has been featured in multiple publications in the USA, Canada, and Europe. He and his work were featured in the United States of fashion issue of Vogue's February 2021 issue as well as later Vogue's book "The United States of Fashion." Most recently his dentalium breast plate necklace was worn by thee Lily Gladstone on the COVER of British Vogue October 2023 issue. Together, Lily and Elias were told by Vogue that "they were the first native Americans to be on the cover of Vogue" which was a great honor. He also has multiple pieces in the permanent collections of many museums around the USA and Canada.

Emily Petroff

Founder & CEO of Switch Society

Emily Petroff is a transformational leader whose passion for female empowerment, body confidence, & challenging societal norms has driven her to become a powerful force for change. With over 15 years of experience across various industries, Emily has cultivated a unique perspective on leadership that is rooted in inspiration, inclusivity, & breaking free from traditional leadership hypotheses & societal conditioning. Her journey is one of continuous growth, resilience, & an unwavering commitment to making a difference. As the Founder & CEO of Switch Society Inc., Emily Petroff has turned her vision into a thriving reality. Switch Society, a membership-based clothing swap located in Billings, Montana, is an innovative concept that redefines thrifting by empowering women to be conscious consumers while looking fabulous & caring for the planet. Switch Society has quickly become a community hub where fashion meets sustainability, & empowerment is woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Jackson Collender

NextGen Worship Director

"Homeschooled through Veritas Scholars Academy, Jackson brings a distinctive blend of skills to his role as a Worship Leader. He uses music to craft moments of connection and hope, bringing people together through worship. He loves Maxwell's quote, “A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.” Jackson’s success is due to great leaders who poured into him. Now he focuses on building new leaders, developing young musicians to create musical moments. With a background in message architecture and business, he co-developed software to foster appreciation for teachers across large school networks. Mentored by his parents, both rhetoric teachers, and through an internship at Oratium, Jackson’s passion for communication shapes his work, where he focuses on unity and excellence within his worship team. His BIG ACTION is simple: See the young person who needs what you’ve got, and give it to them."

Jessica Drain

Co-Founder of SewTites

A career marketer and graphic designer, Jessica has helped businesses brand and market themselves for almost two decades. In 2018, she and her sister innovated a new tool for the sewing world – SewTites® Magnetic Sewing Pins™ – and founded a company with the same name. Since then, Jessica has led the company to a 7-figure annual business – all in part-time hours with a small team of part-time employees. A single mom of two children with primary custody, she is passionate about finding value in and creating work for people who don’t have the desire or ability to work full-time hours but still want and need to earn a living. Jessica lives with her kids in Billings, Montana. She admittedly (and surprisingly for some) doesn’t sew much but does sleep under a quilt she made with the help of her mom. She enjoys hand lettering and she and her boys are often outside camping, skiing, boating, hiking, hunting, and doing all the Montana things.

Jordan White

Entrepreneur + Commercial Pilot + Preparedness and Business Consultant

Jordan White is the owner and chief pilot of Legacy Endeavors, a helicopter operations company to support and oversee the care and security of remote properties. Jordan’s wide range of life experiences has given him a unique perspective on the human capacity for survival, the gift of near-death experiences, and the will and ability to truly thrive. As a deputy coroner, search and rescue coordinator, and undersheriff, Jordan repeatedly faced life and death moments. Many of these moments were avoidable with the right mindset, training, and equipment. The anguish he experienced over a particular night-long rescue in the mountains drove him to envision and cofound a helicopter rescue program that would expedite complicated rescues across Montana and Idaho. His mission is to help others embody their highest potential in this life. He appreciates the first human need for safety and survival that must be met before expanding into a whole-hearted, intentional, thriving life.

Justin Angle

Professor of Marketing + Poe Family Distinguished Faculty Fellow at the University of Montana College of Business

Justin earned his Ph.D. and MBA from the Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and did his undergraduate studies at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. His academic research focuses on how people express their identities through their consumption behaviors. Justin's research has recently been published in Journal of Marketing, Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of Consumer Psychology. His work has been covered by media outlets such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal. Justin is also creator and host of the Montana Public Radio program, A New Angle. In 2021 he released Fireline, a 6-part podcast about what wildfire means for the West, our planet and our way of life. In 2023, he co-authored the book "This is Wildfire: How to Protect Your Home, Your Community, and Yourself in the Age of Heat" with Nick Mott.

Lenorë Lambert

Entrepreneur, Author, Psychologist, Secular Buddhist Teacher, Elite Masters Athlete

Lenorë Lambert has always been deeply interested in the human experience – how it works and how to make the most of it. This led her to explore widely, constantly gathering intelligence on how to flourish as a human being. This fascination was never going to produce a straight path. She graduated high school at 16, travelled and worked for 3 years, then qualified as an organisational psychologist. A decade later, she was a Director in a publicly listed company. Having “done” the corporate thing, she then found her natural habitat as an entrepreneur, first in leadership development, then outsourced Exit Interviews, and now her final and most heartfelt business: Flourish Personal Growth. Owning her time allowed Lenorë to pursue other avenues of flourishing along the way. She is a secular Buddhist teacher, author of "The Buddha for Modern Minds" and a multiple times World Champion Masters track athlete, holding Australian and World Records. Her mission is to help people flourish in life.

Penny Ronning

Co-Founder/President of Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force

Penny is the co-founder of the largest anti-human trafficking task force in Montana. She has successfully secured municipal, state, and federal policies to protect both children and adult victims of sexual violence, along with obtaining significant funding for law enforcement. Penny is a national speaker, co-author of legislation, has participated in panels alongside members of Congress, and has been a guest at the White House. Throughout her professional and public service career, Penny has focused on various issues, including public safety, economic development, energy conservation, infrastructure, equality, mental health, and homelessness. Additionally, she has initiated and helped secure over $20 million in combined monetary, pledged, and other sponsorship acquisitions for multiple nonprofit organizations. Penny was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives and has served as an elected Billings, Montana City Council member. She holds a BA in Film and an MBA.

Sharla Lee Shults

Online Learning Specialist and Beacon Educator

Sharla Lee Shults is an inspirational author and poet who transitioned from dual careers in education and the railroad industry to focus on her passion for writing. Her journey began in 2004 with her first poetry collection, followed by four more volumes. Guided by deep faith, she often relates her writing from His hand to mine, from my heart to yours. Her work reinforces the innate bond between human nature and Mother Nature, offering readers a transformative experience. Sharla delivered this talk in October 2024 in Billings, MT, on the theme of her latest book, "Dance with the Earth." She recently launched Buzzin’ (Sept. 2024), an engaging children’s series introducing nature through a curious child’s eyes. Sharla resides in Florida with her beloved Norwegian Forest cat, Foxie.

Terri Todd

Co Founder Gratitude in Action

Recovery Advocate and Transformational Leader