Theme: METAMORPHOSIS

Join us on February 15th for the 5th annual TEDxBreckenridge event! This year's theme, METAMORPHOSIS, invites you to an evening of:

—Expanding your thinking: Thought-provoking TEDx talks on a variety of engaging topics relevant to our mountain community.
—Diverse perspectives: Connect with local artists, innovators, and community members.
—Interactive Experiences: Network, exchange ideas, and disrupt your ways of thinking with a diverse audience.

Discover new ideas, spark meaningful conversations, and celebrate the power of change at TEDxBreckenridge METAMORPHOSIS.

Riverwalk Center
150 W Adams
Breckenridge, Colorado, 80424
United States

Andrew Young

Communications Analyst + Consultant

Andy began his journey in customer communication at just 9 years old, working in his family's printing business. At 25, he founded Emerge, a pioneer in Adobe Acrobat and PDF technologies, which was later sold to IKON (now Ricoh USA). His career spans decades of innovation, from developing an e-commerce platform for artist merchandise in streaming music to key global roles at Ricoh Ltd and Keypoint Intelligence. Now leading Treeline Research, named in honor of his oldest son who loved the mountains and being "Above the Treeline" before passing away from fentanyl poisoning in 2021, Andy helps businesses navigate the evolving landscape of digital and printed customer communications. He lives near Fort Collins with his wife Bridget, their dog Lilah, and has two grown children. He enjoys travel, cooking, and the smell of the pine trees on a crisp powder day.

Drew Petersen

Professional skier, Ultrarunner, Film-maker

Drew Petersen believes in living life with passion as a compass. He is an advocate for what he cares about most—mental health, our planet, and burritos. He shares his adventures as a “professional skier,” through community and a skiing lifestyle—which he classifies as his “day job.” He is also an ultra-runner, writer and film-maker. His writing has appeared in Outside, SKI Magazine, Powder Magazine, The Ski Journal, Freeskier Magazine, Backcountry Magazine, and more. His latest feature film, "Feel it All," was recently featured as part of Breckenridge Film Fest.

Ellen Petry Leanse

Neuroscience Educator

Neuroscience educator, Silicon Valley innovator, former Stanford University instructor, bestselling author, and transformational coach: Ellen Petry Leanse has catalyzed positive change in professional and personal settings across her life’s work. At Apple, Google, and as an entrepreneur, she cultivated breakthrough ways of elevating success through her changemaking approach to psychology and interpersonal dynamics. An award-winning leader, professional and life coach, former C-level executive, and keynote speaker, Ellen grounds her work in a deep understanding of the brain, a topic she explores as the host of The Brain and Beyond Podcast. Her knowledge of neuroscience, human history, and wisdom from the past offers unique ways of understanding the high stakes of this moment in time – and new paths to hope for the future. The parent of three adult sons, she lives in Northern New Mexico, where she savors the rich history of the land and its people.

Erfa Alani

Organizational Behavior Expert, Strategy Change Consultant, Lawyer

Erfa Alani is an experienced executive with over two decades of experience crafting and executing strategic initiatives across a spectrum of industries including aviation, telecommunications, finance, and public policy. Currently serving as Chief of Staff and Director of Corporate Affairs at Invest Ontario, Erfa leads strategic planning ensuring initiatives align with agency priorities and government mandates. In her previous role as Deputy Head of Mission at the Aga Khan Development Network, she secured fiscal concessions, negotiated land grant agreements, led government relations and strategic issue resolution for 13 agencies across 6 countries. Erfa Alani’s career underscores her commitment to driving strategic change, institution building, and effective governance in diverse sectors, making her a respected leader known for her impact on organizations and communities. She holds an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School and an LL.M from the American University in Washington.

Ethan Greene

Snow Science Expert, Backcountry Avalanche Forecaster, Meteorologist

Ethan joined the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) as the Director in 2005. He grew up in Boulder and learned to ski when he was three. He has worked with snow and avalanches since 1990 and worked as a ski patroller (Big Sky Ski Resort) and as a backcountry avalanche forecaster (Utah Avalanche Forecast Center). He studied meteorology (B.S., University of Utah), mountain weather and snow-drift formation (M.S., Colorado State University), and snow metamorphism and microstructure (Ph.D., CSU). In 2016, he received the Bernie Kingery Award and a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Utah. Ethan has published a variety of articles and has been a member of national and international working groups on snow, weather, and avalanche topics. Ethan lives in Leadville with his wife and two children.

Gabriella Zhelezny

Student

Summit County student sharing her views on peer pressure.

Grace Klein

Poet

Advocate for personal exploration and empowerment.

Keila Perez Lopez

Poet

Keila Perez Lopez is a Summit High School student whose journey is defined by resilience and the courage of her family. Through poetry, she finds a voice to share the complexities of the undocumented experience, hoping to shift perspectives and humanize the label often placed on those like her. Keila’s poem "We Are Stories" offers a raw and honest portrayal of her metamorphosis, weaving personal and collective narratives of sacrifice, hope, and identity. She is proud to share her story with the world, using her words to inspire empathy and understanding.

Lauren Panasweicz

Engineer, Adaptive Skiing Instructor

Lauren ‘L.P.’ Panasewicz is a passionate advocate for mobility, access to healthcare, and community connection. After earning her master’s degree in Engineering for Developing Communities and working as a civil engineer in Alaska, she moved to Colorado, where she spent five years teaching adaptive skiing to people with disabilities. Now the Director of Development at the Range of Motion Project (ROMP), L.P. leads high-level fundraising, strategy, partnerships, and storytelling, helping to grow ROMP into a million-dollar nonprofit organization. Her journey with ROMP is deeply personal, rooted in her belief in the transitive power of mobility. With a background in sustainable development and social impact, Lauren’s work centers around creating equitable solutions that drive change and expand opportunities for all.

Melanie Ash

Stylist

Founder of Integrative Beauty, Melanie Ash has over 30 years of experience as a renowned hair stylist with multi-national corporations to TV sets. Melanie holds top training and accreditations with Regis, Paul Mitchell, and Aveda. Melanie has designed creative for major national campaigns and her work has been featured on Oprah, LA Times, Fox, MTV, and ESPN.

Patrick Murphy

Restaurant Owner, Hospitality Expert

Patrick Murphy was raised in Broomfield, Colorado and attended Regis University. Starting his career in the service industry at a young age Patrick has worked in all capacities of a restaurant. Patrick moved to Breckenridge in November of 2020 to help open Rootstalk, a contemporary American cuisine restaurant. Patrick currently is the Director of Hospitality for Rootstalk and Radicato located in Breckenridge, Colorado. In this role he leads the service teams at both restaurants to create genuine and welcoming hospitality experiences for his guests. Patrick believes that hospitality is a noble profession that creates numerous opportunities for connection and acts of kindness in a career. Restaurants can be more than a place to eat, they can be a place to explore humanity, create new relationships and serve as a space to set aside the stresses of everyday life for a few moments.

Philip Wolf

Cannabis Expert + Educator

Philip Wolf has spent 12 years in Summit County pioneering the first cannabis hospitality company in the U.S., emphasizing mindful relationships with cannabis. Now, as Leader of the Rolling Stone Cannabis and Psychedelic Member Group, he's testified before the Colorado State Senate & House on NMHA and designed Boulder Wellness Week programs on entheogens. His work, including partnerships with Indigenous leaders & The Fairmont Hotel Group, shows a commitment to integrating plant medicines into society to foster a better relationship with health and Earth. Recognized by High Times as the 'pioneer of the cannabis hospitality space,' Philip Wolf is your expert guide for an unparalleled cannabis dinner experience through Cultivating Spirits. He has been featured on CBS and NBC Nightly News, as well as in TIME, Forbes, The New York Times, and many other mainstream publications.

Thayer Hirsh

Entrepreneur, Economic Development Specialist

Thayer Hirsh is the Executive Director at Summit Economic Partnership, a non-profit committed to enhancing Summit County's economy through innovation and diversification. Alongside this role, he's the founder and CEO of Knome, a local business in Summit that offers AI-powered advice for home maintenance through a mobile app and desktop platform. Previously, Thayer has held leadership roles across a diverse set of industries in Colorado, including startups, renewable energy, aerospace and the outdoor industry. He resides in Frisco with his wife and two daughters and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurship in Summit County and neighboring towns.

Walker Robinson

Youth Olympic Athlete + Medalist

Walker Robinson, an 18-year-old Ski Cross athlete from Frisco, Colorado, is already making history on the global stage. In 2024, he captured the silver medal in the Mixed Team Ski Cross and placed 4th in the Men's Ski Cross at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea. As the youngest American to debut in the World Cup, Walker’s rise in the sport is extraordinary. Beyond his athletic achievements, Walker is deeply committed to his community and personal growth. A five-time "Pay it Forward" Volunteer of the Year, he’s as passionate about giving back as he is about winning. Walker's diverse interests—from surfing to entrepreneurship and volunteering—shape his holistic approach to life. Walker’s ultimate vision is to become a multi-gold Olympic champion and the greatest Ski Cross racer ever.