Theme: TEDxFargo If

Imagine being transported to a space that feels both strange and familiar—a dreamscape where reality and imagination intertwine. This year, we dare you to journey into the enigmatic terrain of the unknown at TEDxFargo 2024, where “If” beckons the curious, the daring, and the dreamers. In a departure from the conventional, we invite you to step beyond the boundaries of the expected and encourage you to embrace the ethereal, the in-between, and the uncharted.

207 4th St N
Fargo, North Dakota, 58102
United States

Amanda Booher

Communications Manager

Amanda Booher is the Communications Manager for Audubon Great Plains, leveraging her expertise to foster community and raise awareness about the region's vital ecosystems. Amanda manages a broad range of communications strategies and oversees outreach initiatives connecting people with the natural world. Among these, she leads the Mindful Birding program, blending her passion for mindfulness and nature to offer a unique, enriching experiences to inspire both novice and seasoned birders. Amanda is a certified mindfulness coach, committed to promoting mental well-being through mindful practices. Her expertise in mindfulness enriches her work at Audubon, especially in her leadership of the Mindful Birding program, encouraging participants to cultivate a deeper connection with nature and themselves. Amanda holds Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Bowling Green State University, and Master’s of Science degree in Educational Leadership from North Dakota State University.

Amanda Schneider

Founder & President

Amanda Schneider, LEED AP, MBA, is a trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of ThinkLab, acquired by SANDOW Design Group in 2018, where she still serves as President. A dynamic force at the convergence of design and business, Amanda stands out as a captivating thought leader and accomplished author, spotlighted in prestigious publications ranging from Forbes, the Huffington Post, and Interior Design Magazine. Recognized as the compelling host of the acclaimed podcast "Design Nerds Anonymous," Amanda weaves together creativity and data, offering unparalleled insights, captivating audiences worldwide. Amanda’s creative process stems from her education in Industrial Design from University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, while her natural business sense is augmented by her MBA from University of Iowa. While her work is founded upon the philosophy that it's easy to be surrounded by data yet starved for insights, she believes that true value emerges when insights empower actionable change.

Arianna Genis

Organizer-In-Residence and Research Scholar

Arianna Genis is a seasoned organizer and strategist with a decade of experience in movement building and politics. Her work has driven equity and systemic change through organizations like Mijente, re:power, and TakeAction Minnesota. Arianna played a pivotal role in securing paid sick time for thousands of Minneapolis workers, leading campaigns to elect progressive candidates of color, and overseeing North Carolina’s largest Latino voter mobilization effort in 2020. Her leadership focuses on empowering working-class communities through grassroots organizing, political campaigns, and strategic narratives. Currently, as Organizer-In-Residence and Research Scholar at the P3 Lab at Johns Hopkins University, she is developing an initiative aimed at elevating Latinx political participation to foster a more just, multiracial democracy.

Betsy Fore

Founder & Partner

Betsy is a serial venture-backed founder, product leader and operator with over two decades of experience. She is an Investment Partner at two firms. She is the first Native American - Turtle Mountain Chippewa - to raise a Series A for her company. Betsy is a three time founder of two multi-million dollar brands and a non-profit, Natives Rising. Natives Rising is one of the largest communities of Indigenous Technologists and Indigenous Founders with members representing over two hundred tribes. Betsy is the Managing Partner at Velveteen Ventures, investing in children and planet for the next seven generations. She is also a certified coach, NLP and flow states practitioner.

Catherine Curry-Williams

Co-Founder

Catherine Curry Williams is a visionary philanthropist with over 27 years of dedication to positive change. As the co-founder of Shane's Inspiration, created in memory of her son in 1997, she has championed global initiatives to build inclusive playgrounds for children of all abilities. In 2020, she furthered her impact by co-founding the She Angels Foundation, which provides grants to grassroots organizations supporting young women and girls. Catherine is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, sharing her insights through teaching and public speaking. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including L'Oreal Paris' "Women of Worth," the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and California’s "Woman of the Year" in 2018. Recognized by institutions like the March of Dimes and featured in publications such as Bold Journey and Canvas Rebel, Catherine continues to redefine philanthropy, making a lasting impact on communities worldwide.

Chaos (Speaking Anonymously)

Software Developer

Meet Chaos... an average Fargoan by day and a warrior at night.

Craig Dykers

Founding Partner Architect

Craig Dykers co-founded Snøhetta in 1989, an architecture and design studio with a focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and community well-being. Based in New York and Oslo, with five additional global offices, Snøhetta is known for iconic projects like the Alexandria Library in Egypt, the Oslo Opera House, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and Times Square's redesign. Ongoing projects include the El Paso Children’s Museum and Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Snøhetta has earned prestigious awards like the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. Dykers, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, has taught at several institutions, including Syracuse University and Cornell, and lectured worldwide. His work continues to emphasize the intimate relationship between people, places, and design.

Derek Tournear

Director of Space Development Agency

Dr. Derek Tournear is the Director of the Space Development Agency where he is tasked with delivering space-based capabilities to the joint force to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. With experience in industry, at IARPA, and DARPA, Derek is well-positioned to lead SDA on its mission to provide future capability, redefining norms and constructively disrupting along the way. Derek is a Purdue Boilermaker, with a PhD in Physics from Stanford. He’s been recognized widely for his innovative approach to space acquisition, and leadership of the SDA. Whether by the Secretary of Defense, industry groups, space press, and this year, the David Packard Award for Excellence in Acquisition, Derek and his team at SDA are well regarded for their work and commitment to the nation.

Ethelind Kaba

Executive Director

Ethelind is the Executive Director of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, where she drives strategic direction, community partnerships, and fundraising efforts to support early childhood and adolescent girls in Minnesota. Previously, as Vice President of External Affairs at the Center for Economic Inclusion, she advanced economic inclusion and managed communications and fund development. Ethelind founded The Stargirl Initiative, empowering teen girls, and is involved with several boards and committees, including The Jeremiah Program and Augsburg University. She holds degrees from Hamline University and the University of Minnesota and was selected for Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program. Published and recognized on the Twin Cities Business 100 List and as one of 50 Black Leaders to know in Minnesota, Ethelind lives in Edina, Minnesota, with her family.

Evelyn Chambers

Student

High school is an exciting time that presents many new opportunities, and Evelyn is going through this process whilst watching the incredible evolution of Artificial Intelligence in real time. She is a three-time sweepstake science fair winner, has a passion for performing, and plays violin in the FM Area Youth Symphony. With an entrepreneurial drive and unwavering determination, she eagerly embraces the dynamic shifts shaping our world.

Frederick Edwards Jr.

Executive Director

Fred is a creative director and curriculum cultivator passionate about fostering ecosystems of belonging in communities and schools. Poetry was his lifesaver, inspiring him to share the transformative power of creative expression. Organizing cultural events in the Fargo Moorhead area, he's brought together 2000+ enthusiasts. Currently operating Umoja Writing Workshops, a 16-week leadership program. The workshop has created a sustainable pipeline to professions for youth instead of prisons. He is passionate about helping others find their inner greatness and potential. He has spoken to hundreds student from middle school to college. Fred provides testimonies and stories of struggle and resiliency. With nine brothers and sisters, Fred is the tenth and last child. Before he was born, his mother had her tubes tied—she had a .0001% chance of becoming pregnant after her last child. Fred was that .0001%. Fred thoroughly believes he is a spiritual being having a human experience.

Gabe Brown

Co-founder & Managing Partner

Gabe Brown is a leading figure in the soil health movement, advocating for the regeneration of natural resources. He and his wife, Shelly, founded Brown's Ranch, a 6,000-acre farm near Bismarck, ND, focusing on farming and ranching in harmony with nature. They have since transitioned the ranch's ownership to their son, Paul, and his wife, Jazmin. Gabe's work has earned numerous awards, including the Heinz Award for the Environment and recognition as one of the 25 most influential agricultural leaders in the U.S. Author of the bestselling book Dirt to Soil, Gabe is also a partner at Regenified, co-founder of Understanding Ag, LLC, and an instructor for the Soil Health Academy.

James Bergman

Singer-Songwriter

James Bergman is a singer/songwriter who creates and performs original pieces in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Inspiration for his music comes from his family, his community, and the stories of those around him. While many of his songs are inspired by his own life, he often collaborates to write commissioned songs for individuals and organizations. He also is an SLP for special needs preschool children and has a wife and two kids of his own. James Bergman has been writing music for more than 15 years. His original songs have been performed throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area. Many of his songs highlight the amazing work of people and organizations in our community. The lyrics that James writes often reflect his upbringing on a honey farm in rural Manitoba, his love of words as a speech-language pathologist, and his passion for sharing what he has with those around him.

Jana Bruhschwein

Founder, Executive Director

Jana Bruhschwein has over 30 years experience in education as a public school teacher, head start director, and preschool director. Jana saw the great need for quality early childhood care in the Fargo-Moorhead community. She is the visionary behind Peace Academy and believes all children deserve to be seen, heard, and loved.

Joe Burgum

Executive Director

Joe Burgum is a community builder who is committed to making Fargo one of the greatest cities on Earth. Joe is co-founder of Folkways, a community organization creating experiences to connect people and enhance their quality of life. At Folkways, Joe uses immersive experiences to solve problems like workforce retention, economic vitality, and communal belonging. One of these experiences, the Red River Market has grown to over 90 vendors attracting over 8,500 people to downtown Fargo every Saturday. Whether it’s by activating urban areas through projects like the Night Bazaar or offering warmth through his Mobile Sauna, Joe is actively initiating new ways for residents to build the community they'd love to live in.

Joe Kirgues

Co-Founder

Joe cofounded the gener8tor program where he manages the company's efforts along with his business partner Troy Vosseller. gener8tor runs accelerators in startup, music and art as well as its newest gener8tor Skills Accelerator. In all gener8tor runs over 50 programs across 40 communities ranging from Anchorage to San Juan. To make these programs successful gener8tor partners with a range of investors, universities, cities, states and corporate partners. gener8tor also maintains a 54-member corporate network with flagship conferences in Insurtech, Medtech, Manufacturing Tech, Agtech, Edtech, and Corporate Impact. gener8tor maintains a full-time staff of over 120 for these efforts. The graduates of the gener8tor and gBETA accelerators have raised over $2 Billion in follow-on financing and created thousands of full-time jobs.

Maddy Matson

Student

I am Maddy Matson, currently an student at Swarthmore College, just west of Philadelphia. My roots trace back to the town of Gettysburg, located in the heart of South Dakota. I am ardently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sociology, complemented by a minor in Religion. My educational journey includes graduating from high school in the esteemed class of 2020, followed by a deliberate decision to enrich my life experience through two years in the workforce, most notably at Sutton Bay Golf in Agar, SD. My professional and academic endeavors are driven by a fervent commitment to fostering social infrastructural enhancements from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective. I hold a deep-seated passion for elevating social welfare universally, with a spotlight on the transformative potential within the rural education sector.

Nick Smoot

CEO

Nick is a community organizer and serial entrepreneur who started his leadership journey at 13, creating mentorship programs for underprivileged children. By 21, he was delivering global leadership training and later applied his human-centered design thinking to co-found and sell three mobile tech startups. As a Milken Institute Young Leader, Nick worked on global issues like job creation and innovation. He founded the Innovation Collective, a grassroots initiative that inspires lifelong learning and innovation in over 80 U.S. communities and abroad, with partners like Google, SpaceX, and Walmart. His model blends corporate social responsibility with development, winning national awards for economic impact. Nick’s work has been featured in major outlets like Bloomberg and Forbes, and he has spoken at SXSW, BBC, and more.

Pranava Manthena

Student Founder/COO

I'm a high school student passionate about AI, business, and education tech. I excelled in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition, winning first place nationally, and founded a website design agency at 16 to explore my interests. I’ve spoken at global conferences on AI and education, and am developing a free educational tool to help students with personal learning. I also research AI and energy. Outside of academics, I'm a Golden State Warriors fan, and I enjoy digital drawing, painting, and traveling. I’m currently studying at Middleton High School and am excited to continue contributing to my community.

Robert Daugherty

Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer

Over a 35-year career, Mr. Daugherty has been an investor, board member and advisor across a wide range of asset classes and geographies. As a professor of finance, he has also served as an administrator including as Dean of the Forbes School of Business & Technology and as the CEO of the Jack Welch Management Institute. He started his career at J.P. Morgan where he completed the Morgan Finance Program. He held positions of increasing responsibility at Merrill Lynch, Computer Sciences Corp., and G.E. Capital. Mr. Daugherty holds degrees from Harvard University, Columbia University and Cambridge University, and was a Fulbright Scholar. He currently serves as Chief Investment Officer of the Holdings Investment Group, an investment he co-founded with Ms. Moira Forbes. Through his family office, he owns positions in several private companies and has co-authored two books, How to Build a High Performing Single-Family Office (available on Amazon) and Family Fortunes.

Stacy Huston

Executive Director

Stacy Huston is a visionary leader in social impact, known for her innovative approach to philanthropy. As Executive Director of SixDegrees.Org, founded by Kevin Bacon, and Executive Producer of its top-ranked podcast, she uses storytelling to inspire action and create meaningful change. In her role as CEO of Entertain Change, Stacy spearheads impactful collaborations between entertainers and organizations, working with major entities like Peacock, Warner Bros, and the ACLU. Her work has garnered three Webbys and the prestigious Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award. Based near Washington, DC, with her family, Stacy is also the author of the forthcoming book PICK It Up: A Guide Back to Our Shared Humanity. She exemplifies creativity and passion in philanthropy, consistently proving that strategic engagement can reshape the world.

Vanessa Williamson

CEO & Co-Founder

Vanessa Williamson, hailing from Eastern North Dakota, found her entrepreneurial spirit at Montana State University while studying Business and Marketing. Collaborating with her co-founder, another Vanessa, in the Farm to Market course sparked their delicious venture, Farmented Foods. Her passion for creating value-added products from "ugly" farm-fresh produce was ignited by the enthusiastic support of local farmers. Inspired by the potential to tackle food waste and promote sustainability, she leaped into the world of small-businesshood with the goal of making a significant impact on the food industry, one ugly vegetable at a time.

William Aderholdt

Executive Director

Dr. William Aderholdt is the Executive Director of Grand Farm, an organization leading innovation in agriculture. He joined as its first hire in 2019, helping establish its strategic vision and programs. Grand Farm has been involved in major federal economic resiliency projects, and is based on a 600-acre Innovation Campus in Casselton, ND, with teams in Georgia and Montana. William is passionate about how innovation is driven by collaboration and competition. He holds a PhD, a Master’s in Education, and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Neuroscience from Montana State University. He lives in Fargo, ND, with his wife, Lana, and their two children.