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).

Austin College, Ida Green Communication Center | Sally & Jim Nation Theatre
1311 E. Brockett
Sherman, Texas, 75090
United States

Dallas Key

Dallas graduated from Austin College in 2010 where he studied political science and leadership studies; at AC, he was the Student Body President, and a member of the Posey Leadership Institute, the Chi Tau Chi fraternity, and the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. He has earned a Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech School of Law, and a Master's of Business Administration from the Texas Tech Rawls College of Business. He is currently the Director of Talent Acquisition at Mammoth Holdings, and has managed recruitment at Omni Hotels and Tyler Technologies. He has over a decade of experience in Talent Acquisition and has been recognized as a LinkedIn "Top Recruitment Voice". Dallas currently lives in Plano, Texas with his wife, Karen (also an Austin College grad - class of 2009), and their two daughters, Lily and Summer.

Deedee Jansen

Deedee is an Engineering Physics and Theater double major with a mathematics minor at Austin College. She was diagnosed with dyslexia and other learning disabilities in third grade, where she started her journey of self- advocacy. This self-advocacy led to the development of the leadership skills that she uses on the Austin College college campus today. DeeDee is the president of the Society of physics students, president of the Austin College chapter of the National Theater Honor Society Alpha Pis Omega,as well as Physics TA. She’s also a member member of the Austin College Improv Troupe, Sigma Pi Sigma, Alpha Chi, and too many other things to list.

Erik Cabrera-Zamora

Erik hails from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. A 2022 Austin College graduate, Erik studied business administration, accounting, and finance, and dedicated much of his free time to the mock trial team. Currently, Erik is a third-year law student at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, in pursuit of a Juris Doctorate. Erik plans to pursue a career in Family & Criminal Law.

Nehal Elramly, Ph.D

Nehal is an Educational Diagnostician with Plano ISD and a ’RooParent.. She is also an Adjunct Professor for Sul Ross University in their teacher education program. Nehal earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from Texas Women’s University with a focus on Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian families with students with special needs. As a district Diagnostician, her primary responsibilities include evaluating students for disabling conditions, meeting with families and teachers, and helping guide other evaluators on students from culturally diverse backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, reading, learning, and going on trips.

Nino Fincher

Nino is a Rapid Transformational Therapist in Sherman, Texas. Her background in fitness, counseling, and theology are integrated to help each client holistically. She has been a speaker at multiple different events including at TEDxUAEU in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.! She has lived in three different cultures, which gives her a unique perspective on life and currently she splits her time between Sherman, Texas and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Shari Barkin, M.D.

Shari is the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University. She graduated from Duke in 1986 with a major in Zoology and minor in education. She received her M.D. from the University of Cincinnati Medical College -- -where she met TEDxAustinCollege 2023 speaker Dr. Patti Manning-Courtney, who nominated her to speak!