Theresa Brown

Brainstormer, Connector, Parent, Promoter, World traveler

My first speaking client was Maya Angelou, who showed me firsthand the amazing power the spoken word can have on a group gathered together. She set a pretty high bar, and it motivated me to try and find that magic for as many people as possible. I moved from representation to the booking side of the business, where I oversaw the new speakers division of an international experiential communications company. We utilized speakers beyond the standard keynote, putting them into town halls, panels, videos, holograms and other creative formats to make the experiences more memorable, impactful and fun! After a very immersive and invaluable time in the meetings and events space, I returned to the bureau and agency world, where I looked after former heads of state, journalists, thought leaders, business experts, historians, professional athletes and coaches, actors and artists, authors and many other unique personalities. Continuing on that path, it's my privilege to head up the newly-launched TED Speakers Bureau. I'm passionate about helping organizations find and bring in great speakers and their "ideas worth spreading" beyond the TED stage.

Trusting your gut, pet adoption, London, DC Statehood, antique jewelry, flea markets, museums, green tea, 1940's kitchen decor and eradicating the words "irregardless" and "supposably" from the face of the earth.

The District of Columbia should become the 51st State

I've been attending TEDs on and off since 2002. I was in the audience when Sir Ken Robinson gave his iconic first TED Talk, and I became his speaking agent. I was honored to help him spread his wisdom beyond the TED stage, and to now work at TED to launch its very own speakers bureau is a very humbling and "full circle" moment.

Organizing and packing (The Container Store is my happy place) parallel parking, making matzoh ball soup and cherry clafoutis and killing even the most hardy of plants. :(