TEDxCatawba

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Blaise Agüera y Arcas

  Blaise Agüera y Arcas is a VP and Fellow at Google, and Google’s CTO of Technology & Society. He leads an organization working on basic research in AI, especially the foundations of neural computing, active inference, evolution, and sociality. In his tenure at Google he has led the design of augmentative, privacy-first, and collectively beneficial applications, including on-device ML for Android phones, wearables, and the Internet of Things; and he is the inventor of Federated Learning, an approach to training neural networks in a distributed setting that avoids sharing user data. Blaise also founded the Artists and Machine Intelligence program, and has been an active participant in cross-disciplinary dialogs about AI and ethics, fairness and bias, policy, and risk. Until 2014 he was a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft. Outside the tech world, Blaise has worked on computational humanities projects including the digital reconstruction of Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii’s color photography at the Library of Congress, and the use of computer vision techniques to shed new light on Gutenberg’s printing technology. Blaise has given TED talks on Sead­ragon and Pho­to­synth (2007, 2012), Bing Maps (2010), and machine creativity (2016), and gave a keynote at NeurIPS on social intelligence (2019). In 2008, he was awarded MIT’s TR35 prize. In 2018 and 2019 he taught the course “Intelligent Machinery, Identity, and Ethics” at the University of Washington, placing computing and AI in a broader historical and philosophical context. He has authored numerous papers, essays, op eds, and book chapters, as well two books: a novella, Ubi Sunt, and an interdisciplinary nonfiction work, Who Are We Now? (review by the Financial Times here). His upcoming book, What Is Intelligence?, will be published by MIT Press in 2025.

• Cassidy Burel

  Cassidy Burel is a Custom Apparel Designer and the founder and owner of CassB by Design. CassB Studio specializes in bridal and evening wear, wherein Cassidy, as the head designer, inspires each design to instill confidence in the wearer and bring out the beauty and uniqueness of each of her clients. Her studio is located in Kernersville, North Carolina. In this dynamic creative space she brings the dreams of each of her brides to life in the form of a stunning gown that is a reflection of their best selves. A fashion designer, entrepreneur, and social media influencer, Cassidy graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, UNCG with a BS in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies, CARS. Her concentration was in Apparel Design. During her time at the university, she received numerous scholarship awards which included the Joan W. Greason Scholarship, the Betsey Ryder Shelley Scholarship, and many others. These scholarships signified an investment and recognition of her talent, and further contributed to her financial goal of graduating from design school completely debt free. During her undergraduate program, she held both presidential and leadership positions in Threads, the student lead apparel design organization on campus. In addition, she was a leader in the National Millennial Community as a representative through collaboration at national conferences, and was further recognized and awarded as a UNCG Spartan of Promise and Excellence in Leadership Award. She graduated from CARS in May of 2020 at the peak of the COVID19 crisis. This prompted many challenges and caused a pivot in career planning for Cassidy from her original short and long term goals. Her goals as an entrepreneur and private business owner were fast-tracked by necessity leading to her own fashion brand. CassB was officially established in 2022 and her design work has been published over 15 times including in The O’Henry, The Greensboro News and Record, and The NewlyWed Magazine, in addition to her self published magazine, The Modern Bride by CassB. She is a valuable couture fashion presence in theTriad and seeks to further put North Carolina on the map as an up-and-coming fashion center in the years to come.

• Emma Frye

  Emma Frye was born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina, where she began her dance training at age four. Training in a competitive setting as well as with a pre-professional ballet company set her up to expand her versatility as a dancer. Emma is currently a student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts working toward a BFA in Contemporary Dance as well as a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship. While studying at UNCSA, Emma has been exposed to a variety of dance techniques, including Cunningham, Limón, Horton, West African, partnering, ballet, and composition. Her performance experience includes works by José Limón, Pascal Rioult, Endalyn T. Outlaw, Ming Yang, Wesley Williams Jr., and Fernando Carrillo. In her time at school, she has worked towards strengthening her technique as well as finding her artistic voice. She has spent her summers training at intensives with Bruce Wood Dallas Dance Company, Koresh Dance Company, UNCSA, Nashville Ballet, and Pas de Vie Ballet. After getting her BFA, Emma plans to pursue a Master's degree in dance and aspires to join a contemporary dance company. She is eager to share her passion with others through performing and teaching.

• Ernest Brown

  Dr. Ernest Brown, widely known as the "Punk Rock Doc," is a dedicated house call physician serving the elderly and disabled in Washington, D.C. His unconventional approach to medicine emphasizes personalized, in-home care, reminiscent of traditional medical practices. Dr. Brown earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine at Georgetown University/Providence Hospital. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Brown is the founder of Humans for Healthcare, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to restoring patient-centered medicine through direct care, advocacy, and the advancement of healthcare technologies. This organization reflects his passion for reshaping the healthcare landscape to prioritize the needs and dignity of patients. Dr. Brown also serves as the host and producer of the "Earnest Medicine" docuseries, which takes viewers on a journey to uncover stories that connect us all, highlighting the human aspects of medicine. Through this series, he challenges the status quo in modern healthcare, aiming to bridge the gap between physicians and communities while integrating technology-driven solutions for improved care. His innovative work has garnered attention from major media outlets, including ABC News, which featured his efforts to revive house calls as a viable model for modern healthcare. Dr. Brown's commitment to personalized patient care and healthcare reform continues to inspire both medical professionals and patients alike.

• Jennifer McCollum

  Jennifer McCollum is President & CEO of Catalyst, a global nonprofit that drives gender equity through workplace inclusion from the front line to the C-suite, working with companies around the world to help build workplaces that work for women. She is Catalyst’s sixth CEO since the organization was founded in 1962. An expert on advancing women’s leadership, Jennifer has long been dedicated to challenging and changing the status quo for women in the workplace. A nationally recognized speaker, consultant, coach, and author, Jennifer is a thought leader with expertise on closing the gender equity gap and inclusive leadership. She is the author of In Her Own Voice: A Woman’s Rise to CEO, which offers advice based on Jennifer’s own experiences on how to challenge gender biases in the workplace. Jennifer most recently served for nearly six years as the CEO of Linkage, Inc, a top-20 global leadership development firm dedicated to advancing women and creating inclusive leaders and organizations. She led the transformation of the organization, culminating in the sale and integration into SHRM through 2023. Prior to Linkage, Jennifer spent a decade growing businesses within Corporate Executive Board (CEB), now Gartner, and Korn Ferry. At CEB, she led product management within the leadership division, driving innovative solutions that helped organizations select, develop and place leaders at all levels. She also ran CEB’s Leadership Academies business, which developed more than 30,000 professionals in 2,100 companies throughout 50 countries. Jennifer also served as CEO of IntraVision, a leadership consultancy she founded and grew over the course of eight years. Jennifer holds an MS in Management and Communications from the University of Stirling in Scotland and a BA in Communications and Psychology from Wake Forest University. She is an avid tennis player and skier, the mother of three, and lives in the Washington, DC, area with her husband.

• Joe Schurman

  Joe is a Partner at PwC, co-leading the firm's US Space Program in addition to leading Artificial Intelligence services for PwC's Aerospace & Defense sector. With almost three decades of experience, Joe has served as an advisor and strategist within the Aerospace & Defense industry for national & global A&D providers, US Defense & Intelligence agencies, and Space organizations. Joe advises senior executives on AI strategy & implementation of responsible AI solutions to help solve his client's most complex and high value outcomes and has helped several leading space companies mature and accelerate their aerospace engineering and organizational capabilities, while meeting regulatory compliance requirements. Joe has been featured on The History Channel and various media outlets for his AI research & development and sits on an AI roundtable with current and former US Military and A&D leaders and as an advisor to the Space Domain Awareness program at Space Force. Joe is also a 2-time published author and global speaker.

• John Lentini

  John Lentini is the President of BOLD Training Corp and an authorized partner of Crestcom International in the greater New York City area. John facilitates interactive leadership development workshops which focus on structured, well-defined leadership skills. Through this measured process, participants realize sustained behavioral change in the workplace . . . and ultimately improvement to the bottom line through more effective leadership. Born and raised in eastern Queens on the outskirts of New York City, John now resides in New York's Hudson Valley. In his previous corporate management career of over 21 years, John led large Finance and Operations organizations for several global investment banks with roles based in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. John's official passion for leadership development was first ignited back in 2014 while planning and delivering a customized Coaching & Mentoring program for an NGO based in South Africa. He has since helped to develop leaders around the world from Poland to the Maldives to his hometown of New York. John holds an M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Fairfield University. Through work, study and leisure, John has had the good fortune to visit all 7 continents and over 70 countries. He still enjoys world travel and scuba diving . . . but, most of all, John enjoys developing tomorrow’s business and industry leaders, and helping them to maximize their true potential. John is Crestcom’s state-wide Area Representative for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware.

• Kathy Wilson

  Dr. Wilson entered the University of Mississippi School of Medicine (UMC) in 1997 at the age of 43, fulfilling her desire to become a doctor and work one-on-one with patients after having spent her career working in a laboratory as a medical technologist. After receiving her Medical Degree, she completed her internship, residency and fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicines at UMC. Dr. Kathy Wilson is the Medical Director of the Sleep Center and Respiratory Department at Catawba Valley Medical Center and is ABIM and NBPAS Board Certified in Internal, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicines. She also serves as medical director of the School of Respiratory Technology at Catawba Valley Community College. She is a member of the North Carolina Medical Society, served as president of the Catawba County Medical Society from 2010-2014 and is an active member of the Catawba Medical Foundation Board of Directors. She is a member of Corinth Reformed Church in Hickory.

• Kenji Yoshino

  Kenji Yoshino is the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and the Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. A graduate of Harvard (AB summa cum laude), Oxford (MSc as a Rhodes Scholar) and Yale(JD), he specializes in constitutional law, anti-discrimination law, and law and literature. He received tenure at Yale Law School, where he served as Deputy Dean before moving to NYU. Yoshino has published in major academic journals, including theHarvard Law Review, the Stanford Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal. He has also written for more popular forums, including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. Yoshino is the author of three books. His fourth book (co-authored with David Glasgow), Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice was published by Simon & Schuster in February 2023. Yoshino has served as the President of the Harvard Board of Overseers. He currently serves on the Board of the Brennan Center for Justice and Meta’s Oversight Board (the body that adjudicates content moderation for Facebook and Instagram). He also serves on advisory boards for diversity and inclusion for Morgan Stanley and Charter Communications, and on the board of his children's school. He has won numerous awards for his teaching and scholarship, including the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, the Peck Medalin Jurisprudence, and the University's Distinguished Teaching Award. He lives in Manhattan with his husband, two children, and a Great Dane.

• Michael Galinsky

  Michael Galinsky is an artist who makes photos, films, and music. For the past 35 years he has worked closely with his filmmaking partner Suki Hawley on both narrative and documentary films. In 1999 they were joined by David Beilinson. With their company Rumur they have made over a dozen feature length films that have played at festivals around the world, and appeared on platforms like HBO, ESPN, A&E and Netflix. Two of their films "Horns and Halos" and "Battle for Brooklyn" were short listed for the Oscar after they self distributed them. They are currently working on a book about their work which is tentatively titled "Lessons Learned". Their work can be found at rumur.com.

• Rob Sweetman

  Rob Sweetman is a former Navy SEAL turned sleep scientist, dedicated to optimizing human performance through the science of sleep. With firsthand experience in high-stakes, sleep-deprived environments, Rob transitioned from special operations to research, earning his MBA and becoming a leading advocate for sleep as a cornerstone of health and readiness. As the founder of Sleep Genius, Rob has pioneered innovative sleep solutions tailored for military personnel, first responders, and high-performance professionals. His work bridges cutting-edge technology with ancient wisdom, integrating biometric monitoring, AI-driven optimization, and behavioral science to enhance sleep quality in extreme conditions. Rob’s expertise extends beyond research—he has advised policymakers, military leaders, and corporate executives on the profound impact of sleep on decision-making, resilience, and longevity. His insights have shaped sleep programs for the military, tactical athletes, and professionals operating in high-risk environments.

• Schele Williams

  Schele Williams is a revolutionary force in American theater, known for her piercing vision, groundbreaking creativity, and commitment to elevating authentic representation on stage and beyond. Poised to become one of the leading directors of her generation, Williams has already made history as the first Black woman in over 50 years to direct a Broadway musical, debuting with the highly anticipated productions of The Wiz and The Notebook in 2024. These two landmark works, the latter co-directed with Michael Greif, solidify her place as a creative powerhouse with a genre-defining, boundary-leaping approach to storytelling. Williams' artistic journey began as a Broadway performer in Rent and Aida, but her creative curiosity propelled her to transition into directing, where she is now recognized as one of modern culture’s most sought-after storytellers. Her career milestones include not only The Wiz and The Notebook but also Disney’s forthcoming revival of Aida and the stage adaptation of Hidden Figures, which continues to spotlight her ability to reimagine narratives through a fresh, inclusive lens. With a singular focus on fostering inclusive stories, Williams is an oracle of the theater, carving out spaces where actors can flourish and stories can resonate across cultural divides. Her directorial vision marries a deep respect for tradition with a contemporary edge that infuses new life into every project she leads. This approach is particularly evident in her leadership of The Wiz, a cultural touchstone for Black America, which she has reimagined for modern audiences while preserving its timeless celebration of Black excellence. Beyond Broadway, Williams’ influence spans multiple genres as she expands into film and television. Her work has earned her praise not only for her artistry but for her dedication to social justice. As a co-founder of Black Theatre United, she actively advocates for racial equality within the industry, while serving on the boards of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Inspirational Voices. Her commitment to empowering others is also reflected in her literary work. Williams is the acclaimed author of Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History, which won the 2022 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor, and her second book, Your Legacy Begins, published in 2024, continues her mission of offering narratives of empowerment for future generations. Williams' path from performing to directing is not only a testament to her versatility but also a reflection of her passion for fostering inclusive, socially conscious art. She has been lauded for her creative leadership in productions that blend traditional narratives with a revolutionary sensibility, always questioning how stories can speak to the 21st-century experience. Her visionary direction, celebrated for its emotional depth and striking authenticity, has positioned her as one of the most influential voices shaping the future of theater. As she continues to direct productions that challenge conventions and open up new dialogues around representation, Williams stands as an artistic leader, one whose influence on the future of theater will be felt for generations. She is a beacon of hope, creativity, and purpose, pushing the boundaries of what storytelling can achieve in modern culture.

• Tessa West

  Tessa West is a Professor of Psychology at New York University and a renowned authority on interpersonal communication. Her research tackles complex issues such as the challenges of giving honest feedback, the impact of class, race, and cultural differences on workplace communication, and strategies for improving professional interactions. A prolific scholar, Tessa earned her PhD from the University of Connecticut and has published over 80 articles in leading academic journals, including Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Psychological Science, and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Her contributions have earned her multiple honors, including the Early Career Award and the Theoretical Innovation Prize from the Foundation for Personality and Social Psychology, as well as significant funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Tessa’s insights have garnered extensive media coverage in outlets such as The New York Times, Scientific American, TIME, and Forbes, and her expertise has been showcased on Good Morning America, CNN, and ABC World News. She is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal and the author of two acclaimed books, Jerks at Work: Toxic coworkers and what to do about them and Job Therapy: Finding work that works for you. Her TED Talk, "The problem with being too nice at work," was among the top 10 most-watched talks of 2024.