TEDxGary

Speakers

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

• Dr. Akemi Bailey-Haynie

  Global Educator | Diversity & Inclusion Expert | Peace Advocate | Author | Speaker

  Dr. Akemi Bailey-Haynie, as a native of Gary, Indiana, is a renowned author, educator, and international consultant with over 40 years of experience in peace education, diversity and inclusion, and multicultural training. As the Founder and President of Global Educational Consultants, Inc., she has empowered over two million professionals—including educators, executives, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders—across the U.S. and globally. Her work spans continents, with impactful training initiatives in London, Korea, Japan, Vienna, and throughout Asia, including collaborations with the United Nations, United States Institute of Peace, National Alliance of Mental Illness, ASPD, and University of Massachusetts Global, Midwest Express Airlines. She has served as a professor at the University of Chicago, Northern Illinois University, University of St. Francis, and Brandman University, mentoring future educational leaders in cross-cultural education and ELL certification.

• Dr. Altovise Ferguson

  Performing Artist, Author

  Altovise Ferguson is a performing artist, actress, author, speaker, model, choreographer, make-up artist, licensed cosmetologist, wife, and mother. She is a native of Gary, Indiana. She began her career as a dancer under the instruction of the late Corine Morse Williams and became a student teacher at age 11. Altovise discovered the world of modeling at John Robert Powers in Chicago, Illinois. She was chosen to participate in the International Talent & Modeling Association in New York and placed 4th runner-up for “Talent of the Year. After graduating from Emerson Visual & Performing Arts High School in 1994, she pursued a career in cosmetology. Altovise also became an actress with the West Side Theatre Guild and has starred in numerous stage productions and films for the last 25 years. She has opened for the late Coretta Scott King and the late Michael Jackson. Altovise was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 27. She wrote a book about her experience.

• Kenichi Haynie

  MD, MPH

  Kenichi Haynie is an Internal Medicine resident at the University of Chicago, originally from the south suburbs of Chicago. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Spanish, before earning both his Doctor of Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees with honors from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria in 2025. Kenichi is the founder of The Med School Mentor, under the parent nonprofit The Mentor Inc., an organization devoted to providing access to success in medicine and law, with the goal of increasing representation from intentionally marginalized communities. Passionate about eradicating medical racism, advancing equity in medicine, improving population health, and combating the social and structural determinants of health, Kenichi blends clinical expertise, public health insight, and advocacy to challenge systemic barriers.

• Kristine Szabo

  Model • Mental Health Advocate • Author

  Kristine Szabo is a model, author, mental health advocate, and founder of The Amuse Project, a platform supporting those impacted by suicide trauma and the loved ones who live alongside them. She is currently writing a memoir that interlaces personal narrative with psychological insight, as well as developing two program books—one for adults and one for children—to guide others toward healing through her Life’s Pie for Peace framework. Informed by decades of study and work with leading experts in mental health and personal transformation, her approach blends vulnerability, lived experience, and practical wisdom to help audiences transform pain into purpose.

• Kristy Carreon

  University Student, IUN, President of Public Relations Student Society of America

  Kristy Carreon is a senior at Indiana University Northwest and president of the campus chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Passionate about storytelling and connection, she uses creativity to reimagine the spaces where people share ideas and challenge expectations of what a communicator can be. Studying Communications with a minor in Business and Spanish, Kristy is building a career in public relations and content creation, with a focus on sparking meaningful conversations. Currently interning at NUVEW Web Solutions in Crown Point, Indiana, she brings fresh ideas to social media marketing, turning every post into an opportunity to connect people, perspectives, and possibilities.

• Masayoshi “Yoshi" Haynie

  Attorney, Entrepreneur

  Masayoshi “Yoshi" Haynie is a fifth-year transactional corporate associate at Faegre Drinker in Chicago, focusing most of his work in the M& A/PE space. He began his career at a top-10 firm where he worked on various corporate teams to help close approximately $30 billion in deals. He received a bachelor's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Radio and Television Sports Broadcast from the University of Missouri in 2016 before deciding to pursue a career in law. He went on to receive his juris doctorate degree from UIC law school in May 2020, where he graduated cum laude and landed on the Dean’s list every semester. During law school, Yoshi was very involved taking roles as Student Bar Association president, a member of law review, Moot Court Honors Council, and executive roles within the Black Law Student Association, Entertainment Sports Law Society, Black Entertainment Sports Law Association (“BESLA”), and Black Men Lawyers’ Association (“BMLA”).

• Michael Tolbert

  Attorney, Podcaster

  Michael E. Tolbert is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, in the year 2000 and was also the recipient of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award. In 2010, Michael was the recipient of the 20 Under 40 Award given by the Northwest Indiana Times publication “BusINess.” Michael also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Gary Chamber of Commerce from 2007 until 2010. He is a respected litigator and a frequent presenter at instructional trial seminars such as How to Get Your Expert Testimony Admitted into Evidence in Indiana, Defense Strategies in Personal Injury Cases, and Sophisticated Depositions Strategies. He also is an instructional speaker at a seminar entitled Bridge the Gap, which is aimed at providing new lawyers with helpful practice tips as they enter the legal profession. Michael was also an adjunct professor at Valparaiso University School of Law where he taught Trial Practice.

• Paulina Johnson, MBA

  Business Executive, Author

  Paulina Johnson, a native of Gary, Indiana, is an award-winning corporate executive, author, and inspirational speaker who has transformed adversity into achievement. Once a teen mother who experienced homelessness, she rose to become a respected leader in business and a global voice of resilience and empowerment. Guided by her mantra, #AchieveAgainstAllOdds, Paulina earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and an MBA in Marketing Administration from Indiana University Northwest. She has served as President of the National Black MBA Association Detroit Chapter and founded Achieve Against All Odds, a nonprofit mentoring organization dedicated to helping others overcome life’s challenges. A celebrated author of I AM YOU – Achieving Against All Odds, Paulina has been recognized as a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 honoree, Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence, Rising CEO by Detroit Young Professionals, and a Rising Star in Automotive by Automotive News.

• Robert Ordway

  Senior Policy Advisor, Writer, Author

  Robert Ordway grew up in Lake Station, Indiana, and now calls Gary home. A policy advisor, entrepreneur, and civic leader, Robert has spent his career bridging the public and private sectors to create lasting impact. A proud graduate of programs like Leadership Northwest Indiana, the Valpo Chamber Leadership Academy, and the Valparaiso Police Citizens Academy, Robert has a track record of stepping up and getting involved. He’s served on boards and committees ranging from the Urban League of Northwest Indiana to the Valparaiso Board of Zoning Appeals, and he’s been a Silver Life Member of the NAACP since 2012. Robert’s voice has been heard in op-eds for the Northwest Indiana Times, on stages like TEDxValparaisoUniversity, and now in his upcoming memoir, Millrat: A Memoir from the Multi-Ethnic Working Class. In 2003, he was named a Lake County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar and today he continues his public service as an appointee to the Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

• Sandra Carr

  Indiana University Northwest Student Support Specialist

  Sandra Carr is the Student Support Specialist in the Office of Student & Community Engagement Programming at Indiana University Northwest. After receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from Indiana State University, Sandra went on to work for a newspaper, a PBS television station, and a local radio station. Sandra later earned a Master of Science Degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Chicago’s Roosevelt University and spent nearly a decade working for non-profit organizations. Sandra began working in higher education at The American College of Financial Service where she earned a Master of Science in Management and became the College’s first Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Sandra is a lifelong learner and believes it is important to nourish the mind, body, and soul. She has a passion for mentoring women and helping them discover their personal, professional, and spiritual potential.

• Shelice Tolbert

  Attorney & Podcaster

  Shelice R. Tolbert is a partner at Tolbert & Tolbert law firm in Gary, Indiana. Shelice obtained her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2000. Shelice received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Wittenberg University, in Springfield, OH in 1997 after graduating at the top of her class from West Side High School in 1993. Shelice was admitted to the Indiana State Bar on November 13, 2000, as well as the United States District Court in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. Shelice served on the Board of Governors of the Indiana State Bar Association as a district representative from 2011-2013 and actively participates on the Diversity and Wellness Committees as well as the Women In Law Committee. Shelice was the recipient of the 2019 ISBA Women in the Law Recognition Award. Shelice was appointed to the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners by the Indiana Supreme Court in 2014, where she currently serves as the President.