TEDxMiramar

Speakers

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

• Antoinette Apolon

  Vocalist and Featured Performer

  Antoinette Apolon is a speaker and performer of many talents. For over a decade and a half, she’s navigated the music industry as a songwriter and producer. While she currently makes waves as a real estate investor, her heart remains in the music.

• August Komkov

  World Ballroom Dance Champion and Featured Performer

  August Komkov is a prominent 11-year-old world champion ballroom dancer who represents Team USA in international competitions. Based in both South Florida and Pennsylvania, he specializes in the Ballroom and Latin disciplines. He is widely recognized as a rising elite talent in the global dancesport community, often compared to Olympic-level athletes for his rigorous training regimen.

• Benny Salas

  Speaker

  Benny Salas, a dynamic and sought-after professional speaker, is also an ICF certified Executive Coach known for blending storytelling and communication techniques to empower individuals in both their personal and professional growth. With a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in professional speaking, coaching, training, and development, Benny serves as the driving force behind That Coaching Guy Inc., where he holds the positions of Founder and CEO. His exceptional expertise is directed towards companies, leaders, executives, business owners, and their teams. At TEDxMiramar 2026, Benny delivered “When Masculinity Becomes a Pressure Point.”

• Byron Faudie

  Photographer

  Byron has been the co-organizer of TEDxEustis from 2017-2025. He is an Expert Level Certified Photographer, Certified Qualified Bartending Graduate, and has downloaded an honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Leisure Science from Abide University and Institute. For the past several years, Byron has been working on a project to see how easy it is to get certified in a subject you know nothing about. Byron lives in Central Florida and enjoys travel. He's just a few states away from finishing visits to all 50 states, and will probably end in Fargo North Dakota so he can get the Best for Last Club Certificate offered there. Byron Faudie: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Byron delivered “Certified Doesn’t Mean Qualified.”

• Dr Andrea McKie

  Psychologist & Navy Veteran

  Dr. Andrea McKie is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. Following, she worked in Federal Service with clients requiring mental health, substance abuse and sexual assault prevention and response services for several years. She is the Founder of Sisters In Arms Empowerment Movement, an organization dedicated to violence prevention, and violence restoration in the lives of women and girls. She is a published author, award recipient for developing innovative training for military service personnel. Currently, Dr Andrea Mckie serves as a Licensed Substance Abuse Practitioner and Certified Trauma Professional within a hospital system. Dr. Andrea McKie: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Dr. McKie delivered “The Story We Add To Our Pain.”

• Dr Anthony Richiez

  Educator

  Dr. Anthony Richiez is a recognized keynote speaker, author, and expert in Dynamic Teaching. He revolutionizes teaching by guiding educators to elevate their methods, resulting in more dynamic classrooms and improved student learning. He is the founder of Dynamic Education, a company dedicated to improving instruction for the academic growth of schools in the United States and around the world. Dr. Anthony Richiez: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Dr. Richiez delivered “Dynamic Teaching Methods.”

• Dr Diane Moore-Eubanks Esq.

  Author - Real Estate - Law

  ROYAL BRAND COACH H.E. Dr. Diane Moore-Eubanks Esq. is an International Thought leader & award winning Georgetown University Attorney, former White House Associate General Counsel, UN Goodwill Ambassador, US Presidential Lifetime Achievement awardee, Congressional award recipient, Ghanian Royal & President of GODSU, an accredited University, who has helped over 1,000 C-suite executives, coaches and entrepreneurs in 79 countries in 15 years to build their ROYAL BRAND to increase income, credibility & freedom. Dr. Diane has consulted with icons such as Dr. E. Ibe Katchikwu (former President of OPEC, Dr Dein Boyle (former COO Victoria Secrets), Dr Julius Garvey, Surgeon and numerous country ambassadors. Dr. Diane Moore-Eubanks, Esq.: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Dr. Moore-Eubanks delivered “When Excellence Fails You.”

• Dr Ralph J. Hughes

  Retired Law Enforcement Officer

  Dr. Ralph J. Hughes is an organizational psychologist and leadership mindset strategist, a distinguished college professor with over 20 years of experience, and a retired federal law enforcement officer with nearly three decades of service. He has held leadership and faculty roles across higher education and government, bringing deep expertise in organizational leadership, communication, and professional development. Dr. Hughes is also a podcast host and the author of two books. He continues to teach at the university level and works with organizations to cultivate leadership practices rooted in servant leadership, ethical decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Dr. Ralph J. Hughes: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Dr. Hughes delivered “Fix Your Face: The Danger of Personality Perception.”

• Julie Jacques

  Health & Wellness Coach

  Julie Jacques is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and founder of Empower Thrive Wellness, where she helps people transform burnout into breakthrough. After experiencing her own journey through the "invisible toxins" of chaos, overwork, and misaligned success, Julie now coaches others to create clarity, resilience, and harmony by removing what no longer serves them. With a background in education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, plus experience as a TEDx Speaker Coach and Toastmaster, Julie shares practical wisdom on redefining success from the inside out. At TEDxMiramar 2026, Julie Jacques delivered “Is Success Making You Sick?”

• Lona Fink

  Speaker Coach

  Lona Fink spent over 25 years in Corporate America, leading partner enablement and customer success initiatives, before an ADHD diagnosis at age 48 reframed how she understood success, burnout, and self-trust. What once looked like perfectionism, she discovered, was often relentless masking. Today, Lona is the founder of Elevate Authentically, a TEDx and communication coach who has guided eight speakers to the red dot, and the creator of Divine Messages of Light and Love. Through story, science, and lived experience, she champions neurodiversity and authentic expression, helping audiences replace self-judgment with clarity, compassion, and courageous self-understanding in their daily lives. Lona Fink: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Lona delivered “When Understanding Changes Everything.”

• Tayten Reed

  Student

  Tayten Reed is a graduate of J.P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, Florida, where he served on the Student Council and held the position of Commanding Officer of the Naval Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NJROTC) unit, leading it to earn the prestigious Unit Achievement Award, reflecting a strong commitment to excellence and discipline. Tayten now attends Florida State University, majoring in Political Science. He aspires to earn a commission as a United States Marine Corps officer and become a Marine aviator. Tayten Reed: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Tayten delivered “Youth Leadership: Built Not Born.”

• Trevor Metzler

  Student

  Trevor Metzler is a scholar-athlete at The Pine School, competitive rower, and TEDx speaker with interests in finance, history, public policy and the outdoors. Rowing since fifth grade, Trevor has earned medals and completed a two-week intensive program hosted by US Rowing at the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga. He and two classmates recently placed second overall of 21 regional high schools in the Wall Street South Stock Pitch Competition. Since age 12 Trevor volunteers at the Homeless Coalition and started a pet sitting business. He is also co-founder of Legacy in Motion, a youth-led site showcasing innovators and news. At TEDxMiramar 2026, Trevor Metzler and Zurich Ronert delivered “From Rowing to Role Model.”

• Xavier Murphy

  Founder: Jamaicans.com

  Xavier Murphy is the founder of Jamaicans.com and a pioneer of web-based technology for the Jamaican Diaspora. He hosts the popular web series “Jamaicans to the World” and co-founded the Annual Anancy Festival in South Florida. A dedicated community leader, Xavier is the founding president of JCOBAFL and has been honored as “Innovator of the Year” and a “Jamaica Diaspora Champion in Media.” His extensive accolades include awards from the Jamaican Consulate and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. Xavier lives in South Florida with his wife, Karen, and their three daughters. Xavier Murphy: At TEDxMiramar 2026, Xavier delivered “Family Secrets Don’t Stay in the Past.”

• Zurich Ronert

  Student

  Zurich Ronert is a student at The Benjamin School with a passion for biotechnology, innovation, and human potential. A dedicated rower, national debate competitor, and finalist in the Duke Business Competition, Zurich has created biotech and health-focused apps that reflect his drive to merge science with impact. Deeply inspired by philosophy, self-improvement, and the pursuit of inner fulfillment, his work explores what it means to lead with clarity, purpose, and empathy. In his TEDx talk, Zurich shares how rowing transformed his understanding of teamwork and leadership—on the water and in everyday life. At TEDxMiramar 2026, Zurich Ronert and Trevor Metzler delivered “From Rowing to Role Model.”