TEDxMidland

Speakers

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

• Christian Lombardini

  Entrepreneur

  Christian Lombardini is a storyteller and strategist in the energy sector. Founder of the Energy Communicators Association, he writes for Permian Basin Oil and Gas Magazine, produces The Oilfield Leader Podcast, and other industry podcasts, and speaks on leadership and authenticity. His work blends humor, history, and insight to spotlight the human side of oil and gas.

• Jason Osborne

  Chief Business Officer

  Jason Osborne is a catalyst for innovation at the intersection of science, engineering, education, and communication. A progressive thinker and natural connector, he’s passionate about building capacity, igniting purpose, and bridging worlds; from research labs to classrooms to industry. Jason’s work has been featured by media outlets such as Scientific American, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and NPR. In 2013, the President of The United States and the White House Executive Office of The President honored Jason as a Champion of Change for his dedication for increasing public engagement in science and science literacy. His collaborative network spans entrepreneurs, universities, K–12 systems, and research institutions—all working together to drive real-world impact.

• Jose Ortega

  Entrepreneur

  Jose Ortega is a dynamic operator and investor with over 15 years of experience building and scaling ventures across energy, infrastructure, and technology. With a track record of driving growth and delivering strong returns, he combines deep industry expertise with sharp financial insight, backed by executive training from Harvard Business School.

• Kanishk Yankarla

  Student at University of Texas at Austin

  Kanishk Yankarla is a current first year undergraduate Honors Neuroscience student at the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated as the Salutatorian of the Odessa High School class of 2025 where he was a 4x Varsity Tennis player, President of the Robotics Club, and an IB Diploma recipient. He is also an intern at Syglass.io where he analyzes and examines 3D models of brain scans using virtual reality tools to inspect these structures for biological research applications. He is the founder of Young Minds Academy, a non-profit organization that provides academic support for children at the local Boys and Girls Club as well as introducing them to STEM educational elements. He regularly volunteers at Medical Center Hospital (MCH), where he served as the Vice-President and dedicated over 450 hours for the volunteer program.

• Karl Boroski

  Executive Director

  Karl Boroski was born in Killeen, Texas. Like some of the youth he works with daily, Karl had a father he never met and a mother who struggled with addiction. Although he admittedly was a troubled youth and teen in his early years, Karl persevered and graduated from high school in Pittsburgh. From there, he had the opportunity to play football at Arkansas Tech University. It was in Arkansas Karl’s life would change forever and his passion for service would be born. In Midland, Karl noticed an upward trend in the number of first-time juvenile offenders in the community and wanted to help. This led to the creation of Project R.O.P.E., a redirection program aimed at reducing recidivism. He left the Boy Scouts of America and started the Midland-based non-profit Redirection Outreach Program Efforts for Youth, R.O.P.E. Youth.

• Lisa Bownds

  Executive Director

  Lisa Bownds is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reflection Ministries, a nonprofit organization providing long-term restorative care for survivors of human trafficking. Based in the Permian Basin, Reflection Ministries was founded in 2016 after Bownds identified critical gaps in recovery services for adult survivors. When she shared her own experience of trafficking with her husband, Wesley, she was challenged to build an organization with intentionality and a forward-thinking mindset rather than short-term solutions. That challenge shaped the development of programs spanning crisis stabilization through aftercare, all intentionally designed to be survivor-centered. Her background in project management, real estate development, and rehabilitative program design has been central to the organization’s structured residential approach. Her work and story have been featured by regional and statewide media.

• Philip Wiseman

  Attorney

  I'm a professional problem solver. I help entrepreneurs, investors, corporate officers, innovators, shareholders, and financiers alike—ranging from established Fortune 100 corporations with worldwide reach, all the way to nonprofit organizations in the middle of west Texas—creatively solve their problems and secure the future of their endeavors through bespoke legal and business solutions to overcome their unique challenges.