TEDxBellarmineU

Speakers

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

• Gozde Yucel

  A scientist, mother, mediator, and author, after immigrating from Turkey, Gozde Yucel worked tirelessly within academia in developmental genetics at New York University and in stem-cell biology at Stanford University. Her successful career required perseverance and resilience, leaving little time for self-reflection. A glitch occurred in this life pattern when Gozde’s son had a mental health crisis. She took note of her well-being or lack thereof, and in response, Gozde began to implement empathic revelations into the lab. She now works as a trained conflict resolution coach who provides employees with team workshops and communication skills to enhance collaboration, productivity, and individual well-being.

• Jeff Hecklinski

  Jeff “Coach Heck” Hecklinski is a high-performance keynote speaker and longtime Division I football coach in Michigan, Illinois, and Kansas and at San Diego State and Ball State. Jeff later led a turnaround and New York Stock Exchange listing as president of Signing Day Sports. His defining glitch, the inflection point that redraws a life, arrived in a hospital when a nurse said, “Stage 3 cancer.” Tiffany, his wife, met it head-on: “I will beat this. The greater the dragon we slay, the more epic our life story becomes.” That vow became direction. They turned promises into daily action; Tiffany earned her PhD and now runs a clinical-trial research lab. In his talk, Coach Heck invites audiences to meet their own glitch with courage: When the dragon roars, remember your promise. Step back into who you swore you were and take the next step that makes your story epic.

• Karen Colbert

  Karen Colbert is a data scientist, education strategist, author, and national advocate for culturally grounded STEM and AI education. She serves as chair of the General Education Department and lead math faculty at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, advancing quantitative and computational literacy for Indigenous and adult reentry learners. Named an RStudio Scholar, the first data carpentries instructor trainer among Tribal Colleges, and a member of the American Indian College Fund’s faculty advisory committee, she leads national efforts to reimagine STEM, data science, and AI in higher education through Indigenous frameworks by delivering keynotes, workshops, and trainings that promote cultural integrity and digital sovereignty.

• Katie Neal, ACC

  A certified executive coach and award-winning communications leader, Katie Neal is a self-described recovering perfectionist. As CEO of Katie Neal Consulting & Coaching, she coaches high achievers to lead with intention, quiet their inner critic, and build careers aligned with their values. Katie brings 20 years of experience delivering high-impact results in senior strategic communications roles at Wake Forest University and TimelyCare. Katie has also served as an independent consultant and former TV journalist and worked at public relations agencies in Sacramento, San Francisco, Singapore, and Winston-Salem. Katie holds an International Coaching Federation associate certified coaching credential and currently serves as president of the Public Relations Society of America Thoroughbred Chapter in Lexington, Kentucky.

• Kseniia Demianova

  Kseniia Demianova is the founder of one of the largest Russian-speaking women’s communities in Europe that has united over 1,500 immigrant women across 12 cities. As a community builder, entrepreneur, and editor-in-chief of GRANI magazine, she helps women find clarity, confidence, and connection in times of change. After losing her corporate job, Kseniia turned a personal glitch into a catalyst for reinvention by launching conferences, creative projects, and platforms that have empowered others to do the same. She speaks on topics of visibility, women’s leadership, and the power of collective transformation.

• Mama Said String Band Bluegrass

  Mama Said String Band has been impacting the bluegrass scene and beyond since their debut in 2016. Based out of Louisville, Kentucky, Mama Said String Band is a four-piece collection of songwriters and players: David O’Neal, Katie “Didit” Caudill, Kaitlen Farmer, and Kris Potts. Each member brings a unique perspective with backgrounds spanning multiple cultures, genres, and styles. Together, they draw influences from bluegrass, folk, and Americana while focusing on vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation to build an eclectic, eurythmic melody and tactfully delivered message. During their time together, the band has become an instant classic, made a notable impact on the Bluegrass State, grown a large fan base, and received numerous awards and nominations such as Bluegrass Artist of the Year. They have made and continue to make their imprint nationwide as they tour and take part in prominent music festivals.

• Wayne Krigger

  Wayne began playing the cello in Louisville public schools at the age of 13. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music with focus in cello performance from The University of Louisville School of Music. As a solo musician, Wayne has released Line and Landscapes and Six Memories (by Andy McLeroy). In 2025, he composed and performed live music for multiple productions of Kentucky Shakespeare. Teaching since 1965, Wayne enjoys working with students of all ages, including university students and elementary students, and has volunteered for more than 20 years as a Suzuki violin instructor at elementary schools in Louisville. His volunteer work also extends to the intersection of arts and healing at many local medical and VA facilities, and he is a founding member of the Highland Chamber Players.