TEDxCMU

Speakers

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

• David Schott

  Law Professor

  A 1985 Carnegie Mellon graduate, Professor Schott served as a trial attorney for twenty years before accepting a full-time faculty position at the University of Denver's law school, where he founded the school's nationally-ranked Center for Advocacy. He and his wife Tara reside in Castle Rock, Colorado, "where the deer and antelope (and bears and mountain lions) play" outside of their home.

• Joel Byars

  Comedian/Podcaster

  Joel Byars is an award-winning comedian and host of the Hot Breath! podcast, where he’s interviewed over 400 comedians about the craft of comedy. He has dedicated over 16 years to both performing comedy and studying how humor can help people create real human connection in an increasingly disconnected world. Joel’s research and clean comedy style have led to partnerships with inspiring organizations like the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, bringing laughter where it’s needed most.

• Jona Naqo

  MS candidate at Carnegie Mellon

  Jona is a CMU Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellow and MS candidate in the College of Engineering, where she studies how AI can be designed into products that solve real problems. Born in Greece and raised in Southern Albania, she earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of the Pacific, where she secured an institutional research grant and founded a health education initiative serving underserved high schools in California's Central Valley. Now, she's focused on how AI can make healthcare work for everyone.

• Missi Matthews

  Steelers Sideline Reporter

  Missi is an Emmy Award-Winning journalist who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2012. She joined WDVE-FM, as a sideline reporter in 2018. Missi grew up in Plum and attended the University of Pittsburgh. Outside of football, she is raising two sports-loving sons with her husband, Brad.

• Nia Sioux

  Actress, Dancer, Content Creator, and New York Times Best Selling Author

  Nia Sioux, who first captured audiences on Dance Moms at age 9, has grown into a multi-hyphenate talent—performer, actress, author, and advocate with 15M+ followers. She starred in Lifetime's Imperfect High, produced Facebook Watch's Dance with Nia, partnered with AdCouncil on mental health, and graduated from UCLA. Alongside collabs with brands from Aerie to Starbucks, she recently released her second book, Bottom of the Pyramid (Harper Horizon, Nov. 4), a memoir of resilience and self-discovery, which instantly hit the New York Times Best Sellers List!