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TEDxCSUF aims to serve as a platform for California State University Fullerton students and faculty by helping them express their unique ideas to a global audience. Our conferences will feature selected student and faculty speakers as well as offer community leaders a space to share their ideas. TEDxCSUF members will learn public speaking skills, expand their global perspective, and have the opportunity to network with selected professionals. We plan to host a variety of leaders on campus and in the community, ultimately encouraging members to apply these skills in their future professional and personal lives. Check out linktr.ee/tedxcsuf to learn how to apply to become a member or speaker for our organization!

Zoom Webinar
https://fullerton.zoom.us/s/87967167018
Fullerton, California, 92807
United States

Alexander Santana

CSUF Student + Veteran

Alexander Santana was born and raised in Tecolotlán, Jalisco, Mexico. He is the youngest of five siblings and is the first in his family to attend college. Alex migrated to the United States at 18 and became a US citizen 19 years later. He attended the Executive Business Management Program at the University of California Los Angeles, Anderson School of Business, and later earned an Associate of Arts degree in Architecture from Fullerton College. Alex’s journey continued with 10 years of service in the United States Navy. Upon his return home, he became an activist working with the non-profit Vet’s Journey Home. After suffering a clinical death and a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, the Veterans Administration rated Alex 100% Disabled. He is currently pursuing Human Services at California State University Fullerton, with an emphasis in Gerontology and a minor in Psychology. Alex’s diverse life experiences have taught him the meaning of inclusion, neglect, and commitment.

Francisco T. Avalos

Technical Project Manager + Consultant

Francisco T. Avalos is a consultant executing strategic and tactical initiatives in Information Technology. Mr. Avalos has over 20+ years of experience in Business and IT services, working for US-based and global Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Avalos is highly dedicated to his community and has established non profit organizations that provide professionals with mentoring, scholarships, and career opportunities. His efforts have been welcomed and acknowledged by his community and most notably, he was awarded a letter of recognition by the former President of United States George W. Bush. Mr. Avalos earned his undergraduate degree from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, in Information Systems, and an Executive MBA from Chapman University. Finally, and most rewarding to him is being actively engaged in raising his daughter.

Gwendolyn Alexis

Lecturer at California State University, Fullerton

Gwen Alexis began her teaching career as a dance and drama teacher for the children at St. Rita’s School in East New York, Brooklyn in 1995. She earned her undergraduate degree from SUNY- Empire State College with a Bachelor of Science, in Performing Arts. She earned her Master of Arts, in History with a specialization in United States history from CUNY- City College. She now teaches online for John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the History Department. She is extremely honored to teach for 9 years in the African American Studies Department at California, State Fullerton. Teaching at California, State Fullerton and John Jay College of Criminal Justice is truly a dream come true for Prof. Alexis.

Jacob Pacheco

Business Owner

ProneToRide was created by professional athlete Jacob Pacheco with a mission to empower others to discover their best. Jacob Pacheco was born with Cerebral Palsy and he successfully thrives despite any challenges. Throughout Jacob's life, he's faced incredible adversity including bullying, medical setbacks, abuse, and clinical depression. Despite this, Jacob turned disability and adversity into opportunity. Against the odds, Jacob has proven YOU can prevail and discover fulfillment despite challenges. ProneToRide is the result of commitment through adversity to discover your best and keep charging forward!

Jenifer Montgomery

Masters Student In Communication Studies

Jenifer is a 27-year-old human communication graduate student at CSUF. She teaches courses on campus and assists in coaching the speech team, where she once competed. Jenifer also teaches speech to elementary school students at an academy nearby. She plans on continuing her education to become a professor.

Michelle Mehta

Teen Confidence Coach & International Best Selling Author

Michelle Mehta is an alumna of Cal State Fullerton. According to ABC Television, “She has overcome unthinkable obstacles and is one of the most successful teen coaches in 2020.” Yahoo Finance named her as “Top 11 Female Coaches to Follow in 2021.” Michelle speaks to teens all over the country about overcoming peer pressure, bullying, and low self-worth by increasing their confidence to live a life they fully love and admire themselves every single day. James Haven (Angelina Jolie’s brother) states, “what we see in our world are coaches who train themselves based on old or new ways, but still in a formulaic way. Michelle does not do this. Michelle listens and then coaches. There is no greater way, and that is the most important compliment I can give her.” She is a Teen Confidence Expert, 2X International Bestselling Author, and Celebrity Coach. www.michellemehta.com

Ryutaro Ichihara

Business Owner + Bachelor's Student Studying Kinesiology

Ryutaro Ichihara is a Japanese international student who is currently in his 5th year as a Kinesiology major at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) with a minor in Philosophy. He was a collegiate athlete who played for the Fullerton Hornets and CSUF’s soccer team and was awarded the 2018 All-American Scholar-Athlete. His dream was to become a pro soccer player. However, after living and studying in the United States as well as experiencing its culture for the past 5 years, he realized his desire to pass on his knowledge of English to the Japanese community. Now, he is currently working as an online English educator under the very organization that he founded: BeACE.

Sandra Ferreira

Psychotherapist, Opera Singer, Book Writer

Sandra Ferreira is a Brazilian-American psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the clinical mental health field. Her vast academic background includes graduate degrees in music therapy, psychology, piano, and voice through the Pontific Catholic University of São Paulo, São Paulo State University (USP), New York University, The Boston Conservatory, and Northeastern University. She currently sees clients at her private practices in Needham, MA, and Huntington Beach, CA, and collaborates with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Orange county as well as the Consulates General of Brazil in Boston, and Los Angeles. Based on her experience working with immigrant patients throughout her career Ms. Ferreira published her book in 2016 “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER- Holistic Approach on Immigration and Psychology", through which she offers unique insight and long-term solutions to problems of immigration that we face today.

Shaundra Toy

Sales Engineer & Keynote Speaker

Shaundra Toy has decades of experience leading complex organizational change initiatives within the global color and print industry. She recognizes that the great transition into the digital age divided many in her industry into winners or losers. Today, her clients are those who mastered the digital divide and emerged ready to seize the opportunities that exist in the new world. Currently, she is a Technical Sales Engineer for Screen Americas in High-Speed Inkjet. Previously, she has worked for Kodak, and Pantone developing Professional Services and Global Brand Initiatives. Toy is PMP certified, double certified in change management, has mentored new project managers and taught many advanced seminars for the Project Management Institute, and is currently earning a certificate in User Experience Research. Toy’s unique inter-disciplinarian expertise has led her to successfully speaking on topics of Thinking in Systems, problem-solving beyond just the problem, and brainstorming.

Tanaka Tava

Co-Founder & Chief Information Officer at Videloo, LLC

Tanaka Isheanesu Tava is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and Baylor University student. His talk focuses on the importance of authenticity. Mr. Tava believes this is vital to building your brand but most importantly to maximizing your impact in any endeavor.