In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

MCPHS University
179 Longwood Ave
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
United States

Courtney Horvath

Courtney Horvath is a drug development professional and board-certified toxicologist at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research. Courtney is also a mom to an incredible little boy, Colby, who has been bravely battling cancer. Colby’s journey has inspired Courtney to become a passionate advocate for childhood cancer patients and to raise awareness of the desperate need for more targeted, accessible, safe, and effective therapies.

Lynn Festa

Lynn Festa is an occupational hand therapist at Lynn Festa Coaching in which she provides individual coaching, group workshops and presentations customized to suit the needs of each group and individual. She has combined her 30+ years of clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist with The Daring Way™, and the latest evidence from the field of positive psychology to provide each of her clients with a customized, proven action plan to flourish at work and in their everyday lives. She is an HSP Knowledgeable Professional, and she especially enjoys working with people with sensory processing sensitivity to fully live their potential in today's overwhelming world. Lynn believes that by building our resilience through evidence-based tools and strategies, we can improve interactions with clients, which in turn promotes better outcomes through trust-building, boundary setting, as well as empathy, and compassion, for ourselves and those we serve. These tools can be applied immediately to help find the joy and passion that lead us to our professions as "servant leaders", and lessen the burnout so prevalent in today's workplace environments.

Marie Ficociello

Marie Ficociello is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator of the Echocardiography Program at MCPHS University. Marie has been studying and practicing mindfulness for many years. She is currently studying to earn two different certifications “Koru Mindfulness” and “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” to teach mindfulness-based programs. The goal of both programs is to teach people how to practice mindfulness on a daily basis to improve their quality of life.

Michael Zimmerman

Michael Zimmerman is an Assistant Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Boston Adjunct Scripture Professor at St. John’s Seminary in Massachusetts.

Ron Duren

Ron Duren is the founder of Forging Mettle, Inc. and host of the popular Forging Mettle podcast, a Performance coach, a professor at University of Colorado, an aerobatic pilot, Ironman triathlete and ultrarunner. He specializes in developing mental toughness and is a licensed user/facilitator of the MTQ psychometric assessment on mental toughness.