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).

Washington Pavilion
301 S Main Ave
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 57104
United States

Becky Blue, RN, MS

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Becky is an author, retired geriatric nurse, community volunteer, and is passionate about changing the culture of aging. She received her nursing degree at Augustana University and her graduate degree at South Dakota State University. She is constantly curious about the human condition and always asking, how do we live well together in body, mind, and spirit?

Jared Knock

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Jared has 25 years of experience on the land as a part-owner of a diversified livestock and crop farm in the Northern Great Plains. The operation raises cattle, sheep, hogs, corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, alfalfa, rye, and forage cover crops. Through the lessons learned on his own land, Jared is passionate about equipping fellow farmers and ranchers to enable greater resilience and functionality through positive land management and grazing practices.

Joshua S. Duncan, M.Div., LPC-QMHP, LAC

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Joshua is in private practice as a licensed addiction (LAC) and mental health therapist (LPC-QMHP) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Joshua is also the senior pastor of the Center of Life Church. Journeying with people to assist them in finding their place of peace as they learn more about themselves is what Joshua loves to do. Joshua works with teens, young adults, adults, couples, and leaders in attachment, addiction, grief and loss, relational trauma, and anxiety life challenges.

Kendra Rooney, MSW, CSW

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Kendra Rooney is a Masters-level social worker who has made it her mission to challenge our larger social systems and work with others to create inclusive, equitable environments. Having battled with an eating disorder for several years, Kendra brings a unique perspective to the conversation about mental health and wellness. Her journey toward recovery has been a challenging but ultimately transformative one, and she is passionate about sharing her story and helping others find their own path toward recovery.

Kristina Jackson, PhD, RDN

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Kristina Jackson has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State University, is a Registered Dietitian, and a part-owner of OmegaQuant Analytics, LLC, an independent medical lab in Sioux Falls that specializes in fatty acid and nutritional biomarker analysis. She is also a non-tenure Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. Kristina is a translational researcher in the area of fatty acids and health, with over 20 peer-reviewed papers, a patent pending in the US and Australia, and is the Primary Investigator on a Small Business Innovation Grant.

Marcella Prokop, MFA

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Marcella Prokop is passionate about helping students find and amplify their voice. She has worked in higher education since 2010, teaching writing, facilitating discussions about linguistic diversity, the power of mentorship in digital spaces, and what it means to re-shape one’s narrative. She currently leads access and inclusion initiatives at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, SD.

Molly O'Connor

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Molly O’Connor is a graphic designer who works collaboratively to make the world more inclusive and accessible through equity, empathy, and imagination.

Natasha Berg, M.Ed

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Natasha Berg, M.Ed. works as the Multimedia and Technology Integration Specialist at a local high school in South Dakota. She has spent her career learning about and developing her skills in education and educational technology. Berg believes that new and emerging technology should be integrated into classrooms as it fully prepares students to enter the 21st century workforce and helps make learning accessible to students of all abilities.

Sara Lum, RA, MBA

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A former walk-on Division 1 basketball player turned referee, Sara’s experience officiating basketball has challenged her leadership skills, on and off the court. A licensed architect and community builder, Sara serves as the Vice President at Startup Sioux Falls, an organization that helps people start businesses. She earned an MBA from the University of South Dakota, an M.Arch from Rice University, and a B.S. in Design-Architectural Studies from the University of Nebraska.

Zach DeBoer

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Zach DeBoer is a community-based artist working primarily in creative placemaking. He is inspired by the transformative power that art and design have on the places people love. Zach is passionate about public art integration, civic engagement, and designing more equitable cities. An interdisciplinary artist, Zach's past work includes a variety of public murals, tactical urbanism projects, and the organization of dozens of arts and culture events throughout the region.