Theme: Walk the Talk

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).

TEDxHersheyCo
19E Chocolate Ave.
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033
United States

Aaron Miller

Engineering @ The Hershey Company

"Building the future, step by step" is the title of Aaron's talk. Aaron Miller has spent the majority of his career with The Hershey Company executing capital projects as a member of several key engineering teams. He is currently a member of the Supply Chain Innovation team that explores the feasibility of front of funnel new product concepts. Aaron is also part of the Hershey X team which investigates the application of cutting edge technologies to business and manufacturing. When not at work, Aaron enjoys travelling, photography and spending time with his wife and children.

Arfan Qureshi

Senior Talent Consultant @ The Hershey Company

"Leaving yourself no choice but to learn" is the title of Arfan's talk. Arfan Qureshi is a Senior Talent Consultant at the Hershey Company.  He has led Leadership and Organizational Development programs across industries, and across the world.  He has worked in 10 countries, and is proficient in 4 languages.  He holds two master’s degrees from the University of Oxford and Michigan State University.  

Aron Bronnimann

Portfolio Evolution Group @ The Hershey Company

"Transforming bad stress into good stress" is the title of Aron's talk. Aron Bronnimann is a Sr. Analyst in the Hershey Portfolio Evolution group. After graduating with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Arizona, he worked for seven years as a police officer in Arizona. During his law enforcement career, he became an expert in stress management. He worked in plain clothes assignments, then as a field trainer, and finally as a certified instructor at the academy. Upon entering the private sector, Aron realized the stress management techniques he developed in law enforcement could apply just as well to the business world.

Carmen Medina

Central Intelligence Agency + Rebels at Work

"Every organization needs a feisty heretic" is the title of Carmen's talk. Carmen Medina is an experienced organizational heretic and the co-author of Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within. After a 32-year distinguished career at the CIA, she served with Deloitte Consulting for more than four years where she gained an appreciation of the differences and similarities between the public and private sectors. She speaks and writes about entrepreneurship in large organizations, the importance of diversity of thought in the workplace, and critical thinking.

Chris Heeter

Wilderness Guide

"Should the workplace be more wild?" is the title of Chris' talk. Chris Heeter is out to create a Wild revolution in the workplace. A wilderness guide since 1984, a graduate of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), and a Wilderness First Responder, Chris has also been featured on The Discovery Channel. Now Chris brings her decades of leadership experience indoors, to conferences and offices, helping everyone recognize that leadership and teamwork don’t have to be so complicated. Chris holds a B.S. in recreation and social work from George Williams College, is a poet, and shares her writing and Wild Dares through her newsletter, Wild Thoughts. Chris challenges and inspires organizations and individuals toward Wild leadership, compassionate presence, and daring authenticity.

Don Larson

Founder & CEO of The Sunshine Nut Company

"Find an idea you're willing to die for... and then really start to live!" is the title of Don's talk. Don Larson is the founder & CEO of The Sunshine Nut Company, which he runs a "quadruple bottom line" business: adding a transformational bottom line to the financial, environmental and social bottom lines of corporate social responsibility. Thirteen of Don’s 25+ years in the food industry were with The Hershey Company in diverse assignments from manufacturing to global sourcing. Inspired in part by the life of Milton Hershey, Don and his family left their lifestyle of material abundance in 2011 for one of social purpose in Africa. They sold nearly everything they owned and poured their life savings into their new venture. Don, his wife Terri, and their youngest son relocated to Mozambique – one of the world’s poorest countries, and far from family and friends – to work and make a difference in the lives of the poor and orphaned.

Dustin Garis

Marketer + Chief Troublemaker + Life Profit

"Pursuit of a memorable life" is the title of Dustin's talk. Dustin Garis is a marketing and innovation thought-leader with experience spanning 40+ countries and a breath of industries. Throughout his disruptive career at The Coca-Cola Company and Procter & Gamble, Dustin became known as the “Chief Troublemaker” for his innovative approach. Beyond managing innovation strategy for billion-dollar brands, Garis led global marketing innovation at P&G FutureWorks – the Company’s innovation hub responsible for accelerating growth by incubating, launching, and scaling new ventures worldwide. Garis now helps other organizations define and accelerate their innovation capabilities, while also executive director of the LifeProfit (LifeProfit.com) social organization, a collaboration of change-agents and purpose-driven businesses fueling a global movement of people gaining rich life experiences. 

George Lenhart

Technology & Workplace Solutions @ The Hershey Company

"Machine learning is real, and already changing our world" is the title of George's talk. George Lenhart currently runs a consultative solutions group that is part of Workplace Solutions. His team specialize in seeking opportunities to leverage new technologies while ensuring a business value. After 23 years at UPS in engineering and technical sales, George joined The Hershey Company working with manufacturing business intelligence. George has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.

Peter Godino

Operations @ The Hershey Company

"Evolution of wearable technology: the ultimate collaboration" is the title of Peter's talk. After receiving his BSE with Mechanical Concentration from Messiah College, Peter Godino began his career in Hershey’s Process Engineering Group. After completing project work at Hershey’s Hazleton Plant, he relocated to Shanghai, China in 2007 to begin installation and startup of Hershey’s Shanghai JV. He spent another 3 years on expat assignment as Hershey’s Plant Engineer, overseeing multiple expansions, line extensions, new product launches, and training of the technical teams. Pete returned to the US in 2011, and in 2013, he transitioned to his current role in Operational Business Management.