Theme: Endless Connections

Stories have an amazing ability to capture people’s attention and take them on a roller coaster ride of imagery and emotion. Because they are so captivating, it’s easy to use them inappropriately. Telling a story that has no point, or makes a point that isn’t relevant to the present situation, is a waste of everyone’s time.

Fountain Hills High School Lecture Hall
16100 E. Palisades Blvd
Disctric Office Parking
Fountain Hills, Arizona, 85268
United States

Blaine Oelkers

Founder and CEO of Selfluence

Blaine Oelkers is a lifetime entrepreneur. He is a graduate of Purdue University and Stanford University’s Entrepreneurship program. Blaine has owned and operated a consulting firm, a pizza franchise, four health and wellness businesses, a personal development company and recently started several Social Enterprises to help end malnutrition. He knows that the power of business can solve social issues in sustainable ways. His training company Selfluence opens the door to the power you already have to influence yourself. He enjoys helping people take control of their lives by taking control of themselves. He knows the most important relationship you have is with yourself. Blaine knows you already have all the power you need and he helps you unlock that power to create the life you desire and deserve.

Doug Stevenson

Story Scientist Social Extraordinar

Doug Stevenson is the CEO of Story Theater International, a Tucson, Arizona based speaking, training and consulting firm. He is the creator of The Story Theater Method and a master storyteller and storytelling in business speaker, trainer and coach. Clients include Microsoft, Google and Caterpillar. He has also authored the book, Doug Stevenson’s Story Theater Method, and The Next Level Storytelling Video eLearning. In a business setting, stories are a powerful and strategic communication tool. They engage, persuade and teach valuable life lessons. Stories have the ability to change hearts and minds. Mr. Stevenson specializes in the strategic use of storytelling to influence, inspire and sell a product or service. Using story as a strategy, Doug has helped tens of thousands of business professionals and hundreds of companies and associations to identify their unique storytelling proposition (USP).

Sherry Finzer

Contemporary Instrumentalist and Composer

TEDxFountainHills Talk:The Healing Power of Music Sherry entered Phoenix in 2005 exploring different genres and styles of music and discovered how music effects people physically and emotionally.It was in meeting Darin Mahoney, learning of his story, recording Transformation, and seeing people heal that Sherry knew music is the universal language. Sherry Finzer is an international award-winning American flutist, composer, performer, and recording artist for Heart Dance Records. She is based in Phoenix, AZ, and performs as a soloist, with guitarist Darin Mahoney, 7-time GRAMMY Nominee Will Clipman, Majestica, Native American flutist Mark Holland, Australian pianist Fiona Joy, Windham Hill pianist Scott Cossu, and Tom Moore. She is known for her variety of musical styles, and performs as a Pearl Flute and Guo Flute Performing Artist. Musically, Finzer has evolved from a classical, competitive flutist to recording acclaimed new age music albums, including Flute Flight.

Taryl Hansen

Taryl is an educator and Board Certified Teacher holding an Ed.D in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University. She is a highly skilled graphic recorder and trained provider of professional development and has presented at local, state, and national education conferences.