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).

Nancy Patierno Giordano
4100 Westbank Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Plum Hollow Overlook
Austin, Texas, 78746
United States

Ashish Gadnis

Ashish Gadnis is the Founder / CEO of the award winning blockchain application BanQu. BanQu is the first ever blockchain-based Supply Chain & Economic Identity platform and network that creates transparency, traceability and sustainability for farmers (especially women) living in extreme poverty and refugees across the globe. He is also a senior strategic advisor to multiple global organizations and the United Nations on the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda. Over the past 25 years, Ashish has been recognized for his private and public sector contributions with awards such as the MIT Innovate for Refugees (Syrian refugees) award, Young Global Leader (World Economic Forum), Minority Business Leader (Twin Cities Business), and 40 under 40 (Business Journal).

Big Wy's Brass Band

In 2017 Big Wy's made its first international debut at the Instituto Guatemalteco Americano (IGA) 2017 International Jazz Festival in Guatemala representing the United States touring the country performing and giving master classes. Guatemala was quickly followed by being selected for the 2017 CR Promising Artists Tour of Costa Rica. Big Wy's Brass Band was hosted by Centro Cultural Costarricense Norteamericano (CCCN) and toured around the country performing for the President Luis Guillermo Solís at the Afro Descendants Day parade Puerto Limón. This performance was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Doreen Lorenzo

Doreen Lorenzo is a successful leader of global creative firms who advised Fortune 100 companies on design and innovation issues for decades. In September of 2017 she was appointed Assistant Dean in the new school of Design and Creative Technologies at the University of Texas, Austin. She was previously the Director of the Center for Integrated Design at UT. She is a co-founder of mobile video insights firm Vidlet, as well as a board member and advisor of several other startups, and a columnist for Fast Company Co.Design and Medium.

Greg Bonetti

Greg Bonetti is a teacher and educator in Austin, TX. He did his undergraduate studies at New York University. He has also taught classes on literature and identity at UC Berkeley throughout his Ph.D. program there. Besides questioning the gender dynamics of everyday life, Mr. Bonetti enjoys running, paddle boarding, and speaking Italian around town. He feels incredibly lucky to teach the best students in the world, and he hopes that his talk today will spark lots of interesting discussions.

Naran Shettigar

Naran Shettigar is a sophomore at Westlake High School. He promotes education and outreach through his work at Thinkery. He enjoys writing and is determined to increase his knowledge throughout his high school and educational career. In his freetime, Shettigar enjoys walking through areas that are new to him to meet people that are unfamiliar to him. He seeks understanding of people in situations different from his and is excited to share his unique interest today at TEDxYouth@Austin.

Saanya Bhargava

Saanya Bhargava is a high school activist from Austin, TX. She is an ocean plastic activist and actively works with companies such as Dell and her own organization, impact.gravitas. She was featured as one of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 at the age of 16. She is also involved with robotics at her high school and is an active women in STEM advocate.

Susannah Joffe

Susannah Joffe has grown up with music her entire life, having been raised in the live music capital of the world. Susannah began performing at the age of 9 and she soon took on her own style inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse, Patty Griffin, Nina Simone, and others. These artists have greatly influenced her and have helped shape her as an artist. Joffe performs original songs with guitarist Brendan Whyburn on the TEDxYouth@Austin stage. She aspires to perform at even larger venues in the Austin area and is renowned for her award-winning films. This performance was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

Zuby Onwuta

Zuby Onwuta is a legally blind innovator, disability advocate, and global speaker. Visual challenges ended his medical studies, US Army, and engineering careers. These hardships inspired him to invent “Think and Zoom”, a vision augmentation solution controlled by the human brain, to help people, like him, see better. Zuby is now the Founder of Think and Zoom, a startup that is “creating a world where visual impairment no longer steals dreams or kills careers.”