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).

Bergen County Academies
200 Hackensack Ave
Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601
United States

Alexis Sicklick

Chef and Founder at Syncopated

Alexis is the chef and founder of Syncopated [Vegetable-Forward Cooking with a Rhythmical Flair], where she empowers you to cook to the 'beet' of your own culinary rhythm and take food in a truly personal, unexpected direction. With over 10 years of professional experience in some of New York's top restaurants and a degree from both Cornell University and The Culinary Institute of America, she is grounded in a strong foundation but loves to break away whenever possible. Alexis is also enamored with spices and loves to take inspiration from her career, travels, and Jewish culture as she creates, always presenting fascinating dishes with an undeniably scrumptious twist. This past winter, Alexis self-published her debut cookbook, This Cookbook is for Dancing: A Taste of The Nutcracker, and she is currently offering online cooking classes in what she calls the Kitchen Sync along with customized virtual culinary parties and at-home dinners.

Anamita Guha

AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador

Anamita is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of women innovators and pioneers. A national ambassador for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, she serves as a visible role model and advocate for women in STEM. Anamita is currently the Head of Growth and a Global Lead of Product Management at IBM Quantum, where she is working at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. She is well versed in the future of computing, data and technology ethics, and applications of AI. Anamita has addressed the United Nations, spoken at major tech conferences around the world including SXSW and Vivatech, and launched artificial intelligence initiatives in collaboration with law and policymakers.

Andrei Rebarber

President of Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates, PLLC and Carnegie Imaging for Women, PLLC

Dr. Rebarber is a founder physician and President of Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates, PLLC, and Carnegie Imaging for Women, PLLC. He is a board-certified Obstetrician / Gynecologist with subspecialty certification in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Rebarber is a Clinical Professor at the Ichan School of Medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai Hospital and co-Director of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at Englewood Hospital Medical Center.

Jonah Berger

Marketing Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Jonah Berger is a Marketing Professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an internationally bestselling author, and a world-renowned expert on change, influence, word of mouth, natural language processing, consumer behavior, and how products, ideas, and behaviors catch on. He has published over 50 articles in top‐tier academic journals, teaches Wharton’s most popular online course, and popular accounts of his work often appear in places like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. Over a million copies of his books, Contagious, Invisible Influence, and The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind are in print in over 35 countries around the world. Berger often keynotes major conferences and events like SXSW and Cannes Lions, advises various early stage companies, and consults for organizations like Apple, Google, Nike, Amazon, GE, 3M, and The Gates Foundation.

Kyle Kane

CEO at 180 South Group

Kyle Kane is an accomplished creator & producer, brand thought leader, and award-winning entrepreneur. His latest venture, 180 South, ranked on the Inc. 500 list as the #13 Fastest Growing Company in America, and #24 in Global Marketing and Advertising. Kyle has crafted creative campaigns for some of the world’s premier artists & brands (Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner, Samsung, Montblanc, etc.) resulting in global market value of over $1B in sales.

Lathan Liou

Deep Learning Data Scientist at Merck

Lathan graduated from BCA AMST '15 and then from Pomona College '19 having studied Molecular Biology and Statistics. During college, he led a non-profit called Refresh Bolivia, where he worked to elevate the health of underserved Bolivian communities, and back in the US, worked in underserved communities in LA and NYC to provide public and social healthcare. He also worked in research groups at Columbia, Harvard, and Mt. Sinai. He was accepted into the FlexMed program to study medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, but deferred admission. He holds an MPhil from the University of Cambridge in Epidemiology and currently works as a deep learning data scientist for Merck. In his free time, he likes playing basketball, reading, making YouTube videos, and coding.

Michael Baker

CEO, Portman Square Group LLC, Former CIA covert field operations officer

During a nearly 20 year career as a CIA covert field operations officer, Mike specialized in counterterrorism, counternarcotics and counterinsurgency operations. He was recognized professionally for outstanding performance and operational achievements in hostile environments. After government service, Mike co-founded Diligence, a global intelligence and security firm. As a principal partner he led the company as it expanded around the world. Mike recently completed a successful buy out of his business from investors and merged with the crisis communications and public policy firm Portman Square Group. Mike is a regular contributor in the media on intelligence matters, national security concerns and geopolitical affairs. He appears regularly on a variety of networks. In addition to being a script advisor and consultant to the television and film industry, Mike is the host of the Discovery Network’s series Black Files Declassified, currently in production for its second season.

Michael Fowlin

Dr. Michael Fowlin

Dr. Michael Fowlin, better known as Mykee, is no stranger to the stage. He has been formally acting since age 11, but started creating voices (via prank calling) at age 9. In addition to his talents on stage, he has an undergraduate degree in psychology from Evangel University, in Springfield, Missouri, and in the fall of 2001, he attained a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Rutgers University. Oddly enough, he suffers from delusions of grandeur, for, while performing, he is convinced that every audience member is his patient. His programs combine both his professional acting talents and his psychological training. His mission is to create an atmosphere of worldwide inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. He has worked extensively with all age groups in the United States and in other countries. His work has included peer mediation, diversity trainings, gender equity workshops, and violence prevention seminars.

Sheri Collins

Director of Sales and Marketing of the Speaking Division of The Shark Group

Sheri Collins has built a career in marketing communications and sales for over 25 years. 10 years ago, she resigned as the director of marketing at a major health insurance company in Detroit and moved to New York City with $1000 in her purse, one client and a dream. Today, Sheri is the director of sales and marketing of the speaking division at The Shark Group founded by Daymond John, star of Shark Tank on ABC, representing John and a diverse roster of high-profile public speakers. In addition to this role, Sheri is the personal branding expert for Daymond John's Inner Circle training program for entrepreneurs. Her inspiring style has resonated with high school students as well, at the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute at Hampton University and University of Delaware’s Diamond Business Challenge. Sheri is a graduate of Michigan State University and earned an MBA at University of Phoenix.