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).

College of Central Florida
3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL
Ocala, Florida, 34474
United States

Angela Lightfoot-Redondo

NLP Practitioner

Rooted in empathy, passion, and joy, Angela is a compassionate Happiness Life Coach dedicated to helping clients experience strength, courage, and boldness in embracing life with body, mind, and spirit. Her unique Transformation Destination Experience program creates a safe space for exploring challenges, challenging thinking patterns, and addressing negative emotions. Angela incorporates Equine Assisted Learning/Therapy (EAL/T) into her coaching, leveraging horses to provide authentic reflections of participants' experiences, promoting self-awareness and personal growth. As a Certified Trainer of NLP, Hypnosis, and Timeline Techniques, Angela empowers individuals to unlock their unique, authentic potential. Her diverse skill set includes leadership mastery, results coaching, and certifications in happiness coaching, mindfulness, and wellness. Angela, a martial artist and accomplished equestrian, believes in giving back to the community, focusing particularly on youth development.

Anne McCune

Author, Humanitarian

Anne (Annie) Vogt McCune grew up in WNY. She graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Geography and Urban Studies. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother including international kids and grandkids. Her book "Practicing Hospitality: the Joy and Grace of Loving Strangers" shares some of the stories she has experienced by being both a guest in need of the kindness of strangers, and host to those who needed hospitality in convenient and inconvenient ways. She has found creative ways to open her door to family friends and strangers without having a "Pinterest perfect home or meal" by simply being hospitable. She has served on many boards including public school boards, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, and the Eleazar Wheelock Society (Dartmouth College) and helped run events that have had city, state, and worldwide impact. She finds creativity all around her as she walks, travels, gardens, birdwatches, and listens for redemptive moments.

Emily "Cali" Callahan

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, ER Nurse

Cali is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner who works in emergency medicine both in the US and internationally with MSF-Doctors Without Borders. She recently was evacuated from Gaza after treating burn victims with scarce supplies, navigating security operations, and doing her best to get her team out of Gaza after 26 days of intense bombing. A grad of Columbia University School of Nursing, Cali’s primary focus is providing excellent medical care in high-conflict settings. With her own childhood trauma and 15 years of recovery work, Cali knows what it means to bear witness and to endure in horrific circumstances. Today, she fights to be the advocate she didn’t have both as a medical humanitarian worker abroad and with various organizations in the U.S. fighting for humanitarian parole immigration law and human rights. Cali can be found in Fairfield County, Connecticut, but as a ‘runner’ who has lived in 11 cities, 4 states, and 3 countries, she knows home is wherever there is love.

Hanna Barakat

Applied Researcher

Hanna Barakat is a researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction and Science & Technology Studies. She focuses on emerging technologies and how they impact society, particularly digital information networks and systemic bias. Hanna has research experience at academic institutions like the Max Planck Institute and Brown University, as well as tech start-ups and policy consulting. Her findings have been published in top journals such as CSCW (Computer-Supported Cooperative Work) and ICWSM (International Conference on Web and Social Media). Hanna’s strength lies in her ability to work between industries, disciplines, and ideologies. She excels in translating complex information into accessible insights. She is an award-winning researcher and represented Palestine at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she competed in the 100-meter sprint.

Jad-Évangelo Nasser

Multicultural Strategist

Jad-Évangelo Nasser is a Lebanese-born multilingual (French, Arabic, Spanish, Haitian Creole) global inclusion specialist with Palestinian roots and Haitian heritage and 10+ years of experience in DEI, cross-cultural communication, film, media and Higher Education. He graduated from Parsons with a MA in Digital Storytelling. In 2018, Jad-Évangelo wrote, produced, and directed “Once Upon A Color”, a musical documentary highlighting artists of color as they navigate through the world. Jad-Evangelo is also a multicultural strategist, having worked with brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Pepsi, and McDonalds. Jad-Evangelo currently teaches cross cultural communication, multi-cultural marketing, and advertising at 5 universities including University of North Texas and Morris Brown College. He was featured in Top30Under30 with Arab America, The Black Wall Street Times, The World's Best Magazine and Empower Atlanta. A solo traveler with passion for learning and immersing himself around the world.

Jasmine Marie Cruz

Digital Designer

Jasmine Marie is a marketing specialist in brand development and graphic design with a passion for personal growth and community empowerment. Drawing on her own experiences, she is dedicated to inspiring others to overcome challenges and achieve their fullest potential. Through her work, Jasmine advocates for resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of supportive networks. Her mission is to help individuals transform their lives and communities through innovative strategies and compassionate leadership.

Julie Duncan

Entrepreneur

Julie Ducan has thrived in Ocala for 14 years, working, building businesses and raising two girls. She takes pride in her profession that is based around creating experiences for people within the events and entertainment sphere. She is a proud Toastmaster and enjoys the art of communication. Knowing that life is not perfect, she is a proponent of how important it is to communicate needs for the good of society.

Laura Duksta

Author

Laura Duksta, is an Ambassador of Love and author of the New York Times bestseller I Love You More. Her beloved titles have sold over a million copies in eight languages. From a young age, Laura felt destined to travel the world and share a message of love, a mission she now fulfills under her "Empowering YOU to Shine!" initiative, which encompasses her books, speaking engagements, music, and school programs. Involved with various organizations such as the Children's Alopecia Project, NAAF, Heal the Planet, The Wise Mind Project, and Shift Happens for Teens, Laura is committed to making a positive impact. A "mighty terrapin" as a graduate of the University of Maryland, while she enjoys traveling, Florida is a welcome home base. Laura is an avid student and teacher of human potential, continuously aspiring to inspire her global family to shine.

Mark Cummins

Coach, Author, Athlete

Mark inspires and encourages individuals and teams to develop and experience their full potential of success; drawing from a variety of backgrounds as a decorated United States Marine; John Maxwell Coach, Teacher, and Speaker; Boston Marathon, and IRONMANTM athlete; and as a high school and college football coach. For more than three decades, Mark has partnered with businesses, universities, non-profits, athletes, teams, and government agencies to reach maximum results. Mark is married to Linda, celebrating 35 years of doing life together. They have two daughters, Emily, and Katie, and lovingly refer to their family as Team Cummins.

Scott Martin

Brand Strategist

Scott Martin, founder of Groundswell Origins, has spent over 25 years working in all types of marketing and branding as both an agency owner and strategist to national brands. He’s built a reputation for striking a balance between leading-edge marketing innovation and traditional approaches to delivering sensible, informed, forward-thinking decisions. Author of Groundswell: The Unseen Wave of Business Growth (2023), his work pioneers a new paradigm for sustainable growth in business. As the host of The Groundswell Origins Podcast, Scott interviews the industry’s top minds to learn how entrepreneurs and marketers can build sustainable programs that positively impact the world. As a community builder, Scott also develops content and followings around his passions: surfing, surf art, and heliskiing.

Sev Joy

Author, Empowering Women Mentor

Seweryna Dumaisnil (known as Sev Joy) is a Women’s Empowerment Mentor, Leadership Trainer, and Bestselling Author who has dedicated her life to uplifting and inspiring others. Raised in a Polish orphanage during the communist era, Seweryna’s remarkable journey from adversity to empowerment fuels her mission to help women worldwide embrace their unique stories and live authentically. As a trainer for Tony Robbins and a Mindfulness teacher, Seweryna guides women through life’s transitions, helping them find balance, reclaim their true selves, and discover joy in the present moment. Through her impactful coaching, workshops, and lectures, she leads midlife women on a path of self-discovery and profound transformation. Her book, "Never Give Up and Live the Life of Your Dreams," distills the powerful lessons from her journey, inspiring others to believe in their dreams and realize their full potential.

Thomas Puketza

Event Producer

Tom Puketza received his Bachelor's degree in Theater from Temple University in 2006. He has produced several stage plays including the Off Broadway premier of Sunset Village, consulted with the Winstead PC law firm, studied film accounting under industry veteran John Gaskin, and served on the board of The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre. He is the owner of the event company Finale Events, and also the President of Event Incubator, a non-profit dedicated to supporting new local events and providing resources to new event producers. Tom also coaches speakers professionally.

Tiffany Edith

Speaker Coach

Tiffany Edith coaches public speakers to harness their message. She’s a teacher, tutor and enrollment counselor at The Socratic Experience global online school which creates space for self-directed education in pursuit of lifelong happiness. Using her BA in Communication, Tiffany has acted, sang, done street poetry and won multiple speaking awards.