Theme: Beyond

After our inaugural TEDxPlano “On the Verge” was such a success at spreading ideas, we started imaging beyond 2014. How in the world can we move beyond the innovation of the first year? What beyond the 2014 “talks” can we bring to our vibrant and diverse community? How do we move beyond what we know to spark discussion? And that’s how “Beyond” became our theme in TEDxPlano’s second year. Join us as our curiosity takes us “beyond” our routines and allows us to inspire North Texas.

1520 K Ave Suite 220
Plano, Texas, 75074
United States

Bill Bernstein

Bill is Deputy Director of Mosaic Family Services, an agency serving immigrants and refugees who have suffered human rights abuses. He founded the Multicultural Family Violence Intervention program at the agency in 1997 and the Services for Trafficked Persons program in 2001. He has served as Chair of the Metroplex Refugee Network and the North Texas Immigration Coalition. Bill is also a founding member of the North Texas Anti-Trafficking Team, consisting of federal and local law enforcement, prosecutors and social service providers. Bill is passionate in his belief that, as the Declaration of Independence almost said, “All are created equal.”

Chad Frazer

Having once filled the boots of a nuclear electrician’s mate in the U.S. Navy, a private contractor overseas and now as a mechanical design engineer, Chad has spent the last four years learning how to build, maintain, fly and design both military and custom-made drones. He leads the only Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) club that aims to spread the knowledge of building and flying drones to anyone with patience to learn. In a recent endeavor, he flew missions in the DFW area in search of a missing woman from Allen, Texas, involving many miles worth of aerial photography and analysis. Chad is passionate for the feeling you get when you succeed at doing something so hard that seeing it work makes your heart burst and your eyes water.

Dr. Allan Saxe

Dr. Saxe is an Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Texas at Arlington and a 2014 recipient of the University of Texas System Board of Regents Teaching Award. He holds a Ph.D. in political science at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Saxe would like to have these words inscribed on his tombstone: “He did not ask to come to this planet.”

Ira Gulati

Ira is a sophomore at Jasper High school in Plano. She serves as board chairwoman of Junior World Affairs Council and has founded a branch of Amnesty International. As a Girl Scout for over a decade, she enjoys volunteering and serves on the Community Engagement team at the local museum. Ira is excited about the potential for energizing students through a curriculum that engages them through current events and world news.

Kimberly Adele

Kimberly Adele is the artistic director and cofounder of Dallas Cirque Theatre. Dallas Cirque Theatre loves to thrill audiences with its signature fusion of artistry, acrobatics and high-flying cirque! Whether creating custom cirque shows for clients or producing full-length original productions, Dallas Cirque Theatre (professional division) and Dallas Cirque Theatre Youth enjoy sharing performances of artistic, high-impact cirque. Kimberly is passionate about creating expressive art and sharing it with the world.

Michael Thomas

Michael is a graduate of Southern Methodist University with degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies. In 2006, Michael began his non-profit career as a Program Coordinator with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in Corpus Christi, Texas. He then became Assistant Director of MDA in Las Vegas, Nevada, before moving on to Opportunity Village, an organization dedicated to vocational training for adults with disabilities in Southern Nevada. In 2010, Michael returned to Texas and joined My Possibilities as the Executive Director. In the past five years, the organization has grown from serving 30 families each week to over 300 and is a leader for continuing education for adults with cognitive disabilities. Michael has many plans to spread the My Possibilities’ mission: To “courageously and relentlessly pursue the full, untapped possibilities of our Hugely Important People, making every day count.”

Nico Martini

Nico is the founder of Hypeworthy, a digital marketing and branding agency, and is a former lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas. He sits on the advisory board for the San Antonio Cocktail Conference and has multiple clients in the craft spirits industry. His current project is a craft cocktail and indie music festival, called Distilled, happening in Dallas in June. And yes, Martini is actually his last name.