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).

DeYor Performing Arts Center - Ford Family Recital Hall
260 West Federal Street
Youngstown, Ohio, 44503
United States

Candice Michelle

Champ Creator

Candice Michelle began her life with an unprecedented birth! Overcoming the odds she grew up in Milwaukee, Wi where She was a true Cheesehead and Green Bay Packers fan! At 18 years old she followed her heart to Hollywood to pursue dreams of Modeling/Acting! She went on to become the first ever Diva search contestant to win the WWE Woman’s Championship! From there she landed a dream cover and posed for Playboy! She is also known for her infamous GoDaddy.com Super Bowl commercials! After a career ending injury she went on to become the mother to 3 beautiful daughters! Her family is her greatest claim to fame and being married for half of her life! While it takes a village to raise a child it took her children to resurrect her as a Champion! She has a gift of creating Champions, living her truth, and Training her butt off! She is The Champ Candice Michelle!

Cassie Clouser

Web Designer

With the dynamics between men and women at the forefront of the American mind, Cassie Clouser joins forces with many as an activist for gender equality and truth spreader for trans awareness. In the summer of 2017, Cassie’s partner came out as transgender. Through her own acceptance, healing, and transformation, she shares her story of what it’s like to stay with a partner who is trans and how a deeper understanding of trans people could positively affect not only our understanding of ourselves, but the world at large.

Catherine Bosley

Online Advocate +Broadcast journalist +Speaker +Author

Ohio native, Catherine Bosley, is an award-winning TV anchor and reporter, author, adjunct professor and business owner. She launched her speaking/consulting/coaching business based on her most inspired lesson as a veteran journalist: everyone has a story that counts! That brought her a revelation regarding how her own life-changing comeback story can potentially make a life-saving difference for others in this “day of digital danger,” as she calls it. Her experience arms her with precious, unique insight she shares in her transformative and rewarding journey as a motivational speaker, online advocate, and through her forthcoming memoir, “The Bare Facts.”

Darrell Wallace

Professor of Manufacturing Engineering

Darrell Wallace, Ph.D., has worked in manufacturing for more than 25 years. With a broad industrial background in processes ranging from secondary metals processing to fabrication, assembly, and even food manufacturing, Dr. Wallace has aided companies from small startups to Fortune 50 companies with adoption of emerging and competitive manufacturing technologies.

Eric Hodgdon

Resilience Speaker and Coach

Eric Hodgdon trains resilience leaders (and others who are stuck in struggle) to rise above the noise, see the beauty in life and thrive! He became a warrior for resilience in memory of his dynamic daughter, Zoi after losing her to suicide in 2014. Eric is also a speaker, bestselling author, coach, and podcaster. He lives in the Boston area with is rescue dog, Bean. You can visit Eric’s website at www.erichodgdon.com for free resources and to learn about his resilience leadership programs and podcast.

Eric Thompson

Business Leader, Magician, Comedian and Speaker

Eric Thompson is a husband, father and grandfather. He owns Satolli Carpet & Floor Covering and The Warren Comedy Club. Eric has served on many boards in philanthropic, business and professional organizations. He served as a firefighter/EMT and was twice elected city councilman. For nearly four decades Eric has entertained as a stand up comedian and award winning magician, for thousands of people in comedy clubs, theaters and colleges. He often shares the stage with comedy legends and as the opening act for many well known musical artists. His has performed in more than two dozen countries around the world.

Jaietta Jackson

Communication Specialist

How do you remember the past? Pictures are eventually deleted, long gone are the days of photo albums and written letters, memories fade and people pass away with their stories. As an Interpersonal Communication specialist, I understand the need for connection and the importance of maintaining that connection. Through my journey, I can broaden one’s knowledge about the importance of writing down family history, collecting, printing and saving family pictures. When memories fade and your loved ones are gone, you will have written family journals to remind you and future generations of the rich history your family embodies.

Jan Rutherford

Retired Green Beret

Certain experiences challenge every cell of your body. And translating that to deep learning is what a former Green Beret teaches as he leads expeditions with execs and special operations veterans all over the world. Jan has been a student of how adversity strengthens character to help people realize truly heroic aspirations. He has been recognized as one of “The Top 100 Leadership Speakers for 2018” in Inc. Witness Jan Rutherford’s talk at TEDx Youngstown, and learn how you can change your own narrative.

Jenilee Taylor

Independent Trainer and Motivational Speaker

Glitter - the shiny, sparkly material that unicorns bathe in, children dream of, and everyone finds impossible to get out of their carpet. Like glitter, people are drawn to Jenilee Taylor not just for the way her personality lights up a room but for her innate way to connect emotionally with other people. It's that ability that resulted in her being awarded the 2013 Susan L. Hamo Hospitality Award from the Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau and her demand at speaking engagements nationwide. Jenilee refers to this connection as emotional glitter - just as alluring and impossible to brush aside.

Jim Donovan

Musician/Educator

Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a professional musician and Assistant Professor at Saint Francis University. His mission is to share the healing power of music through education and performance. He specializes in placing music and wellness programs in organizations who focus on people with disabilities and people recovering from addiction. Donovan performs with his band Sun King Warriors and was a founding member of the 3-time platinum band Rusted Root. There he co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” featured in the movie Ice Age and became the first song on Mars where it “woke up” NASA’s Mars Rover.

Jonathan Altfeld

NLP Trainer, Speaker, and Coach

Jonathan Altfeld is a Trainer and Coach who has devoted 30 years to helping people and businesses to grow and develop. His background spans two careers, in Artificial Intelligence, and Neuro-Linguistics, where both explore how we can connect with, and recapture unconscious knowledge. Whether for modeling genius, helping people to change more easily, or becoming a more gifted speaker, Jonathan’s fascinations will inspire and captivate. Jonathan has trained globally, authored personal and professional development programs, and mentored business leaders for decades. His clients come from every field under the sun. When not working, he enjoys solving puzzles, learning new skills, and practicing improv! He’s a proud father of two daughters and resides in Tampa, Florida.

Josh Allan Dykstra

CEO

Josh Allan Dykstra is a recognized thought leader on the future of work and company culture, and is generally obsessed with designing organizations and workplaces to be energy-based and life-giving (instead of fear-based and life-sucking). His articles and ideas have been featured by Fast Company, Forbes, The Huffington Post, and Business Insider. He’s worked with some of the most iconic brands in the world (Apple, Sony, CHANEL, Genentech, Microsoft, etc.) and holds an MBA in Executive Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s also a classically-trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist with 2.5 albums on iTunes & Spotify and the author of an incendiary book about the future of work called Igniting the Invisible Tribe: Designing An Organization That Doesn’t Suck. He lives with his family in beautiful Denver, Colorado.

Kenneth Clowes

Recovery Supervisor

Ken Clowes is a support staff supervisor at a men’s halfway house for recovering alcoholics and addicts. His journey into that field wasn’t without having to overcome his own struggles, and now finds fulfillment in giving back the freedom he has found. Having always had a healthy curiosity of the human condition and the nature of reality, Ken has studied psychology, quantum physics, neurochemistry, and some world religions for personal enjoyment. Through his studies, and even more so with the help of like-minded individuals and mentors Ken believes he can help revolutionize the recovery industry and end the addiction crisis.

Kyla Sokoll-Ward

Speaker and Coach

Kyla Sokoll-Ward is a self-empowerment coach on a mission to change the way people relate to themselves, others, and their obligation to be bigger in the world. Her work asks the question, "Who do we get to become when we decide that we are no longer limited by our fears?" A deep believer in the magic that comes with simple intentionality, Kyla aims to live in the power of vulnerability and help others dismantle their fears, ignite their truth, and leave with an empowered sense of self that can revolutionize the way we love, live, and lead.

Lawrence Henderson

Leadership & Organizational Development People Hacker

Lawrence Henderson, a Leadership & Organizational Development people hacker, draws on the progressive understanding it takes self-awareness & action to see change. The art of connecting the dots within individuals /organizations is difficult when people are not engaged. As a decorated combat veteran, Lawrence utilizes life’s experiences as a means to bridge the gap between where we are to where we desire to be. All while providing comprehensive practical learning environments. As the phrase goes, Actions speak louder than words. Actions present us with something tangible and quantifiable. More than ever, we need to lead intentional authentic lives.

Lindsey Catarino

Entrepreneur and Author

Lindsey Catarino is an author, speaker, and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs. After a 15-year progressive career in corporate finance, Lindsey began to question everything about the traditional 9-to-5 lifestyle. Knowing there had to be more to life than being chained to a desk, she traded her corner office for a laptop and a passport. She is now a multimillion-dollar online marketer, paying it forward by helping others create their own empires starting with just WiFi and a dream. After her divorce, Lindsey became deeply fascinated by the current dating climate. After ruthlessly committing herself to the study of dating and romance, she authored her forthcoming book, THE BREAKUP DETOX, became a certified life and relationship coach, and has dedicated herself to becoming an expert on modern romance and learning to create successful relationships with “the new normal” that is today’s dating landscape.

Monika Lutz

Ghostwriter

Monika Lutz is a college reject turned Harvard University Valedictorian on a mission to rid the world of boring communication. As a professional ghostwriter for copy, courses, speeches and books, Monika applies her methodology, known as “Sound-Writing” and the “Triple Lutz of Speech Writing,” to help clients deliver TED speeches seen by millions, publish bestselling books, produce industry-leading courses, and more. Monika is the Vice President of Sales at Voiceplace Inc, an award-winning public speaker, former blogger for USA Today, and 6-time Amazon bestselling author.

Rex Mann

Forester (retired)

Rex Mann received a BS Degree in Forestry from NC State University in 1967. He served 42 years with the US Forest Service as a Land Manager and Fire Fighter at eight different duty stations, retiring in 2007. With a lifetime interest in American chestnut, he began a chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation in Kentucky in 2001 and served on the National Board of TACF for 14 years. Living in Mt. Sterling, KY, with his wife, Anita, Rex has committed his remaining years to restoring American chestnut to the eastern forests.

Roshni Di Stefano

Volunteer, Physical Therapist

Roshni Di Stefano was born and raised in Mumbai, came of age in Montreal, and now lives in Youngstown. She is multi-lingual, travels often, and has family scattered across the globe. She can make herself at home almost anywhere in the world, but knows what loneliness looks and feels can like. While the ideas of home and community with real people in real time seemed elusive for many years, Roshni found them within reach right where she lived. Her journey of stepping out, showing up, and serving in big and small ways changed her life and she hopes it does the same for others. Roshni also works as a physical therapist, herds 2 cats and 2 children, and tries not to drool excessively over her Canadian-Italian-American husband.

Unni Turrettini

Writer and Speaker

In 2011, Norwegian-born Unni Turrettini realized that she had a lot in common with a mass murderer. Horrified, she started researching why someone, coming from a similar background as she, could turn to such violence. We live in a connected society—via technology and social media. Yet, we have never been lonelier. “We sort ourselves and others in categories and we have little interest in people who are different,” she says. Unni will make you aware of the lies you believe in, the roles you play, and what you need to reconnect with yourself and finding true belonging.