Theme: Ideas Empowered

On November 26, 2018, Alcon Research and Development (R&D) in Fort Worth, Texas is hosting the first ever TEDx event in Alcon.
The goal of TED and Alcon R&D is to inspire ideas into action! The TEDxAlconR&D event aims to provide a platform for those wishing to hear from innovative thinkers, both from within Alcon as well as from outside our organization. This is an opportunity to inspire the Alcon community and for us to connect with the identifying attributes of our blueprint: Innovation, Courage, Integrity, Collaboration, Quality and Performance.

“Ideas Empowered” is the TEDxAlconR&D theme. As a pilot project, in collaboration with TED Talks, we hope to improve employee engagement, encourage ourselves to think differently and to be open to new ideas stimulated through thought-provoking topics.
Through the exceptional leadership and work ethic of over 20 Alcon volunteers, we have the privilege of running this FIRST independently organized TEDx event.

Ultimately, my desire is to see TEDxAlcon events in other Alcon locations, both in North America and overseas. Finally, I wish to extend a great deal of gratitude to Alcon’s R&D Leadership Team (RDLT) who have leant their support to this initiative.

Lalaine Gedal
TEDx Curator AlconR&D
Associate Director Learning & Development R&D

Schollmaier Auditorium
6201 South Freeway
Fort Worth, Texas, 76134
United States

Arie Jung, Tabatha Wooten, Hollind Hardy and Meghan Way Stinson of Rhythmic Souls Tap Company. Mark Landson, Violinist

Together We Create

Arie Jung, Tabatha Wooten, Hollind Hardy, and Meghan Way Stinson of Rhythmic Souls Tap Company come together to push the boundaries of conventional collaborations and spark a conversation about uniting tradition and innovation. RSTC is on the cutting-edge of dance choreography with cross-genre repertoire that infuses rhythm tap dance with body-percussion, sand dancing, contemporary movement, flamenco, swing dance and anything else that might lend itself to their rhythmic persuasion. Mark Landson is a violinist, violist, composer, founder and Director of Open Classical, and the founder of the new classical chamber group Neo Camerata. He has been recognized as “One of the Top 100 Creatives in Dallas” and “An Arts Entrepreneur Forward Thinker”.

Cody Loveland

Experiences Matter Most

Cody Loveland is a digital and culture leader who is passionate about inspiring, delighting and connecting with people. Formerly a high school educator turned global facilitator and digital ambassador he combined his strong leadership abilities with engaging interpersonal skills to implement a world-class onboarding program, facilitate high performing leadership/culture workshops and develop global social media, digital and branding strategies. He is currently the Global Head of Employment Brand and Recruitment Marketing at Alcon, in Fort Worth, Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History & Communications, a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and has completed postgraduate studies & certifications in Product Management, Talent Management, Education Leadership and Social Justice.

David Kramer

Why Critical Thinking is Vital

David Kramer has worked in clinical research in the pharmaceutical/medical device industry for 25 years, leading worldwide teams of statisticians, programmers, and data managers. David self-identifies as a biologist, a statistician, and a photographer, all of which require the need to observe. He uses these observational skills to design and analyze clinical trials as well as in his photographic pursuits of the natural world. His hobby time is spent with his camera, and as such has had his photography hang in several art galleries, as well as having work published in a book and several calendars. David is very involved in social and environmental charitable endeavors, helping those less fortunate who have no voice of their own. David’s insights into scientific rigor have encouraged him to teach classes on the utility and necessity of statistics in both inside of and outside of work. This background has driven him towards presenting at TEDx on the necessity for critical thinking.

Dr. Stephen Lane

Vision- Its Not Just About Seeing Better

Stephen Lane, MD is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota and a key opinion leader having consulted for over 30 ophthalmic and related companies over his career. An active contributor to the ophthalmic community, Dr. Lane has held leadership positions in many national and international professional societies. He has presented more than 20 named lectures and visiting professorships, over 300 lectures, and published more than 60 peer-reviewed ophthalmic papers. In June 2017, Dr. Lane retired from active clinical practice to join Alcon as their chief medical officer. “Making a difference has always been a driving force in my life. As a clinician/surgeon I could make this difference for tens of thousands of patients during my career. But I “saw” more. By looking beyond, by asking where do I want to go, the vision became the overriding “thing”, simplifying processes and motivating people.” We will explore how vision can enhance your life.

Frederica Spotser

Courage to Share

Frederica (Freddie) Spotser is the Eye Bank Specialist at Alcon. She previously worked for several organ/tissue and eye donation agencies. As the person who currently facilitates the use of human eye tissue for research from eye banks, Freddie realizes eye bank personnel are the critical component to the process; but the true VIPs have always been donors and donor families. Her perspective changed when she shifted from obtaining tissue for transplant to obtaining it for research. She learned that donation for scientific research has the potential to touch many more lives than the individual, the family and the community impacted by the gift of donation for transplantation. While there is no direct link between the donor and an individual as in transplantation, a research donor’s impact is boundless and a single donation can have an immeasurable effect on the advancement of eye health through treatments, devices, and products.

Howard Ketelson

Collision Course

Howard Ketelson, Head of Ideation for Alcon’s Global Vision Care and a research scientist who works across Commercial, R&D and external organizations. With 18 years in eye-related device and pharmaceutical projects, he holds 25 patents and published in numerous chemistry, clinical science and ophthalmology journals. Howard’s perseverance to achieve long-term goals is reflected in every aspect of his life. A multisport athlete, he has competed in triathlons and running for 25 years and has taught indoor cycling for over a decade. In 2013, Howard began pursuing an innovation model that relied on building internal relationships by tapping into coworkers’ existing knowledge while leveraging external partnerships to execute the feasibility. Disrupting the status quo with every step, he began to incubate projects by taking walks and “colliding” with people across all spectrums of life. This talk is about taking time each day to make space for chance encounters which inspire innovation.

Jeffrey Howard

How do we link the Alcon Foundational Principles to the R&D Function and the Concepts of Change? How do we move from feeling “change fatigued” to “change resilient”?

Jeff Howard has had a varied career across industries from steel-making to fast moving consumer goods to health sciences, as well as holding Operational and Human Resource Management roles. He has also lived and worked across Australia, Asia and the United States. In doing so, he has developed a deep interest in change management both from an organizational and from a very personal perspective.

Rebecca Rice

Finding Our Way to Courage and Conscious Choice

Dr. Rebecca Rice is the Global Head of Preclinical Development at Alcon. Dr. Rice completed both her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with a focus in ophthalmology, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Toxicology at Virginia Tech. She is a uniquely qualified expert in achieving dual board specialization as a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and as a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Toxicology. Dr. Rice’s passion for science and medicine has led her to support the research and development of eye care products for over 21 years. She currently leads a multi-discipline team of dedicated scientists to deliver safe and effective products to enrich the lives of Alcon’s customers and patients. Dr. Rice challenges conventional thinking to provoke creative thought that leads to innovation and action. By leveraging her resiliency and strategic skills, she has successfully navigated the many changes within Alcon and the industry, while staying focused on Alcon’s core purpose.

Sabari Raja

Cultivating Valuable Relationships in my Entrepreneurship Journey

Worked in education technology for 18 years leading product and content strategy, business development, publisher relations, and emerging market growth strategies. She is passionate about working with educators to translate their needs into scalable technology solutions. She is the co-founder of fast growing edtech company, Nepris Inc ,a first of its kind cloud-based platform connecting industry and education to inspire students through real world connections and career exposure . She is on the board of Friends of Texas Public Schools, Business advisory board at Texas education Agency. She has special interest in engaging girls and minorities in STEM. She also regularly speaks on the topic of entrepreneurship and education technology. Has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from India, Masters in Computer Science from Louisiana State University and an Executive MBA from Cox School of Business, SMU. She lives in Austin, Texas and a busy mom with 2 boys in middle school.