Theme: Defining Your Legacy

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will be hosting a TEDx event focusing on creating a lasting impact, a legacy.

Check out our website and apply to speak via the embedded form!

http://tedxusfsm.com

University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
8350 North Tamiami Trail
Selby Auditorium
Sarasota, Florida, 34243
United States

Crishuana Williams

Valuing the power of good stories, Crishuana has been drawn to narratives ever since she learned to read. This passion lead to her working in libraries, where she currently resides as the Senior Technical Assistant at the Jane Banecroft Library in Sarasota. Her work in library spaces across the country has already had immense impact, with work at the Nashville Public Library, membership in both the Florida and American Theological Library Associations, and many more exciting library based projects to date.

Elaine Mendoza

When Elaine left her safe corporate job in 2015, she did so to pursue a happier life and explore the world in the context of labels. With a great understanding of what racial, sexual, and personal labels can do within our personal and professional lives, Elaine is empowered to spark change. Even being called the "Change-Maker" by the Gandhi Foundation in 2017, Elaine hopes to share her message to the Sarasota-Manatee community.

John Mann

With a diverse background in both leadership and educational development in the Tampa Bay area, Dr. Mann has presented over 100 different leadership trainings, workshops, and keynotes through strong examples and stories. A faculty member at the University of South Florida Tampa Campus, Dr. Mann has encouraged others to recognize and appreciate those those who have had a profound impact on our lives, so that we may impact those around in a profound way.

Lisa Penney

Currently a Professor of Management in the College of Business at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, Dr. Penney has pushed her undergraduate students to better understand what makes up the stress of their daily lives both personally and professionally. With nearly 20 years of researching what is behind the causes and consequences of stress in our lives, she has been published in top academic journals, presented at scholarly conferences, and featured by news outlets like Forbes, Newsweek, and Fox News.

Lukas Oest

After being born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany, Lukas moved to the United States in 2013 to later graduate from USFSM as the Outstanding Graduate after serving as a USF Ambassador, Director of Marketing and Promotions in the local Student Government, and a member of Order of the Golden Brahman. He is currently the Head of Global Marketing for Florida Worldwide Citrus. Now, Lukas seeks to share the importance of each of our own stories, and how important those stories are to those around us.

Shannon Rohrer-Phillips

With her role as CEO of SRP, LLC Shannon Rohrer-Phillips has pushed her social impact agency to generate diversity and inclusion solutions for the local area. Beyond her work at SRP, Shannon has created the Voice and Visibility Women's Network and Salon Series, the Visible Men Academy, and has over 27 combined years of experience as both a social entrepreneur and advocate for women, children and families.

Simi Ranajee

Dr. Ranajee is the former Miss India Worldwide, who after winning went on to get her Doctorate and founded her own company known as IMISCO. She brings 25 years of experience in marketing, business development, and strategy which has set her apart as one of the community's most active and engaging members. Named as one of Chicago's "Rising Stars" by Today's Chicago Woman, Dr. Ranajee serves within leadership in the American Cancer Society, APRA Board, and is the President of Mission Neem.

Thuy Nguyen

7 years ago, Thuy Nguyen realized she wasn't where she wanted to be in life and decided it was time for a change. Since then, she has elected to try something new every single week for the last 7 years. No matter how big or small, trying something new and going out of her comfort zone has blossomed into an exciting foray of finding herself. Through her YouTube channel Life of Thuy, she strives to always push her boundaries and maintain her constant zest for life.