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).

Gilbert High School
1101 E. Elliot Road
Gilbert, Arizona, 85234
United States

Dana Berchman

Chief Digital Officer

Dana Berchman is the Chief Digital Officer in Gilbert, Arizona, where she manages all internal and external communications, public relations, marketing and digital government initiatives. She leads a digital team responsible for developing forward-thinking policies on social media, digital communications, web initiatives and other tools to better serve the public. Her department created a coding contest for junior high and high school students called “SPARK App League” and the “Government Gone Digital” podcast. Previously, Dana spent eight years working at MTV and MSNBC, both in New York City. Dana earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and her Master’s Degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University.

Dave Cawley

Investigative Journalist and Executive Producer of "COLD" podcast

Dave Cawley is an investigative journalist with KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as the host of the hit podcast COLD. Dave graduated from the University of Utah's journalism school and went to work as a radio reporter directly out of college in 2003. He joined KSL Newsradio in 2012. In November of 2018, Dave and KSL launched COLD, a serialized podcast focused on the unsolved 2009 disappearance of Susan Powell. COLD hit #1 on the Apple podcast charts on the day of its release and netted more than 30 million downloads in its first year.

Gianluca Russo

Fashion Writer

Gianluca Russo is a freelance fashion and culture writer who recently moved from New York to Arizona. His work has been published in GQ, Glamour, Teen Vogue, NYLON, InStyle, Fashionista and more. His features discussing topics like size inclusivity and body positivity have sparked many conversations within the plus-size community, and his coverage of New York Fashion Week has received attention on a national level by outlets like CBS This Morning. Gianluca is a graduate of the University at Albany, SUNY where he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism.

Jeff Bassett

Senior Vice President of Marketing

Jeff Bassett is the SVP of Marketing for Footprint, a company focused on creating and delivering the technologies that enable global brands to eliminate their dependence on single-use plastics. For over a decade, he has been at the epicenter of marketing solutions that eliminate plastic. As he often says, “Every brand has a great sustainability story that is just waiting to be told. All it takes a little bit of action paired with a little bit of risk.” Heavily influenced by his small-town America roots, Jeff believes that through friendship, collaboration and a heavy dose of innovation, any challenge can be overcome. Jeff graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Marketing. He was also a semi-finalist for outstanding graduating senior and proudly represents ASU’s long-standing tradition of innovation.

Jennette Jenkins

Maternal Feminist and Activist

Jennette Jenkins is a mother of five children and has been blessed with four granddaughters. She grew up on a farm in eastern Utah and currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona. Through her life experiences, she has become passionate about the powerful impact of women and loves how women influence and shape the lives of those around them. Jennette attended the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations for the past several years as a videographer for Big Ocean Women. She currently works with Native American Fatherhood and Families Association, Hope Arising, and Hushabye Nursery, an organization that helps in the healing process for families affected by Neonatal abstinence syndrome (babies exposed to opiate drugs while in their mother’s womb). She is currently sharing her passion through The Sacred Heart Photography and Films, her personal project to promote motherhood as a valuable career option and to give the amazing women who quietly shape our society a voice.

Nikita Bharati

Student and Activist

Nikita Bharati is currently a junior at Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. She currently works with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance on the Sustainable Food Systems Priority, in which she helps with the production of Food Computers and vertical gardens, and helps bring them to local middle schools and high schools. With a strong passion for sustainability as well as advocacy, she also helps lead the youth organization, Arizona Youth Climate Strike (AZYCS), a branch of the national organization, US Youth Climate Strike. AZYCS is a climate justice group led entirely by youth, focused on ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all people living in Arizona. When she is not participating in her advocacy efforts or working with AZSA, she enjoys spreading her joy for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to young girls through an international organization called Girl STEMpowerment, which she co-founded at 14!