Theme: You Don't Know What You Don't Know

TEDxAnchorage is landing at the Loussac Library on March 19, 2022. The event will feature presentations surrounding our inaugural theme: You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know. Though seemingly broad on the surface, we picked this theme specifically for its aspect of having room for interpretation.

“You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know” means something different to everyone. And that’s what we love about it. We tasked this year’s speakers with sharing an idea supported by their experiences. It’s our hope that after hearing these talks you’ll walk away having learned something—perhaps something you knew that you didn’t know. Perhaps something you didn’t know that you didn’t know. Ultimately, the purpose of this event is to bring people together to share ideas worth spreading. To encourage conversation and provide a catalyst for a change in perspective. Because it’s our belief that collaboration and conversation can solve the world’s biggest problems.

Z.J. Loussac Library Event Center
3600 Denali St.
Anchorage, Alaska, 99503
United States

Ben Kellie

Founder & CEO at The Launch Company

Ben Kellie is the founder and CEO of The Launch Company, an aerospace hardware, and services company based in Anchorage, Alaska that helps New Space companies get to space faster, cheaper, and more reliably. Previously, he led the field development of "Just Read the Instructions" and "Of Course I Still Love You," the SpaceX Landing Barges. He served as "Deck Boss" during the first missions and was first on—and last off—the barge during landing ops. He also helped design, test, and operate the SpaceX west coast launch site pad systems.

Brooks Banker

Violence Prevention Educator and Community Advocate

Brooks “Goldie” Banker is a violence prevention educator and community advocate with over 10 years experience working in HIV/STI prevention and awareness and LGBTQ+ advocacy and youth programming. Since 2020, they have been with STAR (Standing Together Against Rape), educating Alaskan youth on sexual violence prevention. Banker is also a producer, director and actor in the performing arts, most notably gracing the stage as bearded drag queen, Golden Delicious. They bring their creativity and passion to various leadership roles in the community serving on the Anchorage Arts Advisory Commission, the Alaska Room Task Force, and the Anchorage Alliance of Violence Prevention.

Lael Wilcox

Endurance Cyclist

Born and raised in Anchorage, Lael started cycling for transportation. This quickly became riding everywhere she went, traveling around the world on her bike and competing in ultra-endurance races. Lael is the top ultra-endurance female cyclist and sometimes beats all of the men too.

Lincoln Garrick

President of Up All Night Consultants & Assistant Professor of Business at Alaska Pacific University

Lincoln is the President of Up All Night Consultants and an Assistant Professor of Business at Alaska Pacific University. With more than 15 years in the business, marketing, and communications fields, he has provided public affairs strategy for national brands ranging from the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers and National Guard to the FAA, U.S. Park Service, and FDA. In Alaska, Lincoln has led communication efforts for the Municipality of Anchorage, Visit Anchorage, Rasmuson Foundation, Alaska Energy Authority, Denali Commission, UAA, Alaska Grown, The Salmon Project and many others including a half dozen State of Alaska Departments. Lincoln is a Rotarian; member of the Public Relations Society of America and Word of Mouth Marketing Association; and university frequent presenter.es here

Megan Militello

Founder & CEO at Elevated Oats

Megan Militello is the founder and CEO of Elevated Oats, a gourmet granola company in Anchorage, Alaska. She became devoted to spreading the message that living a better life is possible–and consuming food that lifts you up is a gateway to get there. She lives an elevated, healthy, and adventurous life in Alaska with her two dogs.

Rob Roys

Chief Innovation Officer at Launch Alaska

Rob is Launch Alaska's Chief Innovation Officer where he focuses on identifying opportunities for innovation, consulting with project developers on technology, and facilitating the deployment of clean energy solutions. He has been a core team member on projects ranging from sophisticated large-scale power systems to small, remote renewable systems. A common theme of Rob’s projects is enabling more cost-efficient operations, such as the Kodiak Electric flywheel port project, Shungnak diesel-off microgrid, and UAF's Power Systems Integration Lab.

Tela O' Donnell Bacher

Wrestling Coach & Gender Equality Advocate, 2004 US Olympian

Tela is a mother, coach, and gender equality advocate. Her passion is empowering young people to live to their full potential. Tela was raised by a single mother growing up in the woods living close to the Alaskan wilderness. She started wrestling at Homer Middle School after winning a fight against the local school board. Tela went on to place at the Alaskan High School Boys Wrestling State Championships, become the 2003 U.S. National Champion, 3x Team USA National Team Member, and make the first-ever US Women's Olympic Wrestling Team in 2004.

Woodrie Burich

Owner of the Integration Group

Woodrie Burich is a national speaker, executive coach, and Owner of the Integration Group—a company that empowers professionals to create sustainable and thriving work lives that enable them to enjoy more, stress less, and connect with their communities in meaningful ways. She has over 10 years of experience working in stress management and over 20 years of expertise in corporate sales and strategic business consulting for global organizations and Fortune 500 companies.