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).

TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon - Virtual Event
1482 E Valley Road, Suite 466
Santa Barbara, California, 93108
United States

Ari Matusiak

Ari is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Purpose Venture Group, a social impact advisory firm, and incubator that builds community-centered ventures to address climate and economic inequality. He has almost a decade of executive leadership and operational experience in renewable energy and household electrification. Ari served in the Obama White House as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Private Sector Engagement. He focused on economic policy related to jobs and competitiveness and oversaw the relationship between the Administration and the private sector. He is Co-Founder and Chairman of Young Invincibles; a national nonprofit focused on delivering economic opportunity to young adults. Earlier in his career, he was the senior executive responsible for strategy and impact investing at the Rhode Island Foundation, one of the country’s oldest and largest community foundations. His efforts resulted in over $1 billion of affordable housing and thousands of new, local jobs. In addition, Ari was a fellow at the Beeck Center for Social Impact and Innovation at Georgetown University. He graduated cum laude and as a Public Interest Law Scholar from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University. He lives with his wife, two daughters, and puppy in Southern California.