Theme: Changemakers - how disciplines, professions, and society will likely be different in 2030

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).

TEDxNazarethCollege
4245 East Avenue
Rochester, New York, 14618
United States

Dwayne Edwards

Vice President of Design, Capital One

As VP, Edwards builds iconic experiences for Navigator customers. Prior to Capital One, he was an executive director at IDEO with responsibilities ranging from managing an innovation lab for Ford to IDEO North America Operations. He previously worked as a product manager at Volvo Cars of North America, where he helped develop Volvo’s subscription model and built stronger relationships between retailers and customers. His leadership foundation was built in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as an intelligence and infantry officer. Edwards received his BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from Binghamton University, an MA in Criminal Law and Procedure from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. Edwards is a student of life and leadership and loves to learn from his experiences and history. He currently lives in Plano, TX, with his wife, dog, and three sons.

Emily Carpenter

Nazareth Associate VP for Experiential Impact

Her role oversees the Center for Life’s Work (CFLW), the Center for International Education, and the Office of Research, Scholarship, & Innovation. Prior to launching CFLW in 2016, she led Nazareth’s internship program and was an assistant professor in the School of Management. Before Nazareth, Carpenter spent 12 years in various roles within the career center at the University of Rochester. She earned a B.S. in Business Management from SUNY Geneseo, an MSEd in Counselor Education from SUNY Brockport, is a fellow in NSEE's Experiential Education Academy (EEA), and holds a Board Certified Coach (BCC) credential. Carpenter is currently pursuing a doctor of education degree through Northeastern University and focusing her research interests on supporting rural student career development.

Jazzmyn Ivery-Robinson

Nazareth Assistant Director for Advocacy and Social Justice

Ivery-Robinson serves in the office for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Education at Nazareth. She is also pursuing her doctoral degree at Drexel University studying Education Leadership & Management with a concentration in Mind, Brain, & Learning. Her doctoral studies are centered on the integration of neuromarketing tools and insights into higher education to advance the ways in which we view post-secondary education. Ivery-Robinson is also a native of Rochester, NY, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology and two Master’s Degrees from Nazareth College, the first in Management and the second in Marketing Communications Leadership.

Jesse Redlo

Professor at Nazareth, RIT, SUNY Brockport

Dr. Redlo received his Ed.D. in educational leadership, specializing in instructional leadership and educational technology from the American College of Education (ACE) and received his M.S. and B.S. (summa cum laude) in hospitality and tourism management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He is an advocate for social change in academia as well as the business world; he encourages his students to be changemakers throughout their careers.

Kevin Schoonover

Managing Director, Nazareth Arts Center

In addition to his Arts Center role, Schoonover owns an arts studio specializing in photography, fine art, and a host of other services. Schoonover has spent the last 12 years as creative director/executive producer of a children's television show. Before Nazareth, Schoonover was artistic director at Geneva High School and executive director of Smith Opera House, a historic, non-profit performing arts venue. He earned a BFA in graphic design from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Mark Weber

Clinical Associate Professor, Nazareth School of Business and Leadership

An expert in marketing and international business, Weber co-developed and is the director of the Business, Artificial Intelligence, and Innovation (B.S.) major and serves as the director of the Business Leadership (B.S.) major. He has earned multiple college honors for student mentoring. While an international leader for two corporations, he led teams or negotiated contracts in over 20 countries on 125 international trips. Weber received his bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising from Ohio University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Dayton.

Maryellen Dance

Owner, Pittsford Therapy & Wellness Group

Dance is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has experience working with all ages and in settings such as hospitals, clinics, drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities, and more. She has a B.S. in Psychology and Health Science from SUNY Brockport and a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Medaille University.

Nishant Lahiri

High School Senior

Lahiri is a senior at Corning-Painted Post High School in Corning, NY. He has developed iCART, an innovative system that enables individuals to take responsibility for their carbon footprint. He conducts research at Cornell University on the adsorbents best suited for the iCART process.

Nwana Okafor

Counselor, Greece Odyssey Academy

Okafor is a high school counselor in the Greece Central School District. He is passionate about connecting and building relationships with students to best support them in their academic, social and emotional needs. In addition to his counseling duties, Okafor is a basketball and track and field coach at Greece Odyssey. He holds a B.S. in Communicative Disorders and Sciences from SUNY Geneseo and an M.S. in Healthcare Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. He also earned an M.S. in Counseling and Human Development from University of Rochester that includes a specification in School Counseling and an additional concentration in Leadership.

Patrice Edwards

Nazareth Admissions Counselor

Edwards graduated from Nazareth College with a B.S. in Business Management and a M.S. in Marketing Communications. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to be creative when working with clients and co-workers.

Rachel Bailey Jones

Nazareth Professor of Education

In addition to teaching, Dr. Bailey Jones is co-director of the honors program. She received her Ph.D. from UNC-Greensboro in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations, with a certificate in Women & Gender Studies in 2007, an MST in Art Education from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2002, and a BFA in Painting from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1999. Her areas of scholarly interest are visual culture, critical visual literacy, graphic narratives, and the use of social media by teachers and in the educational system. She published her first book, Postcolonial Representations of Women: Critical Issues for Education, in 2011; her second book, (Re)thinking Orientalism: Using Graphic Narratives to Teach Critical Visual Literacy in 2016; and she co-edited the book Innovations in Conversations About Teaching: Beyond the Workshop with Maria Hopkins in 2021.

Rose Hair

Interim Dean, Nazareth School of Business and Leadership

Dr. Hair serves on Nazareth's Human Resource Advisory Council and was a 2017-18 fellow for Nazareth’s Teaching Integration and Innovation Lab (TIIL). She has a B.A. in History of Design and Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; M.S. in Human Resource Management, Sheffield Hallam University, UK; Ph.D., The University of Sheffield Management School, UK.