Theme: Think Again. Talks That Inspire a New Perspecitive

Welcome to TEDxSouthLakeTahoe, an extraordinary gathering of minds poised to challenge conventional thinking and inspire a fresh outlook on the world. This year's theme, "Think Again. Talks that Inspire a New Perspective," invites you to embark on a journey of reevaluation and discovery.

Join us on October 14, 2023 as dynamic speakers from diverse backgrounds take the stage to share their transformative ideas and stories. Each talk is a powerful catalyst for reconsideration, urging us to question assumptions and embrace the unfamiliar.

Prepare to be inspired, intrigued, and enlightened as we collectively embrace the spirit of "Think Again" at TEDxSouthLakeTahoe. Reserve your seat now for an unforgettable day of talks that will reshape the way you perceive the world.

Duke Theatre
1 College Dr
South Lake Tahoe, California, 96150
United States

Atlas Aultman

Leadership Development Trainer

Atlas helps proven leaders focus on who they are, who their teams are and who their mission serves by providing master-courses, books, and speeches designed to produce faster successes, retain talent, and attract high-value teammates. After almost 3 decades of serving in the United States military’s most elite teams, Atlas outwardly states that he joined the profession of arms to study leaders. He now shares lessons from his notes and time in Special Operations, Conflict zones and White House communities – using stories. He’s helped thousands of leaders, held responsibility for billions of dollars, and has recorded hundreds of successes, innovation improvements, and team wins while leading people in over 30 countries. His books have been featured on FOX, NBC, ABC and other major news outlets. He has contributed stories with lessons for multiple podcast hosts around the world. Atlas has five international best-selling books, holding bestseller status in US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Bridey Heidel

English Teacher

Bridey Thelen-Heidel is an award-winning English teacher, writer, and youth advocate. Her memoir, Bright Eyes, will be published by SheWrites Press in August 2024, and her work with LGBT+ youth has been celebrated in Read This, Save Lives and California Educator. She recently performed in Listen to Your Mother NYC and is a frequent podcast guest, speaking about the resilience, optimism, and bravery she developed surviving her abusive upbringing that she now uses to live the life of her dreams.

Devin Middlebrook

Government Affairs Manager

Devin Middlebrook was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe. He is the government affairs manager for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. In his role, Devin leads initiatives to create a more resilient Lake Tahoe. Devin earned his bachelor’s in business administration and sustainability from California State University, Chico and went on to receive his MBA from California State University, Sacramento. Devin is the former mayor and city council member of the City of South Lake Tahoe. As Mayor, Devin advocated for the environment, economic diversity, climate, housing, recreation, equality, and transportation. Finally, Devin sits on the board of directors for Chile Lagos Limpios, a NGO based in Santiago, Chile. Devin has shared his expertise to help create a more sustainable future for the lakes of Northern Patagonia. Growing up in Tahoe gave Devin an appreciation for the environment and getting outdoors, and the passion to ensure future generations have the same experience.

Gabriel Najera

Motivational Speaker

Gabriel Najera is a world-class motivational speaker without arms who inspires others to achieve their dreams despite obstacles. A professional, bilingual, public keynote speaker in English and Spanish, Najera is an inspiring, motivating and humorous professional speaker who has an ability to capture and lift the spirits of people, empowering them for a renewed reach toward any goals, dreams and purpose they once thought were impossible to accomplish. Gabriel was born in Mexico City with a disability where he has no arms and very short legs. The doctor's diagnosis at birth was that he was born without life. However, God had other plans for Gabriel by giving him a second chance to live a successful life. Since birth, he has managed to succeed in both his professional and personal life. A successful entrepreneur having created six successful companies in just a little over 25 years, a self published author of 2 books and a happy man after having formed an indescribable family.

Jacqueline Wales

Passionate Champion For Courageous Empowerment

Jacqueline Wales is the author of The Fearless Factor, The Fearless Factor @ Work, When The Crow Sings, a novel, and the creator of Transformational Strategies for Success, a comprehensive program designed to help executives enhance self-awareness, emotional intelligence and communication skills. She has explored human behavior and asked tough questions for more than 35 years. Jacqueline is a certified consultant for Human Synergistics behavioral assessments, the Global Leadership Wellness Survey, and The Immunity to Change program. Jacqueline also works with Australian Homeward Bound leadership program providing senior women in STEM with an opportunity to expand their leadership skills culminating in a journey to Antartica. She is a professionally trained singer, and global nomad who has lived and traveled on three continents, earned a black belt in karate, and is an active co-partner in a long-term marriage and mother of four children and three granddaughters.

Larry Sidney

Financial Partner

A dual-sport National Team athlete for Israel, Larry competed in Skeleton from 2014-2018 and Curling from 2018 to present. When not competing on ice, Larry is a Holistic Financial Adviser, helping businesses and families create their optimal retirement plan. Larry earned his MBA from UC Berkeley and undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut. At home, he is the father of 2 boys, Lucas (6) and Marcus (4), and husband to his amazing wife Kerstin.

Meena Srinivasan

Contemplative Leader

Meena Srinivasan is a seasoned educational leader, celebrated speaker, accomplished author, and visionary entrepreneur. With over two decades of dedicated service, she’s always been an educator-activist at heart consistently championing the fusion of Mindfulness and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). In 2022, she was featured as one of Mindful Magazine's "Ten Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement," while also gaining recognition in Educational Leadership Magazine for her insights into Mindful Leadership and Wellbeing. As a prominent voice in the field, Meena focuses her speaking and writing on Emotional Intelligence and Belonging. She is the creative force behind the SEL Every Day online courses and the author of two influential books: Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness In and Out of the Classroom and SEL Every Day: Integrating SEL with Instruction in Secondary Classrooms.

Santor Nishizaki

Millennial and Generation Z Advisor

Dr. Santor Nishizaki is the founder and CEO of Mulholland Consulting Group and co-author of the #1 bestselling book, Working with Gen Z: A Handbook to Recruit, Retain, and Reimagine the Future Workforce after COVID-19. His work on leadership and Generation Z in the workplace has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Psychology Today, BBC, CBC, Fast Company, and more. In addition to speaking and training, Santor is a Ph.D. professor of Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University and a former acting city manager.