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).

Hixson-Lied Auditorium - Creighton University
602 N 20th Street
Harper Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68178
United States

Bob Rauner

Bob Rauner, MD, MPH, FAAFP splits his time between 2 jobs, Chief Medical Officer of OneHealth Nebraska ACO and President of Partnership for a Healthy Nebraska, as well as serving on the board of directors of Lincoln Public Schools and the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations. Bob received his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Creighton University, his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and his master of public health degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. He started his medical career as a family physician serving rural and underserved communities for 15 years, and then transitioned into health leadership and policy roles after finishing his MPH in 2010.

Dr. Jill Bruckner

Jill Bruckner approaches every day with humor and heart. An educator and communicator, Jill penned Omaha's "Last Laugh," column in Today’s Omaha Woman magazine for nearly 20 years. She brings nonprofit, academic, corporate, media and economic development experience to projects, having held roles in schools, Fortune 500 organizations and nonprofits. Jill enjoys the gift of immeasurable grace offered by countless friends, family and colleagues, and, currently, uses the concept of “grace” to foster inclusion and belonging in work groups. Her research in empathy and leadership broke new ground when she paired a basic human empathy scale with the Federal Human Capital Survey to measure leadership attitudes and actions. Jill believes in everyday leaders, the power of collaboration and the value of celebrating and elevating the unique accomplishments of all. She is the cofounder of The Next 100 and author of “The Man Who Stitched the Sky.”

Dr. John Kyndt

Dr. John Kyndt is a Professor of Microbiology and Sustainability. His specialties are in microbial genomics, metabolomics and bacterial photosynthesis. His research is focused on the genomics and biochemistry of bacteria and viruses from extreme environments, to better understand life’s adaptations to extreme conditions.

Dr. Michelle Black

Michelle Black is an associate professor of political science, co-director for the University of Nebraska deterrence lab, director for education and training for the National Counterterrorism Innovation Technology and Education (NCITE) center, research fellow for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and editor-in-chief for the Space and Defense Journal. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Black has over seventeen years of professional experience with the Department of Defense. Prior to her government civilian work, Dr. Black worked in Psychological Operations from 2001-2009 as U.S. Army Special Operations NCO (Airborne) for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and later as a Defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She holds a master’s degree in negotiation and dispute resolution from Creighton University, a graduate certificate in intelligence studies from Mercyhurst College, and a master’s in international relations from Troy University.

Elsbeth Magilton

Elsbeth Magilton is an attorney and educator serving as the Director of Externships and the Executive Director of the Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law programs at the University of Nebraska College of Law. She has appeared at SXSW in 2021 and has been quoted in The Atlantic, The Verge, and a host of other publications. In 2022 Elsbeth was named a “NExt Pioneer” with the Nebraska Tech Collaborative – a workforce initiative examining tech talent in the Midwest. She is also a current Scowcroft National Security Fellow at the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense at the U.S. Air Force Academy. From 2021-2023 Elsbeth served as the board president for Girls Code Lincoln, a nonprofit igniting passion for technology in 4th-9th grade students, where she now leads fundraising efforts. She also is a member of the Advisory Board for the Branched Oak Observatory, a sky park supported by science educators and astronomy enthusiasts.

Jewel Rodgers

Jewel is a spoken word poet, performer, and visual artist from North Omaha, Nebraska. She is a Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2022 Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards nominee for Best Performance Poet in Omaha. Alongside her artistic practice, she creates and maintains privately-held community amenities for public use while working professionally in commercial real estate.

Mike Smith, MD

Mike is a practicing academic Hospitalist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center since moving back to Omaha in 2014. That Christmas, he was given improv lessons at The Backline Theater as a gift. He initially hid the fact that he performed improv from his coworkers but began to incorporate the skills of improv into his job as a physician and an educator of future healthcare providers with extremely positive results. In 2018, he developed five workshops for the faculty development department at UNMC. Since then, he has led over 100 workshops and experiences using improv to educate other healthcare providers and professionals across the country in communication, wellness, and leadership skills. He still performs in monthly improv shows with his two regularly performing teams, Dad Jokes and Biscuits. He also has been a Top Teacher for both medical students and residents the past several years.

Randy Bretz

Randy’s career has involved broadcasting, telecommunications, higher education, church leadership and public corporation leadership. He finished his formal education in 1982 but has never stopped learning. Most recently, Randy worked with Leadership Lincoln, serves on the Broadband Community Council for Nebraska, is an active member of Rotary 14, the Public Image Chair for Rotary District 5650, the original licensee of TEDxLincoln, founding partner of the Nebraska Storytelling Festival, teaches at Nebraska Wesleyan and is a member of the board of Junior Achievement of Lincoln. For an old guy, Randy is considered technologically advanced and connected. He’s active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Be Real, TicToc and a variety of other services. Some fun things about Randy are that he’s been in all 50 states, participated in a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon and he regularly connects online with friends from the TEDx world.

Tamsen Butler

Born and raised in Southern California, Tamsen has lived in the Omaha area for two decades. An award-winning author and Air Force veteran, she’s the Senior Marketing Copywriter for Carson Group and a frequent contributor to Omaha Magazine. She also teaches yoga and indoor cycle classes at various gyms in the Metro area. A major stroke in 2015 left Tamsen with a host of physical and cognitive deficits. Nowadays, she’s an active volunteer for the American Heart Association and is an advocate for stroke survivors. She co-founded “The Stromies”, a global network of stroke survivors that provides encouragement and education to one another. Tamsen successfully reclaimed her life after her stroke by embracing adaptation, since full recovery wasn’t an option. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and nearly all forms of exercise (except running).