Theme: For the Public Good

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).

Bowen-Thompson Student Union
1001 E Wooster St
Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402
United States

Brandon Long

Brandon Long holds a M.S. in Biology, is finishing his M.A. in Philosophy at Bowling Green, and is enrolling in a philosophy Ph.D. in the fall. He currently researches ethics of enhancement and medical policy. During his Ph.D. Brandon hopes to expand how democratic deliberation can be implemented within the current clinical and research ethics framework. He has also published work on addiction, AI implementation, and research ethics.

Brian Lovins

Our criminal justice system is steeped in toughness. Since 1980, the criminal justice system has expanded 500% while crime has continued to decrease over the same time period. When people think about the system, they think we need to catch people breaking the law and hold them accountable and that will reduce crime. In fact, the entire corrections system is designed to watch for people breaking the rules and issuing penalties--trying to get people to become compliant with the law. Much like a referee does with players in a game. But instead of referees, many people in the criminal justice system needs a coach instead of a referee. A coach cares about their players, invests in them, and wants to see them win. They also have high expectations and hold their players accountable. Ultimately, if we want to change the system, we need to give people who commit crime a coach to help them win without breaking the law.

Briyanna Moore

Briyanna Moore is a 4th year Undergraduate Student majoring in Biology, and Double Minoring in Asian Studies and General Science. While learning about science is enjoyable, Briyanna enjoys connecting to other people from different cultures than her own. As such, Briyanna has engaged in opportunities to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea and Hiroshima, Japan where she has developed both Japanese and Korean language and cross-cultural skills. Briyanna's next step after graduating from BGSU is to work in the Public Health field, where she can continue to advocate for those around her.

Caleb Danielak

My name is Caleb Danielak and I am a graduate student in the Masters of Public Administration program here at BGSU. During my time here at BGSU during my undergrad I discovered I had a passion for people, wanting to know everything I could about how to make the world a more accepting place for all. I found that the best way to do this was by finding a common ground between even the fiercest of opponents and I looked to often overlooked ideas, like mass media and entertainment, to find those common grounds. I firmly believe everyone deserves to find what inspires them and the first step is finding someone who can guide them. I try to be that person whenever I can.

Calen Gray

I'm an aspirational systems engineer major at BGSU, and I’m a part of Alpha Tau Omega. During my life, I’m looking to become dedicated to transforming innovative technology from novelty to norm. My journey is fueled by a passion for advanced manufacturing and design, specifically in the automotive, AI, and healthcare sectors. I aim to lead initiatives that make cutting-edge technology accessible. My goal is to manage projects that not only innovate but also enhance daily life, ensuring the benefits of technology are universally available. This talk is possible because of years of research, conversations, and observations of our world.

Chief Ife Bell

Chief Zosimli Naa Ife Bell is a traditional tribal leader of the Dagbon Kingdom in the Northern Region of Ghana located in West Africa. Chief Bell is an internationally-recognized cultural innovator and an expert in guiding leaders to the next level of success by creating strategies that focus on leadership, culture, and healthier organizations. Chief Bell serves as the Strategy Officer for To Be Consulting, LLC. With a career track that shows measurable success, she works with leaders across all levels of an organization to increase business performance. Chief Bell’s academic credentials include a master’s degree in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change, a certified John Maxwell Coach, and a doctorate in Organizational Development and Change that she will complete in 2023. She has more than 15 years of experience leading global teams and organizations and ten years of experience in the field of education. The combination of her passion for providing effective and innovative global solutions with her leadership style ensures that the organization will continue to benefit from her expertise. Chief Bell is a dynamic leader and seasoned organizational philosopher who has championed initiatives that have contributed to significant leadership performance increases, reduced costs, increased staff capacity and fostered a healthy company culture of belonging. The Chief has been involved in developing diverse relationships with executive-senior level leadership, women leaders, and civic-community leaders around the globe while identifying areas of growth and executing strategies that foster thriving and positive change. Chief Bell’s passion for leadership and organizational performance stems from her leadership journey. As an award-winning educator and entrepreneur, she has a gift for being able to see the big picture and has dedicated her career to helping others develop personally and professionally. Her expertise includes developing talent strategies for a diverse workforce, navigating organizational change, and embracing disruptive innovation. She is known for applying her research to create impactful engagements that provide immediate results. Chief Bell’s extensive training, including Restorative Practices Circles, Collaborative Change, Community Development, Asset-Based Community Development, and Results-Based Facilitation, provides a strong foundation for moving hearts and minds. At the same time, experience in the business world enables her to bridge theory with application. Given that she has experienced many of the challenges faced by leaders today (and overcome them), she is able to cut through the clutter, focus on what matters most and engage others in identifying sustainable solutions that stick. As a sought-after trainer and go-to collaborator who has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for several large companies and global institutions such as Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University, Chamber of Commerce, FourPoint Education Partners, and YMCA. Chief Bell is a world leader and connector who inspires change and innovation. She enjoys reading, traveling, philanthropy, and advocating belonging. She serves on the board of directors for the YMCA Camp Ernst, the World Affairs Council of Kentucky, The Kaleidoscope Collaborative Institute, and as the Chair for the Louisville Sister Cities. She is also an active member of her church, the Organizational Development Network, and other professional organizations such as Society for Human Resource Management, Sister Cities International-Africa Region, and Bowling Green State University Doctorate in Organizational Development and Change Advisory Committee.

Damilare Adeyeri

Damilare Adeyeri is a Peak Performance Coach, Dance Fitness Instructor, and Triathlete. From gyms to schools, board rooms to dance studios, and from conference rooms to massive arenas, Damilare has used movement, coaching, and speaking to inspire hundreds of thousands of people globally to growth, wellness, and productivity across 50+ events and audiences spanning 190+ countries internationally. His peak performance movement seminars are a valuable exercise in transforming team and company cultures, delivering substantial value and insights in fostering team unity and honing leadership skills. As a contributor to the best-selling anthology "Dance Adventures: True Stories About Dancing Abroad," and holding dual Masters degrees in Cross-cultural, International Education and Dance Anthropology & Ethnochoreology (Choreomundus), Damilare understands that moving our bodies to music, both individually and with others, fosters physical health improvements, mental wellness, and both community connections and cultural understanding. With his infectious energy and radiant enthusiasm, Damilare inspires joy, passion, and global well-being!

Hoang Do

Hoang Do is the Assistant Director of the C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at Bowling Green State University. In addition to his role within the Marvin Center, Hoang is a doctoral candidate in a Higher Education Administration, Ph.D. program and is an educational instructor of multicultural leadership. Hoang’s work, in both his professional and academic career, is focused on the ways in which we as individuals can acknowledge, appreciate, and celebrate differences. In recognition of his work, Hoang has been named as the 2023 Ohio’s Outstanding New Professional and the 2024 Outstanding Emerging Professional in Student Leadership Programs from NASPA, the professional organization for student affairs administrators in higher education.

Jacqueline Hudson

Jacqueline Hudson, PhD is an independent museum professional and public historian with experience in the museum and historic preservation fields. She earned a doctoral degree in American Culture Studies and a graduate certificate in public history at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio. Her previous work has been featured at various cultural institutions such as the National Museum of African American Music, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and National Blues Museum. She has written scholarship in public history such Henrietta Wood: The Enslaved Woman Who Sued for (and Won) Reparations, Discovering Activism and Advocacy in Historic Preservation Through My Grandparents’ Furniture, a blog on jazz music, and Chillin' Like It’s 1986: Successes, Setbacks, Philosophical Considerations in the Immersive Rec Room Space of Growing Up X that will appear in Exhibition magazine in Spring 2024. Dr. Hudson is currently working on independent historical projects in both government and private sectors and is an online adjunct instructor teaching Cultural Anthropology and Ethnic Studies at Bowling Green State University.

Jiyoung Jung

Dr. Jiyoung Jung was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in child psychology and education. After moving to the United States with her family, Dr. Jung received a Bachelor of Arts with honors in biology at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she graduated on the Dean’s Honor List. At Baylor College of Dentistry, now known as the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. She was a member of the Odontological Honor Society, the Dean’s Honor List, the Dental Scholars’ program and a mentor for the Pre-Dental Enrichment Program. She also earned a certificate in education for health care professionals from the Texas A&M School of Graduate Studies. She graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and was recognized with the Merritt-Parks Award. After receiving her degree, Dr. Jung continued her studies through the Advanced Education for General Dentistry (AEGD) Program. In the AEGD program, she gained experience in full-mouth rehabilitation, esthetic restoration, and implant surgery and restoration, as well as various periodontal surgeries and advanced root canal therapies like retreatment. Through the program, Dr. Jung provided dental service to medically compromised patients and special-needs patients. She has also taught third- and fourth-year clinical dental students as an adjunct assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. Dr. Jung is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry and Texas Academy of General Dentistry, the Dallas Academy of General Dentistry, and The American Academy for Oral and Systemic Health. Dr. Jung has also been chosen to receive the Best Dentist in D Magazine for 2021, 2022 and 2023. Dr. Jung has been awarded her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), a distinction only 6% of all dentists have achieved. She is very detail-oriented, and she dedicates time to improving her knowledge and skills to be the best dentist she can be. Her goal is to provide patient-centered, comprehensive care. Recently Dr. Jung has been trained with experts in cranial, focusing on the airway, sleep, and craniofacial construction. She has collaborated with chiropractors, myofunctional therapists, nutritionists, and other physicians to treat the whole body. Dr. Jung is currently practicing in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Jung just celebrated 30th Anniversary with John and has two beautiful daughters, a son-in-law, and a precious granddaughter. She is a foodie, and she loves hot yoga.

Jonathan Kershaw

Dr. Jonathan Kershaw is an Associate Professor of Food and Nutrition at Bowling Green State University. His research focuses on sensory and messaging strategies to promote healthier and more environmentally sustainable food choices. He is passionate about teaching the rising generation of food and nutrition leaders. Jonathan received his Ph.D. in food science from Purdue University, where he also completed his post-doctoral work. He received a B.S. in food science from Brigham Young University. He enjoys cycling (mostly just commuting), basketball, and games with family and friends.

Madisyn Beare

Madisyn Beare is a third-year psychology student and the president of ASL club at BGSU. She is an advocate for taking steps to end discrimination against the Deaf community and creating a better society for generations to come. She intends to receive her interpreting certification after graduation to open mental health counseling to Deaf populations. Her passion is driven by friends and faculty who are deeply impacted by audism (discrimination against Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals) and a moral core which values equality for all.

Malik Jarrell-Miller

Aspiring Entrepreneur and BGSU Undergraduate Student

Malik Jarrell-Miller is an aspiring entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan. From venturing throughout many different aspects like podcasting, clothing, and real estate, he has experienced trial and error so far through his experiences. Malik have experienced how life can come with its high and lows but found that it is the author who writes the book, not the other way around.

Marissa Evans

Marissa L. Evans, MPOD, GPCC, ACC, is the owner of Marissa L. Evans Coaching + Consulting. Marissa is a Gestalt Professional Certified Coach who specializes in positive psychology and strength-based frameworks to facilitate individual and organizational change. Marissa is pursuing a doctoral degree in Organization Development and Change at Bowling Green State Univer

Olga Mack

Olga V. Mack is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and attorney dedicated to harnessing transformative technologies for positive change. Serving as a Lecturer at Berkeley Law, Fellow at CodeX, The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, and a Generative AI Editor at law.MIT Computational Law Report, Olga strongly advocates for integrating innovative technologies that enhance functionality and accessibility across various domains. Olga leverages her unique blend of expertise in technology and business to inspire and educate audiences. Recognized as a top speaker and thought leader, she shares her insights through various platforms, including Forbes, Bloomberg Law, law.MIT Computational Law Report, Newsweek, Venture Beat, Above the Law, ACC Docket, and many other popular and industry publications. Olga's work revolves around exploring the transformative potential of emerging technologies across industries. Her accomplishments include being honored with prestigious awards such as Silicon Valley Women of Influence, ABA Women in Legal Tech, Make Your Mark, Corporate Counsel of the Year, and Women Leaders in Technology Law. Join Olga in her mission to embrace technology for positive change and explore its impact on society, business, and innovation.

Quan Le

Quan Huynh Hieu Le, an MBA student, transitioned from a Bachelor's in Chemistry to business studies to broaden her horizons. Deeply involved in the international community on campus, she has served as an International Student Ambassador and as President of the Vietnam Student Association, while working closely with International Student Services. While her passion for science remains, pursuing an MBA aligns with her aspiration to thrive in dynamic environments and interact with diverse individuals daily. Quan's journey reflects her commitment to both academic excellence and meaningful community engagement.

Samson Akanni

Samson Akanni is a third-year Ph.D. student and a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Theatre and Film at Bowling Green State University. His research interests include Dance, Ritual, Gender, Activism, Practice as Research, and African/African diasporic Studies. After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the Department of Theatre Arts, at the University of Ibadan, where he majored and minored in Dance and Acting, respectively, he competed and won the Erasmus scholarship which sponsored his studies across Europe in the Choreomundus Program – International Master in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage.

Sara Chambers

Born and raised in Toledo, I graduated from BGSU in 2008 and moved to Seattle for my first nursing job. I moved back home and transitioned to the ICU. In 2012 my cousin, roommate and best friend died from injuries sustained in a car accident on the night he was The Best Man at his brother’s wedding. The grief psychologically paralyzed me. My world stopped. Eventually I became a Case Manager for Hospice of Northwest Ohio and am currently the Community Educator. I have been married for 9 years to BGSU alum, Rob, and we share 2 incredible children. I am on a mission to provide inspiration and practical advise for people who are uncomfortable with talking about death in the hopes that no one ever feels like I did.

Steve Russell

Steve joined Bowling Green State University in 2023 to lead a new unit within the university’s larger Life Design initiative – The Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections. He oversees corporate engagement efforts and supports university partnerships while leading a dynamic team aligned around employer relations, career design coaching, and on-campus student employment. Steve holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Wyoming, an M.S. in Consumer Behavior from Purdue University, and is an ABD doctoral candidate researching organizational behavior at Creighton University. His love of coffee runs deep and at the very moment you are reading this he likely has a blonde roast in hand.

Theresa Haskins

Join Dr. Theresa Haskins in her powerful TEDx talk, "The Neuro-Inclusion Revolution," as she shares her transformative journey of parenting twice-exceptional children and pioneering neurodiversity-informed solutions. Challenging societal norms, Dr. Haskins passionately advocates for a revolutionary shift, urging the recognition and celebration of the exceptional strengths within neurodivergent individuals. Through poignant personal anecdotes and groundbreaking research insights, she unveils the profound power of neurodiversity and the need to reshape models for success. This thought-provoking exploration at the intersection of personal experiences and research inspires positive change, inviting everyone to contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate future.