Theme: Elevating Miami: Stories of Vision, Teamwork, and Transformation

The inaugural TEDxMDC, brings together a vibrant lineup of Miami leaders and innovators to celebrate the city’s evolving identity and potential. Featuring speakers from diverse fields—including art, sports, history, and technology—this event highlights the collaborative spirit and transformative power shaping Miami’s future. Hear inspiring stories of resilience, creativity and community impact, all tied to the city’s rich cultural landscape. TEDxMDC offers a platform for bold ideas and shared visions, elevating the voices that are redefining Miami for generations to come.

MDC Wolfson Auditorium
302 NE 2nd Ave
Building1
Miami, Florida, 33132
United States

Joan Godoy

CEO Radical Partners

Joan Godoy, a Clinical Psychologist with a Master's in International Non-Governmental Organizations, is a passionate connector and advocate for equity. With over 10 years of experience in social change across five countries, she co-founded the Miami chapter of F*up Nights to promote vulnerability through sharing failure stories. A proud Guatemalan, Godoy is also a dancer, runner, avid yogi, frequent traveler, and dedicated chocolate enthusiast.

Meg Daly

Founder. Friends of the Underline.

Meg Daly is the Founder and CEO of Friends of The Underline, a non-profit transforming Miami's underutilized Metrorail land into a 120-acre park and trail. A 30-year veteran in sales and marketing, she previously owned First Media Direct and held executive roles in public relations, advertising, technology, and real estate. Daly, a Vanderbilt University graduate, has served on numerous philanthropic boards and currently chairs The Underline Conservancy, ensuring the park's maintenance and programming.

Michael Mannino

Co-Founder and Co-CEO Syneurgy

Michael Mannino, with a Master’s in Philosophy from California State University and a Ph.D. in Complex Systems and Brain Sciences from Florida Atlantic University, co-founded Syneurgy to enhance human collaboration through AI. As former Director of the AI Centers at Miami Dade College, he spearheaded AI initiatives and taught critical thinking and AI Ethics. Mannino is also the Chief Science Officer at Flow Research Collective, optimizing human performance and well-being through neuroscience.

Natasha Tsakos

Showmaker, Microgravity Adventures

Natasha Tsakos is a show maker at the intersection of Theatrical Adventures, Technology, and Impact. She has created and performed for the G20 Summit, Discovery Channel, Tribeca Film Festival, Luxembourg Sustainability Forum, the Super Bowl with Cirque du Soleil, and speaks at events like TED, Google, IBM, and the United Nations General Assembly, about the convergence of the arts and technology to drive transformative change.

Paul George

HistoryMiami

Dr. Paul George, a Miami native, is the resident historian at HistoryMiami Museum and a prominent figure in preserving South Florida's heritage. With advanced degrees from Florida State University, he has taught at institutions including Miami Dade College and the University of Miami. Dr. George has authored numerous historical works and is renowned for his dedication to education and community history tours, earning accolades for his contributions to historical preservation.

Shane Battier

NBA Champion

Shane Battier, a two-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013) and NCAA Champion with Duke (2001), is celebrated as one of basketball's most successful, albeit atypical, players in history for using his leadership, lockdown defense and intellect to win championships at every level. Dubbed the "No-Stats All-Star" by Michael Lewis in The New York Times Magazine, Battier pioneered the use of analytics in basketball, earning accolades such as consensus National Player of the Year and Final Four MVP (2001), NBA All-Defensive Team honors (2008, 2009), and NBA Teammate of the Year (2014). Off the court, he served as the Miami Heat's VP of analytics and basketball development and sits on boards like YEXT, Garnett Station, and ARB. Battier now works as an advisor, speaker and investor, sharing insights on how data and analytics can identify strengths, address weaknesses and unlock potential to build high-performing cultures across industries.