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).

The Historic
1601 Rossville Ave
Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37408
United States

Daniela Paz-Peterson

Tennessee Director Welcoming Places

A native of Chile, Peterson holds a degree in Social Work from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso She joined Trust for Public Land as a Creative Placemaking Fellow in 2018 and most recently served as its Community Strategies Senior Advisor. Among her achievements are the East Lake Free Family Photo Day, a project offering professional photographs for families in their local park, and the Park Listeners Program, focused on community input in park planning. Her work has gained national recognition, earning her awards such as the Footprint Foundation’s Footprint Award (2019), La Paz Chattanooga’s Latino Leadership Award (2017), and TPL’s Will Rogers Fellowship. She serves on the Board of La Paz Chattanooga, ArtsBuild, the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga.

Gail Loveland Barille

Director, Outdoor Chattanooga

Gail Loveland Barille joined Outdoor Chattanooga in 2022, inspired by the opportunity to provide more entry points for people of all backgrounds and abilities into outdoor spaces. She brings with her over 25 years of experience working in outdoor recreation, inclusion, and youth development and a portfolio of nationally recognized adaptive recreation programs, events, and facilities. Gail’s background is highlighted by her time leading adaptive recreation programs and in partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club, Conservation Legacy, the National Park Service, the US Forest Service and a variety of other national outdoor and community leaders. You can find her and her family daily on a trail, waterway, or greenway; adventuring with a variety of backpacks, helmets, camping, and paddle gear.

Joel Houser

Director of Capital Grants

Joel administers OSI’s grant programs in the southeast and provides technical assistance to conservation organizations developing science-based strategic conservation plans. Before joining OSI in 2016, Joel served as the Southeast conservation director for the Land Trust for Tennessee. Joel holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He lives and works in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Shawanna Kendrick

Founder/CEO

Shawanna is the Founder and CEO of The Hiking Healing (H2) and Outdoors (O) Life. H2O, as it’s often called, is a licensed business providing a safe space for black women to grow personally as they seek to find a sense of self in nature. Shawanna's organization is based out of Chattanooga Tennessee. Since its inception, H2O has curated spaces for just over 500 black women and girls with programs like Women on Water, the Black Women Paddle, The H2O Life Outdoor Girls Leadership Academy as well as hikes, meditative nature walks, and paddling excursions. In addition, Shawanna is an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified Community Paddlesports Leader, which allows her to teach basic paddling skills while helping black women especially overcome obstacles preventing them from enjoying all that nature has to offer.