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).

4 The 1 Studio
950 Farm to Market 1960 Rd E Suite A
Houston, Texas, 77073
United States

Chas Sampson

Founder, Seven Principles Group

Chas Sampson is an Iraq War veteran and the founder of Seven Principles Group. Monikered after the seven Army values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage). Before founding Seven Principles, Chas served as a Decision Officer/VA Rater (RVSR) at the United States Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington, D.C.. He then went on to serve at the Pentagon as an Employee and Labor Relations executive at the United States Department of Defense.

Chuck Wachendorfer

Executive Coach

Chuck Wachendorfer is an internationally recognized speaker and executive coach. He spent 17 years at American Express/Ameriprise Financial, where he led thousands and set stellar performance records. Chuck has over 25 years of experience in helping executives and business owners achieve peak performance and efficiency. His work spans various industries, including financial services, real estate, technology, and healthcare. He specializes in leadership development, team cohesion, and growth strategies. Co-author of Don’t Wait for Someone Else to Fix It, Chuck is also an accomplished author. His insights have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., CNN Money, and Investor’s Business Daily.

Jacinta Elder

Physician

Jacinta Elder, MD is a physician and speaker. Her vast experience in academic, clinical, and governmental regulatory settings, including the USFDA and the NIH, afforded her several years of involvement with patients in a variety of clinical settings. Through it all, both her personal and professional experiences have taught Dr. Jacinta that “mind over matter” is not a cliché; it is how we live and create our lives and the language we embody is a powerful reflection of what lies deep within us.

Jennifer Hughes Hernandez

Mortgage Loan Officer

Jennifer Hughes Hernandez is a mortgage loan officer, author, and speaker. Jen is passionate about empowering others to make great choices through education, building trust and transparency. In everything she has done in her career for the last 3 decades has been according to her personal ethics of doing the right thing, showing people you care and doing your best, no matter the cost.

Kimberly Jackson Bekemeier

Physician

Dr. Kimberly Jackson Bekemeier, DO is a Board-Certified Family Physician, a certified health and wellness coach and woman living with Type 1 Diabetes. She is a volunteer with her local chapter of Breakthrough T1D and an active mom of 2 young boys that are learning to champion causes close to the heart with her efforts.

Larry S. White II

Actor

Larry S. White II is a distinguished podcaster, actor, and former member of the U.S. Navy. His theatrical work includes notable performances in productions such as “Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness” at Carnegie Hall, “A Lesson Before Dying,” and “A Raisin in the Sun.” On television, Larry has made appearances in shows like "Walker" and "Nashville," and he has collaborated with Dean Cain in "Condition of Return," as well as featuring alongside Dylan O'Brien in "Caddo Lake." Passionate about service and impact, Larry often shares the inspiring words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service."

Marlena Jbara

Radiologist, Coach & Artist

MSK Radiologist, Coach and Artist, Marlena Jbara MD is a lifelong learner and remains a student at heart. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the BA-MD Program at SUNY Downstate and Certified by the American Board of Radiology for over two decades, her contributions to Academic Musculoskeletal Radiology include formal residency training of hundreds of radiologists and podiatrists from Radiologic Anatomy to Empathy. She is a global subspecialty educator with expertise in creating engaging collaborative learning communities. Dr Jbara combines the synergy of creativity, coaching, community and collaboration to keep us stepping up!

Meghan Ashley

Therapist

Meghan Ashley is a therapist and an advocate for autism to be understood by all.

Paula Harris

Financial Planner

As a speaker, author and financial planner, Paula Harris is committed to helping widowed women regain financial peace of mind and navigate life’s transitions through her firm WH Cornerstone Investments. She shares a weekly dose of positivity on her YouTube channel Wisdom Wednesday with Paula Harris. Known for her heartfelt handwritten notes and warm hugs, Paula’s superpower is making meaningful connections, one note at a time.

Rodney Lawson

Leadership Speaker

Rodney Lawson began his career as an entry-level telephone sales representative for one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and eventually rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer at a financial firm. With 23 years of executive management experience, Rodney has developed leadership skills across various industries and levels. He is also the bestselling author of "Broken, Inspired, and Driven".